Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - As many as three men forced their way into a home early Thursday, pretending to be police officers.

The home invasion occurred in the 2200 block of Pacific Park Way around 4 a.m. December 27. The suspects yelled “police” and search warrant” as they force their way in, but the residents quickly knew the suspects were not officers, according to the West Covina Police Department.

           VIDEO/Courtesy of the West Covina Police Department.

Children were also present inside the home at the time the men broke in, West Covina Police said.

The suspects fled after the residents called 9-1-1. They took a television with them as they ran and fled into what is believed to be a dark-colored four-door sedan.

The suspects were only described as young males.

“No weapons were seen but West Covina Police want to warn the public that these types of suspects could be armed,” West Covina Police said in a written statement. “West Covina Police are asking residents to be vigilant and they should call 911 on any suspicious people or activity, particularly if people are forcing entry into their home claiming to be police officers.”

Anyone with information on the suspects is urged to call West Covina Police at 626-939-8688.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A possibly armed man continues to barricade himself almost five hours after fleeing police.

The man is barricaded in a home in the 1000 block of South Willow Avenue. Officers were investigating a shooting when the suspect fled from them, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Officers were called to the area after a bullet reportedly went through the window of a home, West Covina Police said.

Officers are asking people to stay out of the area.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
​CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A driver died in a crash early Monday after entering the I-10 freeway west of Citrus Street the wrong way.

The driver, 54-year-old Margarita Vargas, died at the scene of the collision. West Covina Firefighters declares her dead at 3:26 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Vargas was identified by the Los Angeles a County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

A preliminary report indicated Vargas died of blunt force trauma, the CHP said.

The CHP responded to a call at 2:56 a.m. of a wrong-way driver westbound in the No. 1 lane of the eastbound I-10 freeway. Four minutes later, callers reported a collision.

It is unknown why Vargas entered the freeway the wrong way.

The 30-year-old driver Vargas slammed into was apparently not injured, the CHP.


All eastbound lanes were shut down during an investigation at 3:17 a.m. Lanes were reopened at 5:18 a.m.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
​CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A man and woman were jailed Saturday after fleeing their crashed ride during a short pursuit December 15.

The pursuit began outside West Covina jurisdiction when a West Covina officer attempted to stop a vehicle without license plates. The driver sped off and recklessly led police on a chase, according to Sgt. Michelle Figueroa of the West Covina Police Department.

Police attempted to stop the driver along Cypress Street at 5:13 p.m.

The driver fled police at high speed, ran red lights and made unsafe lane changes during the pursuit, Figueroa said.

The pursuit continued northbound on Grand Avenue in Glendora where the driver attempted to turn east on Dawson Avenue, but the driver struck a curb and knocked over a street sign at 5:17 p.m.

Both suspects fled on foot, but vigilant residents helped police find the suspects, Figueroa said.

Arrested were Marina Rosalyn Gonzalez, a 25-year-old West Covina woman, and Jaime Gerardo Rivera, a 34-year-old Covina man.

Among the booking charges are grand theft auto, evading police, possession of methamphetamine, resisting or delaying a peace officer and possession of burglary tools.

Gonzalez is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail. Rivera is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County booking records.


Both suspects are scheduled to appear in Citrus Municipal Court West Covina Tuesday, December 18.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A La Puente man died at a hospital and his is recovering from her injuries after the two were hit by a Chevrolet Cruze Thursday morning.

The collision occurred just after 7 a.m. December 13 at Sunset Avenue and Fairgrove Avenue. The couple had just stepped into the crosswalk westbound across Sunset when the driver of the Chevy Cruze struck them, according to Cpl. Rudy Lopez of the West Covina Police Department.

The driver, a 27-year-old woman was turning north onto Sunset from eastbound Fairgrove in her blue 2018 Chevy Cruze.

The husband, 79, and wife, 72, were taken to County/USC Medical Center where the husband died. The wife received moderate injuries and is expected to live.

The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A failed grand theft auto attempt and yard-to-yard search yielded two teen suspects, police said Monday.

Family members of the intended victim broke up the attempted grand theft auto around 9:20 a.m. in the 1500 block of West Rowland Street December 10. The two males and one female fled the location, according to Sgt. Michelle Figueroa of the West Covina Police Department.

Numerous residents notified police that the suspects were fleeing through their yards. One suspect fled to the roof of another, Figueroa said.

Nearby Monte Vista Elementary School was on lockdown during the suspect search.

Ernesto Alonso Ramirez, 18, from South El Monte, was booked on suspicion of grand theft auto, burglary and receiving stolen property.

Also arrested was a teen girl from Los Angeles.

Police also located a vehicle the suspects were driving in -- an unreported stolen vehicle from East Los Angeles, Figueroa said.

The remaining suspect was seen jumping into the rear yard of a home in the 1700 block of West Eldred Avenue.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A multi-lane Sig Alert was cleared this morning after a multi-vehicle crash claimed one life on the westbound Interstate 10 freeway in West Covina December 7.
 
The crash between a big rig, an SUV and a sedan black the No. 2, 3 and 4 lanes near Holt Avenue around 1:45 a.m. Friday. All westbound lanes were temporarily blocked while authorities and first responders arrived to treat the wounded, according to the California Highway Patrol.
 
It was unclear how many others were injured in the collision.
 
The Sig Alert, issued at 2:06 a.m., was cancelled at 5:28 a.m.
 
All lanes were cleared of the crash by 6:42 a.m.

WEST COVINA - A dead male was found alongside some bushes near the Interstate 10 freeway Wednesday morning.

The body was found along the freeway near the 3200 block of East Holt Avenue around 10:26 a.m. by a passerby, according to the West Covina Police Department.

“The body was already in a state of decomposition, making it difficult to determine any further details about the victim’s description,” West Covina Police said in a written statement.

The male had no identification on his person.

Coroner investigators will determine the cause of death.

Anyone with information on this death is urged to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8500.