SGV Community News

07/24/2025

Man shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle on Pickering Ave, betweeneen Penn and Wordman in the city of Whittier.

07/24/2025

Bomb Threat reported shortly after 2pm near the intersection of Route 66 and Barranca where Jersey Mikes and US Recruitment Officer is located.

Azusa Police on Scene.

Developing - No further details available.

07/10/2025

DRUG DEALER CAUGHT ON CAMERA SEELING FYNTENAL ON METRO GOLDLINE - MINUTES LATER DRUG USER DIES IN DOWNTOWN AZUSA STATION

A Los Angeles County man was found guilty of distributing fentanyl to a Metro light-rail passenger, who collapsed on the floor of the Azusa Downtown Station after ingesting the synthetic opioid, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division announced today.

On Monday, June 30th,2025 at the conclusion of a five-day trial, a jury found Shane Christopher Brown, 37, of Los Angeles County, guilty of one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.

According to evidence presented at trial, during the late evening of January 16, 2023, Brown distributed fentanyl while riding on the then-Gold Line train (now part of Los Angeles Metro A-Line system) in Azusa. Within 10 minutes of that distribution, the victim collapsed on the floor of the Azusa Downtown Station. The defendant was arrested in the city of Glendora on March, 2023, less than two months after the victim’s death.

Surveillance footage captured the defendant’s distribution, the victim’s use of that fentanyl, and the victim’s death.

Toxicology results revealed that fentanyl was the only illicit substance in the victim’s blood and his death was subsequently attributed to the effects of fentanyl, according to court documents.

Matthew Allen, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, said, “This case underscores why curtailing the illegal distribution of fentanyl is a priority for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Everyone who deals fentanyl is dealing in death. DEA will continue to focus our efforts on all levels of illegal distribution of fentanyl, from the cartels importing it down to the street level distributors in our communities.”

“Fentanyl and other illicit drugs continue to devastate families and communities across L.A. County and the nation,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “Through close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we were able to hold the individual who was responsible for the tragic death of a transit passenger accountable and serve justice to the victim’s family. This case highlights our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from the deadly impact of drug-related crimes.”

United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett is presiding over the case. A sentencing hearing date will be announced at a later time. Brown faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than he**in as an analgesic (www.dea.gov). Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorneys Neil Thakor and Lisa Lindhorst of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California are prosecuting this case.

07/10/2025

CHP DISTRIBUTES OVER $35 MILLION TO FIGHT IMPAIRED DRIVING

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) today announced more than $35 million in grant funding to 148 California law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to help address the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“As the legal cannabis market continues to grow, so do the state’s efforts to ensure Californians are recreating responsibly. By supporting the organizations that enforce and amplify our laws on the ground, we can keep everyone safer,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

The grants from Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Ma*****na Act, assigned the CHP the responsibility of administering grants for education, prevention and enforcement programs aimed at helping communities tackle impaired driving. Additionally, funds are available for crime laboratories that conduct forensic toxicology testing. The funding for these grants comes from a tax on the sale of cannabis and cannabis products in California.

“This funding represents a major step forward in our ongoing mission to save lives and prevent impaired driving,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “With over $35 million going to nearly 150 public safety partners across the state, we’re expanding our reach like never before. These resources will help those on the frontlines keep California’s roads safer for everyone.”

These funds will go towards a variety of activities. One hundred twenty-six recipients of law enforcement grants will use the funding to combat impaired driving in their communities. The funds will also support drug recognition evaluator training to improve the identification of drug-impaired drivers, as well as public outreach campaigns, including educational presentations and community events.

07/02/2025

A Whittier man drove across the country to Murder a family member who was a well known entrepreneur of a chain of 20 Tex-Mex Restaurants in San Antonio Texas region.

A law enforcement source confirmed to KSAT Investigates that the victim of a deadly North Side stabbing has been identified as Edward “Ron” Acosta, the founder of San Antonio-based Las Palapas restaurants.

06/27/2025

Monrovia Police Officers find 19 feral cats found in in a stolen cargo van from El Monte. The cats are relatively healthy and will sonn be ablailable for adoption.

The cats are still receiving care and undergoing evaluations, but are in "relatively good health," despite being found in filth, Pasadena Humane said.

06/20/2025

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY TIP

Know Your Rights During Traffic Stops by Unmarked Vehicles

If you're driving, and an unmarked car attempts to pull you over, and you cannot clearly identify it as a local law enforcement agency (such as Azusa PD, Irwindale PD, Baldwin Park PD, Covina PD, Alhambra PD, West Covina PD, CHP, or LA County Sheriff's Department)

** DO NOT STOP **

DO NOT STOP if you know or suspect it is HSI or ICE!

Here’s what you need to know:

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) does not have general authority to pull people over without a specific legal basis.

They are NOT police officers. They are federal agents limited to enforcing immigration laws, NOT general traffic laws.

They CANNOT make a traffic stop unless:
They have reasonable suspicion linked to immigration enforcement, OR They have an arrest warrant for someone in the vehicle.

Even then, the stop must comply with constitutional protections against illegal search and seizure AND CANNOT begin to arrest or detain everyone in the vehicle.

California is a sanctuary state:
That means:
Local police (like LAPD or LA County Sheriffs) generally will NOT help ICE with civil immigration enforcement.

Unless ICE presents a JUDICIAL WARRANT OR there’s a serious criminal offense involved.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE BEING FOLLOWED BY AN UNMARKED VEHICLE:

📞 CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
Tell the dispatcher an unmarked car is attempting to stop you are unsure that the vehicle behind you is a legitimate Local Law Enforcement Agency, DO NOT SPEED, Turn on you emergency blinkers and reiterate “You Do Not Feel Safe”.

Say you intend to drive to the nearest police station and request you want uniformed officers waiting for you outside the station.

Stay on the line and REMAIN CALM!

Clearly state your name, birthdate, location, date, and time, All 911 calls are recorded and are time stamped - this creates a legal record that may protect you later.

Describe what’s happening and keep updating the dispatcher with your location as you drive. Dispatcher will guide you to the nearest station.

IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY ICE ON FOOT

You have the right to remain silent REGARDLESS OF LEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS and can refuse to answer questions.

Ask: “Why am I being detained?” and ask “Am I free to go?”If they say yes, walk away calmly.

You DO NOT have to show ID unless you are driving and stopped by a State or local officer for a traffic matter. Passengers and Pedestrians are NOT OBLIGATED to present ID unless there are specific legal circumstances.

ICE at times use administrative warrants, which DO NOT authorize entry to homes, vehicles or businesses without consent or permission. Only Judicial Warrants signed by a Judge carry that power of arrest.

If ICE tries to detain you in public:
Ask witnesses to record it, try to stay calm l, then Shout your Full Name and Birthdate (so bystanders can identify and support you later on)

Urge witnesses to record the incident. This is often the only way Attorneys, Family, or Nonprofits can find you if you’re taken. (That is how they look up inmates that are locked up)

Without this info you place yourself at greater risk being lost in the system or quietly transferred to an out-of-state detention center making it even harder for family to locate you.

SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, and COWORKERS.

06/03/2025

Law Enforcement Honor Procession in honor of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, will travel through Baldwin Park and into Covina to the mortuary this evening.

Community members who wish to show their respect are invited to line the streets. Be aware of possible traffic congestion along the route. Plan accordingly.

06/03/2025

As Rite Aid Drugstores announce their closures, there is a domino affect for a Southern California Ice Cream Confection l, known ass Thrifty Ice Cream.

Thrifty Ice Cream was acquired by Rite Aid in 1996, and is now selling off its assets, which includes Thrifty Ice Cream brand and its El Monte factory.

The Auction will take place on June 20, 2025.

RIP my childhood. The post Rite Aid Drugstore Is Closing — What Does That Mean For Thrifty Ice Cream? first appeared on Spoon University.

06/01/2025

Has anyone tried these Chicken Pot Pies in Arcadia?

06/01/2025

Missing Man last seen in South El Monte.

05/30/2025

Francis Wong a 103 year old bowler from Whittier, shows her skills at the Bowlero Bowling Alley in Montebello.

A 103-year-old bowler is throwing strikes well into her golden years and inspiring others to live life to the fullest. KCAL's Alys Martinez shares Frances Wong's story.