Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A suspect who allegedly fled during a traffic stop was arrested Sunday after a brief pursuit, police said.

During the chase, the suspect crashed into a curb. He fled on foot and a search helped to put the suspect behind bars, according to the West Covina Police Department.

A patrol officer performed a traffic stop on a driver for vehicle code violations around 1:11 a.m. in the area of South Sentous Avenue and La Puente Road November 22. Although the driver stopped, he made a u-turn and sped away before the officer could contact him, according to the West Covina Police Department.

The driver crashed at Nogales Street and La Puente Road, according to Lt. Tony Cortina of the West Covina Police Department.

West Covina man Dru Benitez, 22, was booked on suspicion of felony evading, Cortina told SGV CityWatch.

Benitez is being held in lieu of $170,000 bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Court Tuesday, November 24, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

REGION - Authorities in Arizona and California continue their investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a West Covina man who was last seen September 12.

Shane Michael Rollman, 31, Left his home in West Covina September 12. His BMW was found abandoned at the McGuireville rest area in Rimrock, Arizona September 23. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt, jeans and black shoes, according to the FBI.

In a September 28 article published in the Verde Valley Independent & Camp Verde Bugle, Rollman’s father, Steven, said recent tragedies and the COVID-19 restrictions weighed heavy on Shane’s mind.

Shane’s BMW 328i had no gas left in the tank. His computer and cell phone were also found abandoned in the car.

Shane fueled up his BMW at a supermarket in Camp Verde on September 13. He also withdrew $700, according to the article.

Shane’s grandmothers passed away, his mother nearly died and he also apparently lost his job due to the pandemic, according to the article.

Shane’s parents said he is inexperienced in camping and hiking. They suspect he may have hitched a ride, according to the article.

Anyone with information on Rollman’s whereabouts is urged to call a local FBI field office.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - An adult male died at the scene of a crash November 6, police said.

The collision occurred on Lark Ellen Avenue at Cameron Avenue at 5:07 p.m. Four vehicles were involved, according to Keith Freeman, acting lieutenant of the West Covina Police Department.

The West Covina Police Traffic Bureau is investigating the crash. One of the drivers may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash, but it is still unclear what caused the collision, Freeman told SGV CityWatch.

Freeman was not sure if anyone else was injured.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - The coroner recently named the man whose body was found near a parking structure at the Lakes Shopping Mall in West Covina.

Luyllin Garcia, a 28-year-old transient, was identified by Sarah Ardalani, public information officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

The cause of Garcia’s death has been deferred pending additional investigation.

Garcia’s body was found after he either fell, or jumped from the third level of a parking structure near the Lakes Shopping Mall Saturday, October 24, a West Covina Police lieutenant said.

Officers were called to the parking structure north of the Regal Edwards Cinemas around 11:25 p.m. Investigators do not suspect foul play, according to Lt. Jeff Munn of the West Covina Police Department.