Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - A 16-year-old is facing several charges in the fatal hit and run of a man defending his brother’s store from theft.

The teen, publicly unnamed due to his age, faces one count of murder and two counts each of second-degree robbery in the April 9 South El Monte robbery, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Investigators identified the vehicle used in the crime that took place at Giant Discount Store, 2039 Durfee Ave. The teen driver was located and arrested April 18, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Kourosh Yaghoubi, 63, was visiting his brother at his discount store when a teen entered and reportedly stole merchandise. Yaghoubi chased the teen into the parking lot where a physical altercation occurred, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

“During the altercation, a second suspect exited a dark colored sedan and also fought the vicitim. The suspects then entered the sedan and deliberately struck the victim with the vehicle several times,” according to the Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

Yaghoubi died at the scene.

The case continues as investigators are attempting to identify several other suspects who were seen in the vehicle during and after the crime.

The teen appeared in court April 23 and is scheduled for another hearing June 2.

Anyone with information who can identify outstanding suspects is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - Investigators are looking for a shooter after a friend dropped off a gunshot victim at a hospital early Tuesday morning.

Hospital staff at Greater El Monte Community Hospital, 1701 Santa Anita Ave., alerted deputies to the gunshot victim just before 1 a.m. January 28.

Deputies were told the shooting occurred at Rosemead Boulevard and Garvey Avenue. A friend dropped the victim off at the hospital and left the vehicle there. Deputies found the vehicle, but no driver, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department crime broadcast.

Deputies were investigating a possible gang aspect to the shooting.

The victim’s updated condition is not immediately known. Whether a suspect is in custody is also unclear.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - A Metro bus struck a parked and loaded flatbed connected to a semi early Wednesday morning.

As many as 12 people were injured in the crash. They were all sent to area hospitals, including the driver who suffered a back injury, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department radio traffic.

Seven people suffered minor injuries. Four suffered moderate injuries and one person is listed in critical condition.

The bus struck the semi on North Rosemead Boulevard and Klingerman Street just after 6 a.m. December 18.

It is not immediately clear what led to the crash.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - A pedestrian was killed after being hit by a van Tuesday afternoon.

A white Toyota Sienna van struck and killed the pedestrian near 750 Santa Anita Ave. just before 5:50 p.m. December 10. The pedestrian died at the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The pedestrian was identified as 66-year-old Terry Xiao, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Caltrans assisted in temporarily shutting down traffic lanes on Rosemead Boulevard during the investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - Possibly up to 100 pieces of mail were taken in a daytime burglary from a postal truck Friday afternoon.

The crime took place outside 1450 Merced Ave. around 1:22 p.m., according to Sgt. Santana of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

It is not publicly clear if the suspect physically broke into the mail truck, or if the truck was left open, allowing quick access for the theft to take place.

Deputies arrived within one minute of been called to the scene and searched the area, but no suspect was located. The suspect is described as a Latino male in a Dodgers hat and brown pants, Santana told SGV CityWatch.

A witness described a Nissan Altima leaving the scene, but it is unclear if the vehicle was driven by the suspect.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - A man was stabbed outside of South El Monte High School during an altercation, authorities said.

The man was stabbed as people were leaving the high school graduation June 5. He received injuries to his lower back and was taken to a hospital where he is recovering, according to Sgt. Santana of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

Deputies were already present on the campus, 1001 Durfee Ave., when the stabbing occurred just before 9:30 p.m. and quickly went to the scene. The suspect already fled the location, Santana told SGV CityWatch.

Santana could not elaborate on why the argument and altercation started.

The suspect was only described as a Latino man in his 20s. He was dressed in all black.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - Authorities need public assistance in locating a hit-and-run driver who killed a pedestrian early Saturday morning.

The fatal crash occurred in the intersection of Chico Avenue and Garvey Avenue around 7:20 a.m. April 27. The light-colored sedan that hit the pedestrian fled the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The pedestrian died at the scene, according to Lt. Kearney of the Sheriff’s Temple Station.

Anyone with information on this crash, or who can identify the driver, is urged to call the Sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-285-7171. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - Deputies announced the seizure of more than 5,500 of marijuana plants and 450 pounds of processed marijuana recently, leading to the arrest of 12 individuals for alleged narcotics violations.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau investigation took place at an undisclosed warehouse in South El Monte.

“By targeting these illegal operations, the LASD plays a crucial role in dismantling the networks that fuel organized crime, directly enhancing community safety and well-being,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - A shooting victim wound up at a hospital, taken by a family member after an incident at a motel Tuesday morning.

The shooting took place at the Sierra Inn, 1171 Durfee Ave. First responders were notified around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 17. The victim was dropped off at a nearby hospital and then was transported to a trauma center for treatment, according to Lt. Hernandez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

The victim was grazed in the head by a bullet and is currently in stable condition, Hernandez told SGV CityWatch.

The suspect, only described as a Latino man, is outstanding, as well as the weapon. The motive is still under investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - Homicide detectives are investigating an infant’s death Friday morning.

Investigators were sent to the 1200 block of Lerma Road at 8 a.m. Friday, April 28. The infant was found dead at the location, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators have yet to elaborate on possible circumstances that may have led to the infant’s death.

Anyone with information on this death is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.