Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A 22-year-old gang member was arrested March 19, accused of a number of charges after initially trying to elude authorities in a vehicle stolen from a dealership he allegedly also burglarized, police said.

The vehicle had yet to be reported stolen, taken from a La Puente dealership. Officers pursued the driver, who is also a parolee-at-large, until he crashed into a tree and ran, according to Sgt. Chris Palaganas of the West Covina Police Department.

Authorities attempted to stop the driver at Temple Avenue and Del Valle Avenue for a vehicle code violation March 19 around 2:03 a.m.

The driver disabled the vehicle after striking a tree at South Glendora Avenue and West Spruce Street in West Covina. He fled for a short distance on foot. He received some injuries from the vehicle’s airbags which deployed during the crash, Palaganas told SGV CityWatch.

The suspect was taken into custody and booked on suspicion of providing a fake name to officers, felony evading, driving a stolen vehicle, and possession of drug paraphernalia, Palaganas told SGV CityWatch.

Industry deputies are handling the dealership burglary, Palaganas told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A shooting victim was hospitalized Thursday after he was found wounded in La Puente February 24.

Authorities determined the victim, described as a male adult, was shot in the 1900 block of South Tonopah Avenue, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded at 6:18 a.m. to Sunset Avenue and Amar Road and found the victim there after being called to investigate a shooting, according to the West Covina Police Department.

“West Covina Police Officers were notified, arrived to the scene, and took over the investigation. The victim is currently in stable condition,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8688. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

WEST COVINA - Sheriff’s deputies have taken a possible criminal threats suspect into custody after the driver stopped at West Covina Plaza.

The driver evaded Industry deputies into West Covina just after 10 p.m. The pursuit continued slowly onto Lakes Drive from Vincent Avenue. The driver stopped briefly and appeared to be giving up, but continued to drive until he finally surrendered near Regal Edwards Theater.

The suspect finally surrendered without further incident.