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.

School Fire

On November 20, 2010 at approximately 8:15pm, Whittier PD Officers responded to Whittier Christian School after a citizen reported seeing smoke in the area. Several officers provided traffic control as LA County fire extinguished the blaze. The fire department was on scene for about an hour. The fire was contained to one room and the kitchen area.

Armed Robbery

Whittier, CA - On November 21, 2010 at approximately 7:40pm, A male victim was walking in the alley behind 7348 Newlin Ave., when he was approached by three male suspects. One of the suspects displayed a firearm and the victim turns over his cell phone and wallet.

The armed suspect was described as a male in his twenties, approximately 5'8 with a tattoo on his forehead.

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

Vandalizing Arsonists in Custody

Santa Fe Springs, CA - Whittier Police Officers, assigned to the Santa Fe Springs Patrol Division, arrested four juveniles this weekend in conjunction with arson and vandalism. On November 20th at 3:15am, officers received an alarm call at the Betty Wilson Center in the area of 11600 Florence Avenue and discovered the front window smashed along with fresh graffiti. Checking the area further, officers discovered a vehicle on fire at Santa Fe High School and observed juveniles fleeing the area. Containment was established and four suspects were eventually located and placed in custody for arson and felony vandalism. The vehicle set on fire appeared to belong to the school’s auto department and graffiti was located extending from the Betty Wilson Center to Santa Fe High School. The tagging consisted of at least 40 “hits” of numerous monikers and the overall damage is estimated at $3,000. All arrestees are juveniles and residents of Santa Fe Springs.

WHITTIER POLICE CONTINUES SPECIAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:​​​CONTACT: Sergeant Dan Lowe
​​​​​​​​(562) 945-8256
​​​​​​​​dlowe@cityofwhittier.org
​​​​​​
WHITTIER POLICE CONTINUES SPECIAL
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

In a continuing effort to save lives and prevent injuries on our city streets, the Whittier Police Department is expanding their regular traffic enforcement with special operations. These operations are funded by a recent $220,000.00 grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety. Special traffic enforcement measures will be instituted by the Whittier Police Department as law enforcement continues their commitment to keeping our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.



Interim Chief of Police Jeff Piper stated, “The Whittier Police Department is committed to increasing traffic safety through enforcement, education, and various programs with a specific focus on reducing injury traffic collisions thus creating a safer environment for all who use our roadways.”


The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant is to assist in efforts to deal with traffic safety problems and to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions. Traffic deaths from all causes declined in 2009 in California by 10.3 percent from 3,434 killed in 2008 to 3,081 in 2009. The state recorded 950 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2009, a 7.6 percent decline from 1,025 in 2008. However, DUI deaths remain at 31 percent of fatalities.

“Everyone in California should be heartened with these figures,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). “But as encouraging as this is, we can’t let up on the efforts to encourage and enforce traffic safety. Thousands are still losing their lives or being severely injured on our roadways.”


The grant activities will specifically target DUI offenders, drivers with suspended or revoked licenses, illegal street racing, red light running, and seatbelt violations. This will be done through the use of DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, special enforcement operations, and court stings where DUI offenders with suspended or revoked driver licenses get behind the wheel after leaving court.

For a second year in a row special Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations will occur. Motorcycle fatalities have finally turned and dropped in California, following a decade rise in deaths. In 2009, 393 motorcyclist were killed, a 29 percent drop from 2008 statistics. Sadly, California remains one of 3 states that still lead the nation in motorcyclist’s deaths.


Whittier Police Officers will be conducting specialized enforcement efforts throughout the course of the next year. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcycles. Officers will be cracking down on traffic violations made by motorcyclists, and other vehicle drivers, that result in far too many motorcycle collisions, injuries and deaths.



“More people are making it home safely and alive each day,” said Murphy. “But to keep this trend going, we will continue to strive to meet our vision – Toward zero deaths, every 1 counts.”



Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


# # #


-END-

Stabbing

Whittier, CA - On 11-10-10 at approximately 8:50pm, Whittier PD Officers responded to a call of a stabbing at a residence in the 8300 block of Jackson Place. When officers arrived on scene they located a female victim with a stab wound on her right hand and a male victim with a stab wound in the abdomen.

After stabbing both victims, the suspect fled on foot southbound on Jackson Place. Officers quickly contained the area and with the assistance of police K-9's, the suspect was located during a yard to yard search.

Arrested was: Jay Bradley, 57 of Whittier

Additional Media inquiries can be directed to Officer Mike Dekowski at 562-945-8250.

Coin Robbery

Whittier, CA - On November 5, 2010 at approximately 2:10pm, Whittier PD Officers were dispatched to the 7200 block of Greenleaf Ave., on a robbery call. The victim was walking to the coin store on Greenleaf Ave., carrying a large bag of coins when he was approached by two male black suspects. One suspect threatened the victim with a knife, while the other wrestled the bag of coins away from him. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction on foot.

The total loss is unknown at this time.

Suspect 1: Male Black, 6'0, 200 lbs.
Suspect 2: Male Black, 5'9, 200 lbs.

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