Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A man in his 60s who died near the front entrance of a supermarket Saturday night may have died of natural causes.

First responders located a 66-year-old man unresponsive outside Vons, 777 S. Glendora Ave., June 25 after being called just after 8 p.m. Paramedics found the man not breathing and pronounced him deceased, according to the West Covina Police Department.

“The decedent was a 66-year-old male who had a history of medical issues. No foul play is suspected,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner was not readily available to identify the man.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - Few details are available after a death was reported just after 8 p.m. June 25.

Police responded to Vons, 777 S. Glendora Ave., according to Lt. Brian Daniels of the West Covina Police Department.

Daniels had no other details regarding the possible circumstances surrounding the death, or even a general description of the victim.

Video from the scene showed a body covered in a white sheet at the front entrance to the supermarket, yellow crime scene tape setup and officers on scene.

WEST COVINA – Two men were arrested, accused of attempting to steal a tailgate from a Toyota pickup truck June 8, the West Covina Police Department said.

Arrested were Anthony Yuban Venegas, 26, and James Michael Aguirre, 31. Venegas was arrested and booked on suspicion of felony reckless evading, attempted grand theft and receiving stolen property. Aguirre was booked on suspicion of attempted grand theft and grand theft, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

Two suspects were spotted around 1:44 a.m. in the area of Cameron Avenue and Lark Ellen Avenue by a patrol officer. The men fled into a vehicle and led officers on a brief pursuit along surface streets until crashing into some shrubbery in City of Industry, according to Alexus Napoles, community relations officer with the West Covina Police Department.

Both suspects, later identified as Venegas and Aguirre, fled the crash, but officers found them and arrested them.

Officers discovered a tailgate taken from somewhere else, tucked inside the crashed vehicle, according to the West Covina Police Department.

“Both suspects were also wanted out of Orange County and had felony warrants for their arrest,” according to the West Covina Police Department.

Venegas is being held without bail. His next scheduled appearance in the West Covina courthouse is June 21, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Aguirre is being held in lieu of $65,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the West Covina courthouse September 8, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

WEST COVINA – A suspect simulated a firearm and took off with an undisclosed amount of cash from a dairy June 10.

The robbery occurred at Royal Crest Dairy, 1818 E. Rowland Ave. The crime was reported at 9:31 p.m. The suspect approached the employee, simulated the firearm and demanded money, according to the West Covina Police Department.

“Once the money was obtained, the suspect fled the location prior to officers being contacted,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

The suspect was not found after a search.

The suspect was only described as a Black male.

WEST COVINA – A vigilant witness who saw a tagger in action helped put the painting perpetrator behind bars June 8.

The witness saw the tagging in action on a business’ wall at The Heights, 2260 S. Azusa Ave., Wednesday. Officers arrived, detained a suspect and discovered 30 spray cans in his possession, according to the West Covina Police Department.

The suspect is accused of causing approximately $8,000 in damage to the property.

Jose Aranda Garcia was booked on suspicion of felony vandalism.

“Due to the witness's information leading to a successful arrest, they received a $100 cash reward,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Witnesses who wish to report vandalism in progress are urged to call 626-939-8585.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - Police have just announced the arrest of a man accused of sexually battering a 17-year-old girl May 21.

Manuel Avila, 25, was recently arrested by West Covina detectives with assistance from the Covina Police Department. Avila was booked on suspicion of sexual battery and is being held in the West Covina jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.

The West Covina Police Department issued a public statement for assistance in identifying the suspect June 1. Avila was arrested two days later, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Avila was panhandling in the 200 block of N. Citrus Ave. when he came in contact with a 17-year-old girl. During the contact, Avila allegedly sexually battered the girl then fled the location, according to the west Covina Police Department.

Avila is scheduled for an appearance in the West Covina courthouse Tuesday, June 7.