Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - One person was found wounded after a shooting Friday night.

Officers were called to the 2000 block of South Valinda Avenue around 9:17 p.m. July 22. The victim wound suffered injuries considered not life-threatening, according to Lt. Brian Daniels of the West Covina Police Department.

Lt. Tim Rodgers said he did not know the possible motive behind the shooting. He was unable to provide a suspect description.

WEST COVINA – The occupants of a residence were not home when their house went up in flames Monday afternoon.

The house, a detached garage and a boat parked in the driveway all suffered extensive damage in the 400 block of North Phillips Avenue, according to the West Covina Fire Department. 

Los Angeles County firefighters assisted West Covina with extinguishing the flames.

The West Covina Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit is determining the cause.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA – A suspect was booked on suspicion of felony domestic battery, forced oral copulation felony evading and resisting arrest in a string of crimes ending with a lengthy barricade.

Raul Sanchez, a 45-year-old West Covina man refused to stop for officers when they attempted to pull him over July 12. He was accused of battery and attempted rape in the 200 block of North Broadmoor Avenue, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Officers were dispatched to the neighborhood around 9:11 p.m.. Officers were told Sanchez was armed with a handgun. Officers located Sanchez as he was driving in the area, but he refused to stop and led police on a pursuit.

The chase scurried along several SoCal freeways, including the I-10, 710 and 105 freeways, and surface streets in West Covina, Whitter and Inglewood.

Sanchez returned to the 200 block of North Broadmoor and collided with the rear of a parked vehicle. Officers boxed in Sanchez who attempted to free the jammed vehicle by accelerating in reverse, kicking up sparks and smoke.

“The suspect made threats that he had a gun and was not giving up. The suspect refused to exit the vehicle and West Covina SWAT team was deployed. The suspect was taken into custody at approximately 2:25 am after the deployment of chemical agents and a police K9,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Sanchez was booked at the West Covina Jail and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

“The suspect did not possess a gun on his person when he was taken into custody. It is not known yet if there is a gun in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed and taken back to the police station and will be searched by detectives in the near future,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A 71-year-old man remains in critical condition after a possible road rage confrontation led to an assault June 29.

Walter Mauricio Madrid, 29, was arrested the day of the alleged assault, according to Los Angeles County booking records. He was booked on suspicion of battery/aggravated assault, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Just before 6:30 p.m. June 29, the victim, an Avocado Heights resident, and Madrid May have gotten into a road rage incident near Sunset Avenue and Plaza Drive. The incident ended with a physical confrontation at Evanwood Avenue and Merced Avenue where the victim was knocked unconscious, according to the West Covina Police Department.

As of July 7, the victim was still in critical condition.

Madrid posted $30,000 bond the day of the assault, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Anyone with information that can help this investigation is urged to call West Covina Police Detective Silva at 626-939-8539.

WEST COVINA - A four-door sedan crashed into a home June 14, causing major damage, the West Covina Fire Department said.

No one was injured in the crash that occurred at Valinda Avenue and Maplegrove Avenue around 5 p.m. The building’s stability was determined to be compromised, according to the West Covina Fire Department.

“City of West Covina Fire Department USAR personnel assessed the building requested assistance from Los Angeles County Fire Department USAR 103 who then built and placed a long term shoring system,” according to the West Covina Fire Department in a written statement.