Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

WEST COVINA - A house fire claimed the life of a resident March 5.

Pack rat conditions hindered firefighters’ ability to search the home in the 2100 block of E. Thackery Street. Firefighters were dispatched at 10:12 a.m., according to the West Covina Fire Department.

Firefighters arrived five minutes later and saw smoke and flames from the home. A neighbor believed someone might still be inside, according to the West Covina Fire Department.

“At approximately 10:37 a.m., firefighters located an elderly female inside the residence and removed her from the structure. Despite rapid intervention by firefighter/paramedics, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene,” according to the West Covina.

The fire was knocked down within 25 minutes.

The victim was identified as 76-year-old Janet Capps. She died from inhalation of products of combustion and thermal burns. Her death was ruled accidental, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

The cause is currently under investigation by the West Covina Fire Department Investigation Unit with assistance from the West Covina Police Department, in coordination with regional investigation task forces. Damage to the home is estimated at approximately $200,000, according to the West Covina Fire Department.

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The death record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Information about the decedent(s), including cause and manner of death, is public record and was distributed by government sources.

Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

WEST COVINA - He may have gotten brownie points for creativity, but that will do little in the eyes of the law for a man who attempted to skirt freeway HOV laws recently.

A California Highway Patrol motor officer performed a traffic stop on a motorist who was driving in the HOV lane along the I-10 Freeway in West Covina. The officer noticed something peculiar with a “passenger.”

“Upon closer inspection… that, “Passenger” turned out to be a jacket carefully wrapped around the front seat with the seatbelt fastened across it to resemble a person,” according to the California Highway Patrol.

“Nice try — but jackets don’t count toward Carpool Lane requirements,” according to the CHP. 

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 6:05 a.m.: All lanes have reopened, according to the California Highway Patrol.

WEST COVINA - At least one vehicle has rolled over in an injury crash on the eastbound I-10 Freeway at Lark Ellen Avenue Monday.

A red sedan crashed into the center divider around 4:41 a.m. March 2. It is not immediately clear how many other vehicles are involved in the crash.

All eastbound lanes are stopped. Dispatchers had difficulty reaching one of the injured drivers, but eventually spoke to him and he sounded injured, according to California Highway Patrol radio traffic.

There may be one other vehicle rolled over in the crash.

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 11:25 a.m.: The 18-month-old child was found safe, according to an announcement shared by West Covina Police around 11 a.m. Suspect Amber Zarate remains at-large.

Isaiah was apparently found in Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood.

WEST COVINA - A woman with a long rap sheet allegedly kidnapped her nephew from a West Covina residence Friday evening.

Isaiah Sunel Nava, 18 months, was allegedly taken by his estranged aunt, 26-year-old Amber Alexis Destiny Zarate, February 13. Police were notified around 5:50 p.m.

It is not publicly clear why Zarate took the child who was only clad in a diaper at the time of his kidnapping.

Zarate is on parole, a known drug user, has violent tendencies, and has outstanding warrants for her arrest. Zarate is homeless and frequents the Los Angeles area, according to the West Covina Police Department.

“Investigators obtained surveillance video showing Zarate in the area at the time of the abduction,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Zarate was last seen wearing a black top, white pants, and carrying a black backpack.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Zarate or the child is urged to call 9-1-1, or the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - Two intended victims of a shooting escaped injury Wednesday after being fired upon.

The shooting took place near North Conlon Avenue and West Workman Avenue just before 8 p.m. February 4. Two occupants in a vehicle were approached by a group of people who were also in a vehicle. Words were exchanged and someone in the group opened fire, according to Lt. Weatherman of the West Covina Police Department.

Weatherman said the intended victims did not return fire. He apparently did not know the ages of those involved, nor did he have any suspect descriptions.

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - The suspect accused of assaulting his grandparents during an argument New Year’s Day will be facing a murder charge after his grandmother, who remained hospitalized since the attack, has died.

Priscilla Sesanto, 74, was identified by the West Covina Police Department. Philip Sesanto, 77, continues to recover after being released from the hospital, according to the West Covina Police Department.

The grandmother died a day after the attack.

The victims’ grandson, 28-year-old Joshua Philip Day, was officially charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with one count each of murder, and elder/dependent adult abuse. He also faces a special allegation of causing great bodily injury to an elderly victim, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records.

First responders were called to a home in the 1700 block of West Mossberg Avenue New Year’s Day to a family disturbance just before 12:30 p.m. They discovered a man and woman with severe injuries. Day was arrested at the scene, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Day has since appeared in Pomona Superior Court and is scheduled for another preliminary hearing January 14. He is being held without bail.

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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.

The death record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Information about the decedent(s), including cause and manner of death, is public record and was distributed by government sources.

Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - An assault suspect held law enforcement at bay for four hours before he was taken into custody Thursday.

Joshua Phillip Day, a West Covina man, is accused of attacking and wounding his grandparents, 77 and 74 years old. First responders were called to the 1700 block of West Mossberg Avenue just before 12:30 p.m. New Year’s Day.

The victims were attacked as the result of an argument, according to the west Covina Police Department.

Members of the West Covina SWAT team took over the operation and took day into custody.

One of the victims was treated and has already been released from the hospital. The other victim remains in critical condition, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Day is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court Tuesday, January 6.

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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.


Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - One person died in a freeway crash New Year’s Day.

The No. 3 & 4 lanes remain closed on the west I-10 freeway at Sunset Avenue. The crash was reported around 6:34 p.m. January 1.

Preliminarily, a dark-colored sedan, described as either a Kia or a somehow lost control, struck another vehicle, struck the divider then stopped on the right shoulder, according to California Highway Patrol traffic logs.

The dark-colored sedan started smoking and a Good Samaritan reported the driver was not moving. Additional callers heard the crash from nearby and called 9-1-1.

At 7:18 p.m., the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner reported an estimated arrival of three to four hours.

A Sig Alert was issued for the No. 3 & 4 lanes.

The victim’s name will not be publicly revealed until next of kin have been notified.

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A West Covina cop was officially charged with multiple felony counts and misdemeanor counts, accused of looting cash from motorists dating back to last year.

Jose Antonio Garcia, 37, was charged with one felony count each of misappropriation of public funds and grand theft by embezzlement and two misdemeanor counts of petty theft, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Garcia, a Long Beach resident, was arrested November 24 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Internal Criminal investigations Bureau.

During a September 21, 2024 traffic stop, Garcia allegedly stole $600 in cash from the victim’s wallet during a search of the victim’s vehicle. The victim was also arrested at the conclusion of the traffic stop. November 23 of that year, Garcia allegedly store $100 from a passenger’s backpack during a separate traffic stop. Both driver and passenger were released with a verbal warning.

During a February 8, 2025 traffic stop, Garcia allegedly stole $300 from the driver’s center console.

“While we fully support due process, any criminal conduct by an officer, particularly involving theft or abuse of public trust, is unacceptable and undermines our mission. We are deeply concerned that an officer may have violated the public trust and the fundamental principles of policing. We are committed to ensuring accountability,” according to West Covina Police Chief Antonio Cortina.

If convicted as charged, Garcia faces up to four years in state prison and an additional consecutive one-year jail term. He was issued a citation and released. He is expected to appear for an arraignment on Jan. 28 in Department 4 of the West Covina Courthouse.

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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.


Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A 39-year-old Glendora man was arrested recently, accused of assaulting a teen girl after promising to take her to school and attempting to lure additional girls into his vehicle.

Oscar Edgardo Jimenez-Larios was officially charged Larios with one count each of attempting lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 and a child under 10, and three counts of annoying and molesting a child under 18, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

A teen girl was waiting at a West Covina bus stop February 1 to get to school when a man, identified by investigators as Jimenez, approached and convinced her to get in his vehicle.

“Instead of taking her to school, Larios drove to a nearby parking lot in West Covina where he sexually assaulted her,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Jimenez allegedly attempted to lure additional girls October 3, according to Superior Court records.

The latest incidents occurred near a middle school and elementary school in West Covina, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Jimenez is being held in lieu of $290,000 bail, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Jimenez is in the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles and was arraigned October 8. Arraignment was held and continued to November 12 in West Covina Superior Court.

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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.


Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.