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COVINA -- One man was hospitalized with gunshot wounds and another was in jail following a shooting late Friday in an unincorporated county area near Covina, authorities said.
Justin Michael Tino, 26, of Temple City was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and auto theft, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's officials and county booking records.
Deputies received reports of "shots fired" about 10:40 p.m. from the 16600 block of East Masline Street, said Sgt. Kirk Smith of the sheriff's San Dimas Station.
Callers then updated officials that a man had been shot "multiple times" and that the shooter had fled and gotten into a car, Smith said.
Deputies found the car still in the area, at which point Tino jumped out and ran, according to the sergeant. He was arrested following a search of the area.
A handgun was recovered from the car Tino had run from, Smith added.
The shooting victim, a 21-year-old Los Angeles man, showed up a short time later at an area hospital, officials said. His condition was unclear, though the wounds were not believed to be life-threatening.
Smith said investigators were looking into the possibilities that the shooting was related to a nearby house party, and that it was gang-related.
According to county booking records, Tino was being held in lieu of $1.075 million bail and was scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in West Covina Superior Court.
ARCADIA -- A wounded Hacienda Heights man showed up at an area hospital late Thursday following an apparently gang-related stabbing last week, police said.
The stabbing was believed to have taken place between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. May 11 at Santa Anita Avenue and Duarte Road, though police were notified until later, after the 20-year-old stabbing victim arrived at an area emergency room Thursday evening, according to Arcadia police Lt. Tom Le Veque.
The victim had just left a beverage shop when he was approached by two men who asked him "where he was from" -- a common gang challenge, police said.
An argument took place and the two attackers punched the victim, Le Veque said.
"One of the suspects stepped back, pulled out a folding knife and stabbed the victim in the chest," the lieutenant said. The attackers then fled on foot.
The wounded man's injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, police said.
"The victim does have admitted gang affiliation, and based on the victim's account, the incident may be gang-related," Le Veque said.
The assailants were described as Latino man between 18 and 21. One wore a blue "L.A." hat, a blue shirt, black and gray plaid shorts and white knee-high socks.
Anyone with information was asked to call Arcadia police at 626-574-5156. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling 800-222-8477.
Three people, including two parolees, in a stolen car were caught after a pursuit where they allegedly shot at deputies, authorities said.
No deputies were hit in the shooting and chase, which kicked off about 9:30 p.m. in the area of the 10 Freeway and Garey Avenue in Pomona, when a member of the Sheriff's Narcotics Strike Team spotted a stolen car and followed it, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.
The deputy stayed behind the car until a patrol unit from the sheriff's Industry station arrived, Deputy Peter Gomez said. A pursuit ensued.
"At one point during the pursuit, the suspects shot through the front windshield of the stolen vehicle at the pursuing deputies," sheriff's officials said in a written statement. "Deputies did not return fire."
A 33-year-old West Valinda woman jumped from the still moving car during the chase and was arrested due to outstanding traffic warrants after being treated for minor injuries, sheriff's officials said. Shortly afterward, he said the vehicle crashed. Two men got out and ran into a residential area in the 13600 block of Monterey Avenue.
Gomez said a firearm was also recovered at the scene.
With the help of a sheriff's K-9, the two men who fled from the car were apprehended, officials said.
Parolee Raymond Vasquez, 29, of Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, unlawful discharge of a firearm in an urban area, being an ex-felon in possession of a gun, being an ex-felon in possession of ammunition and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, sheriff's Sgt. Daniel Jackson said.
The driver of the car, parolee Jimmy Osuna, 21, of Baldwin Park, was booked on suspicion of auto theft and evading police, Jackson said.
According to county booking records, Vasquez and Osuna were being held without bail and were both due for arraignment Friday in West Covina Superior Court.
SANTA FE SPRINGS -- 36-year-old Norwalk man following a car with burglary suspects was shot and wounded by one of the culprits Wednesday night.
The shooting broke out at 7:35 p.m. on the Telegraph Road exit of the 605 Freeway.
The man was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, according to sheriff's Sgt. Mark Guerrero. He said the man was in stable condition.
The incident started in the 11800 block of Maidstone Avenue in Norwalk.
Guerrero said three men attempted to break into a house by prying a screen. The would-be burglars were startled by residents, he added.
"They run and get into a car," Guerrero said.
He said the suspects, described only as three black men, fled in a dark-colored sedan and nearly hit a resident. The sedan's license plate was jotted down.
Family members went looking for the suspects' vehicle and chased it to the northbound 605 Freeway, according to Guerrero.
The sedan exited the freeway at Telegraph Road and stopped. The rear passenger stepped out with a gun and fired one round which hit the victim. The shooter returned to the sedan which took off.
Guerrero said there was apparently another relative in the car with the victim. Their 9-1-1 call went to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP then notified the sheriff's Norwalk station.
- Ruby Gonzales
NORWALK -- The sentencing for the last of three men convicted of slashing a woman's throat and leaving her for dead in Turnbull Canyon in Whittier in 2009 was postponed Wednesday, officials said.
Edward Meraz, 27, of El Monte, was ordered to return to Norwalk Superior Court June 19 to be sentenced after being convicted in December of attempted murder, kidnapping, conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon. He faces 34 years to life in prison.
Two other co-defendants have already been convicted and sentenced in connection with the brutal Aug. 4, 2009 attack on then-20-year-old Christina Martinez of Bellflower.
Vincent David Mendoza, 24, of El Monte, was also convicted in December of attempted murder, kidnapping, conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon and sentenced in February to 36 years to life in prison, Los Angeles County District Attorney's officials said.
The third defendant, Jose Miguel Ayala, 30, pleaded no contest in March to one count of attempted murder and was sentenced to 39 years to life in prison.
The three men, who were friend's of their victim, told Martinez they were heading to the beach when they took her to Turnbull Canyon in Whittier, injected her with an unknown drug, bound her, beat her, slashed her throat, threw her over the side of the canyon and left her for dead, Martinez testified during the men's trials.
After Meraz noticed she was still alive and moving, she testified, Mendoza climbed back down to her and slashed the back of her neck with a knife, according to Deputy District Attorney Greg Cernak, who prosecuted the case, said.
Though badly injured, Martinez was able to climb a steep hillside and ask for help at a home in the 6000 block of Altmark Avenue.
She ultimately testified in court against Mendoza and Meraz.
The three attackers were arrested after they were stopped in a car which contained items including a rope, a shovel, a bullet proof vest and syringes, officials said. Investigators said they appeared to be returning to the scene to bury the body.
An official motive in the attack has never been released by authorities, and the victim herself testified she did not know why she was targeted.
While Martinez testified that Ayala accused her of "setting (him) up" and "trying to kill (him)," she had no idea was he was talking about.
NORWALK -- A judge sentenced a Whittier man to 12 years in prison Wednesday for repeatedly stabbing his friend in the back with knife in an unprovoked attack last year in Whittier.
Roy Alfonso Zamora, 18, received the sentence after pleading 'no contest' to a count of attempted murder in connection with the Aug. 24, 2011 stabbing in the 8400 block of Milton Avenue, Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales said.
Zamora and a friend were drinking together about 8 p.m. at Evergreen Elementary School when the victim turned his back on Zamora while talking on his cell phone, Whittier police Det. Chad Hoeppner said.
"While the victim was talking on the telephone, out of nowhere, the suspect stabbed him for unknown reasons," the detective said.
A motive in the crime remains unknown.
ALHAMBRA -- Police Thursday identified four suspects arrested in connection with two separate assaults -- a triple-stabbing and a shooting -- that took place early Wednesday in Downtown Alhambra.
Jermey Baltazar, 20, of Alhambra and Melvin Carranza, 26, of North Hollywood were arrested in connection with a fight-turned stabbing that took place about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday on Main Street, just west of First Street, Alhambra police Sgt. Jerry Johnson said. Baltazar was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, while Carranza was booked on suspicion of simple assault in connection with the incident.
The two suspects became involved in an argument with four other men when Baltazar pulled a knife, Johnson said. Three of the alleged victims suffered stab wounds, while a fourth suffered other injuries.
All four victims were expected to recover.
As police were continuing to investigate the stabbing, a second attack -- this time a shooting -- was reported about 40 minutes later just around the corner on First Street, just north of Main Street, police said.
In that incident, Carlos Arrazola, 27, of San Gabriel, and Adrian Baltazar, 26, of Montebello, who is not related to Jermey Baltazar, are accused of shooting at a group of men they became involved in an argument with, Johnson said.
Both were found in the area and arrested, and a gun was recovered, he added.
The stabbing and shooting were not believed to be connected to each other, police said. No suspects were believed to remain at large.
According to county booking records, Jermey Baltazar was being held in lieu of $1 million bail and was due for arraignment Friday in Alhambra Superior Court. Carranza was released from jail Wednesday after posting $20,000 bail and was due in court July 6.
Adrian Baltazar and Carlos Arrazola were being held in lieu of $20,000 bail each and were both due for arraignment Friday in Alhambra Superior Court.
SOUTH WHITTIER -- A 16-year-old South Whittier girl was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stabbing a woman in the face with a pocket knife.
Sheriff's Lt. Josie Woolum said the girl wasn't happy that the woman was at the teen's home in the 11900 block of Ynez Avenue. She said the woman, who is in her early 20s, and her cousin were visiting the house.
The woman was taken to a hospital with a non-life threatening injury, according to Woolum.
Deputies were called to the home just after 4 p.m. for a possible stabbing victim. They were also told the suspect was still the scene.
"Apparently as the victim was sitting down, the suspect stabs her in the face," Woolum said.
"According to the witness (the cousin), it was unprovoked."
The teen was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and will be taken to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. Her name wasn't released because she is a minor.
POMONA -- An Irwindale man who attacked and badly injured his mother with a hammer as she got out of the shower received a 16-year prison sentence Wednesday after taking a plea deal, officials said.
Andrew James Acosta, 40, had been charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the Jan. 25 attack on his then-62-year-old mother at their home in the 15800 block of Juarez Street.
"He pleaded 'no contest' to one count of assault with a deadly weapon," Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison said. "The attempted murder (charge) was dismissed."
Acosta received his sentence from Pomona Superior Court Commissioner Wade Olson.
Acosta brutally attacked his mother with a claw hammer as she got out of the shower, officials said. The suffered injuries including a broke eye socket and lacerations, and was hospitalized for several days.
"What happened here was basically a surprise attack," said Deputy District Attorney Taraneh Saba, who prosecuted the case.
"It pretty much was out of the blue. I don't think the mother had any warning ahead of time," Saba added.
The motive in the attack remained a mystery, she said, however the January attack was not the first Acosta had been involved in an assault against his mother.
He was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in 2001 for stabbing his mother and sentenced to five years in prison, officials said. His conviction, however, was overturned in 2006.
ALHAMBRA -- Four people were hospitalized and four people jailed following two unrelated fights that escalated into a stabbing and a shooting early Wednesday in Downtown Alhambra.
Three men were stabbed and another suffered other injuries in the first incident, which was reported about 1:20 a.m. on Main Street, just west of First Street, Alhambra police Sgt. Jerry Johnson said.
Police responded to reports of a fight when they discovered three men suffering from stab wounds to their arms and torsos, and a fourth man who had suffered other injuries in the fight, the sergeant said. All four men were taken to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
Police also found two suspects nearby, as well as the knives they allegedly used in the attack, Johnson said. They were arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
As officers were investigating the stabbing, they heard a gunshot ring out from around the corner on First Street, just north of Main Street, about 2:01 a.m., Johnson said.
They then discovered two men had become involved in an argument with another group of men and fired a shot at them, he said. No one was injured.
Police found two suspects and a handgun nearby, Johnson said.
Police declined to release the names of any of the suspects Wednesday afternoon, pending further investigation, Johnson said.
Despite the close proximity and timing of the two assaults, "It does not appear they're related," he added.
ALHAMBRA -- At least two people were taken to a hospital and two people were behind bars following an argument-turned-stabbing in Downtown Alhambra early Wednesday, police said.
The details of the incident remained under investigation early Wednesday, however initial investigation indicated there was an argument between a group of people about 1:20 a.m. at Main and 1st streets, Alhambra police Sgt. Jerry Johnson said.
At least two people suffered non-life-threatening stab wounds and were taken to a hospital for treatment, the sergeant said. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, and the investigation was ongoing.
BALDWIN PARK -- A Baldwin Park man was hospitalized in stable condition after being shot in the head and leg late Friday, police said.
The shooting took place about 11:15 p.m. in a residential neighborhood in the 3400 block of Feather Avenue, Baldwin Park police Sgt. Mark Harvey said.
Two attackers, described only as male, fled the scene on bicycles after shooting the victim, a man in his early 20s, the sergeant said.
The wounded man suffered a grazing wound to his head and two gunshot wounds to one of his calves, Harvey said. His wounds were not believed to be life-threatening.
Investigators suspected the attempted murder may have been gang-related, he added.
Anyone with information is asked to call Baldwin Park police at 626-960-4011.
BALDWIN PARK -- Three robbers attacked a man but left with nothing when his screams brought help Thursday night.
Baldwin Park police Sgt. Kevin Gauthier said one of the suspects also shot at a driver who saw them. The motorist wasn't injured.
Gauthier said the robbery victim didn't require medical treatment.
It started with a scuffle that broke out about 11:30 p.m. in a parking lot on Ramona Boulevard, west of Foster Avenue.
Three men started beating a man in his 20s.
"One of them demands his money," Gauthier said.
He said a security guard at a nearby business heard the victim screaming and ran to help.
The robbers fled and headed to a black Escalade parked east of a restaurant. Gauthier said a driver who happened to be there spotted the suspects and called police.
"One of the suspects shoots at him," the sergeant said.
The driver wasn't hit.
The Escalade was last seen on Ramona Boulevard. There were no further details.
- Ruby Gonzales
WHITTIER -- A man who tried to sell marijuana valued at $500 to a medical marijuana dispensary was later assaulted and robbed of his wares by two men Friday night.
Whittier police Lt. Steve Dean said the 10:02 p.m. attack in the 13300 block of Slauson Avenue left the 26-year-old Los Angeles man with a cut above the eye and a broken finger.
Dean said the man earlier went to a Santa Fe Springs dispensary to sell marijuana he grew but was turned down.
Later, he was on Slauson Avenue in Whittier when two men accosted him and demanded the marijuana which was in a backpack.
"It sounds like they fought over the bag," Dean said.
One of the robbers pulled a knife, he added.
"They took the marijuana, cut him over (the eye), broke his finger in several places," Dean said.
The injured man was taken to a local hospital.
Ruby Gonzales



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