Thursday, January 25, 2007

Arrest of Guitar Instructor

On January 24, 2007 the Whittier Police Department was advised that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department had arrested Keith Salisbury, a music teacher, for child sexual abuse of 8 year-old girl.

Salisbury was a contract music instructor who worked at the Whittier Community Center located at 7630 Washington Ave., from the fall of 2005 to the fall of 2006.

The Whittier Police Department will be contacting the parents of the students who were taking guitar lessons at the Whittier Community Center.

It is the City of Whittier’s protocol to fingerprint and submit the prints to the Department of Justice. Salisbury was cleared by the Department of Justice in the fall of 2005.

If there are any media questions in regards to this matter please contact Detective Diana Salazar at (562) 945-8273. If there any parents wishing to discuss this matter, contact Detective Greg Hamilton at (562) 945-8274.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Skate Shop Burglarized


Whittier, CA. Whittier Police Detectives are investigating a burglary that occurred on January 10th at 2:30 am. An investigation of the scene revealed the suspect(s) entered the store through the roof and ransacked the business, taking a multitude of skateboard equipment. The suspect(s) then used a gumball machine to smash out the front glass door and leave the scene. The size of entry suggests that juveniles are the likely perpetrators. While the owners need to complete an inventory to to determine what was taken, early estimates suggest the loss will be substantial. The gumball machine was collected as evidence for latent print processing. Anyone with information pertaining to this crime is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 945-8250.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

12 Cases Cleared as Robbery Suspect is Brought to Justice

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Whittier, CA. – The Whittier Police Department in conjunction with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau, has apprehended Eric Guzman who is being held on 12 counts of armed robbery throughout the Southland. Guzman, a 35-year-old, Whittier resident, was apprehended on Wednesday, January 3, after Whittier Detectives spotted a car matching the description of the one used in the robberies. After several hours of investigation, Guzman was taken into custody without incident.

Guzman had been named the “Tic Tac” bandit for his unique MO, which started in mid September. Entering pharmacies, coffee shops, and fast food restaurants, Guzman would pose as a customer and select Tic Tac’s, or other small items and approach the cahier to pay. Presenting money to the cashier, Guzman would display a Blued Steel semi-automatic handgun as the cash drawer was opened. He would then reach into the drawer and take the cash before fleeing in a Gold Ford Taurus. Of the twelve robberies, Guzman’s biggest take was only $275.

From September to December, the robberies were conducted in Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, East LA, and Montebello. Guzman’s apprehension represents an outstanding investigation that ended a crime spree that was bound to continue.

For further information, please contact PIO Jason Zuhlke at (562) 945-8282.

-END-

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Suspects Collide with Vehicle While Attempting to Flee from Scene

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: Saturday, November 25, 2006
Contact: Officer Zuhlke, Press Information Officer
Subject: Suspects Collide with Vehicle While Attempting to Flee from Scene
Location: 10800 Bloomfield Road

Santa Fe Springs, CA – Two suspects are in custody after colliding with a vehicle in the intersection of Bloomfield Road and Florence Avenue. At 1:40am, a Whittier Police Officer was “flagged down” by patrons in the parking lot of Senior Charlie’s, located on the corner of Los Nietos Rd. and Santa Fe Springs Road. Entering the parking lot, the officer noticed a silver Nissan pickup approaching him at a high rate of speed after hearing what he thought to be a collision. As the vehicle passed the patrol officer he told the driver to stop, but the truck, which was occupied by two male Hispanics, fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Officers would later learn that a shooting had occurred in the parking lot minutes prior to arrival. No shooting victims would be located at the scene.

As the Officer exited the parking lot in his patrol car, he began searching for the suspect vehicle which was last seen at a high rate of speed (southbound) on Bloomfield Rd. As the officer continued his search, he observed (from a great distance) the silver Nissan fleeing at a high rate of speed and running stop signals. He then observed the Nissan run a red light at the intersection of Bloomfield Rd. and Florence Ave., and collide with a small Honda. The Honda was broadsided and the Nissan pickup rolled on its side and came to a rest against a palm tree. Both suspects then climbed out of the pickup and began fleeing on foot. Ultimately, a containment would be established and both suspects taken into custody. Additionally, a handgun would be recovered from inside the vehicle. The driver of the Nissan was booked on felony DUI, hit and run, and suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The passenger was also booked for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

The driver of the Honda, who was broadsided, was immediately tended to by officers but remained unconscious during treatment. The 20 year old female, residing in the county area of Whittier, is now in critical condition at a local trauma center.

The Whittier Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating another vehicle which was believed to be involved in the shooting and traffic collision at Senior Charlie’s. The vehicle was described as a dark blue, 4-door, Honda with tinted windows and major rear-end damage.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 945-8250.

END

Friday, November 17, 2006

Body Discovered in Trunk of Burned Vehicle

Whittier, CA - The Whittier Police Department is seeking the public's help in discovering who was behind the murder of James Anthony Cortez (11/02/71), who's burned body was found in the trunk of a Dodge Sedan. At 7:00 PM on 11/17/06, Whittier Police Officers responded with LACO Fire to the 5700 block of Pioneer Blvd. to find a car engulfed in flames. After extinguishing the fire, firefighters opened the trunk and discovered the 35 year-old body of Cortez. Closer examination of the body revealed two apparent gunshot wounds to the abdomen.

After securing the scene, homicide detectives commenced an investigation that is currently ongoing. While a comprehensive investigation is under way, detectives are asking for the public's help in gathering any information important to the case. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 945-8250.

Man Pinned Between Trailer Pronounced Dead

Santa Fe Springs, CA. - The Whittier Police Department Traffic Division is currently investigating a fatal traffic collision involving a 45 year-old male who was crushed between two semi trailers on Thursday night. After arriving at the "Warner Truck Yard," located at 12820 Imperial Highway, the two man trucking crew began the process of swapping semi trailers. While the veteran driver, a White male from Washington State, was checking the security of the trailer, he prompted his partner, a rookie driver from Kentucky, to release the brakes in order to check the seals. Upon release of the brakes the trailer, which was on an incline, rolled back and crushed the victim between another tractor-trailer. While the Whittier Police Department rushed to the scene at 9:45 PM, the victim (notification pending) was killed instantly. Traffic investigators were then called to the scene to conduct a through investigation.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Fatal Traffic Collision – Husband, Wife, 15-month-old, and Unborn Baby Perish

Santa Fe. Springs, CA. – The Whittier Police Department is seeking the Public’s help in gathering any information that can assist accident investigators in determining what caused a fatal traffic collision on Sunday morning. The traffic collision occurred at 12:30am on November 5, 2006, and would claim the lives of a 32-year-old man (notification pending), Audrey Panganiban-Find (03/04/80), their 15-month-old daughter, and Audrey’s unborn child.

Receiving a call of a vehicle fire, Whittier Police Officers and Santa Fe Springs Fire Department arrived to find a black Chevrolet Impala (2004) fully engulfed in flames. After the fire was extinguished, an investigation began that revealed the car was traveling eastbound on Alondra Blvd. from Carmenita Rd., approaching the 5 Freeway onramp. For an unknown reason, the vehicle veered off the roadway, drove over a median, through two fences, and into a 15-foot deep drainage ditch adjacent the Coyote Creek flood control channel. The vehicle caught on fire upon impact.

The cause of the accident remains to be discovered. As such, traffic investigators are asking the Public for assistance. Anyone with information pertaining to the cause of the accident is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department Traffic Division (Officer Lopez) at (562) 945-8260 or (Officer Jensen) at (562) 945-8285.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Claim of Arson Proved False by Evidence

Whittier, CA. (11/01/06) – An elaborate story of arson appears to have been proven false by burn patterns and evidence located inside a scorched apartment.

At 9:30 PM, the Whittier Police Department received a 911 call from a subject inside apartment #7, at 7316 Milton Avenue, claiming that people were outside his apartment trying to set it on fire. As Whittier dispatchers were talking to the man inside the apartment, who was identified as George Hernandez (35yrs), he claimed “gang members” were trying to kick in the front door to carry out their mission. Hernandez would also tell Whittier dispatchers he heard “glass shatter” and that moments later the apartment was ablaze.

Arriving on scene, multiple officers began trying to locate Hernandez amidst the smoke and flames. Seconds later, Hernandez emerged from a second story window and jumped to the balcony below. Hernandez would then be transported to a local hospital for lacerations and smoke inhalation. A Whittier Police officer would also be treated for smoke inhalation but sustained no significant injuries.

While Hernandez was sticking to his elaborate story, evidence uncovered by LACO Fire Department Arson Investigators would disprove his anecdote. While exploring the apartment, investigators struggled to uncover any broken glass consistent with a Molotov cocktail or similar incendiary device. Furthermore, they discovered a burn pattern consistent with a fire started by a lone cigarette or a similar product.

While the investigation continues, it appears evidence will again disprove another deceitful claim.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Whittier PD Seeking Robbery Suspects

The Whittier Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying two male Hispanics in their 20’s who committed a robbery on 10/24/06 at 8:30pm. While wearing black clothing and ski masks, the suspects entered a counselor/therapist office at 16336 Whittier Boulevard. The therapist, hearing the motion sensor go off, checked to see who had entered the business and saw the two suspects, one of whom was pulling on his mask. The victim was ordered to the floor at gunpoint while one suspect demanded the patient at the counseling session give up her wallet. She initially gave only cash and was pistol-whipped. The office was ransacked and the suspects made off with a cell phone, cash, and ATM cards w/PIN's. The suspects fled in an older model SUV, dark colored, with a moderate dent in the tailgate.

Anyone with information pertaining to this crime is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 945-8250.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Racing Vehicles Crashes into a Tree

On Friday October 13, 2006 at 1236 pm two racing vehicles were observed traveling at a high rate of speed on Beverly Boulevard from Magnolia Ave. One of the vehicles lost control and hit a tree. The driver was later identified as 19 year old Alejandro Romo. Romo was transported to USC Medical Center were he as listed in critical condition. The second vehicle fled from the scene. Witnesses described this vehicle as a white or silver Honda Civic hatchback. Any information with the identity of this vehicle is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department immediately at (562) 945-8250.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Gun Toting Criminal Behind Bars

A Whittier Field Training Officer (FTO) was patrolling in the area of Greenleaf Ave. and Walnut Street with one of Whittier's newest Police Officers when they noticed a suspicious person loitering in the area. When they contacted the subject he became extremely nervous and admitted to being in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. The FTO then handcuffed the subject and searched him incident to arrest. During the search the FTO located a very clean .38 caliber handgun in the arrestee's waistband, with a laser attached to it . The arrestee, who was later identified as Joseph Castellanos (06-14-86), has an extensive arrest history for robbery, narcotics, brandishing weapons, and criminal threats. A great arrest!

Rookie Officer Chases Down Vandalizing Gang Member


One of Whittier PD's newest officer's chased down and arrested a local gang member who was caught in the act of spraypainting his gang's name on a alley wall. The foot chase and arrest occurred on October 8th at approximately 6:30pm when the rookie officer and his training officer entered the east alley of Milton Avenue, just south of Penn Street. As they rounded the corner, the officer's caught the gang member in the act of spraypainting. Seconds later the foot pursuit was on. While the violator was able to get a significant lead on the officers, the rookie closed the gap and took the criminal into custody even after losing a boot. The arrestee was identified as a juvenile residing in Whittier.

Elderly Driver Rescued From Pool - News Article

Check out the Whittier Daily News article...

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_4467479

Monday, October 09, 2006

Elderly Driver Rescued from Pool

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: October 9, 2006
Contact: PIO Jason Zuhlke
Subject: Elderly Driver Rescued from Pool
Location: 8105 Edmaru Avenue

Whittier, CA. – Two Whittier Police Officers, with the assistance of two civilians, rescued an elderly woman from the bottom of her pool today at 11:00am. Upon returning to her home, Ruth White, a Whittier Resident born in 1927, mistakenly accelerated her Blue Ford Taurus into her driveway. This caused her to accelerate through a block wall an into her swimming pool in the backyard. Hearing the noise, neighbors ran to her aid and found her car filling with water while White was trapped inside. When Whittier Police Officers arrived, the car was fully submerged and the interior was flooded with no air pockets remaining. Without hesitation one officer jumped into the pool without removing his gear while the other jumped into waist deep water and assisted in opening the driver’s door. White was then removed from the vehicle and treated by paramedics from the LACO Fire Department before being transported to a local hospital. White is currently in stable condition. For furthert information contact J. Zuhlke @ (562) 244-2289.

-END-

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Sexual Battery

On October 3rd at approximately 6:30 in the evening, a female (victim) was walking home in the area of Hillview Court and Magnolia Avenue when she was accosted by a male Hispanic suspect. The suspect was described as 5'-9" tall, heavy set, and having a heavy accent that was rough and sounded like a gangster. He was further described as having a pierced left lower lip and was seen wearing a dark tan or brown ski mask made of heavy cotton. Through the ski mask, the victim could see the suspect had a heavy brow, thick eyelashes, brown eyes, and stained teeth. Lastly, the suspect was seen wearing a black t-shirt with a white t-shirt underneath and baggy blue jeans.

The suspect grabbed the victim and pulled her into a nearby driveway where he told her she would not get hurt if she complied. He then pushed her to the ground and fondled her breasts. It appears however, that the suspect was scared off when two vehicles stopped nearby. The suspect fled, leaving the victim behind.

Anyone with information as to the identity of this perpetrator is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department immediately @ (562) 945-8250 or the investigating detective (Hamilton) @ (562) 945-8274.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Tic Tac Robbery

At approximately 6:30pm Monday evening, a male walked up to the cashier at the counter to purchase a container of Tic Tacs inside CVS Pharmacy, located at 11426 Washington Blvd. Upon seeing the register open, the suspect produced a handgun and demanded money. The suspect then reached into the cash register and ran off with an undetermined amount of cash. He then fled in a gold or tan Ford Taurus with a tinted rear window and chrome rims with a license plate similar to 3WDD455. The suspect was I.D.’d as a male Hispanic or White, 30, short dark hair, and weighing approximately 160 lbs. Anyone with information pertaining to this crim is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 945-8250.

Rage on the Road


A roadside dispute between a motorist and trucker got ugly on Monday afternoon when the trucker, who claimed to be cut off in traffic, threw an unknown object at the victim motorist. The victim, wife and three children followed the trucker in the hopes of getting the trucker to pull over and explain why he threw the item. The suspect however, responded by brandishing a handgun and said, among other things, that he would shoot the children in the car. The victim followed the big rig and called the Whittier Police Department. Soon thereafter, a Whittier Police Officer located the suspect on Excelsior Dr. and took him into custody when backup units arrived. The trucker was identified as Whittier resident Michael Savedra (11/02/54) and arrested for brandishing a weapon and terrorist threats.

Monday, September 25, 2006

In the Dog House


On Sunday September 24th at 3:15 pm, three suspects (two males and one female) entered the Petco, located at 13420 Whittier Blvd. One of the males was also accompanied by a pit bull as he perused the store. While being monitored by store management it became apparent the trio was about to shoplift. While in commission of this crime, the suspect with the pit bull was confronted by the manager. The suspect then threw a doggie ball at the manager and threatened him with bodily harm. Fearing for his safety, the manager backed away as the trio made off with various merchandise. Due to the cunning of the manager however, a license plate was obtained and a Whittier Police Sergeant tracked down the suspects and arrested two of the three. The arrestees were identified as one male juvenile and Michelle Lynn Kuegler (11/03/68 & Whittier resident) and booked for robbery. The pit bull was cooperative.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Critical Missing Adult FOUND


The Whittier Police Department located Blanche Tranberg at approximately 8:45am on 09/22/06. For further information read below.

Whittier, CA - The Whittier Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating an elderly female who has been missing since 5:30pm. Blanche Tranberg, (11/11/22) an 83 year-old White female was reported missing by her family in the 12000 block of Beverly Drive and was last seen wearing a green short-sleeve FOUND sweater, grey sweatpants, and tan sandals. Blanche is described as 5’3” tall, 130 lbs., having curly brown shoulder-length hair, and brown eyes. Blanche also wears an ID bracelet, as this is the fourth time she has walked away from her home. While the Whittier Police Department has enlisted the help of aircraft, bloodhounds, civilians and surrounding agencies, they are again asking for the public’s help in locating Blanche, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Asleep at the Wheel

On September 19, 2006 at 3:20am, Whittier Police Officers responded to the 15000 Block of Whittier Blvd. for a traffic collision that had just occurred. While investigating, officers learned that the driver fell asleep and the vehicle had clipped a pole holding a banner across Whittier Blvd. The vehicle then collided with an electrical panel and damaged a Verizon fiber-optics cable. Whittier Blvd at Mills Ave was shut down for approximately 1 ½ - 2 hours however, the driver sustained no injuries.

Motorists are reminded to stop their vehicles and call for a ride when they are fatigued.