Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - At least two people were injured in a violent crash early Wednesday morning.

It is still too early to tell what caused the collision at West Cameron Avenue and South Sunset Avenue June 18, according to Lt. Tim Rodgers of the West Covina Police Department.

First responders were sent to the crash around 3:38 a.m. A light pole was reportedly damaged in the crash between a black Dodge truck and red Dodge Avenger, Rodgers told SGV CityWatch.

The intersection was closed down for at least two hours during an investigation. A resident on her way to work noted the intersection remained closed as of 5:30 a.m.

The roadway has sensory opened.

No one was arrested and no one died, Rodgers told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - Foul play is not suspected in an apartment fire that killed a pet cat Saturday night.

Firefighters were able to contain flames to one second-story unit at an apartment in the 1600 block of Amar Road. A pet rabbit was rescued and two residents require medical attention. Adjacent apartment units sustained water damage, according to the West Covina Fire Department.

Residence occupying the affected apartment unit had already evacuated and nearby residence were evacuated with help from first responders.

“Arson Investigators from our Fire Investigation Unit are investigating this incident with no foul-play suspected at this time,” according to the West Covina Fire Department in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - An adult was found deceased near South Hills Country Club Monday morning.

The body was found behind chain link fencing. First responders were sent to the scene at Cameron Avenue and Barranca Avenue around 7:20 a.m., according to Lt. Armas of the West Covina Police Department.

“There’s no foul play, no outstanding suspects. That’s where we’re at with it,” Armas told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - One person was killed and three others were hospitalized in a early-morning collision Friday.

Traffic investigators believe the driver of a black Toyota sedan was driving on the wrong side of the road in the 1700 block of Puente Avenue when the sedan crashed head-on into a white Honda sedan February 21, according to the West Covina Police Department.

The crash occurred around 12:16 a.m.

Four people were in the white Honda. A rear passenger died at the scene. The other three occupants were hospitalized, as well as the driver of the black Toyota, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Of the two men and one woman hospitalized, one is listed in critical condition, and one in stable condition. One patient has already been released.

The wrong-way driver is still hospitalized.

The West Covina Police Major Accident Investigation Team is handling the case.

Anyone with information on this crash is urged to call the West Covina Police Tip Line at 626-939-8688. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A male pedestrian was hospitalized after being severely wounded in a collision Tuesday.

The crash occurred on Vincent Avenue near the I-10 freeway. First responders were sent to the crash around 1:21 p.m. January 21.

The driver who struck the pedestrian remained at the scene and spoke with investigators, according to Lt. Brian Daniels of the West Covina Police Department.

The crash investigation closed down northbound lanes of Vincent Avenue from Lakes Drive to the freeway and both the on and off ramps of the I-10 freeway at Vincent Avenue for several hours.

The investigation is still ongoing, but it appears initially that the pedestrian may have been crossing Vincent Avenue outside a crosswalk, Daniels told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A man hospitalized after being shot late Friday night died from his wounds, police said.

The victim was found shot in the 600 block of South Sunset Avenue. First responders were sent to the scene around 9:13 p.m., according to the west Covina Police Department.

It is not immediately clear if the victim was shot at the location or perhaps dropped off there.

No suspects are in custody.

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

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - At least one person is dead after a vehicle crashed into the right shoulder wall from the Barranca Avenue on-ramp to the westbound I-10 freeway early Saturday morning.

The westbound on ramp from northbound Barranca Avenue will be closed for up to three hours, according to the California Highway Patrol.

West Covina firefighters were sent to the crash just before 4:30 a.m. Saturday, December 14.

The cause of the collision is under investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - After several hours of negotiations, a man was smoked out of a home November 12, after he attempted to blow up the residence.

During negotiations, the suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at officers from within the home, according to the West Covina Police Department.

First responders were called to the 700 block of North Broadmoor Avenue to a reported fire alarm call just before 1:30 a.m. The suspect within stated he wanted to burn his home down.

“When officers arrived, the male subject, who was outside, quickly entered the residence. As officers approached the location they smelled an odor of gas and something burning. When officers attempted to make contact with the male, officers observed the subject walk up to a window and point a firearm at them,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

The West Covina SWAT Team responded, as well as a crisis negotiation team. Officers determined the suspect was alone in the residence, according to the West Covina Police Department.

A search warrant was written. As negotiations continued to go nowhere, tear gas was propelled into the home. Suspect Michael Samaniego, 40, was arrested and booked on suspicion of assault on a peace officer with a firearm and resisting an officer by use of force, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Samaniego is being held without bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court November 14.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A reported argument led to a shooting at a popular bar late Saturday night.

The shooting unfolded at Tina’s Tavern, 328 S. Glendora Ave., around 11:30 p.m. November 9. First responders arrived to one victim wounded in a parking lot, another was found inside the bar.

Both men who were shot were conscious while being loaded into ambulances.

​Both victims were hospitalized with injuries deemed not life-threatening.

A white sedan was towed from the scene as evidence. No suspects have been arrested, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Investigators broke down the scene around 1:40 a.m.

Multiple attempts to speak with a West Covina Police supervisor were unsuccessful.

It is not publicly clear if a suspect is in custody.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - Two people died Monday in a major collision on Azusa Avenue.

The crash occurred on South Azusa Avenue at East Greenville Drive. First responders were called to the crash around 7:46 p.m. September 30. one of the vehicles reportedly overturned, according to West Covina Fire Department radio traffic.

One of the vehicles was being driven wrong way at the time of the crash, according to Lt. Travis Tibbetts of the West Covina Police Department.

Both vehicles collided head-on. One victim died at the scene. Another died after being hospitalized.

The West Covina Police Major Accident Investigation Team is determining the circumstances leading up to the crash, Tibbetts told SGV CityWatch.