Suspect in Crunch Fitness incident was jailed a month earlier

Crunch Fitness 3/19/19 La Mirada NewsBeat File photo

La Mirada Newsbeat has learned that the suspect believed responsible for driving a stolen car through the front windows of a local workout gym in retaliation for canceling his membership Tuesday was jailed last month on a contempt of court charge.

Sergio Gabriel Reyes, 32, was arrested at his South Whittier residence on February 20th at 2;30 a.m. in the 12300 block of Ramsey Dr.  

Court records show Reyes was given a four-day jail sentence, summary probation for three years and ordered to enroll in a court-ordered program the next day after entering a plea of no contest. Reyes was released the same day a short time after his court appearance with 100% of his sentenced served when state-mandated credits are factored in.

NewsBeat will attempt to access the court records and determine the nature of the February case, next week.

The bail for Mr/ Reyes was raised from $1 million to $2,080,000 on Thursday and he is currently being held at Men's Central Jail in Downtown Los Angeles.

Reyes returns to court April 5th when a date will set to hold a  preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence for Reyes to be held for trial on the following felony charges filed by the District Attorney's office Thursday:


⚫    Attempted Murder, one count

⚫      Assault with a deadly weapon, one count

⚫       Felony vandalism (loss over $400) two counts

⚫        Vehicle Theft, one count 

At his arraignment Thursday, Reyes entered a plea of not guilty and could be sentenced to up to 25-years in state prison if found guilty of all the charges. The case now moves to Norwalk Superior Court.

Sheriff's officials have yet to release any details about the female that drove the getaway vehicle and fled when she crashed on the south side of Regional Park. 

A witness told deputies that he observed him get in the passenger side of Reyes' Toyota Corolla and crashed into a curb on Alicante Rd. attempting to elude the witness followed the getaway car. The female driver was last seen running into the park.

Pedestrian struck by car crossing Rosecrans 'fighting for his life'

La Mirada News file photo

La Mirada-  A man is in a local hospital in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a busy roadway during the morning commute Tuesday.

The man described as being elderly had been crossing Rosecrans Av at Jalon Rd near the Panera's in the La Mirada Theatre Center when he was struck at about 6:28 a.m.

An unnamed Sheriff's official told La Mirada NewsBeat that the injured man was in the hospital fighting for his life. The driver of the car remained at the scene and appeared to be extremely distraught.

Deputies quickly closed traffic in both eastbound lanes from La Mirada Blvd to Adelfa Drive for close to three hours to allow investigators to conduct a thorough cause investigation and a city crew to clean the roadway.

Suspect arrested after driving stolen car into a La Mirada business

Photo courtesy LASD/Norwalk

Updated at 8:56 a.m.

La Mirada-   Sheriff's deputies arrested a man for possession of stolen vehicle early Tuesday morning after he allegedly drove a stolen Honda Accord through the front plate glass windows at the Crunch Fitness at 12815 Valley View Av. then fled at about 1:44 a.m.

Sheriff's officials have identified the man in custody as Sergio Gabriel Reyes, 32, of Whittier.

Channel 4 reported during it's 5 a.m broadcast that they received information that some witnesses think the man drove the stolen Accord into the business on purpose. Witnesses stated Reyes was a former member and carried a grudge over a dispute with the business.

A man was detained overnight after allegedly driving
through the front windows of a La Mirada gym then
fled.  (A La Mirada NewsBeat photo)

An employee working and several members inside narrowly missed being struck by the vehicle that came to a stop about 20 feet inside the building after barreling through several pieces of gym equipment.  

Witnesses told deputies that the act appeared to be intentional stating Reyes revved up the car and jumped out before it crashing through the windows.

A witness followed the fleeing suspect after he saw the man get into another car behind Alberto's Mexican drive-thru and followed them to the south side of La Mirada Regional Park in the 15200 block of Alicante Rd.  Deputies arrived quickly to take the man into custody.

It appeared the witness may have taken some sort of action to stop the suspect from fleeing any further because the getaway car was stopped on the wrong side of the roadway facing forward towards the curb.

This is a developing story and will be updated when new information becomes available,

A La Mirada NewsBeat photo 3/19/19

Updated: Man killed in La Mirada crash identified

Updated 3/16 1:40 a.m.

La Mirada NewsBeat photo

La Mirada-  A man died in a fiery crash overnight when the car he was driving burst into flames after rear-ending a box truck at Imperial Hwy and La Mirada Blvd. at about 1:48 a.m.

Sheriff's investigators think speed may have been a factor in the collision.

Deputies arriving within 90 seconds of dispatch discovered the fire had already been extinguished by an employee from a nearby business who rushed to the burning car with a fire extinguisher.

The violent nature of the impact made it impossible as well as useless for deputies to attempt a rescue of the man from the smoldering and twisted car and he likely died almost immediately. 

Authorities have not released the name of the man.

The driver of the box truck who had been traveling eastbound in front of the victim on Imperial Hwy. was shaken with a very minor head injury and is believed to not have been at fault.

All directions of travel on both Imperial Hwy. and La Mirada Bl was closed near the intersection for more than six hours as deputies conducted their investigation.  A city maintenance crew were sent to the intersection before it was reopened to the public to sand and sweep up fluids from the crash contributing to the extended closure.

Update 6:00 a.m.  The Coroner has cleared the scene and Hadley Tow will be transporting the decedents' vehicle to a storage yard shortly.

Traffic lanes should reopen as soon as a city crew sands down and sweeps up the fluids in the roadway.

6:13 a.m.  A good image from video shot by a Loudlabs freelance videographer that shows that demonstrates the deadly force from the impact.

https://loudlabs.com/news/los-angeles-california/la-mirada-fatal-vehicle-vs-box-truck-5594/

Sat. 3/16 1:40 a.m.

The man killed Friday morning in a rear-end collision Friday morning was identified as Louis Mitchell Pagano, 30, from Whittier.  Pagano, a long time resident of East Whittier graduated from La Habra High School in 2007.

Additional photos taken less than ten minutes after the accident occurred, A La Mirada NewsBeat exclusive.

A Paramedic from Squad 49 assesses the deceased victim for
signs of life as the car threatens to burst into flames again.
La Mirada NewsBeat photos

A firefighter prepares to extinguish the smoldering fire.

La Mirada NewsBeat photo

La Mirada Crime Report for March 13, 2019

Wednesday, Feb. 20

9:41 a.m.    A wallet was taken after a window was smashed out from a vehicle in the 14900 block of La Mirada Blvd.

Thursday, Feb. 21 

7:58 a.m.    A phone was taken in a burglary at the Eagles Nest Preschool at 14340 Valley View Av.  A suspect was arrested later and charges were filed through the DA's office on March 4th.

Friday, Feb. 22

12:05 a.m.  A misdemeanor arrest was made at Rosecrans Av. and Valley View Av. for possession of a controlled substance.

5:30 a.m.    Baseball equipment was taken in a burglary of a storage unit at Behringer Park.

6:30 a.m.    A burglary to a business was reported in the 13900 block of Valley View Av.

11:52 a.m.   A vehicle was reported stolen from the 11700 block of Tidwell Dr. in East Whittier.

12:00 p.m.  A burglar smashed a window to gain entry to a home in the 13400 block of Brazo Rd.  Jewelry and a coin collection were reported missing.

5:30 p.m.    A vehicle was reported stolen from the 16400 block of Fitzpatrick Ct.

Saturday, Feb. 23

3:23 a.m.   An arrest was made for driving under the influence at Imperial Hwy. and Santa Gertrudes Av.

8:10 p.m.   A misdemeanor arrest was made at Leffingwell Rd and Telegraph Rd in South Whittier for possession of a controlled substance.

11:30 p.m.  A vehicle break-in was reported in the 11500 block of Santa Gertrudes Av. in East Whittier. 

Monday, Feb. 25

1:30 a.m.   A wallet was taken from a vehicle in the 16500 block of Dundee Ct. after the suspect smashed its window to gain entry.

2:30 p.m.   

Tuesday, Feb. 26

2:47 a.m.   A burglary was reported in the 15100 block of Ocaso Av,

Wednesday, Feb. 27

10:10 a.m.  A misdemeanor arrest was made at Imperial Hwy. and La Pomelo Rd. for possession of a controlled substance.

11:30 a.m.   A home in the 16000 block of San Antonio Av was broken into. Checks, paperwork, and a pellet gun were among the items taken.

10:30 p.m.    Felony vandalism (loss over $400) was reported in the 14700 block of Beach Blvd.

10:41 p.m.    A burglary at a business was reported in the 15100 block of Rosecrans Av. after the door to the location was smashed.

Thursday, Feb. 28 

12:27 p.m.   A victim reported being assaulted after attempting to stop several men that had been breaking into his vehicle at the 99 cents store at Leffingwell Rd. and Telegraph Rd.  The suspects attempted to back over the victim who had been attempting to prevent them from leaving. 

2:30 p.m.   An arrest was made in the 13500 block of Adelfa Dr. for resisting a peace officer.

6:45 p.m.   Vandalism was reported in the 11300 block of La Mirada Blvd. in South Whittier.

7:10 p.m.   A robbery at a residence was reported in the 16300 block of Amber Valley Dr in East Whittier. Two male suspects stole two bikes from the victim using fear of force.

Friday, Mar. 1

6:00 a.m.    Felony vandalism (loss over $400) was reported in the 15000 block of Leffingwell Rd. in South Whittier.

1;08 p.m.    A man was arrested after a 30-minute area search for strong-arm robbery, a felony after he fought with security while taking laundry detergent from the Superior Grocers at 12717 Valley View Av. The suspect was able to elude security and fled north into the neighborhood near Tedford Dr and Corley Dr. The suspect was located hiding inside a restaurant near Leffingwell Rd and Valley View Ave east of the coin-operated car wash after a citizen had told a sergeant aiding in the search that the suspect was seen shedding some of his clothing behind the restaurant.

Tuesday, Mar. 5

3:23 p.m.   A misdemeanor arrest was made at Leffingwell Rd. and Arroyo Dr. for possession of a controlled substance.

Wednesday, Mar. 6

2:18 a.m.    Deputies placed a drunk individual in custody in the 15700 Lemon Dr.  No charges were made, and the person was released when able to care for their own safety.

2:17 p.m.    A felony arrest was made at Valley View Av. and Alondra Bl. for violation of a weapons law.

Thursday, Mar. 7

1:05 p.m.    A felony arrest was made in the 15700 block of Imperial Hwy for violation of a weapons law.

Friday, Mar. 8

9:37 p.m.    Vandalism was reported in the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd.

10:00 p.m.  A break-in to a vehicle was reported in the 14300 block of Firestone Bl.

Saturday, Mar. 9

8:30 a.m.    A woman was arrested in the 15900 block of Lakefield Dr. for an assault. No injuries were reported in the incident.

3:55 p.m.    A woman was arrested on a felony strong-arm robbery charge after she fought with employees trying to prevent a theft at the Dollar Tree store at 13936 Imperial Hwy.  The woman was able to flee the store, but was quickly apprehended by a deputy that saw a woman fitting the description dispatchers had elicited on 911 nearby at Valley View Av and Imperial Hwy.

Saturday, March 10

4:00 a.m.    A vehicle was reported stolen from the 11300 block of La Mirada Blvd in South Whittier.

6:17 p.m.    Shoplifting was reported in the 12800 block of La Mirada Bl.

The following crimes have been recently filed from earlier crimes:

La Mirada Crime Report 3/6/19

Tuesday, Feb. 19

12:32 p.m. A suspect smashed out a window a stole a wallet from a vehicle in the 14000 block of Estero Rd. 

4:57 p.m.    Vandalism was reported at Escalona Rd. and San Ardo Dr.

9:00 p.m.   An assault was reported in the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd.

Wednesday, Feb. 20

4:50 p.m.   A domestic violence-related assault was reported at Scott Av and Saranac Dr. in East Whittier.

Monday, Feb. 25

12:30 a.m.  A burglary of a vehicle was reported in the 14500 block of Leffingwell Rd. in South Whittier.

8:36 a.m.    A burglary to a business was reported in the 14400 block of Telegraph Rd. in South Whittier.

Thursday, Feb. 28

12:20 a.m.   A misdemeanor arrest was made in the 15200 block of Rosecrans Ave for possession of a controlled substance.

Saturday, March 2

9:30 p.m.    A theft from an unlocked vehicle, amounting to Grand Theft due to the loss amount was reported in the 15900 block of Landmark Dr. in East Whittier.

Sunday, March 3

6:00 a.m.    A misdemeanor (property damage only, non-injury) hit-and-run vehicle accident was reported in the 12700 block of Biola Av.

Monday, March. 4

5:00 a.m.   A burglary was reported in the 11500 block of Obert Dr. in South Whittier.

4:12 pm.    A misdemeanor arrest was made for possession of a controlled substance at Formby Dr. and Stanton Av.

And from La Mirada Public Safety records Feb. 25 Mar. 3

A home in the 16000 block of San Antonio Av. and a business in the 15100 block of Rosecrans Av were both burglarized.

Tailgates were stolen from vehicles in the 11900 block of Kibbee Av. and also in the 11900 block of Mayes Dr.

La Mirada collision injures two investigated for possible red light violation

La Mirada-  A motorist that witnesses allege ran a red-light may have caused a two-car accident Sunday afternoon injuring three people and sending two to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening. 

Firefighters attend to one of the drivers in a March 3rd
collision at Telegraph Rd and Springview Dr. The man
eventually walked away from the wreckage

The official cause of the 5:18 p,m. collision at Telegraph Rd. and Springview Dr. is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. The CHP after it was determined the point of impact was just beyond the city line.

The driver of one car that came to a stop wedged between a wall and a telephone pole with moderate injuries and a woman with minor injuries were transported to a local hospital. The woman was a passenger in the other vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle walked away from the wreckage after being helped from the car by firefighters. The man refused treatment for his injuries.

The accident caused the westbound lanes of Telegraph Rd. from Hutchins Dr. to Springview Dr to be closed for about an hour. 

Photos by LM NewsBeat

La Mirada Crime Report 3/2/19

Monday, Feb. 18

5:11 a.m.   Nothing was taken after a window smash burglary attempt to a business in the La Mirada Theatre Center in the 15000 block of Rosecrans Av.

Tuesday, Feb. 19

7:19 p.m.    Deputies took an intoxicated person unable to care for themselves into protective custody in the 14300 block of Valley View Av.  The person was released after being deemed sober without being charged with a crime.

Motorist strikes light pole during rain with the worst yet to come

Medics attend to a motorist that collided with a light pole during light rainfall
Saturday morning at Rosecrans Av and La Fonda Dr.  Photo by LM NewsBeat

La Mirada-  A motorist was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries after colliding with and toppling a center median light pole this morning on Rosecrans Av during a rain shower from a slow-moving storm that moved in overnight.

The accident reported at 11:10 a.m. caused the temporary closure of both eastbound lanes of traffic from La Fonda Dr to Santa Gertrudes Av until the pole and debris from the crash could be cleared from the roadway.

Rain began falling about 2 a.m. and has dropped 0.93 inches of precipitation as of 4 p.m. The 16.39 inches so far recorded during the current rainy season ending on September 30 already exceeds the average rainfall total for an entire year.

Periodic showers are forecast through the night and throughout the day on Sunday as a weaker system moves through the area tomorrow.

The main event arrives Tuesday as a moisture-laden tropical storm will slam Southern California with up to 3 inches of rain and periods of heavy downpours lasting into Wednesday with lingering showers possible through Thursday.

CoutesyNWSOxnard

03-02-2019 LM NewsBeat Editor

Hit-and-Run Driver that killed a local grandmother remains outstanding, unidentified

Written by La Mirada NewsBeat 

Maria Chavarria Source: Go Fund Me

La Mirada-  Sheriff's investigators are still attempting to determine who the hit-and-run driver was that struck down and killed Maria Chavarria, 68, of La Mirada as she was walking home with her two grandchildren after meeting them at the end of the school day at Escalona School last week. 

Chavarria was rushed to the trauma unit at UCI Medical Center in Orange where she died a short time later of injuries from the Feb. 20 accident.

The children also injured during the incident were released after treatment at a local hospital.

Sheriff's officials have released an image captured from home surveillance of the vehicle witnesses say plowed into the trio without stopping as they were walking in the roadway next to the curb in the 14800 block of Escalona Rd. at about 1:25 p.m.

The vehicle appears to be a 2015-17 model Toyota Camry, gray in color with damage near the passenger side headlight area which was last seen turning onto the Rosecrans Av frontage road.

This image was taken from home surveillance of the vehicle used 
n the Feb. 20 hit-and-run that killed a La Mirada grandmother
Source: LASD

A Go Fund Me page established by staff at Escalona Elementary to assist the Chavarria family has raised close to $5,000.

Several people in this tight-knit neighborhood of well-kept homes just west of La Mirada Blvd expressed concern about a lack of funding for Sheriff's traffic patrols near the school and others the absence of sidewalks along Escalona so close to a school.

An item has been placed on the agenda for the upcoming city council meeting on Tuesday, March, 12 at 6:30 p.m. to allow residents an opportunity to voice their concerns to council members about what can be done to improve traffic safety in the area.

Courtesy: LASD/NWK