​Suspects Flee Police, Crash after Allegedly Trying to Steal Tailgate in West Covina June 8

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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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.