Diamond Bar News, CA Local News

Election 2024: Linda Sánchez pulls ahead in CA-38 as early election results roll in

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 07:14:16 +0000

Incumbent Rep. Linda Sánchez appears to have taken a comfortable lead in the 38th congressional district race Tuesday night.

The first round of votes released by the Orange County Registrar of Voters and L.A. County Clerk/Registrar-Recorder shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, put the 11-term Democrat from Whittier well ahead of the pack and Eric Ching, a Republican from Walnut, in second place.

Pastor John Sarega and entrepreneur Robert Zhang Ochoa are also vying for the seat.

Results will be updated regularly until the counting is complete.

The top two vote-getters in the primary, regardless of party preference, will advance to the general election in November.

CA-38, anchored in Los Angeles County but spans a portion of Orange County, includes La Habra, Diamond Bar, La Habra Heights, Hacienda Heights, La Mirada, Los Nietos, Norwalk, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Rowland Heights, Santa Fe Springs, Walnut, Whittier and parts of Downey and Industry.

According to state data, Democrats account for 48.1% of all the registered voters in the district, while 23% are Republicans and 22.7% are no party preference voters.

Sánchez, who last year became the first woman to helm BOLD PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ campaign arm, is partaking in efforts to galvanize the Latino vote and elect Latino Democrats to Congress. The daughter of immigrants from Mexico, Sánchez is a strong advocate for a pathway to citizenship for “Dreamers,” young immigrants brought to the U.S. unlawfully through no fault of their own.

See the latest election results.

Ching, a Walnut councilmember, has focused his campaign on border security, being tough on crime, the right to bear arms and the economy. He was defeated by Sánchez by about 16 percentage points in 2022.

Ochoa, who bills himself as a common-sense Christian conservative, wants to lower crime, homelessness, inflation, gas prices, illegal drugs, illegal immigration and healthcare costs, among others.

Sarega ran for this seat in 2022 as well. He placed third in the primary and did not advance to the general.

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter gets cheers from his old school, Diamond Bar High

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:01:32 +0000

By David Downey | Contributing Writer

Not long after Shohei Ohtani began mesmerizing Southern California baseball fans with his prowess on the pitching mound and at the plate, Tyler Baugh got a text message from one of his best friends.

The friend was watching Ohtani pitch on TV when an Angels coach walked out for a chat.

He did a double take when he noticed who joined them at the mound. Could that be one of his friends from high school?

The friend snapped a cell phone photo and texted it to Baugh.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara drive into Camelback Ranch for spring training baseball workouts in Glendale, Arizona, on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, talks with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara as he waits to hit during batting practice Friday, July 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, left, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, right, walk to the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara is second from left. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) waves to fans as he enters the field before a spring training baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Phoenix, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani, left, stands in the dugout with interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara before a game in Anaheim on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, right, stands in the dugout with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, left, walks with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara to batting practice during spring workouts at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, left, walks with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara to batting practice during spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, left, poses for a photo next to the Los Angeles Rams’ mascot and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara before a football game between the Rams and New Orleans Saints on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, right, attends a Los Angeles Rams football game with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter for baseball star Shoehei Ohtani, is seen in the 2003 Diamond Bar High School yearbook. (Courtesy of Diamond Bar High School)
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman, second from left, speaks in front of, from left, Guggenheim Partners Chairman Mark Walter, Shohei Ohtani and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara during a Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, news conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, right, listens to a question during a news conference at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, on the first day of spring training workouts for the Dodgers. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, right, speaks to the media at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, the first day of the team’s spring training workouts. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, bottom, and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara take part in spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, left, and translator Ippei Mizuhara walk to batting practice at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
plowing into a group of them in South Whittier last year.

Twenty-five people were injured in the crash. One later died and nine others suffered serious injuries.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and nine counts of reckless driving on a highway causing a specified injury against Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez.

If convicted as charged, the 23-year-old Gutierrez faces a possible maximum sentence of 12 years, the DA’s Office said. He is scheduled for a Nov. 14 arraignment at Bellflower Superior Court.

The collision happened the morning of Nov. 16, 2022. Seventy six members of the Sheriff’s Academy Class 464 were on a training run on Mills Avenue at Bentongrove Drive, which is in the unincorporated county area, when a Honda CRV heading south on Mills Avenue crossed into the northbound lanes and slammed into the group.

Gutierrez, who was driving the SUV, originally was arrested Nov. 16 but released the next day. Authorities identified him as being a resident of Diamond Bar.

Alejandro Martinez, who was allegedly struck directly by the SUV, died on July 28. He was 27. (The DA’s Office identified him as Alejandro Martinez-Inzunza.)

Multiple factors played into the exact cause of the crash, District Attorney George Gascón said.
- Investigators work the scene where 25 sheriff’s and police recruits were hit by a driver in South Whittier on Nov. 16, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
- Investigators work the scene where 25 sheriff and police recruits were hit by a driver on Mills Avenue in Whittier, CA on Nov. 16, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
- Investigators work the scene where 25 sheriff and police recruits were hit by a driver on Mills Avenue in Whittier, CA on Nov. 16, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
- Investigators work the scene where 25 sheriff’s and police recruits were hit by a driver on Mills Avenue in South Whittier on Nov. 16, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
- Investigators work the scene where 25 sheriff recruits who were hit by a driver on Mills Avenue in Whittier, CA on Nov. 16, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
- Jose Arias, seen here with his wife Asteria, was badly injured when a driver ran into a group of cadets on a trainiing run in Whittier on Nov. 16, 2022. (GoFundMe)
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Gutierrez told investigators he was tired when he plowed his SUV into the cadets, he added.

The charges for Gutierrez stem from his decision to still drive when he could not safely operate his car, Gascon said.

“When you decide to drive when you’re so tired, you can’t pay attention to what you’re doing, you’re putting us all at risk,” Gascón said.

Neither Gasón nor other officials at the Hall of Justice on Thursday would sketch out what led up to the crash and why it ultimately occurred. They would not say why Gutierrez was so tired or how he failed to stop his car as he hit cadet after cadet.

The California Highway Patrol investigated the crash. Sheriff Robert Luna said the CHP’s work spanned nearly a year because of the complexity of the case, which involved multiple interviews with the suspect and witnesses and gathering other evidence.

A deputy district attorney said prosecutors would not discuss all the evidence they had from the investigation with a pending trial against Gutierrez.

Gutierrez was arrested by the CHP on Thursday and booked at the Sheriff’s Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles, according to the CHP.
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Diamond Bar man sentenced to prison for touching sleeping stranger on plane

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 18:35:51 +0000

A Diamond Bar man was sentenced Thursday to 21 months in federal prison for intentionally touching the inner thigh of a sleeping woman seated next to him on a flight from Cleveland to Los Angeles in February 2020.

Mohammad Ansari, 50, was also ordered to pay a $33,750 fine, $1,600 in restitution, a $100 special assessment and an additional $5,000 special assessment. Furthermore, Ansari was ordered to register as a sex offender, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Ansari was found guilty in May of one count of abusive sexual contact.

Evidence presented at the four-day trial showed that on Feb. 17, 2020, Ansari boarded a flight from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport. Ansari occupied a 10th-row window seat while the victim occupied the middle seat next to him. The victim, who was wearing a dress, fell asleep shortly after takeoff and the armrest separating Ansari from the victim was down.

At some point during the flight to Los Angeles, Ansari placed his left hand on the victim’s right knee and knowingly, intentionally and without the victim’s consent, moved his hand to her inner thigh, according to the prosecutor. The person sitting in the 10th-row aisle seat next to the victim witnessed Ansari’s hand touching the victim’s inner thigh.

The victim woke up, pushed Ansari’s hand away, left her seat and informed a flight attendant about what had happened. The flight’s attendants observed Ansari during the remainder of the flight and believed he was pretending to sleep, evidence presented in Los Angeles federal court showed.

National Merit 2024: LA County scholarship semifinalists announced

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 18:48:53 +0000

Semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship program are hopeful to be among the finalists to win scholarship funds next year. In the file photo, graduates wait to receive their degrees during Los Angeles Mission College’s 48th annual commencement ceremony at the the school’s Sylmar campus, June 6 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced on Wednesday, Sept. 13, its 2024 list of semifinalist high school students who will now compete for a share of about 7,140 scholarships worth almost $28 million. Winners will be announced nationally between April and July next year. This is the 69th annual competition.

High school juniors, 11th graders, in the United States entered the academic competition by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. More than 1.3 million juniors, in about 21,000 high schools, entered the competition by taking the qualifying test.

The highest-scoring students in each state represent the pool of semifinalists who, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, represent less than 1% of United States high school seniors.

The next step for a semifinalist to become a finalist is to complete the required application that includes their SAT or ACT scores, an essay and a letter of recommendation by a high school official.

Finalists are then chosen on the basis of academic record, their participation in community and school activities, how they have demonstrated leadership ability, employment, awards and honors received.

From a group of about 16,000 semifinalists, an expected 15,000 advance to finalists. Students are notified in February 2024 if they are finalists and about half of those win a scholarship from three categories.

The categories of scholarships: National Merit $2500 Scholarships; corporate-sponsored scholarships; college-sponsored scholarships.

The National Merit Scholarship winners, chosen on the basis of accomplishments, skills and potential for college success, are selected from the February finalists group. Winners are notified, on a rolling basis, in 2024 from April to July.

The 2024 scholarship winners join the nearly 375,000 past winners who have earned the title of Merit Scholar.

Here is the list of semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program in Los Angeles County by school location and the school name:

Agoura Hills

Agoura Hills HS

Calvin O. Ring

Alhambra

Alhambra HS

Raymond S. Wang

Mark Keppel HS

Austin Y. Chu
Kayla R. Kamei
Eva M. Wong

Arcadia

Arcadia HS

Cheng, Isaac
Hongji Dai
Casey R. Kim
Kaitlyn A. Kwan
Caroline J. Li
Jeffery Oo
Steven H. Shi
Philip Tan
William Wong
Felicia Ye
Katelyn A. Yu

Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills HS

Lucas S. Eskildsen-Lee

Burbank

Burbank HS

Sanjay Dhamodharan

Burroughs HS

Samuel R. Svonkin

Calabasas

Calabasas HS

Zachary A. Davis
Zachary C. Piesner

Viewpoint School

Daniyar H. Ali
Avrick H. Altmann
Alivia K. Alva
Julianna H. Hughes
Kaylyn S. Robertson
William Yao

Carson

California Academy of Mathematics and Science

Samantha Chang
Kyle Huang
Hiroaki Shiraishi
Emma Zhong

Castaic

Castaic HS

Colton T. Kim

Cerritos

Gretchen Whitney HS

Shriya Bidani
Cao, Steven Cao
Michael A. Fedorov
Perry Han
Roseline Kim
Megan S. Lee
Jeffrey Liao
Caleb J. Pong
Darshan K. Powers
Vaishnavi Sam
Nairrit Sengupta
Sid M. Shah
Ellie Ta
Titus L. Taing
Shawn Wang
Evelyn L. Yao
Tad Yoon
Ruizhi Zhang

Chatsworth

Chatsworth HS

Arnav A. Dangre

Sierra Canyon School

Katie T. Anderson
Alexander Bai
Dylan R. Ochoa

Claremont

Claremont HS

Jocelyn C. Chang

Vivian Webb School

Aiperi R. Bush
Eleanor H. Hong
Emily Y. Li
Zongying Li
Mirabel E. Raphael
Jiaqi Wang

Webb School of California

Connor L. Keeney
Xiaojun Pan
Hanming Zeng
Zhehao Zhang

Culver City

Culver City HS

Penn Carbo
Julia R. Marcus

Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar HS

Jennifer M. Cheng
Himansi Gupta
Michael Hu
Angel D. Huang
Jeremiah W. Jung
Erdaifu Luo
Owen Ma
Felix Peng
Emily Ren
Dave D. Zheng
Natalie Zhou
Michelle Zou

El Segundo

Da Vinci Science HS

Josiah Fu

El Segundo HS

Daniel T. Tritasavit

Vistamar School

Justin R. Huebner
Jake A. Yun

Glendale

Glendale HS

Karo Boyajyan

Glendora

Glendora HS

Edward Huang
Daniel Wang

Granada Hills

Granada Hills Charter HS

Zainab H. Alatya
Jeremy Alexander
Patrick A. Badere
Michael L. Dalva
Aayushi Garg
Matthew R. Krzewinski
Claudia H.Shin
Douglas W. Verneer

Hacienda Heights

Glen A Wilson HS

Halo K. Kwok

Hermosa Beach

Homeschool

Grace F. Ivancich

La Cañada Flintridge

Flintridge Preparatory School

Aidan Chao
Maylin Chen
Chloe I. Chong
Marissa A. Cotte
Austin Hong
Kayla Lee
Lucy Liu
Warren Nam
Daniel Zhao

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

Jianing Xu

La Cañada HS

Chelsea M. Brack
Blake S. Chang
Rachel Choi
Neal S. Frankenberg
Cameron M. Hong
Dylan F. Jeffries
Joonha Lee
Matthew Y. Park
Marius L. Rutkowski
Andrew C. Smersfel
Thomas A. Sorensen
Emmi Sugino
Sonal K. Sukhatme

La Crescenta

Clark Magnet HS

Ibrahim Ahmed

Crescenta Valley HS

Haik Isaiants
David Kahdian
Nathan Lee
Debayon Roy

Long Beach

Long Beach Polytechnic HS

Matthew T. Long

Los Angeles

The Archer School for Girls

Camila Blank

Brentwood School

Toby E. Kinberg
Beckett T. O’Brien
William Varnum
Ryan Wirtschafter

Geffen Academy at UCLA

Hugo C. Chiasson
Christopher C. Jun
Natalie F. Kruglyak
James Lee-South
Jeremy A. Steiglitz

Girls Academic Leadership Academy

Maya L. Henry

Larchmont Charter HS

Jayden Choi
Rayhan Y. Haque
Ethan H. Kim

Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies

Leilani E. Krantz
Kylie M. Monterosso
Taizo Nakayama

Loyola HS

Daniel H. Bang
Nimish Baweja
Aaron M. Jimenez

Marlborough School

Violet Affleck
Hope Lee
Wyeth Renwick

Milken Community School

Benjamin B. Signer

New West Charter School

Owen H. Grossman

UCLA Community School

Paolo Roque B. Villa

Woodrow Wilson HS

Anyi Tan

Windward School

Jemma M. Beardmore
Rex V. Gavsie
Zachary J. Gottlieb
Matthew R. Sani
Jude R. St. John

Yula Boys HS

Benjamin M. Karben

Malibu

Malibu HS

Athena M. Rem

Manhattan Beach

Mira Costa HS

Kina M. Desai
Veronica A. Fish
Charles A. Hiatt
William M. Kiely
Naomi S. Kim
Adam W. Manasfi
Mia J. Roman-Wilson

Newhall

William S. Hart HS

Luke A. Kuhlman

North Hollywood

North Hollywood HS

Boheng Cao
Jack R. Dobbs
Rishabh Garg
Oscar J. Kohler
Stanley Z. Li
Alexander W. Werth

Science Academy Stem Magnet

Andrew J. Palchevskiy
Dylan H. Rainman

Pacific Palisades

Palisades Charter HS

Kai S. Harting
Ellery M. Preven
Carter R. Yean
Olivia T. Zaidel
Dominic X. Zuniga

Palos Verdes Estates

Palos Verdes HS

Cayden Cooper
Naomi Gan
Clarence Y. Lin
Mark Y. Lin
Christine Xie

Palos Verdes Peninsula

Chadwick School

Raina J. Jo

Pasadena

Maranatha HS

Hanzhi Liu

Marshall Fundamental HS

Ian Timberg

Pasadena HS

Teresa C. Carbone
Elias M. Gee

Polytechnic HS

Sharon Chou
Luke Haenisch
Jeffrey Y. Liu
Brendan Poon
Yagura, Kaylin Yagura

Westridge School

Cho, Lauren H. Cho
Anna E. Kleindorfer
Rachel A. Kong
Sofie V. Wong

Redondo Beach

Redondo Union HS

Madeline J. Langa
Daniel Rosado
Amy Saffer
Riley S. Williams

Rolling Hills Estates

Palos Verdes Peninsula HS

Oliver H. Ahern
Nerissa A. Chin
Andy J. Gu
Devin Y. Lai
Kevin Y. Lai
Nathan J. Leung
Jonathan L. Lin
Zhixin Liu
Paul T. Martin
Austin B. Pong
Arthur V. Qin
Leia M. Spagnola
Brian Q. Wang
Hooman Zabihi

Rowland Heights

John A. Rowland HS

Lee, Benjamin Lee
Allen J. Li
Aidan Pan

San Marino

San Marino HS

Melody Chen
Kathy Jia
Ruoxin Jia
Ching Lam Ma
Ingrid Wu
Ryder Yoshitake

Santa Clarita

Academy of the Canyons

Jain, Aditya
Noah S. Kim
Vela K. Reynolds

Santa Monica

Crossroads School

Gabriel W. Evers
Ashley E. Stutsman
Beckett T. Yi

Santa Monica HS

Milo C. Bernini
Justin J. Xu

Sherman Oaks

The Buckley School

Maxim Sarkar

South Pasadena

South Pasadena HS

Ada P. Bild
Aidan K. Jackson
Geeyou Lee
Truman T. Lindenthaler
Alexander Y. Ninomiya
Linus R. Sun
Katherine W. Tam

Studio City

Bridges Academy

Leo Apps
Adam R. Sohigian

Harvard-Westlake School

Kriste J. An
Emily P. Ba
Morgan J. Beckerman
Arin Budhiraja
Spencer D. Casamassima
David Chen
Katie Chen
Ryan Z. Cheng
Luke C. Collins
Leo Z. Craig
Kaito M. De Anda
Aidan H. Deshong
Cecelia K. Do
Haruka S. Endo
Derek L. Esrailian
Weston B. Fuchs
Oren E. Hartstein
Christopher Headley
Phoebe M. Hsu
Owen R. Huang
Fiona S. Kim
Ian B. Kim
Do Hyeong Lee
Maxwell Y. Lee
Sabrina G. Liu
Rustom J. Malhotra
Jackson A. Mayer
Chloe S. Park
Grady C. Ramberg
Benjamin W. Ren
Christopher S. Robertson
Sophia Z. Vourakis
Christopher R. Weng
Andrew Wesel

Tarzana

Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies

Sunny Y. Cai

Temple City

Temple City HS

Jasmine Liu
Keilana H. Pang
Ellen Y. Tang
Borui Yin

Torrance

South HS

Sydney J. Cho
Katherine L. Gloyer

Torrance HS

Kevin S. Sohn

West HS

Minah Shin

Valencia

West Ranch HS

Anish Banala
Brennan T. Leem
George Ma

Van Nuys

Van Nuys HS

Brian Sang

Venice

Venice HS

Krishan A. Gupta-Garcia

Walnut

Walnut HS

Sham, Dylan W. Sham
Phillip Tang
Aron Wu

Westlake Village

Oaks Christian HS

Hayden N. Andersson
Soren Jensen

Westlake HS

Benjamin Francis
Jai Garg
Max Lim
Ariana Liu
Arwen Louie
Kiersten A. Roth
Alan Shi
Nicholas Tjoa
Miriam Tong
Hunter Wang
Emily J. Wu

Woodland Hills

William Howard Taft HS

Saketh R. Vennela

High school students interested in applying in future years need to talk to their school counselor to make arrangements to take the PSAT/NMSQT test. Registration is through the high school and not by the students. For information on the competition, tinyurl.com/mrx4t933

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation was established in 1955 and is an independent, not-for-profit group that does not operate with government assistance.

The goals of the organization are to reward academically-dedicated students, encourage academic excellence at all levels of education, promote a deeper respect for learning in general and to encourage individuals and organizations to sponsor scholarships. nationalmerit.org

Video shows gunman threatening Diamond Bar neighborhood before deadly law enforcement shooting

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 22:48:10 +0000

A 30-year-old man shot and killed by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies in a Diamond Bar neighborhood in June disregarded authorities’ orders to surrender and threatened a nearby motorist before he was shot, body-worn camera footage released on Friday, July 28, shows.

Around 11:30 a.m. on June 19, authorities began receiving several calls about a man, identified as 30-year-old Benjamin Chin, walking along the 2900 block of Crooked Creek Drive wearing a ballistic vest and firing shots from a rifle, according to the LASD.

Deputies said Chin stabbed his mother in the back outside their home before continuing down Crooked Creek Drive toward Diamond Bar Boulevard with the rifle, with multiple security camera videos from homes capturing Chin on the sidewalk.

A neighbor who called 911 said that he could see Chin assaulting his mother outside their home before continuing down the street carrying the rifle while another resident who drove by Chin as he made his way down the street told dispatchers that he aimed his rifle towards her before raising it up and firing in the air.

Chin fired around seven to eight shots before deputies arrived, authorities said. His mother followed her son through the neighborhood pleading with him to drop the rifle.

The mother, who was covered in blood from the stab wound, approached deputies and begged them not to kill her son, the video shows.

Chin ignored orders from deputies to surrender and continued walking onto Diamond Bar Boulevard. A driver in a Tesla in the far traffic lane along Diamond Bar Boulevard was forced to come to a stop as two patrol cars were stopped next to him in the other two lanes.

Chin continued to advance toward the Tesla with authorities ordering him to drop the rifle. At least two deputies then shot and struck the suspect.

Chin was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries. The rifle he was carrying was determined to be a ghost gun, authorities said. Ghost guns are typically defined as being unserialized weapons that can be manufactured by users.

The ghost gun rile that was carried by a Diamond Bar man during a fatal June confrontation with authorities. (Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)

His mother was treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries and released.

The Sheriff’s Department will continue to investigate the shooting, at which point the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for an independent review to determined whether the use of force was warranted.

Deputy shoots armed man in Diamond Bar, authorities say

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 23:12:26 +0000

An armed man was shot by at least one deputy on Monday, June 19, in a Diamond Bar neighborhood, authorities said.

The suspect was hospitalized with his condition unknown.

No deputy was injured in the confrontation at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Crooked Creek Drive, said Deputy Miguel Meza, a sheriff’s spokesman.

The Sheriff’s Department received a call around 11:45 a.m. about a man wearing a bullet-proof vest with an assault rifle who was shooting, he said.

It was unclear what he was shooting at, and it had not been confirmed that the suspect had on such a vest.

Meza did not have details on what prompted at least one deputy to shoot the suspect.

A rifle was found at the scene, Meza said.

Broadcast reports said that prior to his encounter with deputies, the suspect may have stabbed a female relative, who was also hospitalized.

City News Service contributed to this story.

California’s past shenanigans shed light on House speaker votes

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 16:13:28 +0000

For those who kept an eye on the California State Legislature about 30 years ago, the kerfuffle over the U.S. House speakership might seem a tad familiar.

And politicos say that legislative melee is one that holds lessons for the ongoing turmoil in Washington, D.C.

Now, it’s a California congressman, Kevin McCarthy, who is struggling to get enough of his GOP colleagues to coalesce behind him to secure the speaker’s gavel. He’s lost several rounds of votes in a historic fashion as about 20 hardline Republicans refuse to back him.

But in the mid-1990s, it was another fight featuring Republican lawmakers in the California Legislature that led to some speaker shenanigans. As Alex Vassar, a legislative historian with the California State Library, puts it: Both situations involve many moving pieces.

At the start of the 1994 session, Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga, the leader of a Republican caucus that had a narrow majority, seemed to be set for the speaker role.

But a few things happened: Paul Horcher of Diamond Bar bucked his Republican colleagues and voted for longtime Democratic Speaker Willie Brown, and Democrats were able to block Richard Mountjoy, a Republican who had recently won a special election for a vacant Senate seat, from participating in the vote.

Thus, Brown held onto the speaker role, and Horcher lost his seat after Republicans mounted a recall.

But the drama wasn’t over.

Doris Allen speaks from the podium during her first day as Speaker of the Assembly. June 5, 1995. The volatile fight for House Speaker in Washington, D.C., in 2023 is reminiscent of Allen’s own speakership election in 1995. (Photo by Mark Rightmire/The Orange County Register)

A few months later, Assemblymember Doris Allen, a Republican from Cypress, became the first woman to hold the speaker position in June 1995. Brown had said he’d only remain in the post until another member could put together the requisite number of votes needed for the job — and with the help of Democrats, Allen did.

She won the speaker spot with no Republican votes except her own.

Democrats said Allen was the right person for the job because she could maintain bipartisan control and would foster working relationships. Republicans, though, accused Allen of betrayal and making “a deal with the devil,” according to the Orange County Register’s reporting at the time.

Allen would only remain speaker for 102 days, resigning amid a recall effort. Her ally, Brian Setencich of Fresno, won the job for a short time — until Brown left the Assembly to become San Francisco’s mayor and Allen was replaced in the Assembly by Scott Baugh. She died in 1999.

And Assemblymember Curt Pringle of Garden Grove took over for nearly a year — the last Republican to hold the position.

Former California Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle, a Republican, likened politics to a team sport amid the fight over the U.S. House speaker vote. (Photo courtesy Cal State Fullerton)

“I believe that politics is a team sport,” Pringle, now a government affairs consultant, said. “You need to be a part of a team, a caucus, a party. That doesn’t mean you’re bound to everything that team does, but the only way you have any power is if you work together with the team.”

“In 1995, two members joined the other side. It’s somewhat interesting to see, in this case, that these 20 representatives (who aren’t voting for McCarthy) represent about 10% of the overall Republican makeup of the House, but they expect the 90% to do what they want as opposed to them working with the team they’re elected to,” Pringle added.

Brulte sees some similarities between the Republicans bucking the party leader both then and now: “The folks opposing McCarthy did nothing and gave little or no money to help elect Republicans in Congress. Those who opposed my election also did nothing to help elect GOP members to the Assembly.”

But in California, the vote margin was much narrower than what congressional Republicans have now. And in California’s Capitol, the speaker fights were “certainly not helpful at fostering good relationships” in a building where colleagues meet often and there are fewer members compared to Washington, Brulte, a former Republican Senate leader who is now a partner with California Strategies, said.

As for politics being a team sport, Brulte added: “On every team, there is always somebody who doesn’t care (if) the team wins or loses. They’re only for themselves.”

As of late afternoon on Wednesday, Jan. 4, McCarthy had lost six votes over two days as hardline Republicans continue to block his speakership.

National Merit announces 2023 LA County scholarship semifinalists

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 12:18:51 +0000

Decorative mortarboard during commencement ceremonies at California State University, Northridge, on the CSUN campus, Friday, May 20, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced on Wednesday, Sept. 14, its 2023 list of semifinalist high school students who will now compete for a share of about 7,250 scholarships worth almost $28 million. Winners will be announced nationally between April and July next year. This is the 68th annual competition.

High school juniors, 11th graders, in the United States entered the academic competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

The next step for a semifinalist to become a finalist is to complete the required application that includes their SAT or ACT scores, an essay and a letter of recommendation by a high school official.

From a group of about 16,000 semifinalists, an expected 15,000 advance to finalists. Students are notified in February 2023 if they are finalists and about half of those win a scholarship.

There are three categories of scholarships: National Merit $2500 Scholarships; corporate-sponsored scholarships; college-sponsored scholarships.

Here is the list of semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program in Los Angeles County by school location and the school name:

Agoura Hills

Agoura Hills HS

Aston H. Du
Sriya J. Kalyan
Jordan P/ Shin

Alhambra

Mark Keppel HS

Konnor H. Luong

Arcadia

Arcadia HS

Ian Chan
Kevin Y. Hu
Cassie Kao
Weber C. Lin
Tin P. Nguyen
Carolyn Sun
Ashley K. Te
Nathan Vuong
Avari Wang
Phoebe Wang
Stephanie H. Wang

Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills HS

Alexandra R. Bakshian
Ariel J. Goldberg
Suhh Yeon Kim
Miles J. Kottler

Burbank

Burbank HS

Kacey M. Fifield
Lana E. Kang
Lorenzo R. Lopez
Yogini N. Vazirani

Burroughs HS

Lillian Raesler
Nayan Ramakrishnan
Margaret K. Roberts

Calabasas

Calabasas HS

Niccolo G. Terango

Qualia The School for Deeper Learning

Terrin Eugene Busby Thompson

Viewpoint School

Zach R. Gor
Mansi Jain
JiaLian Mackey
Alec J. Williams

Carson

California Academy of Mathematics and Science

Jaden Balajadia
Dominick Cardella
Tiffany Chen
Manan Tuteja
Jenna Yang

Cerritos

Cerritos HS

Julianne Hoffman

Gahr HS

Hannah J. Yoon

Gretchen Whitney HS

Colin J. Choi
Jimin Choi
Trenton T. Kim
Aaron S. Park
Max W. Peng

Claremont

Vivian Webb School

Nancy Y. Lin
Yuming Wan

Webb School of California

Taejun Ahn
Jeffrey S. Baek
Anjie Jian
Austin J. Ra
Richard H. Wu

Culver City

Culver City HS

Ruo Han Wang

Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar HS

Ryan K. Chung
Jeffrey Gong
Marcus Hsieh
Andrew Huang
Edward Kim
Jason Kim
Jenna D. Kim
William Li
Chloe J. Lim
Ryan H. Shin
Angie Sun
Angelina Young
Max Zhu

Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock HS

Cooper H. Darling

Glendora

Glendora HS

Xinyu Liu

Granada Hills

Granada Hills Charter HS

Aniket Mukherjee

Hacienda Heights

Glen A Wilson HS

Elizabeth S. Leung

La Cañada Flintridge

Flintridge Preparatory School

Charlotte M. Bax
Meena Durairaj
Youkai Ji
Audrey S. Jung
Arul Kolla
Jacob D. Lee
Alexander J. Oh
Dylan T. Tanouye
Evan L. Yoon

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

Kana J. Park

La Cañada HS

Hailey T. Chee
Vivien Chen
Anastasija M. Easley
Elyse H. Hwang
Adam J. Kakuk
Jessica N. Kim
Mia J. Kronson
Jessica Li
Jeshurun M. Liou
Siraaj S. Sandhu
Xiaohe Tang
Riley J. Thornburgh
William D. Wade

La Crescenta

Crescenta Valley HS

Angeline Choi

Long Beach

Long Beach Polytechnic HS

Skyler Hirota

Los Angeles

Brentwood School

Stephen H. Agar-Johnson
Sam Drake
Carter Iino
Rahul Yates

Downtown Magnet HS

Noah M. Han
Ashley Y. Shin

Geffen Academy at UCLA

August I. Deer
Aiden S. Di Carlo
Jereth Z. Liu
Taye J. Reiss
Kayla G. Sinnock
Claire F. Soohoo

Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies

Sofia Behzadi
Edward Crockett
Lucas Jia
Yvonne Kendall

Loyola HS

Dominic Barrios
Bowen J. Kim
Michael S. McElhenney

Marlborough School

Rachael Kim
Jocelyn E. Shek

John Marshall HS

Sasha M. Rotko

Milken Community School

Ophir G. Berrin
Joshua M. Roussak

New Covenant Academy

Dale Y. Lee

New West Charter High School

Rachel S. Lee

Notre Dame Academy

Jasmine Harrison

Pilgrim School

Jasper J. Andrews
Colin H. Kim

Windward School

Luke M. Gialanella
Henry T. Nieves

Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles

Eliyahu Eghbali

Homeschool

Natalie Deering

Malibu

Malibu HS

Dylan E. Rem

Manhattan Beach

Mira Costa HS

Benjamin K. Blum
Andrew K. Cherry
Karyn B. Fu
Kyle Y. Fukumoto
Tucker Gauss
Ethan H. Harrison
Alexander C.Holcomb
Heather E. Jensen
Cindy X. Lin
Dashiell H. Rumble
Kiran P. Shah
Jacob M. Tan

Montrose

St. Monica Academy

Justin A. Decker

Newhall

William S. Hart HS

Timothy Phan

North Hollywood

Campbell Hall

Arjun A. Danna

North Hollywood HS

Hannah Cho
Emily M. Dietz
Julian E. Dohi
Alexander K. Franks
Jonathan M. Gasser-Brennan
Evan J. Higgins
Joanne Hong
Deanna S. Lee
Charles O. Luke
Katherine M. Shin
Nathaniel S. Shin
Adeline Sun
Richard Zhu

Oakwood School

Leo L. Frankel

Pacific Palisades

Palisades Charter HS

Anirudh Chatterjee
Dohyun A. Ju
Edward H. Kim
Robert H. Rosen
Tobias T. Scaduto
Levy C. Shaked
Sierra M. Sugarman
Sophie Y. Zhu

Palos Verdes Estates

Palos Verdes HS

Vivian M. Chan
Jenna N. Chow
Cynthia Y. Ho

Palos Verdes Peninsula

Chadwick School

Syona R. Goel

Pasadena

La Salle HS

Tomas A. Posada-Awad

Polytechnic HS

Benjamin D. Fernandez
Jamie Haenisch
Julian S. Harrison
Kai F. Herman
Elizabeth Hong
Nathaniel N. Marko
Dario G. Soatto

Westridge School

Katelyn A. Shirreffs

Redondo Beach

Redondo Union HS

Theodore Danial
Isabel Gross
Jack Hagemeister
Elise E. Haulund
Ella M. Kang
Isabella Langa
Esther Sun

Reseda

Cleveland HS

Jacob S. Pike

Rolling Hills

Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy

Jacqueline S. Lane

Rolling Hills Estates

Palos Verdes Peninsula HS

Charlotte Y. Chiang
Sakurako F. Cho
Jillian M. Farley
Kyle Jiang
Joo, Gina
Jeremy J. Kim
Zishi Li
Audrey Y. Lu
Erica C. Ro
Jason L. Wiemels
Bryce M. Wong
Yuxiang B. Zhang

Rowland Heights

John A. Rowland HS

Selina Cheng
Juliet D. Kim
Madeleine R. Tsoi

Southlands Christian HS

Jeremy Chun

San Gabriel

Gabrielino HS

Kaylee Chan
Jonathan Liang
Violet Wang

San Marino

San Marino HS

Neil Chen
Michael Egan
Zhe Shan Lian
Elsa Panning
Lillian Panning
Thailor Christian Villaluna
Arwen Gwen Wen

Santa Clarita

Academy of the Canyon

Joan Isabelle C. Go

Santa Monica

Crossroads School

Daniel R. James
Kate Jang
Zev Weinstein

Santa Monica HS

Danny S. Chmaytelli
Lincoln G. Jarvis
Kian A. Naini

Sherman Oaks

The Buckley School

Madison Kesler
Katherine Silverman

Notre Dame HS

Autumn S. Han

South Pasadena

South Pasadena HS

Aria A. Argus
Ryan F. Arlett
Serin C. Hwang
Anthony Kim
Jacqueline S. Mancera
Zackary Quezada
Xiyu Wang
Isabelle C. Whetsel
Talia M. Yoo
Liana Zangwill

Studio City

Harvard-Westlake School

Jack T. Austen
Alexandra M. Ba
Nathaniel K. Berg
Henry A. Bryan
Justin R. Bu
Cheery Chen
Iris Chen
Olivia Chung
Lucas Cohen-d’Arbeloff
Konnie Duan
Aariz I. Furniturewala
Donya Ghassemieh
Daniella Cayla Goldrich
Alexander J. Hahn
Anika S. Iye
Vivien Y. Kimura
Steven D. Ko
Sang Hyun Lee
Ceerous J. LeSage
Elliot Joseph Lichtman
Jack L. Moreland
Noah T. Nakayama
Venice A. Offner
Victoria R. Peng
Kameron G. Rabizadeh
Sophia M. Rascoff
Asher L. Rossen
William R. Sherwood
Kensuke Shimojo
Zoe K. Shin
Carter M. Staggs
Harrison M. Tarses
Ethan Wang
Eli N. Weinbach
Skylar Whitley
Jake M. Wiczyk
Karen K. Wu
Audrey T. Yang
Eric M. Yoon
Emmy Y. Zhang

Temple City

Temple City HS

Keerthana Girish
Stephen A. Ma

Torrance

Bishop Montgomery HS

Alexis R. Wetzel

South HS

Kathryn A. Soares

West HS

Sohan K. Devalapurkar

Valencia

West Ranch HS

Alyssa Y. Chang
Andrew S. Kim
Jaeeun Park
Ella M. Shin
Clarissa Y. Zuo

Van Nuys

Grace Christian Academy

Reva Bhavin Patel

Van Nuys HS

Hannah Chung
Rachel S. Sang

Venice

Venice HS

Jessica L. Pan
Lidia S. Prokopovych-Shchepet

Walnut

Walnut HS

Samuel Chou
Hudson Kaleb K. Dy
Shani Y. Su
Chelsea Yeh
Jadon J. Zhu

Westlake Village

Oaks Christian HS

Ethan W. Bergman
Harrison L. Browning
John J. Chung
Connor L. Claeys
Conway, Nicolas F. Conway
Aidan Flintoft
Aiden A. Mardani
Kayla P. Youhanaie
Enming Zhang

Westlake HS

William X. Chen
Alexander Y. Chi
Abigail Flamer
Danica M. Gonzalez
Luke W. Jones
Jason J. Lee
Hyun S. Lim
Alyssa K. Rice
Daniel Y. Wang
Joshua T. Wood

Woodland Hills

El Camino Real Charter HS

Autumn T. Blackford
Lila R. Goldenberg

William Howard Taft HS

Jaume T. Folz

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation was established in 1955 and is an independent, not-for-profit group that does not operate with government assistance.

Click here for Orange County semifinalists and here for those in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

National Blue Ribbon Schools in LA County announced

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 17:02:31 +0000

Kester Avenue Elementary School in Sherman Oaks is on the 2022 National Blue Ribbon School list. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools list of 297 schools was announced on Friday, Sept. 16, by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Twenty-nine schools made the California list and 10 are in Los Angeles County.

Schools chosen for the honor were judged on overall academic performance or the school’s progress in bringing up academic scores from student subgroups. The two categories are based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates.

“I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams,” said Secretary of Education Cardona, in a press release.

“As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”

“Exemplary High-Performing Schools” are defined as being among the state’s highest performing schools measured by state assessments or national tests. “Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools” are among the state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

These schools in Los Angeles County made the list:

Arcadia

Foothills Middle School, Arcadia Unified School District

Cerritos

Carmenita Middle School, ABC Unified School District

Helen Wittmann Elementary School, ABC Unified School District

Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar High School, Walnut Valley Unified School District

Long Beach

Newcomb Academy, Long Beach Unified School District

Rolling Hills Estates

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

San Dimas

Arma J. Shull Elementary School, Bonita Unified School District

Sherman Oaks

Kester Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles Unified School District

South Pasadena

South Pasadena Middle School, South Pasadena Unified School District

Valley Village

Colfax Charter Elementary School, Los Angeles Unified School District

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, established in 1982, has recognized public and private schools from 1983-2022 with more than 10,000 awards going to more than 9,000 schools — some schools have won multiple awards.

Back in 1983, these schools in Los Angeles County received the award:

Artesia HS in Lakewood; Bishop Amat Memorial in West Covina; Montebello Intermediate School in Montebello; the Crossroads School in Santa Monica; Valley Christian HS in Cerritos; West HS in Torrance.

Schools awarded the honor may fly the National Blue Ribbon School flag or display it in their school’s entryway.

Information on National Blue Ribbon Schools: bit.ly/3UsbIUG

Information on the program from the California Department of Education: www.cde.ca.gov/TA/sr/br/index.asp

Archives of schools honored nationally: www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/archives.html and from 1982-2018: www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-2003.pdf

New Water Restrictions In Place For Thousands In Diamond Bar, Pomona, Walnut

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 19:51:33 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – The Walnut Valley Water District issued water restrictions Tuesday in response to the state’s ongoing drought situation.

The WVWD Board of Directors declared a level 2 water shortage, which calls for a 20% drop in water use.

The Walnut Valley Water District has about 100,000 customers in parts of Diamond Bar, Walnut, the City of Industry, Pomona, West Covina and an unincorporated area of Rowland Heights.

Under the restrictions, residents are limited to watering their lawns only three days per week. There is also no watering between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Home car washes are also banned.

There is no watering during rainfall, or 48 hours after rainfall. There is also no washing of hard surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways and buildings.

For a full list of restrictions, click here.

Similar water conservation measures have been issued in cities including Glendale, Pasadena and Simi Valley.

Although a recent slew of storms dumped heavy rain and snow that helped pull California out of the most severe drought category, the state still remains in the grips of a drought nonetheless.

In October, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide drought emergency which calls for residents to voluntarily curb their water use by 15%.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the region’s water wholesaler, declared a drought emergency in November.

All 150 Condos In Diamond Bar Village Red Tagged For Structural Damage

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 06:09:24 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Dozens of homes have been red-tagged for structural damage in Diamond Bar, but residents believe that it’s really an attempt at a land grab.

City inspectors red and yellow tagged 150 homes at Diamond Bar Village, giving the families inside just over two weeks to pack up and get out. The city said a building official found deteriorated or inadequate foundations, flooring, ceilings, roofs, walls, and major termite infestations.

Families have been told that their homes are too dangerous to live in and that the necessary repairs will likely be too expensive to fix. Those who rent and own the condos think the repairs are fixable and want the homeowner’s association to pay for them.

Some speculate the building is being condemned so a developer can buy the land and build luxury condos.

“We were homeless overnight,” said Gio Velis, a resident and college student. “It’s not realistic in two weeks. I don’t think you can even do it in 30 days.”

The move will displace about 300 people, some who rent, and others who own.

“I feel like maybe this is like a stain on the area and that this is their chance to finally get rid of it,” said Velis.

Officials said findings include: deteriorated or inadequate foundations, flooring and floor supports, sagging, sporting or buckled ceilings, roofs and air supports, as well as crumbling plaster, broken and rotted wall and roof coverings, infestation of termites and visible mold growth. Officials also added that the faulty materials on the buildings were caused by a failure to maintain them in a good and safe condition.

“It’s just like a tornado just hit [and] your properties are gone,” said resident Leona Lau, who bought her condo at Diamond Bar Village 20 years ago. “You can’t live in it. You can’t sell it. You can’t do nothing with it, so what does it leave us?”

Neighbors went to the property manager’s office Tuesday night but no one answered the door.

Avalon Management, which began managing Diamond Bar Village in 2020, said they were working with the city, lenders, engineers, and other stakeholders in a statement.

“The Association’s first concern is the safety of its residents and getting them back into their homes and working with all stake-holders to achieve that goal,” the statement said in part.

One Dead In Diamond Bar Crash On 60 Freeway

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 14:35:28 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) – A 20-year-old man inside a stalled Honda Accord was killed and two other men just outside the car were injured Saturday when the vehicle was rear-ended by an SUV in the carpool lane of the Pomona (60) Freeway, authorities said.

Officers responded at approximately 3:04 a.m. to the eastbound 60 Freeway just east of Grand Avenue, the California Highway Patrol reported.

A 2019 Nissan Armada was driving at an undetermined speed when it rear- ended the Honda, killing the victim inside the car. The Compton resident was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Honda, a 21-year-old man from La Puente, suffered major injuries and another passenger, a 20-year-old man from Los Angeles, suffered moderate injuries. Paramedics rushed them both to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. They were just outside the Accord at the time of the crash, authorities said.

The 44-year-old Moreno Valley man driving the 2019 Nissan Armada that crashed into the Accord suffered major injuries and was rushed to an area hospital.

The CHP’s Baldwin Park area office urged anyone who saw the crash to call them at 626-338-1164.

Driver Sought In July 4 Diamond Bar Hit-And-Run Which Killed 72-Year-Old Bruce Bodel

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 17:45:44 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) – Detectives are searching for a driver who struck and killed a 72-year-old man while he was on a walk in his Diamond Bar neighborhood on the Fourth of July.

Surveillance photos of the suspect vehicle. July 4, 2021. (L.A. County Sheriff’s Department)

The collision occurred at around 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Lycoming Street and Penarth Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The victim, Bruce Bodel, was crossing Penarth Avenue when he was struck by a car that was traveling west on Lycoming Street.

Bodel was taken to a hospital, where he passed away several days later from his injuries, the sheriff’s department said.

The driver sped away from the scene and was last seen on Lemon Avenue.

July 12, 2021. (CBSLA)

“The suspect driving the vehicle never showed any compassion for his actions and immediately left the scene without checking on Bruce,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a news conference Monday morning.

The sheriff’s department Monday released surveillance images of the suspect vehicle, described only as a silver or gray two-door sedan. A news conference was scheduled for Monday morning.

Anyone with information on the case should call 800-222-8477.

Woman And Adult Son Found Dead In Diamond Bar In Suspected Homicide

Sun, 23 May 2021 00:57:24 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) – Neighbors in Diamond Bar woke up to crime scene tape and a lot questions as word quickly spread that two people were killed inside their home.

Investigators said it is a mother and her adult son who died. It happened Friday around 10 p.m. Deputies got a call from a relative inside the home who did not live there.

“It’s very tragic,” said Sally Fidel, a neighbor. “I have two sons myself and we’re just really praying for the family and hoping they find out exactly what happened.”

Both the 55-year-old woman and her 23-year-old son had signs of trauma, which is why investigators are calling it a homicide.

“We’re not sure what weapon was used at this point, or how they died,” said Sgt. Chris Bergo of the LA County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies added they had been dead for some time.

“I think that’s what’s scary, one police officer told my husband they don’t believe it was a robbery, but we don’t know any more details,” added Fidel.

The coroner’s office will investigate to give a cause of death and timeline.

Man Shot In Leg While Driving On 60 Freeway In Diamond Bar

Mon, 03 May 2021 15:36:07 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — A man is recovering Monday after being shot while driving on the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar.

The shooting happened Sunday afternoon on the 60 Freeway at Lemon Avenue in Diamond Bar.

(credit: CBS)

According to the CHP, some kind of disagreement erupted between two cars, and the passenger of a blue Dodge Charger fired three shots at the other driver. The driver, a man, was hit in the leg and taken to a hospital.

The shooter remains at large, and authorities have not released any suspect information.

Investigators say the argument could have been about street racing.

Villanueva ‘Disappointed’ After DA Reportedly Declines To Prosecute Alleged Hate Incident

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 06:10:42 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Friday he was “disappointed” that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has reportedly declined to prosecute an alleged hate incident that happened last month in Diamond Bar during a “Stop Asian Hate” rally.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Villanueva alleged that the D.A.’s office said its decision was based on a “lack of sufficient evidence.”

I am disappointed charges were not filed by the DA’s office for “Lack of Sufficient Evidence,” though video clearly depicts the acts by the suspect contrary to his statement of being “scared.” His social media posts further confirm his intentions. This should be heard in court! pic.twitter.com/x0eO0jgwWT

— Alex Villanueva (@LACoSheriff) April 9, 2021

Cell phone video from the March 21 rally shows a multi-racial group of demonstrators crossing Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue at about noon when a man starts yelling anti-Asian and anti-Black slurs. In the group were a 32-year-old Asian woman and a 16-year-old Black girl.

According to the department, the man drove through a red light at the intersection while yelling racial epithets and made an illegal u-turn driving between the crowd. Witnesses said the driver told them that he would be back.

Another video shows the man, described only at a white man in his 50s, pulling over and getting out of his car after making that illegal u-turn and again hurling racial epithets at the crowd before driving away.

Rhonda Hampton, a psychologist who organized the protest, said people have hurled racial insults at her numerous times while taking a walk on her lunch break.

“And because we let it go, that is why it’s continuing,” she said. “And I am not going to shut up.”

But the bigger issue for Hampton is that the D.A.’s office was not the one to announce that charges were not being filed.

“That he does not even make a comment to the community to say, ‘Hey, I did my due diligence, I did everything I can to investigate,” she said.

Vicky, who was also at the protest, said Asian communities were more likely to let hate speech roll off their backs to avoid a larger issue.

“I guess that’s the culture of here in America,” she said.

But, Vicky said, letting this driver off the hook was sending a disheartening message to the victims of hate crimes.

“We got freedom of speech, which is a huge freedom, and it’s almost like it’s bigger than anything,” she said. “Bigger than our lives.”

According to LASD, the case was initially investigated as an alleged hate incident and not an alleged hate crime, because there was no injury or property damage.

The D.A.’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

LASD Investigating Hate Incident During ‘Stop Asian Hate’ Rally In Diamond Bar

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 00:18:11 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Monday were investigating an alleged hate incident that happened during a weekend “Stop Asian Hate” rally in Diamond Bar.

A number of people participated in Sunday’s “Stop Asian Hate” rally In Diamond Bar. (Courtesy Supervisor Janice Hahn)

“We are a town with 57,000 people, 57% of which is Asian-American, and this literally happened in the middle of an anti-Asian hate rally, so I think this serves as an unfortunate reminder that hate incidents can happen anywhere,” Diamond Bar Councilman Andrew Chao said.

Chao was at the rally along with Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and many others standing in solidarity against an uptick in reported hate crimes against Asian people.

Cell phone video from the rally shows a multi-racial group of demonstrators crossing Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue when a man starts yelling anti-Asian and anti-Black slurs.

Another video shows the man pulling over and getting out of his car after making that illegal u-turn and again hurling racial epithets at the crowd.

Chao said that while there have not been any other recorded hate incidents in Diamond Bar, neighboring Rowland Heights and Hacienda Heights have reported an uptick in robberies and random attacks on Asian residents.

“I’m hearing a lot from my residents that they worry from their relative and friends who may be in other cities where incidents like these are happening more frequently,” he said.

Residents in Diamond Bar also said they were afraid for themselves and their families, especially the elderly. It’s a sentiment Chao said he shares.

“I’ve needed to have that conversation with my own parents, because I worry about their safety,” he said.

LASD said it has recovered security footage of the incident and was attempting to identify the driver.

Anyone with information was asked to contact LASD’s Walnut/Diamond Bar Station at 626-913-1715.

Fallen Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Albanese Laid To Rest

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 22:04:59 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — A Los Angeles County sheriff’s motorcycle deputy who died in a crash while on duty was given a solemn sendoff Friday.

Deputy Thomas Albanese was killed last month in a crash on Del Amo Boulevard near Paramount in Lakewood. He had been working overtime when he started following a driver suspected of speeding.

The driver of a Mercedes hit the deputy as he drove into the intersection on a changing light. Albanese, who joined the department in 2013, was declared dead at the scene.

Albanese was remembered by his loved ones and his law enforcement family at a memorial service in Diamond Bar.

“It has been a tough time in law enforcement. There are people screaming at the tops of their lungs that all cops are bad, that the less of us, the better society is,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. “I say to all those, no. Not even close. The world is a better place because of people like Tom.”

Albanese is survived by his wife, Erica, and two young sons.

Catalytic Converters Etched With License Plate Numbers For Free In Diamond Bar

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 21:36:20 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — With thefts of catalytic converters will on the rise, the Los Angeles County sheriff’s station in Diamond Bar offered free etching to help deter theft and help catching the thieves.

(credit: CBS)

The station had auto workers etch license plate numbers on their catalytic converters for free, a service that is on the rise due to the increasing number of catalytic converter thefts in Southern California.

Catalytic converters reduce emissions from a vehicle’s engines. Law enforcement officials say removing the part takes just a few minutes and thieves are recycling the catalytic converters, especially those from the Toyota Prius, for quick cash.

In just the first three months of this year, authorities have arrested 21 people and recovered hundreds of stolen catalytic converters in two separate investigations, while two men killed in a crash into a Garden Grove swimming pool as they fled from a police officer had a catalytic converter in their truck, along with the tools to steal it.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station will hold a similar event in partnership with Reeves Complete Auto Center of Canyon Country. Their catalytic converter etching event will take place Thursday, March 25, and will be offered to Santa Clarita Valley residents by appointment only on a first-come, first-served basis. To book an appointment, or find out more information, contact Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Deputy Borbon ka1borbo@lasd.org.

LA County Sheriff: Chase, Diamond Bar Standoff With 9-Year-Old Girl In Backseat Started With Road Rage Incident

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 00:02:50 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — Authorities say that a car chase with a 9-year-old girl in the backseat that ended in a standoff in Diamond Bar stemmed from a road rage incident with another motorist.

Margaret Hassan, 30, of Pomona, was identified as the suspect in Tuesday night’s wild and dangerous chase that started at about 3:20 p.m. and wound its way through Chino Hills, Chino, and Ontario before the vehicle stopped working in the center lane of Diamond Bar Boulevard at Gentle Springs Lane in Diamond Bar.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, deputies had been flagged down by a motorist who reported they had been repeatedly and intentionally rear-ended by the suspect. When deputies tried to stop the suspect, Hassan allegedly fled from them in her vehicle, touching off the chase.

Authorities were in a standoff Tuesday afternoon after a pursuit of a driver wanted on suspicion of hit-and-run came to a stop in Diamond Bar. (CBSLA)

During the chase, the suspect was seen hitting several cars as her vehicle squeezed between cars on surface streets. At one point, the suspect vehicle continued to speed away with the rear bumper hanging off the car.

When the suspect rear-ended another car in Diamond Bar, the vehicle became inoperable – but she still refused to exit the vehicle. The standoff ended at about 7 p.m., but not before delivering another shock.

“After introducing a gas agent, and to the surprise of all personnel, an unknown female child exited the rear of the vehicle and was brought to safety in the arms of [a Special Enforcement Bureau] deputy,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement. The girl was identified as Hassan’s 9-year-old daughter, and after being taken to the hospital to get checked out for any injuries, she was taken into the custody of Children and Family Services.

Hassan was taken into custody, examined at hospital, and was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment, and felony evading. She is being held on $130,000 bail.

She was charged with one felony count each of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, assault with a deadly weapon and fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly, along with seven misdemeanor counts of hit-and-run driving resulting in property damage, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

One sheriff’s sergeant was involved in a separate traffic crash while responding to the pursuit as it drove through Walnut. She was treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries and has since been released.

Hassan is set to be arraigned Friday in a Pomona courtroom

Margaret Hassan Charged With Child Abuse, More Following Police Pursuit, Standoff With 9-Year-Old Daughter In Vehicle

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 23:46:21 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — A 30-year-old Pomona woman was charged Thursday with leading Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on a wild chase with her 9-year-old daughter in the car.

Margaret Ann Hassan, 30, was charged with one felony count each of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, assault with a deadly weapon and fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly, along with seven misdemeanor counts of hit-and-run driving resulting in property damage, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Hassan was taken into custody Tuesday night after an hours-long standoff following a high-speed pursuit that started Tuesday near the Walnut-Diamond Bar sheriff’s station.

A 9-year-old child, who was in the car during the entire ordeal, came out of the vehicle first after deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deployed a tear gas canister into the car.

“We had no knowledge that a child was in the car,” said Special Enforcement Bureau Deputy Darell Edwards. The father of three told reporters he wanted to `physically take care of her, let her know it was OK.

The 9-year-old girl was crying and “she asked for water,” Edwards said.

Hassan was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment, and felony evading, and was being held on $130,000 bail, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.

Her daughter was taken to a hospital for a precautionary medical examination and was released to the custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Her name was not released.

Sheriff’s deputies thought they had enough confirmation that only the suspect was in the car. The windows were tinted and towards the end the suspect was blocking the windows with sunshades and even a laundry basket. An ambulance is coming to tend to the child.

— Desmond Shaw (@RoadSageLA) March 10, 2021

The girl hopped into the arms of a deputy as the rest of the team, with guns drawn, descended on her mother’s car who gave up soon after, bringing the hours-long standoff to an end.

The ordeal began with a hit-and-run crash about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday near the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station at 21695 Valley Blvd. in Walnut, according to Deputy Trina Schrader of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“The pursuit stemmed from the female suspect (Hassan) becoming involved in a road rage incident with another motorist on the road, which transpired into the suspect using her vehicle as a weapon against the other motorist,” Schrader alleged.

During the pursuit, the woman injured several people and slammed into more than five vehicles before coming to a stop in Diamond Bar after her car became disabled.

“Nobody knew the child was in the car,” LASD Lt. Todd Knight said.

Knight said deputies were not aware that the child was in the backseat of the vehicle when they attempted several PIT maneuvers during the pursuit or when they fired bean bag rounds through the windows.

He said the deputies did not know until the child walked out of the car following the deployment of the teargas.

Brian Avilos, whose vehicle was struck during the pursuit, said that when he realized a child was involved, it made him both mad and sad.

“Mad because she’s an adult and should know her responsibility,” he said.

Hassan is set to be arraigned Friday in a Pomona courtroom

DNA Leads To Man’s Arrest In Violent Diamond Bar Sexual Assault

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 16:14:48 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) – A 37-year-old man suspected of attacking and sexually assaulting a woman at knifepoint in Diamond Bar last month has been arrested after he was identified using DNA evidence.

Joel Martinez. (L.A. County Sheriff’s Department)

Joel Martinez was arrested Jan. 6 at his Eastvale home on one count each of kidnapping with the intent to commit rape, forcible oral copulation and attempted forcible rape.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, in the early morning hours of Dec. 8, a woman was walking to work in the area of Brea Canyon Road and Sapphire Lane when she was approached by a man who asked to borrow her cell phone.

When she told him no, he walked away upset, the sheriff’s department reports. About five minutes later, he snuck up on the woman from behind, put her in a choke hold and dragged her about 100 yards into bushes on the side of the road, where he sexually assaulted her while threatening her with a pocket knife, the sheriff’s department said.

On Jan. 5, Martinez was identified as the suspect with the help of DNA evidence.

He is currently being held on $1.2 million bail.

Investigators believe he may have more victims. Anyone with information on this case or others should call the LASD Special Victims Bureau toll free tip line 877-710-5273.

Driver Claims He Fell Asleep After Car Nearly Crashes Into Backyard Pool In Diamond Bar

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 17:30:59 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) – A driver lost control of his car coming off a freeway, slammed through a fence and nearly careened into a backyard pool in Diamond Bar early Friday morning.

Oct. 2, 2020. (CBSLA)

The crash occurred in the 20900 block of East Moonlake Street, just off the 60 Freeway, a little before 2:30 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The 23-year-old driver and sole occupant was coming off the westbound 60 Freeway when he lost control and hit a center median on Brea Canyon Road, the sheriff’s department said.

He then veered across the intersection, through a dirt lot and broke through a brick fence. The car flew along the edge of one backyard before landing in another. It came to rest upside down, teetering on the deck of the backyard jacuzzi. The car itself did not fall into the water.

The driver was treated at the scene by L.A. County Fire Department paramedics and then rushed to a nearby hospital trauma center with cuts and bruises. He is expected to survive.

He told authorities that he fell asleep at the wheel. At this time, investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor, a sheriff’s official said. He is not facing any criminal charges at this time.

At least one person was home at the time of the crash. A neighbor who lives in the adjacent home suffered bruises when the car hit the wall outside where he was sleeping, the sheriff’s department said.

Oct. 2, 2020. (LLN)

The fire department handled the removal of the car because of the gasoline and hazardous materials in the car. Heavy equipment was brought in to extract the mangled vehicle.

Caltrans crews were also called in to resecure the back walls of the homes.

Diamond Bar Family Outraged After Finding Noose Hanging In Tree Near Home

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 19:18:22 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — Authorities on Sunday were investigating the discovery of a noose found hanging in a tree on the side of a home in the Diamond Bar area.

The homeowner, Lillian Rucker, says she now no longer feels welcome in this community.

“That is a symbol of hate to me, to black people,” she said. “I’ve been here 26 years! Never had an issue with anyone, never had a problem with anyone.”

Rucker says it was her son who first found the noose on Saturday morning.

“I was blown away at it! Absolutely blown away,” said Justin Pickette, Rucker’s son. And once the shock wore off, they both felt anger and sadness.

The Rucker family did call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which has handed this over to a Hate Crimes Task Force.

And although this family doesn’t know why it happened, Rucker made it clear: she’s not leaving the community she loves.

“I’m not planning on moving. I’m not going anywhere. We’ve been here 26 years and will be here through the duration,” she said.

But she wants to make it clear to other families that hate and racism aren’t just something on the news.

“Beware! Yes, we live in California. This is Diamond Bar, but this can happen anywhere. It doesn’t matter,” she said.

1 Killed In 60 Freeway Wreck In Diamond Bar

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 18:00:59 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) – One person was killed when a car slammed into a guardrail along the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar Monday morning.

Jan. 13, 2019. (CBS2)

The crash occurred along the eastbound 60 Freeway at South Lemon Avenue at around 5:30 a.m., according to California Highway Patrol.

One person was pronounced dead, Caltrans reports. Their name and the circumstances of the wreck were not confirmed.

A Sig Alert was issued and one lane was blocked for several hours while Caltrans crews cleared the debris and repaired the guardrail.

The freeway was fully reopened at about 10 a.m.

Speeding Suspect Taken Into Custody After CHP Chase, Foot Bail

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 04:24:31 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — Authorities said a female suspect who was wanted for speeding and who crashed into two vehicles during a chase is in custody.

The unidentified suspect was in Orange County driving a silver Hyundai when the chase began just before 8 p.m.

The chase also wended through the northbound 57 Freeway and LA County. She ended up crashing in Diamond Bar, near the 60 Freeway.

During the chase, the suspect fled the vehicle and ran into a Diamond Bar neighborhood where she attempted to blend in and evade capture.

The male passenger was apprehended immediately.

The woman ran — scaling several walls and running through a wash — through several backyards in the Crooked Creek area and ended up inside a home owned by Brenda Duchemin.

She told CBS2/KCAL9’s Rachel Kim she was hosting a Buddhist meeting when they first heard the choppers and then her dogs barking.

At this point, the suspect entered her kitchen.

“I came from this direction,” said Duchemin, pointing to her living room. “And she was already in my house by the time I got here and she closed my back door. And then she grabbed a hold of me and said ‘You gotta help me.’ She said she had been in a car accident and her boyfriend was seriously hurt. It didn’t make any sense.”

Duchemin said she had no time to respond when she saw an officer outside the door. “She kind of mouthed to me — did someone come into your house? And I was so thankful to see her at this point, and I said yes, and she came in. And she had the woman get down on the floor.”

Authorities said they received a call from a male passenger saying the woman was threatening to crash the vehicle. It was unclear if the passenger was a victim of a crime.

He was also taken into custody for questioning.

The suspect crashed into her first vehicle in Orange County. A second crash occurred in Los Angeles County, according to the CHP.

Kim said no injuries were reported.

Man Found Stabbed To Death In Diamond Bar Home

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 13:38:02 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — A man was found stabbed to death in his own home in a quiet Diamond Bar neighborhood.

A man called 911 at about 3 p.m. Tuesday reported finding his 69-year-old roommate stabbed inside a home in the 21200 block of Trigger Lane in Diamond Bar. The man, who had been stabbed several times in the upper body, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives scoured the neighborhood for hours, and no weapon was found at the scene. It’s not clear if the man was targeted or the victim of a robbery.

The man’s name has not been released.

A third roommate was not at the home.

Man Charged With Killing Parents At Diamond Bar Home

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 01:27:10 +0000

POMONA (CBSLA) – A 33-year-old man was charged Wednesday with murdering his parents, who were found dead along with their dog after a fire last week at their Diamond Bar home.

Ryan Michael Venti was ordered held without bail while awaiting arraignment Dec. 6 in a Pomona courtroom on two counts of murder stemming from the deaths of his mother, Linda, 68, and his father, John, 74, who were found Oct. 30 burned in the home they shared with him in the 3600 block of Crooked Creek Drive.

Venti is charged with one count each of arson of an inhabited structure or property and cruelty to an animal.

The murder charges include the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.

Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Venti, who was arrested about 8 p.m. Monday by Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators.

The badly burned bodies of Venti’s parents were found in a bedroom, along with the charred remains of their dog, after the blaze, authorities said.

It took firefighters about 40 minutes to knock down the flames. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. John Corina said earlier this week that investigators were working to determine if the victims were killed before the fire. Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Tony Imbrenda said there were no working smoke detectors inside the home.

On Monday night, residents in the neighborhood “called 911 and reported seeing suspect Ryan Venti at the home of his parents on Crooked Creek Drive,” according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department.

“Deputies responded and were able to take the suspect into custody,” the statement said. “From the condition of the suspect it appears that he (had) been hiding in the surrounding hills and brush in an attempt to avoid capture.”

A motive for the crime was not known, according to the sheriff’s department.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact the sheriff’s department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by dialing 800-222-8477.

Son Of Couple Killed In Suspicious Diamond Bar House Fire Arrested On Murder Charges

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 07:59:14 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — The son of an elderly couple killed in a suspicious house fire in Diamond Bar last week has been captured and charged with their murders.

Ryan Venti. (L.A. County Sheriff’s Department)

Deputies with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department have been searching for 33-year-old Ryan Michael Venti since the bodies of his parents, 66-year-old Linda Venti and 75-year-old John Venti, were found Oct. 30 burned in the home they shared with him in the 3600 block of Crooked Creek Drive.

Venti was taken into custody at about 8 p.m. Monday after neighbors called 911 to report seeing him at his parents’ burned out home. Venti appeared to have spent several days hiding in the hills and brush surrounding the home, the sheriff’s department reported Tuesday.

Sheriff’s arson detectives are assisting with determining the origin and cause of the fire, which they say appears to have been intentionally set. Investigators believe an accelerant was used in the fire.

The bodies of the couple were found by firefighters in a burned out bedroom. It’s unclear if the couple died before the blaze broke out.

Last week, sheriff’s Lt. John Corina told reporters that Ryan may be suffering from a mental illness.

The elderly couple had just recently retired, neighbors told CBS2.

Venti was booked into jail on $2 million bail.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the LASD’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website.

Fatal Diamond Bar House Fire Investigated As Homicide, Elderly Couple Believed To Be Victims

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 23:17:27 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — Authorities are investigating a house fire that killed two people in Diamond Bar early Tuesday as a homicide.

Flames ripped through the home on Crooked Creek Dr. early Tuesday morning. Investigators say the bodies found inside the downstairs bedroom were so badly burned they had yet to identify them at the time of this report. However, it’s believed the victims are the longtime homeowners, a couple in their 60s.

L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. Lt John Corina said investigators believe an accelerant was used in the fire.

“We are going to treat it like a homicide investigation right now,” Corina added.

Detectives are looking for the couple’s 32-year-old son, who they say lived at the home.

“We’re told he may suffer from mental illness.” Corina said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Couple Killed In Diamond Bar House Fire Had Just Retired; Adult Son Sought For Questioning

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 18:51:22 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — An elderly couple that had just retired was found dead after firefighters put out what appears to be a suspicious fire at their Diamond Bar home.

The fire was reported at about 4:45 a.m. in the 3600 block of Crooked Creek Drive. Firefighters had the fire out by 5:18 a.m. and immediately began searching the home for the three residents: Linda Venti, 66, John Venti, 75, and their son Ryan Venti, 33.

The bodies were found in a burned bedroom. Officials say they assume the victims to be the husband and wife, believed to be in their 60s, but their identities have yet to be confirmed by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.

Arson investigators say they believe accelerant was used in the fire, and it’s unclear if the couple died before the fire broke out, or in the flames.

The couple’s adult son remained missing Friday night, and investigators say they would like to find him to talk to him about the fire.

“We’re told he may suffer from mental illness,” Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. John Corina told reporters.

Neighbor Richard Stiles said he had just visited the couple the day before and was talking to them about remodeling their kitchen.

“They were very happy. They bought the trailer and the new car and they were traveling,” Stiles said.

“It’s just sad they had to go that way.”

Woman Who Survived Diamond Bar Crash Fatally Struck In Hit-And-Run Moments Later

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 12:23:20 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — A woman survived one crash only to be fatally struck by a third car that is now wanted by the CHP.

The first crash involving two cars was reported at about 12:25 a.m. on the 57 Freeway transition lanes to the 60 Freeway. Authorities were on the scene by 12:32 a.m. and stopped traffic, California Highway Patrol Officer Patrick Kimball said.

A woman in her 40s had apparently managed to crawl out of the wreckage of her car, only to be struck by a third car that took off. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the other car stayed on the scene.

It’s not known yet if drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash. CHP investigators say they will soon release a description of the hit-and-run vehicle.

The transition lanes from the 57 Freeway to the 60, and two right lanes of the 60 Freeway, were closed for several hours after the crash, but have since reopened.

2 Men Killed After BMW Going 100 MPH Slams Into Diamond Bar Apartment

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 13:44:14 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — Two men were killed and a third critically injured after their car slammed into an apartment building in Diamond Bar early Wednesday.

The crash was reported in the area of Golden Springs Drive and Diamond Bar Boulevard at about 11:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Police say the white BMW was going 100 mph when it hit a curb, when airborne and hit the apartment building. Three men were in the car, and two were killed. The third man was taken to a hospital in critical but stable condition.

No one inside the apartment was injured, but the building has been yellow tagged, meaning residents can collect their belongings but cannot sleep there.

Man Found Dead In Roadway In Diamond Bar

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 15:12:39 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) – Authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found on a major roadway in Diamond Bar early Monday morning.

(CBS2)

California Highway Patrol reports that the victim was discovered on Brea Canyon Road near the 57 Freeway at around 4:30 a.m. A crashed vehicle was discovered on an embankment nearby.

Officers are investigating if the victim was struck by the car. No further details were confirmed.

A Sig Alert was issued and Brea Canyon was shut down in both directions between Diamond Bar Boulevard and Tonner Canyon Road. It was reopened shortly after 7:30 a.m.

Evacuation Orders Lifted After Hydrogen Fire In Diamond Bar

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:35:29 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — Evacuation orders have been lifted in Diamond Bar early Monday, more than 12 hours after a hydrogen tank caught fire and exploded.

Evacuations were lifted at 3:30 a.m., but a radius of about 200 feet around the truck was still being blocked by deputies until it can be towed away.

A fire broke out on the truck at about 1:20 p.m. Sunday at South Brea Canyon Road and Golden Springs Drive, just south of the Pomona (60) Freeway and west of the Orange (57) Freeway.

According to CHP, callers on the freeway reported a small explosion.

Firefighters got the fire out just before 4 p.m., but at least seven of the 25 cylinders being hauled on the truck’s trailer were compromised, according to the fire department.

About two hours after the fire, sheriff’s deputies began evacuating residents within a half mile of the site, Los Angeles County Deputy Kimberly Alexander said.

The California Highway Patrol shut down the onramps and offramps on the eastbound Pomona (60) Freeway at Brea Canyon Road, CHP Officer Stephan Brandt said.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Tractor Trailer Fire Evacuations In Diamond Bar

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 01:46:22 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — A fire in a truck carrying compressed hydrogen tanks caused the evacuation of people in a one mile radius area of suburban Diamond Bar Sunday, and a county HazMat team was sent because of the danger of an explosion.

The fire broke out at about 1:20 p.m. at the intersection of South Brea Canyon Road and Golden Springs Drive, according to a Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher. That location is just south of the Riverside (60) Freeway and west of the Orange (57) Freeway, but freeway traffic was not impeded.

SKY2’s Desmond Shaw reports that LA County Fire has been dumping a massive amount of water on the truck.

More than 500 people had to be evacuated from the shopping center on the corner of Golden Springs Drive and Brea Canyon Road. LA County sheriff’s deputies were directing traffic.

A fire inspector said there were 25 hydrogen cylinders in the truck and about five to 10 were giving off gas because of the fire.

LA County Fire spokesman Joey Marone told CBS2’s Crystal Cruz that people could be allowed back to their homes in the next 30 minutes if the off-gassing had stopped, but that if the off-gassing was continuing than they would put more water on them and wait another hour and go from there.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

2 Killed, 1 Arrested In 57 Freeway Wreck In Diamond Bar

Sat, 28 Oct 2017 16:12:18 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) – Two people were killed and one driver was arrested following a multi-vehicle collision on State Route 57 in Diamond Bar early Saturday morning.

(Credit: OC Hawk)

The collision occurred before 3 a.m. on the southbound 57 Freeway, near Diamond Bar Boulevard. According to California Highway Patrol, a male and a female died in the crash.

It was unclear exactly how many vehicles were involved and if there were any other injuries.

A driver was arrested at the scene. The charges the suspect faces were not confirmed.

A Sig Alert was issued and the southbound side of the freeway was shut down for several hours. It has since reopened.

Small Fires That Burned Brush At OC-LA County Border Possibly Arson

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:24:41 +0000

BREA (CBSLA) — Firefighters are getting a handle on two fires that broke out about a quarter mile apart along the Orange (57) Freeway in Brea early Wednesday morning and spread across the Los Angeles County line into the Diamond Bar area.

Fire in the area was first reported at 2:18 a.m. near Lambert Road, according to the California Highway Patrol, and authorities said as many as four fires later merged into two blazes that scorched a total of 15 acres. The fires were declared fully contained by 9 a.m.

There were no immediate reports of injuries and no structures were threatened.

Traffic at a standstill on 57 FWY NB as 2 lanes slowly re open, Lambert Rd on ramp closed still due to brushfires @CBSLA #brea pic.twitter.com/IjZM4MQk3W

— JASMINE VIEL (@jasmineviel) October 18, 2017

All northbound lanes of the freeway and the Lambert Road on-ramp were closed during the firefight. Northbound lanes were also closed on the Los Angeles County side at Brea Canyon Road before reopening later in the morning. Two northbound lanes are expected to remain closed into Thursday.

N57 Diamond Bar. @Caltrans has just opened carpool and #1 lanes for northbound traffic. @StephatCBS2 @CBSLA @KNX1070 @KCBSKCALDesk @DaKineFiveO @Action1News @jasmineviel @LACo_FD pic.twitter.com/Yvr6xnnQT9

— Mark Dunn (@mobile2markdunn) October 18, 2017

More than 100 firefighters from surrounding fire agencies were on the scene and four water-dropping helicopters were deployed to help battle the blaze.

Authorities say the fires may have been deliberately set. A witness reported seeing a man with a white scarf around his face wearing blue jeans and driving a black sedan in the area of where a brush fire burned next to the northbound 57 Freeway, just north of Tonner Canyon.

Sheriff/arson investigators say witnesses saw person w/ white scarf over face, black sedan starting fires on 57 NB 2:30am @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/azNgValE4W

— JASMINE VIEL (@jasmineviel) October 18, 2017

These fires are just about 12 miles east of where Canyon Fire 2 destroyed dozens of homes and burned nearly 10,000 acres.

Motorcyclist, Passenger In Critical Condition After Chase Ends In Crash

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 15:37:15 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) — Four people were injured early Friday when a car chase ended in a head-on crash on the 60 Freeway near Grand Avenue.

Officers were trying to pull over the motorcycle for speeding and going the wrong way, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Gregory Galassi, 23, of San Dimas, was operating the Yamaha R6, and his passenger was 24-year-old Diana Bolanos of Los Angeles, according to the CHP.

According to a CHP statement, Officers stopped pursuing Galassi when he started going west in the eastbound lanes of the 60 Freeway. Galassi crashed head-on into a 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by Lauren Im, 19, of La Habra, the statement said.

Galassi and Bolanos were hospitalized in critical condition. Im and her male passenger, 18-year-old Jai Nguyen of Rosemead, were treated for minor injuries.

The three right lanes of the 60 Freeway were closed until 6 a.m. for an investigation.

Man Dies In Diamond Bar House Fire

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:43:31 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) – A man died in a house fire in Diamond Bar early Thursday morning.

The fire was reported at around 4 a.m. in the 23400 block of Wagon Trail Road, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Responding firefighters found flames and smoke coming from the first floor of the home. While searching the house, they found a man in his 50s inside with major burns.

The victim was pulled out, but he died at the scene, the fire department said. His name was not released.

The blaze was knocked down at 4:43 a.m. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s arson and homicide investigators were on scene.

The circumstances and cause of the fire are under investigation.

LA Sheriff Seeks Tips About Taiwanese Couple’s Slaying In Diamond Bar

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 16:01:03 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — A husband and wife from Taiwan found stabbed to death in their Diamond Bar home in October were probably robbery victims, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said Wednesday.

(credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)

Cheng Long Wang, 60, and his wife, Mei Chu Chung, 57, were found slain on Oct. 20, 2016 after family members could not reach the couple, who immigrated to the U.S. in 2000.

“This couple was married for 30 years and were a classic example of the American success story,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell told reporters.

Investigators suspect the couple had been victims of a robbery and about $15,000 had been taken from the home, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. Steve Katz.

Officials would not say whether they believed the couple was targeted, but investigators believe the assailant knew the couple kept large amounts of cash in the home, Katz said.

The slaying was “extremely unusual” for the Southern California community and appears to have been an isolated incident, Katz said.

Cheng Long Wang worked as a computer programmer and Mei Chu Chung had taught art to children and offered lessons in a studio she had in their home, the couple’s adult son said. Both were very active in their community, he said.

The friend who came to check on the couple at the request of family members found Wang gravely injured, with multiple stab wounds, authorities said. Chung was also found mortally wounded with stab wounds and declared dead at the scene.

“They didn’t deserve a death like this,” said their son, Dr. Gary Wang, who flew in from Iowa to attend a news conference Wednesday. “They were just honest people who lived within their means.”

Wang said the loss of his parents has been difficult for him and his sister, but especially for his 4-year-old daughter, who used to video chat regularly with grandma and has cried at night for her grandparents.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell and County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced a $30,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case — $20,000 from the county Board of Supervisors announced in February and another $10,000 from the city of Diamond Bar.

Anyone with information about the case can call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500.

L.A. County Supervisors Approve $20K Reward To Help Solve Murders Of 2 Art Teachers In Diamond Bar

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 23:50:33 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles County supervisors Tuesday approved a $20,000 reward for information leading to whoever stabbed a couple to death in their Diamond Bar home last October.

The bodies of David Cheng Wang, 60, and his wife, Marian Mei Chung, 57, were found at their home on Bent Twig Lane on Oct. 20, 2016.

The couple ran an art school out of their house, which did not appear to be ransacked and showed no signs of forced entry, according to investigators.

A detective said the victims showed signs of trauma, which may have occurred during a struggle.

Supervisor Janice Hahn, who recommended the reward, hoped the reward will prompt witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information was asked to call sheriff’s homicide Detectives Margarita Barron or Dameron Peyton at (323) 890-5500.

Death Of Art-Teaching Couple Stuns Diamond Bar Neighborhood

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 06:05:56 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) – Investigators are trying to figure out why a popular couple who taught art out of their home was found stabbed to death.

Julia Hong can hardly believe her beloved art teacher who taught her how to paint for over a decade was found dead along with her husband inside their Diamond Bar home Thursday morning.

“I’m trying to not be too sad because I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t want that,” Hong said. “Of the 10 years that I was with her and her husband it was a good experience and a big part of my life.”

Detectives were sent to 3300 block Bent Twig Lane about 9:45 a.m. The couple died at the scene, the sheriff’s department reported.

Neighbors say the couple, ages 60 and 57 ran a thriving art tutoring business out of their home. They had two grown kids of their own. They were well liked and seemed happy.

Neighbors say when their son could not reach them on the phone, he asked a family friend to check on them at around 9:30. The friend found both of them stabbed to death on the ground floor. There was no sign of forced entry and nothing was taken. Detectives aren’t ruling out murder suicide.

Their names were withheld, pending notification of their relatives.

No arrests were reported.

Big Rig Catches Fire On NB 57 Freeway In Diamond Bar

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:19:31 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) — Traffic has slowed to a crawl Friday morning on the northbound Orange (57) Freeway in Diamond Bar after a big rig caught fire.

The fire was first reported at 4:48 a.m. in the far right lane of the 57 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

By 6:30 a.m., the flames were extinguished, but left the truck and the right side of the freeway a charred mess. Crews are on the scene cleaning up debris.

The traffic backup has been reported as far back as Brea Canyon Road.

LA County Officials Declare No Long-Term Health Risk Posed By Porter Ranch Gas Leak

Wed, 20 Jan 2016 18:20:05 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) — Air quality regulators Wednesday held a final hearing to decide the fate of a Southern California Gas Company storage facility that has been leaking natural gas in Porter Ranch.

Currently, there are more than 40,000 petition signatures calling for the closure of the gas company’s Aliso Canyon storage facility.

Early this morning, dozens of San Fernando Valley and Porter Ranch-area residents boarded a bus at the Northridge Metro Station and traveled to Diamond Bar where they protested outside of South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) headquarters.

Turnout for the meeting was not as large as expected as some residents complained air quality regulators refused to move the hearing closer to Porter Ranch.

According to demonstrators, an agreement made between SoCal Gas Co. and SCAQMD falls short of what is needed to protect the public and the climate from ongoing disaster and future accidents.

Air quality regulators allege that the gas company is creating a public nuisance by discharging odor emissions that are in violation of health codes in nearby communities.

A third meeting was held at 9 a.m. to discuss SCAQMD’s proposal regarding the fate of the storage facility.

According to SCAQMD, the order seeks to stop the leak and capture all leaking gas as quickly as possible, utilize all gas from the reservoir until all leaks are stopped, inspect and maintain all wells within a two year time frame and monitor all emissions from the well and reservoir.

The mandate also calls for authorities to retain an independent third party to conduct a health study and to mitigate greenhouse gas impacts of the leak by funding projects that would restore value to the community.

On Oct. 23, 2015, natural gas was found leaking at the storage facility. Protesters claim the leak was caused by integrity failure due to aging infrastructure.

For the past three months, the natural gas leak has affected thousands of residents and pets in the Porter Ranch area.

More than 2,500 households have had to relocate and an additional 1,800 others are waiting for assistance.

Students who normally attend two LAUSD campuses have been temporarily relocated to other district schools.

KNX 1070’s Ed Mertz reported Wednesday that Los Angeles County Health Department officials said data shows no long-term health risk to the public.

#LAPublicHealth says benzene levels from gas leak not at levels to cause health affects @knx1070 pic.twitter.com/EFbyMOEOvp

— Ed Mertz (@knxedmertz) January 20, 2016

Health officials have received “hundreds of calls” from irritated residents in response to the ongoing leak, Mertz added.

On Monday, SoCal Gas Co. announced crews should be able to stop the leak by late February, if not sooner.

Diamond Bar Man Celebrates Gift Of New Kidney From Wife Of An Old Coast Guard Buddy

Sat, 16 Jan 2016 03:03:23 +0000

ORANGE (CBSLA.com) — A Diamond Bar father has gotten a new lease on life following a life-saving kidney transplant.

CBS2’s Michele Gile says his Coast Guard family stepped up in a big day.

Frank Maggelet and Patricia Lovenstein had only met twice but she had no doubt that he — a retired Coast Guard Port security chief — would get her kidney.

“Well, first of all there was no if,” she said, “I knew that it was going to happen.”

She considers him, a husband and father, like her own family.

A decade ago, her husband was his senior officer — buddies in the Coast Guard, stationed together in Boston.

A few months ago, Lovenstein — a former nurse — read on Facebook that Maggelet needed help and was in dire need of a new kidney after he developed polycystic kidney disease.

“He still has never asked me for my kidney,” she said, with a laugh, “it’s already in him. It’s a little late for that. But he’s never asked. No one ever asked me to do this.”

The transplant took place at UCI Medical Center in Orange on Tuesday.

Her left kidney now sits in his right abdomen.

Today was the first day the two got to share a private moment without family around. He was able to whisper a “thank you” to Lovenstein, grateful that the transplant came at just the right time. He was left with a kidney that barely functioned.

He learned on Thanksgiving night that he will have many more years to spend with his wife and young daughters.

“Patricia called, and the hospital called. ‘You’re a match.’ And the four of us, Thanksgiving evening, we cried,” said Maggelet, “because it was like a miracle.”

Motorcyclist Killed In Crash On 60 Freeway

Fri, 02 Oct 2015 15:06:50 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) — A motorcyclist was killed Friday in an accident on the eastbound Pomona (60) Freeway in Diamond Bar, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Witnesses told CHP officers that the motorcyclist hit a curb and crashed on the Diamond Bar Boulevard offramp at about 5:25 a.m..

The victim died at the scene, CHP officials said.

The motorcyclist’s name was withheld pending family notification.

All lanes of the freeway were blocked briefly, and a SigAlert was issued for two right lanes. The roadway was cleared and reopened at 9:24 a.m.

Pedestrian Struck By Car In Diamond Bar Listed In Serious Condition

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 12:00:44 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) — A young man remained hospitalized in serious condition Thursday after being struck by a vehicle in Diamond Bar.

The collision occurred just before midnight Wednesday near the intersection of Diamond Bar and Grand boulevards, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities said the victim — who is believed to be around 17 or 18-years-old — either carried or rode a skateboard when he was struck by a vehicle.

Paramedics transported the victim to a hospital where he was listed in serious condition.

It remains unclear if the driver of the vehicle stopped to provide aide to the victim.

Only 2 Lanes Open On EB 60 Fwy In Diamond Bar After Injury Crash

Fri, 15 May 2015 12:18:33 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) — At least one person was injured Friday morning in a crashed that involved two big rigs on the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar.

The accident was reported shortly before 1:30 a.m. in the eastbound lanes at Grand Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

One man was transported to a local hospital.

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Only the carpool and #1 lanes were open to traffic. All other eastbound lanes were expected to be closed until 9 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

No further details were released.