Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - An arson suspect was arrested Thursday, accused of igniting a fire at a street side electrical conduit box.

Firefighters were sent to East Vine Street and Hollenbeck Avenue just before 3 p.m. Thursday, August 29. An investigation led firefighters to a suspicion of arson, according to the West Covina Fire Department.

West Covina arson investigators and police officers arrived and a suspect was soon identified, located and arrested.

Arrested was 34-year-old Christopher Delon Fleytas. He was booked on suspicion of arson, possession of an incendiary device and possession of methamphetamine. He also had an outstanding warrant for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, according to the West Covina police department.

Fleytas is being held in lieu of $80,000 bail in the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court September 4.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE: As of 7:45 a.m., all lanes are now open.

WEST COVINA - At least one person died in a multi-vehicle crash on the eastbound I-10 freeway just east of Azusa Avenue early Saturday morning.

Only the No. 5 lane is open. All other lanes remain closed until further notice, according to the California Highway Patrol.

It is unclear how the crash led to the fatality, but after the collision involving a blue Toyota Camry, a semi and at least one other car, occupants exited their vehicles and were standing in traffic lanes with other vehicles coming in fast, according to California Highway Patrol traffic logs.

The crash was reported to the CHP around 4 a.m. August 31. Debris apparently was spread across all lanes, necessitating a brief full lane closure of the eastbound side before law enforcement was able to open up one lane.

Details on the person who died at the scene we’re not readily available.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A child has come forward with claims of sexual abuse against a man already accused of possessing hundreds of images of child porn.

A federal warrant was issued for Matthew Peter Mullen, 39. He was arrested August 8 and initially booked on suspicion of possessing child pornography and possession of obscene images of minors in a sexual manner, according to the West Covina Police Department.

“Later on August 08, 2024, a victim who is a minor was identified. West Covina Police Detectives and Special Agents from HSI contacted the victim and their family. This criminal investigation led to additional allegations of sex acts with a child under 10 years of age against S-Mullen,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

The alleged acts were said to have occurred January 1, 2021.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple felony counts for sex acts with a child under 10 years of age. Mullen was arraigned in West Covina Superior Court August 12 and is being held without bail.

It appears none of the original porn charges were included when Mullen was charged, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

Mullen pleaded not guilty August 12. He is scheduled for an early disposition hearing September 9, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

Assisting with the investigation are the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Department of Homeland Security.

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​The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A weeks-long investigation involving the West Covina Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Department of Homeland Security resulted in the arrest of a 39-year-old man accused of possessing hundreds of images of child porn.

Matthew Peter Mullen was arrested August 8. He was booked on suspicion of possessing child pornography and possession of obscene images of minors in a sexual manner, according to the West Covina Police Department.

A federal warrant was issued for Mullen’s arrest. Mullen was allegedly found in possession of more than 600 obscene images, according to the West Covina Police Department.

He was taken into custody at 9 a.m., August 8, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Mullen has apparently performed work as a volunteer and local organizations.

His LinkedIn and Facebook profiles list extensive work in quality assurance for a variety of video game developers, most recently with Infinity Ward, Elodie Games and Disney Interactive.

“Due to Mullen’s volunteer efforts in local organizations, Investigators believe there may be additional victims. HSI Los Angeles and the West Covina Police Department are asking for assistance from the public,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Anyone with information on this investigation is urged to call West Covina Police Detective Iside at 626-939-8520 or contact the HSI TIP Line at 877-447-4847 and reference the Matthew Mullen investigation.

Mullen is scheduled to appear in West Covina Superior Court August 12.

********** The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner revealed the manner of death for a 38-year-old man found in a home July 14.

Felipe de Jesus Rodriguez died from multiple sharp force injuries. The death was deemed a homicide.

An early-morning call of a man down led first responders to a dead body July 14 in a house in the 2300 block of West Havenbrook Street around 5:49 a.m. Firefighters declared the victim dead at the scene.