Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - Three suspects were caught in West Covina August 18, allegedly found with a handgun, cutting tools and seven catalytic converters.

A resident confronted three men who were reportedly taking his catalytic converter in the early morning hours in the 1100 block of East Foothill Boulevard in Upland. One of the suspects allegedly brandished a firearm and threatened to kill the resident, according to the Upland Police Department.

The suspects fled in a Dodge Charger Hellcat, but were located by responding officers at Foothill Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue. The driver refused to stop and fled westbound on the I-10 freeway.

The suspects fled into West Covina where the driver lost control while exiting the freeway and crashed. The suspects briefly fled on foot, but were captured. One suspect even climbed a tree to elude capture, but an Upland PD K9 convinced him otherwise.

“The vehicle turned out to be stolen, had battery powered saws, and 7 catalytic converters inside. All three were booked on multiple felonies with bail enhancements,” according to the Upland Police Department in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - No it’s not Thatherton, but a suspect on a bicycle stole eight propane tanks from a business July 2.

The suspect broke into a locked area at a business in the 500 block of East Vine Avenue around 3:23 a.m., according to the West Covina Police Department.

The suspect was captured on surveillance video is described as a Latino male with a red Phillies hat, green jacket and blue jean pants. He rode a bright purple bicycle.

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

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.

WEST COVINA – Police recovered a vehicle stolen out of San Gabriel November 1 after the driver escaped first during a pursuit and after fleeing on foot.

Officers received a notification from the city’s Flock Safety camera network around 8 p.m. Officers located the stolen Mercedes S58 and attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect refused, according to West Covina Police Community Relations Officer Alexus Napoles.

Much of the suspect search concentrated in the area of North Homerest Avenue and East Workman Avenue.

“A containment was set up and the area was checked, but the suspect was not located,” Napoles told SGV CityWatch.

WEST COVINA – Two men were arrested, accused of attempting to steal a tailgate from a Toyota pickup truck June 8, the West Covina Police Department said.

Arrested were Anthony Yuban Venegas, 26, and James Michael Aguirre, 31. Venegas was arrested and booked on suspicion of felony reckless evading, attempted grand theft and receiving stolen property. Aguirre was booked on suspicion of attempted grand theft and grand theft, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

Two suspects were spotted around 1:44 a.m. in the area of Cameron Avenue and Lark Ellen Avenue by a patrol officer. The men fled into a vehicle and led officers on a brief pursuit along surface streets until crashing into some shrubbery in City of Industry, according to Alexus Napoles, community relations officer with the West Covina Police Department.

Both suspects, later identified as Venegas and Aguirre, fled the crash, but officers found them and arrested them.

Officers discovered a tailgate taken from somewhere else, tucked inside the crashed vehicle, according to the West Covina Police Department.

“Both suspects were also wanted out of Orange County and had felony warrants for their arrest,” according to the West Covina Police Department.

Venegas is being held without bail. His next scheduled appearance in the West Covina courthouse is June 21, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Aguirre is being held in lieu of $65,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the West Covina courthouse September 8, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

WEST COVINA – An active probationer and one other suspect were arrested September 17 after police found reportedly-stolen rims and equipment commonly used in such thefts, police said.

The unidentified suspects were jailed after neither of them could produce evidence of owning four Dodge Charger wheels stored inside the vehicle, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Officers were patrolling a local motel around 2 a.m. September 17 and stopped the driver of a vehicle for allegedly committing multiple vehicle code violations, West Covina Police said.

Also found in the vehicle were wood and cement blocks, a battery-powered impact wrench, gloves and a car jack, West Covina Police said.

“Neither of the occupants could provide proof of ownership or purchase of the tires. Both were arrested for grand theft,” the West Covina Police Department said in a written statement.

WEST COVINA – Two men stole a 5-foot-tall, 200-pound safe from a home July 1, West Covina Police announced.

The safe containing firearms, ammunition and personal documents, was taken after the suspects broke through a rear sliding door at a home around 8:40 p.m., according to the West Covina Police Department.

The safe is a Heritage model. It has a 14-gun capacity, is dark gray or black, features the factory sticker on the door, a number keypad and a five-spoke handle, according to the West Covina Police Department.

The crime was caught on camera.

Both suspects appeared dressed in light-colored clothing, had hoods over their heads and wore dark gloves. One suspect appeared to wear dark-colored shoes.

The suspects fled in what is believed to be a dark-colored, four-door car.

Anyone with information on this burglary is urged to call West Covina Police Detective Loyola at 626-939-8500, or call the West Covina Police watch commander at 626-939-8556.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A stolen vehicle suspect was arrested Friday after fleeing officers during a brief chase.

The suspect stopped outside some stores at Eastland Center, 2753 Eastland Center Dr., setting off a containment and frightening shoppers.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter notified West Covina police of a LoJack signal in the area of Holt Avenue and Grand Avenue around 11:38 a.m. June 21. Officers arrived three minutes later and located the vehicle, according to Sgt. Michelle Figueroa of the West Covina Police Department.

The suspect was found driving at South Barranca Street and East Virginia Avenue. He refused to stop and briefly fled officers to Eastland Center, Figueroa said.

Officers, aided by a helicopter, descended on Eastland where the suspect fled.

The suspect fled near Dick’s Sporting Goods and Target where officers had guns drawn..

People inside Target communicated with family via text that they were prevented from leaving the store.

The suspect was found near Dick’s Sporting Goods and arrested.

No other suspects are outstanding, Figueroa said.

Email Newsletter! | Advertise! | Donate!

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A pint-sized pilferer took a package from a resident’s porch June 11, police said.

The petty theft was caught on camera around 10:10 a.m. Tuesday when a boy, estimated to be as young as 12, ran out of a possible Kia Optima in the 1700 block of East Holly Oak Drive, took a small package from a home and hopped back into the car, according to Sgt. Matt Nelson of the West Covina Police Department.

The car was driving through the neighborhood and hooked a u-turn when a package was spotted, according to Ring camera footage sent to SGV CityWatch.

The boy, dressed in a burgundy shirt, black shorts and sandals, leapt from the front passenger side.

The driver’s description is unknown.

Taken was a small package containing vitamin supplements, Nelson said.

Anyone with information regarding the theft is urged to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8500 and reference report number 19-4219.

Email Newsletter! | Advertise! | Donate!

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

​WEST COVINA - A man carrying a blue skateboard is being sought after committing theft from a parked vehicle January 18.

The video was captured around 4 a.m. in the 3000 block of East Virginia Avenue. While some of the video appears be corrupted, the suspect appears to open an unlocked, newer-model SUV. What was taken from the SUV was not stated (click the small thumbnail to view the video).

The suspect walked down the driveway and out of view.

The suspect is possibly male, has medium complexion skin and has a thin build. He wore a baseball cap with a white stitch design, a grey hoodie with dark sleeves, a dark hood with banded colors at the waist. The suspect wore a camouflage chest harness pack, West Covina Police said.

Anyone with information is urged to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8557 and refer to case number 19-401.