Man accused of shooting dog to death makes first court appearance

Downey- A Lakewood man accused of shooting a dog to death Sunday, Jan. 5 in La Mirada and leading deputies on a high-speed chase attempting to avoid arrest made his first court appearance Tuesday 

Shane Dubyak, 23, of Lakewood entered a not guilty plea to the two charges related to the shooting alleging animal cruelty and possession of a firearm by a drug-addicted person. 

Dubyak, arrested by deputies in Cerritos after an 11-minute high-speed chase also pleaded not guilty to four charges related to Friday's vehicle pursuit including reckless evading, possession of a firearm while possessing a controlled substance, possession of ammunition, as well as a second charge alleging possession of a firearm by a drug addict.

Dubyak is being held without bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Downtown Los Angeles and has a preliminary hearing scheduled at Norwalk Superior Court on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Man suspected in shooting dog Jan. 5th has extensive arrest record

The man arrested in connection with last week's shooting of a dog in La Mirada is no stranger to law enforcement according to local booking records.

Shane Michael Dubyak, 23, of Lakewood was arrested Friday morning after investigators driving to Long Beach attempting to locate him spotted the Black Kia Forte Dubyak was reported to be driving by chance while he was for a traffic signal at Artesia Blvd and Pioneer Blvd in  Artesia at 9:47 a.m.    

                                     
                           

Detectives began following the vehicle as they waited for backup to arrive from Cerritos and Lakewood Sheriff's Station. 

Moments later Dubyak began to flee after turning southbound onto Norwalk Blvd.

The chase wound its way through residential areas of West Artesia then down Pioneer Blvd. through Little India before entering the eastbound 91 Freeway.

After exiting the freeway at Carmenita Rd., Dubyak continued to lead pursuing deputies on both arterial and residential streets of East Cerritos for several minutes before turning into a cul-de-sac in the 12900 block of Dawn Dr. Dubyak exited the vehicle and attempted to outrun deputies in a short foot chase down Shoemaker Av towards 166th St. before being into custody without further incident.

A gun tossed from the vehicle during the chase was later recovered and two additional occupants of the vehicle Dubyak had been driving during the pursuit were also detained for further investigation.

There were no accidents or injuries reported during the 11-minute chase.

Dubyak, who is being held at Norwalk Station on $130,000 bail has been arrested locally at least 16 times dating back to 2014 including suspicion of identity theft, credit card fraud, possession of controlled substance, several weapons charges, vehicle theft, warrants and a 2016 arrest for robbery. It should be noted that an arrest is not proof of guilt.

Dubyak has photos posted of himself on Instagram wearing a house arrest ankle bracelet monitoring device while still a minor, and images showing him posing with firearms and displays of drug use.

Dubyak is accused of shooting to death a 15-year-old terrier dog in the 16400 block of Phoebe Ave. and leaving its body in the road near the curb on Sunday, Jan. 5.

The woman that had been driving the White Jeep Cherokee that day was arrested prior to Dubyak and was questioned then released pending further investigation.

Dubyak is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday at Downey Court on charges of animal cruelty, evading arrest, and possession of a firearm by an ex-felon.

Help sought identifying suspects in weekend shooting of dog.

• Sheriff's investigators are seeking help from the public identifying the two suspects involved in a weekend shooting that left a dog dead.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at about 1 p.m. in 16400 block of Phoebe Ave in the La Mirada industrial and business zone.

Video of the incident obtained from a nearby business shows an older model White Jeep Grand Cherokee with black rims pull up to the curb and stop followed by the passenger exit and remove a dog in a doggie bed from the rear seat and place it in the gutter near the curb.

Two shots can then be heard ring out just before the SUV is seen leaving southbound on Phoebe Av towards Firestone Blvd. North

This morning (Thursday 1/9)  Sheriff's investigators are are looking at male male and female that are already in custody in an unrelated incident as possibly being involved in the Sunday shooting according to City News Service. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Norwalk Sheriff's Station at 562 863-8711. 

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2020/01/09/two-in-custody-on-unrelated-charges-possibly-tied-to-dog-killing-in-la-mirada/

La Mirada local elections are heating up as candidate's forum nears

La Mirada-  It wouldn't feel like local elections were approaching until campaign signs began appearing at La Mirada's unofficial public forum on the walls at La Mirada Blvd and Rosecrans Ave.

Councilmember Andrew Sarega and his father John kept the tradition going Monday by placing the first signs up promoting 4th District candidate Jackie Fowler.

 Fowler the owner of Eagles Nest Preschool located at old Fire Station 49 at  Valley View Av and De Alcala Dr also owns a second location in South Whittier is running against incumbent Mayor Steve De Ruse, the senior pastor of an Artesia congregation in his bid for a third term on the city council.

Mayor Steve De Ruse

Mayor De Ruse isn't taking re-election for granted and he has released a detailed rebuttal to claims made on Jackie Fowler's platform that allege the current council is not leading the city to its full potential. 

Fowler's platform has caused a growing amount of controversy due to its similarity to the one District 5 candidate Matthew Morse has posted on his website: www.morse2020.com 

Titled 'The Truth is: 'Don't be fooled by my opponent's false claims' , De Ruse addresses each claim Fowler makes in a direct and factual manner on his re-election website https://www.stevederuse2020.com/  A direct link can be found below.

Fowler's platform can be viewed at www.fowler2020.com/platform

Mayor De Ruse's response: stevederuse2020.com/post/the-truth-is

District 4 covers parts of Southwest La Mirada including neighborhoods near Hutchinson and Escalona Schools, Neff Park and the western section of the industrial district.

On Saturday District 5 candidate Anthony Otero held an impromptu have a 'donut with a cop' meet and greet in the Ross center where the police lieutenant and local Scoutmaster introduced himself to voters. 

Anthony Otero talks to voters Jan. 4

Otero spent several hours answering questions and sharing with attendees some of the points that will be included in an upcoming Public Safety Initiative he will release soon. Feedback on social media has been positive from the event. 

The public is invited to attend a  BBQ at the home of Tim and Debbie Escobar kicking off the Otero campaign on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.  For further information including the location go and RSVP go to https://www.facebook.com/events/581878062381676/

One of Otero's opponents has been busy himself, as evident by all the campaign signs that have been going up for Biola grad and current La Mirada Planning Commission member Matthew Morse. 

The Morse campaign began distributing colorful signs around the district this past weekend after walking the district twice before the New Year handing out a candidate door hanger and a holiday greeting card.

Morse, active in Brea youth soccer is an advocate for expanded youth and city athletic programs is endorsed by city councilmember Andrew Sarega.  No public events are listed on his campaign social media sites.

At the end of the post you can view Matthew Morse's candidacy announcement video.


Upcoming Candidate Forum 


A candidate's forum will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23 at the La Mirada Activity Center at 6:30 p.m. after an absence during the 2017 city election campaigns.

The forum is being organized and hosted by La Mirada Ebell, the Rotary Club of La Mirada, the Kiwanis of La Mirada and the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce.

The La Mirada Activity Center is located at the rear of City Hall at 13810 La Mirada Blvd. 

                          Matthew Morse candidacy message
                                      to La Mirada voters