New News Blog Location

The Whittier Police Department is no longer using this blog to post news items.

Please bookmark the new address:
http://www.cityofwhittier.org/depts/police/news/default.asp

Thank you.

Arrest of Teacher / Coach

WHITTIER, CA - On March 8, 2011 school officials at East Whittier Middle School developed information that a faculty member may be involved in an inappropriate relationship with a female student. As a result, the faculty member was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

School officials contacted the Whittier Police Department on March 8, 2011 and a criminal investigation was initiated. On the morning of March 9, 2011 as a result of information gathered during the investigation, Whittier Police detectives arrested Jesse Anthony Serrato (DOB 12/7/81), a teacher and physical education instructor at East Whittier Middle School. Serrato is also a part-time coach at La Serna High School. He was arrested at his residence in the city of Whittier.

Serrato was booked at the Whittier Police Department jail and charged with lewd acts on a child.

The police department is interested in locating any other potential victims. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Whittier Police Department Investigations Division at (562) 567-9270.

For additional media inquiries please contact Press Information Officer Mike Dekowski at (562) 505-6983.

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Three Arrested in Santa Fe Springs School Burglary

Santa Fe Springs, CA - on March 5, 2011 at 1:20am officers responded to a burglar alarm at Jersey Elementary School, 9400 Jersey Avenue. Upon arrival, officers surrounded the school and observed evidence of a break in. During a search of the grounds, officers located three male juveniles in possession of stolen items belonging to the school. Two 16 years olds from Santa Fe Spring and one 15 year old from Cerritos were arrested for burglary charges and booked at the Whittier Police Department.

Home Invasion Robbery

On February 22, 2011, at 0515 hrs, Officers responded to 12633 Shreve Rd., regarding a 911 hang-up call. When the first officer arrived on scene, and while waiting for additional officers, he observed that a rear window at the residence was broken out and heard excited voices from inside. As his assisting officers arrived on scene, the officer was verbally contacted by three subjects who were running away from the general area. When the officer turned towards the subjects he observed one of them pointing a handgun at him. The officer immediately drew his weapon and took cover, then observed the subjects run northbound out of the area.
The primary officer, along with assisting officers, then contacted the residents at 12633 Shreve Rd., and upon doing so determined that a home invasion robbery had occurred at the location.
The suspects were described by the victims as male, Hispanics, in their early 20’s, with short black hair. All three were 5’6” – 5’8” in height and weighed approximately 140 – 150 pounds. One suspect was described as wearing a blue “hoodie” style jacket, another was described as wearing a black and grey checkered flannel shirt and the last suspect was described as wearing a black jacket. All three were described as wearing blue jeans and were armed with black semi-automatic handguns.
One handgun was recovered at the scene and as of this posting; a search for the suspects is still ongoing.

Robbery

Santa Fe Springs, CA - On January 31, 2011, at approximately 9:40pm, A 27 year-old male was walking on Pioneer Bl. towards Los Nietos Rd, when he was approached by a male suspect, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a blue bandanna covering his face. The suspect ordered the victim to the ground at gunpoint and demanded money. The victim fled and was confronted by a second suspect driving a an older model, black Ford Expedition. The suspect ordered the victim to handover his valuables . The victim eventually gave the suspect an unknown amount of cash, his cell phone and and MP3 player.

Suspect #1: Described as a Male Hispanic in his 20's, 5'8 , 155 pounds, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black jeans.

Suspect #2: Described as a Male Hispanic in his 20's, light complexion, 200 pounds, dressed in all black.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Whittier Police Department at 562-945-8250.

Sobriety (DUI) Drivers/License Checkpoint

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: January 12, 2011
Contact: Traffic Sergeant Dan Lowe
Subject: Sobriety (DUI) Drivers/License Checkpoint
When: Friday, January 14, 2011
Location: Whittier

Whittier, CA. – On Friday, January 14, 2011, the Whittier Police Department will conduct a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint. The checkpoint will be conducted in the City of Whittier. The time of the checkpoint will be 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM.
A major component of the checkpoints, beyond taking dangerous drivers off the road, is to increase awareness of the consequences of impaired driving and to encourage using sober designated drivers. A DUI checkpoint is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, Whittier Police Department believes motorists are deterred from drinking and driving when they know that the DUI crackdowns are underway.

The checkpoint and other enforcement efforts are part of the Whittier Police Department’s grant project for “DUI Enforcement and Awareness Program.” Officers will also be checking for those who are driving with a suspended driver’s license as well as those who are unlicensed. Any motorist found driving with an invalid license may have their vehicle impounded for 30 days and be issued a citation.

The funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Whittier Police reminds everyone to please, help make your community safe; if you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.”

For further information, please contact Sgt. Dan Lowe at 562-945-8256.

-END-

Fatal Traffic Collision

Whittier, CA - The Whittier Police Department Traffic Bureau is investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred in the intersection of Lambert Road and Gunn Avenue at 10pm on January 10th. The driver of a Toyota pick-up was driving northbound on Gunn Avenue when he collided with a Toyota Camry driving westbound on Lambert Road. The driver (60 year-old Whittier resident) of the Camry was pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver of the pick-up, later identified as 20 year-old Brandon Dominguez, was transported to St. Francis Hospital for his injuries. After being treated, Dominguez was released from the hospital and taken into custody and booked for driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.

Three Injured in Violent Explosion

Whittier, CA - On January 10th, after receiving numerous calls of a loud explosion in the area of 16000 Russell Street, Whittier police officers arrived at 2:40am to find three injured males inside a garage. Moments earlier, a nitrous oxide tank exploded that severed the leg of Ricardo Zazueta (25 yrs of Whittier), severely burned (2nd degree) Gilbert Bustamante (21 yrs of Whittier), and damaged the ear of Clifford Brooks (22 yrs of Ventura County). At this time it is unknown what caused the blast which also partially blew off the garage door and lifted the roof off of the three car garage. Several pieces of shrapnel were located in the area as well, one of which pierced the garage roof and started a small fire in the backyard after it landed.

All three victims were transported to UCI Medical Center in various conditions where they remain at this time. Zazueta was transported and remains in critical condition, while the others were listed as "stable." Being that the victims could not be interviewed at this time, it is unknown how the nitrous oxide tank was being utilized, if at all. Several additional young adult men were present at the location, but no responsible property owner or agent was present.

19-Year-Old Female Robbed at Gunpoint

Santa Fe Springs, CA - On January 2nd at 5:00pm, in the area of Flossmoor Road and Houghton Avenue, a 19-year-old female victim was walking home in the rain when she was approached and punched in the head by a male. He then displayed a handgun and took her coach purse and diamond ring. He entered a waiting newer model Nissan Altima and fled the area. The suspect was described as a 6’02”, 170 lbs, Hispanic male in his 30’s wearing a black hoodie and dark jeans. The victim stated the suspect possibly had “LA” tattooed on his left cheek. Anyone with information pertaining to this robbery is urged to contact the Santa Fe Springs Police Services Center at (562) 409-1850

Robbery/Kidnapping

Whittier, CA - During the evening of 1/2/2011, Octavio Madrigal (30 yrs, County area resident), was partying with two other males and two females at the Lambert Inn (13318 Lambert Road). Around 9:00PM, the two male suspects told Madrigal they had a knife and a gun. The victim was then robbed of his cell phone and a debit card and forced to reveal the PIN. While enroute to verify if the debit card worked, the suspect (Andrew Jaquez) was stopped and arrested for warrants while the others remained in the hotel room. After Jaquez failed to return to the Lambert Inn, Madrigal was forced to drive his own car and all the remaining suspects to a gas station in La Habra, then to a credit union where one of the females attempted, to no avail, to use another debit card. They also forced the victim to drive to his own house where the remaining male suspect burglarized the house while the victim remained in the car with the females. Ultimately, Madrigal was left with his vehicle near Scott/Cullen in Whittier. He then drove back to the Lambert Inn and notified the Whittier PD. Once a nexus was made to Jaquez, he was also charged for the robbery and receiving stolen property.

UPDATE, January 4th @ 8:00AM - While investigating the case further, Whittier Detectives and members of the Special Enforcement Team, developed information that the second male suspect, identified as Jose Alcarez (28yrs of Whittier), frequented a storage unit located in the 10200 block of Colima Road. Arriving at the storage facility, detectives spotted Alcaraz and he immediately fled on foot. Establishing a containment and utilizing K9's and an airship, Alcaraz was located hiding inside an RV in the 14800 block of Carnell Street, just north of the storage facility. In addition to being a parolee at large, Alcaraz was booked for robbery and kidnapping.

A Merry Christmas for a Santa Fe Springs Family

Santa Fe Springs, CA - On Christmas Eve, members of the weekend Santa Fe Springs Policing Team delivered wrapped gifts and food to a family they adopted for this Christmas season. In addition to the gifts that were generously purchased and wrapped by each of the officers, Director of Police Services, Dino Torres, also arranged for Walmart to donate a $275 gift card to be given to the family. Whittier PD Chaplain Don Sanderson and First Family Church also donated a generous amount of food to the family. The family was very moved by this act of kindness and celebrated a wonderful Christmas and a very hopeful start to their New Year.

Christmas Pursuit

Whittier, CA - On Christmas morning at 12:15am, a Whittier Police Officer observed a Red Honda Accord driving northbound on Laurel Avenue. As the officer made a U-turn to follow, the driver made a right turn to eastbound Whittier Blvd., cutting off two vehicles. The driver unsafely passed 3 cars on the right while eastbound, then went northbound Strub Avenue to eastbound High Street. While making a U-turn on High Street, the Honda hit a parked Ford F-250 causing minor damage to the truck and moderate damage to the Honda. To evade the officer’s patrol car, which was now stopped on High Street, the driver cut across the lawns of three residences. The Honda was last seen westbound on High Street from Strub Avenue. Ultimately, the Honda was located unoccupied in the area of 13600 Lanning Avenue and determined to be stolen.

Christmas Morning Arrest

Santa Fe Springs, CA - On Christmas morning, (12-25-10 at 2:30am) the suspect, who lives in the 9000 of Danby Avenue, was drinking at his next door neighbor’s house when an argument ensued, which escalated into a fight. Coming out on the losing end of this fight, the suspect returned to his house, retrieved a loaded .22 ca. rifle, goes into the backyard and fires several rounds into the air. The suspect then goes to his front lawn, where he confronted his neighbors and threatened to shoot them while brandishing the firearm and pointing it at them. Whittier Police officers arrived moments later, contained the house, and ordered the suspect out. The suspect complies, admits to his actions and is arrested. The gun is recovered in the house, along with several expended casings and live rounds located in the backyard. Henry Santana, (25yrs of Santa Fe Springs) was arrested on numerous charges.

Police Seek Bank Robbery Suspect

On Saturday December 18th, the US Bank located at 13525 Whittier Blvd. was robbed, at approximately 11am. The suspect, described by witnesses as a short and slender White male adult in his 50's, wearing a dark colored beanie, claimed to be to be carrying an explosive device. He eventually walked up to a teller showed her the device and demanded money. The suspect fled the bank in an unknown diredtion with an undisclosed ammount of money.

Anyone with information pertaining to this robbery is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department at 562.945.8250.

Cell Phones Targeted in Burglary

Santa Fe Springs, CA - On December 10, 2010 at approximately 5:53pm, Whittier PD Officers assigned to Santa Fe Springs responded to a burglary alarm at Planet Cellular, located at 15400 Carmenita Road. When officers arrived on scene they noticed one of the windows had been broken out and it was apparent entry into the building was made.

The officers conducted a search of the building, however no suspects were located. An inventory of the business revealed over $400,000 of high end cell phones were stolen.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Whittier Police Department at 562-945-8250.

Additional media inquiries may be directed to Press Information Officer Mike Dekowski at 562-505-6983.

Man In Wheelchair Struck While Crossing Street

Santa Fe Springs, CA - On December 9, 2010 at approximately 1:22pm, a 61 year old Whittier man riding a powered wheelchair, was struck in the crosswalk by a commercial type van at the intersection of Telegraph Road and Alburtis Ave. The victim was transported to St. Francis Hospital in serious condition.

Stabbing

Two men remain in critical condition after being stabbed early Sunday morning (1:15am) at a residence in the 6200 block of Friends Avenue. The stabbing occurred on December 5th when two acquaintances of the victims arrived intoxicated to a party taking place at the home. The homeowners asked the men to leave and an argument ensued. Things escalated and the homeowner, Gabriel Davalos(34) and a friend, Steve Sanchez(34) of Indio, were stabbed by the two suspects, who fled. Both victims were transported to County USC, where they remain in the intensive care unit. Sanchez suffered a punctured ventricle, while Davalos incurred a puncture wound to the side of his chest cavity. Both men are expected to survive however, Sanchez remains in a medically induced coma.

Arriving just moments after the stabbing, Officers developed sound information pertaining to the suspects that in turn was relayed to detectives working the case. Anyone with information pertaining to this case however, is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 945-8250.

***UPDATE***
On the evening of December 9th, the suspects in this case were arrested for attempted murder.

Arrested were:
Jonathan Alexander Moran 10-27-83, Highland, CA (pictured above)
Raymond Martinez 4-13-81, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (pictured below)

Sobriety (DUI) Drivers/License Checkpoint

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: December 1, 2010
Contact: Traffic Sergeant Dan Lowe
Subject: Sobriety (DUI) Drivers/License Checkpoint
When: Friday, December 3, 2010
Location: Santa Fe Springs


Whittier, CA. – On Friday, December 3, 2010, the Whittier Police Department will conduct a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint. The checkpoint will be conducted in the City of Santa Fe Springs. The time of the checkpoint will be 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM.

A major component of the checkpoints, beyond taking dangerous drivers off the road, is to increase awareness of the consequences of impaired driving and to encourage using sober designated drivers. A DUI checkpoint is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, Whittier Police Department believes motorists are deterred from drinking and driving when they know that the DUI crackdowns are underway.

The checkpoint and other enforcement efforts are part of the Whittier Police Department’s grant project for “DUI Enforcement and Awareness Program.” Officers will also be checking for those who are driving with a suspended driver’s license as well as those who are unlicensed. Any motorist found driving with an invalid license may have their vehicle impounded for 30 days and be issued a citation.

The funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Whittier Police reminds everyone to please, help make your community safe; if you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.”


For further information, please contact Sgt. Dan Lowe at 562-945-8256.


-END-

Homicide

Whittier, CA - On November 30, 2010 at approximately 6:35am, Whittier PD Officers were flagged down in front of a commercial property, located at 12426 Lambert Road regarding a possible dead body behind the business. The officers located a deceased male victim behind the location in what appeared to be a transient encampment. The cause of death is unknown at this time. Whittier PD Investigators are on scene investigating the incident.

Additional media inquiries can be directed to Press Information Officer Mike Dekowski at 562-505-6983.