By K.P. Sander Norco – Silverlakes Equestrian Sports Park, the anticipated 122-acre recreational facility that began its development as far back as 2007, has been at a standstill for some time. Developer R.J. Brandes of Balboa Management Group, vowed the project’s completion as recently as July of this year, telling City Council that delays from property flooding, a lack of funding, and a personal divorce were at the root of the problems. He said funding was imminent the next week, and the project would be completed in nine months. The barren acreage at Hamner and Citrus Avenues does not excite one to expect a grand opening this spring. But all this doesn’t mean that completion of the project isn’t hoped for. If finished, the park will be used for equestrian and sporting events, as well as dog shows, car shows, weddings, corporate and community events, circus performances, camping, and more. The park would also join with nearly 120 miles of biking, jogging and equestrian trails. With 25 sports fields, six equestrian sand rings, an event center with climate-controlled barn, reception hall, and camping and recreational vehicle space, Silverlakes would definitely be a destination facility as well as a bonus to the City of Norco and the surrounding areas. Will the project ever reach completion? Brandes agreed to provide updates at the City Council meetings each month, but since there is nothing new to report, he has not been present. Citizens of the area have a right to know, however, what is happening with the project. A lot of graded land doesn’t do anyone any good. Dave Henderson, Norco Planning Commission Member, and his wife, Shirley, made a public presentation at the American Legion Hall to do just that. On October 18, 2013, Henderson provided the facts surrounding Silverlakes: • $5.1 million was spent by the end of 2012. • No authorization existed beyond $3.7 million. • No water, sewer, or road infrastructure is in place. • Water/sewer municipal bond money appears to have been used for something other than the designated purpose. • Inspections were not made. • Documents required before any money was to be released are not with the City. • The only loan that is contemplated in the Funding Agreement is for when bond funds are repaid by Balboa to the City over the next 30 years. • Billing was not for the actual cost of facilities or discrete components, as was required. Henderson said, “Putting the construction, billing and everything else we have discussed together, the only conclusion possible is: The Funding, Acquisition and Construction Agreement and the ground lease agreement were not followed by ANYONE”. Henderson posed a lot of questions in his presentation, mainly, why wasn’t the agreement followed, and where was the City Attorney in all of this? In speaking with Norco City Councilman, Harvey Sullivan, he has a few questions of his own. “Brandes accepted the property “as is”. The initial funding should have been used to lay the water, sewer and road infrastructure”, he says. So why, then, did Brandes spend $5.5 million to move in 300,000 yards of dirt instead of laying the infrastructure? Sullivan adds, “There is still some of the initial $6 million set aside, so why isn’t it being used to lay the infrastructure now? No further requests for release of funds have been received. Why aren’t they moving forward?” Brandes is apparently seeking funding to complete the project. To move forward there is a requirement to provide a letter of authorization showing funding for $36 million. The City of Norco has received nothing to date. So where does this leave us? Sullivan says, “Both sides, Brandes and the City of Norco, violated the original agreement. Hamner Avenue was not widened by the City by the April 19 deadline, and Brandes did not use the land as intended. A wrong has been done by misleading the City Council and the public by wrongful use of the funds; people have enough trouble trusting their government. But we all hope the project will be completed”. The current situation is awash in funding, reimbursement, legalities and mistrust. The City is going to have to amend the contracts and figure out some way of getting the project back on track. Lawyers say the case has been filed with the District Attorney, so time will tell what happens next. When asked if Silverlakes is still a go, Sullivan says, “I certainly hope so! It will be a boon to all the areas surrounding it”.
Category Archives: News By City
Does Eastvale Need It’s Own School District?
By Jennifer Madrigal Eastvale – When the area of “Eastvale” first wanted to gain local control and map out what their destiny was, they began the “incorporation process.” Now with the many changes and growth in our area with over 57,000 residents, should the City of Eastvale consider developing their own school district as 15,000 of these residents are currently students? The idea of Eastvale becoming its own school district is one worthy of further investigation on the ramifications and the actual process. So let’s examine the facts: The Corona-Norco School District (CNUSD) currently consists of thirty-one elementary schools, eight intermediate/middle schools, five comprehensive high schools, a middle college high school and three alternative schools. With the district serving over 53,000 students in the communities of Corona, Norco and Eastvale, CNUSD is the largest school district in Riverside County. Of the over 53,000 students in the district, 15,000 of them are Eastvale students. Eastvale residents already pay a large amount of property taxes, special assessment taxes, a bond tax (Measure U), and also are asked to pay an upcoming proposed additional $299m bond, on top of the $250 million general obligation Measure U Bond passed by voters in 2006. “It was a huge process (to incorporate the city), but I believe it was worth the hundreds of hours of work,” said Councilman Jeff DeGrandpre, who helped spearhead the process of the team who brought the decision to a vote. “It was tons of work, but now we have local control. We are right where we wanted to be as a community.” Many smaller school districts have broken away from larger school districts for reasons from lack of accountability to simply a desire to run their own system. Walnut Valley Unified School District has a student population of 15,500 and became their own school district in the 1970’s when the area was in its infancy. Duarte Unified School District is a small district that serves about 4,700 students from the areas of Duarte, Bradbury, and the Maxwell Park area. Baldwin Park Unified has over 15,000 students and broke away from Covina Unified before the 1950’s. All of these school districts were part of larger areas that became smaller school districts and grew. “We would support such a move if it benefitted our community,” said a group of parents at Clara Barton Elementary. “Especially if we have to pay for another bond. Our last bond, Measure U, we pay taxes on but only received 17% of that money.” Another parent felt they didn’t have enough control of the district and felt it’s because it’s too large. They all requested to remain anonymous because they’ve never researched the idea. “I never realized it was possible,” she said. If Eastvale were to explore the possibility of separating from CNUSD and becoming its own individual school district, the California Department of Education requires a certain process to be followed. According to the California Department of Education District Organization Handbook- July 2010, this type of reorganization would seek to form one new school district of the same kind from parts of one existing school district of that same kind. This type of reorganization is more commonly referred to as Unification. Although the exact method of Unification is based on a variety of factors, the first step in this process is a petition. This petition would then be presented to the County Superintendent of Schools and he/she would have 30 days to determine the legal sufficiency of the petition. If the petition is found to be legally sufficient, it is then sent to the County Committee on School District Organization and the State Board. A public hearing would then need to be held within 60 days to advise the public of the petition. After the hearing is held and within 120 days, the petition would need to be reviewed to see if it meets Section 35753 of the Educational Code. These conditions are as follows: (a) The reorganized districts will be adequate in terms of number of pupils enrolled. (b) The districts are each organized on the basis of a substantial community identity. (c) The proposal will result in an equitable division of property and facilities of the original district or districts. (d) The reorganization of the districts will preserve each affected district’s ability to educate students in an integrated environment and will not promote racial or ethnic discrimination or segregation. (e) Any increase in costs to the state as a result of the proposed reorganization will be insignificant and otherwise incidental to the reorganization. (f) The proposed reorganization will continue to promote sound education performance and will not significantly disrupt the educational programs in the districts affected by the proposed reorganization. (g) Any increase in school facilities costs as a result of the proposed reorganization will be insignificant and otherwise incidental to the reorganization. (h) The proposed reorganization is primarily designed for purposes other than to significantly increase property values. (i) The proposed reorganization will continue to promote sound fiscal management and not cause a substantial negative effect on the fiscal status of the proposed district or any existing district affected by the proposed reorganization. (j) Any other criteria as the board may, by regulation, prescribe. To maintain neutrality, the County Office of Education would most likely hire an independent consultant trained in evaluating this type of criteria. If the independent consultant does find the petition to be in compliance with EC35753, it is then passed on to the State Board of Education and they will determine if it is approved or sent to an election within the area affected. In most cases, this becomes a major obstacle, as a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) would need to be done, which can be expensive. According to a source from the Department of Education, this is where most of these petitions “die”, mainly due to the large expense of the CEQA. This step often takes a few years due to the state pipeline and the Environmental Impact Study. If the petition makes it through all of these steps and wins in an election of the area affected by the Unification, then a new school district would be formed. While there are many pros and cons to becoming our own school district, any action to do so would most likely come at a large expense, be extremely controversial as well as political, and would need to be thoroughly researched to truly understand the greater impact on the students and the communities involved. “It took us 3.5 years to get the city incorporation to the ballot,” DeGrandpre said. “It’s definitely worth looking into, but a tough road because CNUSD is highly regarded within the state.” (Michael Armijo contributed to this story.)
Historic ‘Desi Arnaz House’ in Eastvale
Photo By: Michael Armijo
I Love Lucy star, Desi Arnaz, once owned this home on Citrus Ave. in Eastvale.
By K.P. Sander Eastvale – There is a beautiful home, nestled behind a forest of Mexican and California palm trees, located on Citrus Street in Eastvale. You’ve probably driven past it dozens of times without paying it much attention, or even knowing that the home once belonged to Desi Arnaz, of I Love Lucy fame. And until recently, the property at Granja Vista del Rio was well cared for, with horses and cattle grazing in lush green fields. The immense 365 acre property was once the home of Bert Altfillisch, a construction company owner and breeder and trainer of thoroughbred horses, who passed away in 2006. In 1984, he was hired to demolish and grade a property in Corona to make way for a factory, but there was a perfectly good Spanish-style home still standing. Due to the history surrounding this house, Altfillisch made arrangements to move the home across the Santa Ana Riverbed to his property in Eastvale. Bil VanLeeuwen, a neighbor of Altfillisch, can remember when the house first came to rest on the property. “It took a lot of work for Bert to restore it and bring it back to life”, he says. The house was refurbished to its former dignity and has been a handsome landmark for over 30 years. Desi Arnaz, perhaps better known as Ricky Ricardo, also dabbled in horse breeding back in the 1960s. After he and Lucille Ball divorced, Arnaz became the owner of the Corona Breeding Farm located near Lincoln Avenue and Rincon Street. There he designed and built a 4,400 square-foot dream home reminiscent of his Cuban childhood. The breeding business was dissolved and the farm sold about ten years later, but the beautiful home is still intact on the Altfillisch property at Granja Vista del Rio. On March 24, 2012, The Press Enterprise printed a great story about the property and the magical environment it provided for Desi Arnaz and his children back in the day. Desi Arnaz, Jr. was reported as saying, “It’s a great house. I had horses and go-karts. Back then we were the only people out there. It used to be all horses and cattle farms. It was fun”. Arnaz also said of his father, “He loved animals and he loved nature. One of the great things my father gave to me is an appreciation of nature. He’d look at a sunset and say, “God really outdid himself.” Bert Altfillisch’s son, Steve, who inherited the home, wanted the Desi Arnaz house to remain a part of Eastvale and Corona’s (and his father’s) history. The Press Enterprise article said, “It was my father’s wish to keep it intact. And that’s my wish. I want to do something special with it”. Steve envisioned making the home a wedding destination and meeting/event venue. Much of the surrounding property has already been sold off for development. Toward that end, Richard Welch, Director of Parks and Community Affairs for Jurupa Community Services District, states that JCSD is in the process of purchasing the home along with some land around it, including a completed trail to connect Riverwalk Park and Community Park. While the primary interest of the area is the need to continue the Eastvale Trail to the eastern city limits, JCSD is interested in discussing the possibility of protecting the site. The Desi House will be explored as a wedding destination/meeting venue, among other options. Planning meetings will be scheduled in the near future. Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball’s I Love Lucy is a charming part of Americana. Let’s hope a part of Mr. Arnaz is able to stay in the history of Eastvale.
New Common Core Standards Announced
By Jennifer Madrigal Eastvale – Corona-Norco Unified School District has begun the transition process to the new state mandated Common Core State Standards. 46 states brought together experts, teachers and researchers to write the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which were adopted by California in 2010. CNUSD then began the process of transitioning into this new standard by spending the 2012-2013 school years raising awareness, the 2013-2014 school year planning the transition and finally, will conclude with the implementation of the CCSS for the 2014-2015 school year. In order to ensure that parents and community members are well prepared for the changes that these new standards will bring, CNUSD hosted a parent information night on August 28, 2013. The District will also host another informative meeting at Santiago High School in the theatre on Thursday September 12, 2013 at 6:30pm. At these meetings, parents will be able to learn about the curriculum and the new learning standards from teachers and district administrators. Parents will also be able to ask questions and instruction on how they can assist their children in their quest for academic success. At the Parent Information Night on August 28 at Corona High School, teachers and administrators shared with the community pertinent information about the new California Common Core State Standards, the main goal of which is to make students college and career minded and able to compete with the world. Teachers will concentrate more on working with students to deliver receive instruction ensuring a deeper level of mastery and problem solving. There will also be a more coherent progression of learning expectations in English, Language Arts and Math; which are designed to prepare K-12 students for College and career success. This success is based on a firm foundation of “Anchor Standards” that applies to each grade level. The complete list of standards can be found at http://corestandards.org/the-standards. However, the overall goals of these standards are to provide students with a more rigorous education in content and application that is aligned with college and real world work expectations. Testing will be done to ensure that students are performing well and that they are able to communicate successfully throughout all subject areas in the form of the Smarter Balances Assessment Consortium (SBAC). This assessment will be given to students in third grade, eighth grade and eleventh grade beginning in 2015. To find out more about the SBAC and to receive updates, please visit http://www.smarterbalanced.org The implantation of the CCSS will result in a shift from the “normal” English/Language Arts and Math standards and classrooms. In the English and Language Arts classes, the shift will take place by putting a greater emphasis on non-fiction work and less of a focus on the “classics” and other works of fiction. While fiction will still be a part of the curriculum, students will rely more heavily on non-fiction, scientific and technical books to obtain information. Reading, writing and speaking will also be more heavily grounded in evidence from text and other forms of information. Students will also practice with complex text and using its academic language. Since the ability to read and read well, leads to the ability to write well, the heightened focus on historical, scientific and informational reading should help students to be better prepared for college and careers. Math Standards will also shift in three major areas. The first shift will be to focus on moving from coverage to mastery. This will be done by encouraging focus and deeper instruction on fewer topics instead of trying to fit a large number of lessons into the school year. The second shift will work toward coherence by teaching students to think across grades and link to major topics within each grade. Lastly, rigor in the form of pursuing conceptual understanding and procedural skills and literacy with the final result of applying these lessons with equal intensity is the final goal. The idea is to teach students that it is about more than just doing the math, it’s about USING the math. Students are expected to be involved in rigorous tasks that require thinking and then be able to verbalize, discuss and write about the thought process that they used to arrive at answers. Students, who are below grade level, have special needs or are English language learners will not be left behind when these new standards are implemented. Instead, teachers will have more time to cover subjects in greater detail and students will have an opportunity to really understand what is being taught. Teachers will use scaffolding strategies to support students who are below grade level or need more help. Different states will also work diligently together to constantly improve upon any issues so that that these students do not get left behind. The change in the classroom will be evident, but teachers and administrators hope that the change will be welcomed. However, learning doesn’t just happen at school and parents are encouraged to get involved by talking to their kids about school, homework and what their future holds. It is important to talk to kids about college and graduating high school, as well as being involved with your children’s school and activities. With the adoption of these new standards, states and districts can share experience, methods of assessment, teaching practices and materials to help parents support learning at home. If you have any questions about the implementation of the Common core State Standards please contact Corona Norco School District at (951)736-5000.
City Of Eastvale: Safest In The Area
By K.P. Sander Eastvale – Overall, the City of Eastvale does have one of the lowest crime rates in the area. Neighborhood Scout (neighborhoodscout.com) gives it a ranking of 72.5% within a 1 mile radius outside the city, and a 62.45% ranking within a 5 mile radius (based upon 100% being low crime rates, and 10% being high). CNN Money (money.cnn.com) rates Eastvale as 3 of 1,000 people affected for Personal Crime, and 31 of 1,000 for Property Crime. But let’s go directly to the source and see the recent crime statistics for our fair city. According to the Eastvale Town Hall Meeting of August 6, the following information is regarding crimes as reported to the FBI. This information is for January 1 to June 30: The Incident numbers are listed for 2011/2012/2013 for comparison: Murder: 1/0/0 Rape: 3/1/3 Robbery: 13/7/6 Aggravated Assault: 29/24/43 Burglary: 104/148/101 Stolen Vehicles: 67/46/62 Theft (Grand, Petty, Vehicle): 348/322/336 Arson: 2/2/1 GRAND TOTALS: 567/550/552 Crime trending in Eastvale for vehicular and residential burglaries most often happened Tuesday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm. During the period of January 1 to June 30 of 2013, Eastvale Crime Statistics reported 14,452 calls for service, 5,394 traffic and parking citations, 19 DUI arrests, 38 injuries, 64 non-injury collisions, and 0 fatalities. Most calls for service are ranked by priority. Priority 1 is characterized by a threat to human life marked by violence and the potential for serious injury; Priority 2 is for urgent, but non-life threatening calls; Priority 3 is for non-urgent nor life-threatening calls; and Priority 4 is for most past calls, with the exception of several felonies. The response time to these calls, from January 1 to June 30, 2013, is as follows: Call Priority/ # of Calls/ Minutes to Respond. 1/ 112/ 5.81 2/ 2,605/ 16.10 3/ 2,219/ 26.99 4/ 1,196/ 47.97 Marijuana Grow Houses seem to be in the news quite a bit lately, and Eastvale has identified at least 31 of these houses to date. Grow Houses are a crime, and are identified by abnormal signs of occupancy. • Windows are often covered from inside the residence. • Commercial-grade air conditioners and electrical equipment may be seen being moved in or installed. • Individuals other than uniformed utility workers may be accessing electrical vaults near the street. • Lights and televisions are set on timers, turning on and off and at the same times daily. • Individuals may arrive and leave within a few hours on a regular basis, and may pull directly into the garage and immediately shut the door. • There may be a constant humming sound coming from the residence. If you suspect a Marijuana Grow House in your neighborhood, contact your local law enforcement (listed below). The City of Eastvale is also home to L.E.A.F.F. (Law Enforcement AND Fire Fighters), the only organization of Law Enforcement and Firefighters in the entire nation. L.E.A.F.F. is a group of approximately 2,500 police and fire personnel who call Eastvale home and are dedicated to ensuring that it remains a great place to live. This is definitely a contributing factor to our low crime rates. You can find more information about L.E.A.F.F. by visiting http://www.eleaff.org. You can help to keep the crime rates in Eastvale low by doing a few simple things as well. Keep your doors locked, get involved in a Neighborhood Watch program, keep spare keys with a trusted friend or neighbor (as opposed to under the doormat), and eliminate places intruders may hide such as dark entryways or overgrown shrubbery. If you have information regarding a crime or need to contact our local Sheriff’s department, utilize the following information. As always, if you have an emergency, dial 911. Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station: (951) 955-2600 Danny Feltenberger, Captain Michael Yates, Lieutenant: (951) 955-2612; myates@riversidesheriff.org 7477 Mission Boulevard Jurupa Valley, CA 92509 Norco Sheriff: (951) 270-5673.
Bob’s Big Boy: Making History, Or A Thing Of The Past?
By Kimberley Sander Diamond Bar – Bob’s Big Boy, the iconic diner-style restaurant located on Golden Springs Dr. in Diamond Bar, is amid some controversy. In an effort to preserve his beloved restaurant from extinction, franchise owner James Tsai has started the process to make Bob’s a historical landmark for the City of Diamond Bar. Why now? According to Tsai, the landlord of the center where the Bob’s Big Boy is located, is looking to force them out. After 30 years, Tsai has other plans. According to the National Historic Landmarks Program, “National Historic Landmarks (NHL) are exceptional places. They form a common bond between all Americans.” Wikipedia further characterizes NHLs as “Sites where events of national historical significance occurred; places where prominent persons lived or worked; icons of ideals that shaped the nation; outstanding examples of design or construction; places characterizing a way of life; or archeological sites able to yield information”. The process to have the U.S. Department of Interior declare Bob’s Big Boy in Diamond Bar an NHL is long and detailed. Tsai has already started the process by obtaining over 1,800 petition signatures from loyal customers. Reinforcing his plea, a large sign inside the restaurant reads, “PLEASE JOIN US TO HELP KEEP THIS BOB’S BIG BOY FROM BEING CLOSED. WE NEED YOUR SIGNATURE SO WE CAN BECOME A HISTORIC LANDMARK”. Built in 1981, Tsai took ownership of Bob’s in 1993. “The building is old, but well-kept,” said Tsai. With 24 employees, 14 of which have been with him for anywhere from 10 to 20 years, the Diamond Bar location is known for its customer loyalty. According to the restaurant’s manager, Lucy Bartlett, “We are concerned about the public and hear from hundreds of people that they love coming to Bob’s. They want us to stay in the community.” Is it possible for Bob’s Big Boy in Diamond Bar to become a Historical Landmark? It’s happened before. The Bob’s in Burbank is the oldest in the United States. It was built in 1949 by Los Angeles architect Wayne McAllister in the 1940s streamline modern style, and became a California Point of Historical Interest in 1993. Not a Historical Landmark, but certainly noteworthy, Bob’s Big Boy in Norco – Horsetown USA – has “Cowboy Bob”, the only one of its kind, greeting customers in a cowboy hat. The possibility for Diamond Bar is definitely there. James Tsai invites you to his restaurant to enjoy his food, speak with his employees and see for yourself if you’d like to help his cause. He says, “We have been at the same location in Diamond Bar for 30 years, and our customers are loyal from generation to generation. Thank you for your loyalty! We need your continued support to keep this Big Boy location alive.” Come to think of it, an Original Double-Deck Cheeseburger sounds pretty good! Check it out for yourselves. Bob’s Big Boy 21090 Golden Springs Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91789 (909) 595-9170.
Sex Offenders Required To Register
By Marilyn Salguero Eastvale – The City of Eastvale is a new city that’s known for its friendly residents and affordable homes. However, like every city, it’s also among many that have individuals with sexual offenses. Fortunately, sex offenders are required by law to register with law enforcement agencies to make their whereabouts public on http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov. Thanks to Megan’s Law, the public is able to search to be aware of sex offenders in their city and better protect their families. Registered sex offenders are not allowed to live within 500 feet from any school or park, and are not allowed in a zone between 1000-2500 feet (depending on your state) where children congregate. Megan’s Law passed legislation stating that every sex offender must register with their local law enforcement agency. Before August 2004, the information was only available if requested personally or by calling a toll-free number. However, after September 2004, the public has been able to view this information via the internet. The website was designed to list all sex offenders in California, and was named after Megan Kanka, a 7 year old from New Jersey, who was raped and killed by Jesse Timmendequas, a neighbor who had moved across the street from the family. Timmendequas was a convicted sex offender and the Kanka family was unaware of this. In the City of Eastvale, there are total of 20 cases of reported registered sex offenders. In the 91752 zip code, there are 3 registered offenders, while in the larger area of Eastvale, 92880, there are 17. Surrounding cities rank higher than Eastvale. Chino Hills has 24 sex offenders registered, Ontario has 172, Norco has 24, Corona has 107, and Riverside has 383. The Megans Law website contains a map where the public is able to navigate and see any convicted individuals and detail information of their crimes. According to the website, there is one registered sex offender around Hamner Avenue and Jamestown Ave, five registered sex offender around Limonite and 65th Street, and two offenders next to each other near Lake Springs Street east of Hamner Ave. Complete data is also available on http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov, where residents can surf the website and be aware when walking children to school, or when children play outside. Many apps have been created to facilitate the information to those who have smart phones, and alerts can be sent directly to the smart phone whenever you approach a sex offender’s location. There are many ways to care for your family, and Megan’s law is one way to ensure the safety of your little ones.
CRIME: Are We Inviting It?
By Michael Armijo Eastvale – On our Facebook page, we’ve posted several crimes that have occurred throughout our community and many comments are filled with shock and a common question: “Is crime overcoming our community?” Eastvale has been labeled as the highest income level in the entire Inland Empire, which I’m sure, has brought some attention to the valuables we hold, have, drive, and live in. But while we are highlighted, are we also responsible for crime rising? Last week, the Eastvale Police Department conducted a very intelligent survey by walking through a local Eastvale shopping center looking for valuables in obvious sight that could attract thieves. Within TEN MINUTES, Eastvale police found, and took pictures of, numerous vehicles that were parked that had either left their doors unlocked, windows rolled down, or valuables left in plain sight. The question they asked was: “does your car attract or tempt a crime? If so, you may be a victim of a very preventable vehicle burglary. On our Facebook page, (www.facebook.com/EastvaleCommunityNews), many people have commented on how they “ran in for a minute,” or “it was parked right in my driveway.” We reported once before that a helicopter had been circling the area and looking for a suspect that had been seen walking down a street while checking every car door that was parked in a residential area, to see if any doors were open. The Eastvale Police Department would like to remind residents to take these simple, preventative steps to minimize the chances of becoming a victim of a vehicle burglary: Be aware of current crime trends: • Thefts are often crimes of opportunity. • Be cognizant of your surroundings. • Report suspicious activity to the police. Dispatch Non-Emergency (951) 776-1099 • Subjects loitering near parked vehicles, looking into vehicle windows, or attempting to open car doors randomly. • Be especially cautious in high-risk areas. • Parking lots at shopping centers, parks, and apartment complexes are particularly vulnerable to criminal activity. Suggestions to help deter vehicle burglaries: 1. LOCK your car. 2. Take your keys with you. 3. Park in well-lit areas. 4. Completely close your windows. 5. Consider a vehicle alarm. 6. DO NOT leave any valuables in sight. This includes detachable radios, cellular telephones, money, jewelry, computers, purses, tools, etc. 7. Keep your garage door opener out of sight. 8. Deactivate your garage door remote immediately in the event of theft. Do not hesitate to contact law enforcement to report any suspicious activity. You can reach the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at: Eastvale Police Department: 7477 Mission Blvd. Jurupa Valley, Ca. 92509 Station Phone Number: (951) 955-2600, Dispatch Non-Emergency: (951) 776-1099, Emergencies: 911. Don’t invite crime or tempt a desperate individual, report suspicious people and follow the guidelines above. (The City of Eastvale and the Eastvale Police Department contributed to this story)
Eastvale Goes Virtual At City Hall
City of Eastvale Eastvale – Your next planning question in the City of Eastvale might be answered by a Planning expert who is miles from the City’s planning counter. Through the use of existing technology, residents of Eastvale can speak to and see a planner immediately from Eastvale City Hall via a live video link. The new system increases coverage at the planning counter from a day or two a week to full time, without increasing costs to the City. “In order to provide Eastvale residents with a friendly face at City Hall at all times, the City has instituted a Virtual Planner option,” said Carol Jacobs City Manager. “If a customer comes into City Hall and a planner is not available in person, we will now have a Virtual Planner for the face to face experience through FaceTime on an iPad at the front counter.” PMC, the City’s planning services provider, brought the Virtual Planner system to the City of Eastvale. “Continual improvement in customer service is one our goals, and the Virtual Planner lets us do that. Even when a planner is not available at city hall, customers who come to the public counter can talk face-to-face with one of our staff and get immediate answers to their questions,” said Eric Norris Planning Director. “The Virtual Planner service lets us provide better customer service in a more cost-effective way, said Norris. “Our customers enjoy using the Virtual Planner service. It’s fun, and it has the benefit of providing personal, face-to-face interaction.” City Manager Carol Jacobs personally tried the Virtual Planner when the service went live at City Hall and she felt, “it’s a great way to communicate and have the added ability to discuss plans, layouts and drawings without having planning staff in the office.” “Eastvale is a very technology savvy community and I’m hoping our residents will be as excited about the Virtual Planner option as we are. It is a great tool for the community and it provides an affordable solution with an improved level of service,” said Jacobs. The Virtual Planner is not going to replace the quality planning services the City provides therefore, PMC is scheduled to have staff at City Hall regularly, but this new system enables that time to be used more efficiently. The new planning system is the perfect fit for the young community of Eastvale.
Corona Votes To Annex Temescal Valley
By Andrew Hoover Corona – The Corona City Council voted to move forward on a decision to annex unincorporated Temescal Valley, according to the city website. On Wed. Feb. 6, Corona City Council members met with residents of Temescal Valley to discuss its Annexation. A decision was ultimately passed to move forward with the annexation by submitting an application to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for Riverside County. Close to 300 citizens showed up at the council chambers on the Feb. 6 meeting, most of whom opposed the annexation of Temescal Valley. The concerns were focused on having adequate police and fire safety from Corona, no raised taxes, no decrease in services, fear of losing control over local development, and losing their rural lifestyle. The vote to annex Temescal Valley was almost unanimous with a 4-1 vote. The only member dissenting was Councilman Stan Skipworth, who said at the council meeting, “I have to respect what the prevailing feeling is.” He added, “When 30 out of 32 people tell me they don’t want to be a part of a municipality, that tells me something.” The area that would be annexed is about 15.5 square miles and stretches from Weirick Road and extends east and west along Interstate 15 to just south of the Sycamore Creek Shopping Center, according to a document released by Corona. The document also states that a new police zone named Zone 5 will be created to solely cover the Temescal Valley area. Also, the document states that a new fire station would be required to maintain adequate fire protection. However, Corona fire officials have approached the Riverside County Fire Department to try and create an alternative cooperative aid program for Temescal Valley, as well.
Grim Future For Industry Stadium
Staff Reports Industry -The Proposed stadium’s future is looking grim as laws changed, which halted the go ahead of development. Back in 2011, the Supreme Court ruled to kill local redevelopment agencies which halted many projects that did not have existing contracts through them, Industry stadium being one of them. The state ruled that the original contract of the architect and landowner of the Industry stadium, Edward P. Roski, had areas that were not formalized. One in particular being, where one part of the project would not take place until another was finished. The recent ruling has halted any money from being obtained by Roski for infrastructure, causing a legal battle between Roski’s attorney and the state of California. The stadium also faces the hardship of finding a team as well, Fri., Feb. 14 was the mandated deadline for any teams to file for relocation, which none did so. Without a team and funds promised from local redevelopment agencies, the stadiums future will be an extremely uphill battle. The proposed stadium was going to be located at the northwest corner of the 60/75 freeway interchange and the Grand Avenue exit, and was going to cater to 15.5 million people across four counties including, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino. The stadium was going to be a large 75,000 seat stadium which would be the centerpiece of a new 600 acre entertainment and retail center that would also include 25,000 on-site parking spaces.
BREAKING NEWS! Christopher Dorner found and engaged in gunfire with police near Big Bear.
BIG BEAR (CBSLA.com) — Two officers have reportedly been shot while pursuing a carjacking and home-invasion suspect in the Angelus Oaks area of Big Bear.
A law enforcement source confirms to the Associated Press that the assailant is triple-murder suspect Christopher Dorner.
Dorner, who has military training, is said to be heavily armed in engaging in gunfire with authorities. Repeated gunshots could be heard on Glass Road west of 7 Oaks just after 1:30 p.m. Officials have requested an armored vehicle to help remove several injured deputies from the scene.
… The earlier incident at a home in the 1200 block of Club View Road, which is located near Highway 38 and Glass Road, was reported around 12:20 p.m. The suspect reportedly tied up a couple and stole their 2008 four-door, white Dodge 4X4 truck, which is registered to nearby Camp Tahquitz. One of the victims was able to escape and alert authorities.
The San Bernardino Police Department also sent a 12-man tactical team to the scene.
The suspect was reportedly heading south on Highway 38, which was shut down while authorities worked to create a choke point.
Officials have recovered a rifle and possibly a can of gas.
A helicopter was also responding to the scene.
Bear Valley Unified School District confirms all four of its schools have been locked down.
Live video link below: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/02/12/authorities-responding-to-big-bear-home-on-report-of-hostage-situation-unknown-if-connected-to-dorner/
Eastvale’s prized parks subject of discussion
The Press Enterprise
Eastvale may decide the time is right to start talks with the Jurupa Community Services District on whether the city should take over parks and recreation from the district.
The community services district, which provides water and sewer service for the cities of Eastvale and Jurupa Valley, began developing Eastvale’s prized park system long before the community voted to incorporate in 2010.
Using the thousands of dollars in special assessments paid by Eastvale residents every year, the Jurupa district has constructed a 13-park system that includes sports fields, skate parks, dog parks, water features and walking paths.
A high-end community center is open for business. A deputy hired under a special contract patrols the parks and other facilities.
The recreation program, paid for by fees, offers a kaleidoscope of classes and programs, including the hugely popular Concerts in the Park series at Harada Park.
“JCSD has done a wonderful job leading Eastvale into this era,” said Councilwoman Kelly Howell, who sits on Eastvale’s liaison committee with the Jurupa Community Services District.
“They’ve created a culture where families enjoy being outside,” she said.
But with Eastvale well into its third year, Howell said now may be the time to begin researching what everyone involved says will be a complex issue.
Richard “Ric” Welch, the Jurupa district’s director of parks and community affairs and also an Eastvale city councilman, declined to comment on the issue, citing his conflict.
Todd Corbin, the district’s general manager, said if Eastvale’s representatives on the liaison committee want to begin discussing the issue “I’d be open to that.”
“As the city has matured, we realized that we would have to have this discussion,” Corbin said. “But it remains to be seen if having Eastvale take over parks and recreation best serves the residents.”
He also stressed that legal and operational issues must be overcome.
Eastvale Mayor Ike Bootsma, who sits on the liaison committee with Howell, agreed.
“This would be a long-term project,” Bootsma said. “It might take five to 10 years.”
A study of the issues involved with Eastvale taking over parks and recreation might lead to the conclusion that the best thing for everyone involved is to do nothing.
“It might be better for things to stay the way they are,” Bootsma said.
Follow Sandra Stokley on Twitter: @SandraStokley or online at blog.pe.com/jurupa-valley
PARKS TALKS
WHAT: The Eastvale City Council will discuss whether the city should begin discussions with the Jurupa Community Services District about taking over the parks and recreation system functions.
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13
WHERE: Rosa Parks Elementary School, 13830 Whispering Hills Drive
INFORMATION: 951-361-0900
EASTVALE: Boy, 8, finds gun, shoots man accidentally
The Press Enterorise
An 8-year-old boy found a .45-caliber pistol in an Eastvale home and accidentally shot a man in the head, say Riverside County sheriff’s officials.
The 39-year-old victim suffered a non-life threatening bullet wound during the 10:10 p.m. incident Saturday, Feb. 9, along Elm Grove Avenue, Sgt. Bill Davis said in a written statement.
The boy had discovered the loaded pistol in a dresser drawer in the upstairs master bedroom, Davis wrote.
“The juvenile fired one round into the floor … (and) struck the victim, who was sitting downstairs at the kitchen table,” according to the statement. “The owner of the firearm was arrested.”
Forty-year-old Carlos Santillan Serafico was arrested at 12:14 a.m. Sunday and booked for investigation of felony first-degree criminal storage of a firearm, jail records show. His bail is $5,000.
Massive manhunt on for ex-cop accused of killing 3
Christopher Jordan Dorner is shown. Dorner is a suspect in the killings of Monica Quan and her fiance, Keith Lawrence, who were found shot to death in their car at a parking structure Sunday night. (AP Photo/Irvine Police Department)
IRVINE, Calif. — Thousands of police officers throughout Southern California and neighboring states hunted Thursday for a disgruntled former Los Angeles officer wanted for going on a deadly shooting rampage that he warned in an online posting would target those on the force who wronged him, authorities said.
Police issued a statewide “officer safety warning” and police were sent to protect people named in the posting that was believed to be written by the fired officer, Christopher Dorner, who has military training. Among those mentioned were members of the Los Angeles Police Department.
“I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty,” said the manifesto. It also asserted: “Unfortunately, I will not be alive to see my name cleared. That’s what this is about, my name. A man is nothing without his name.”
Dorner has available multiple weapons including an assault rifle, said police Chief Charlie Beck, who urged Dorner to surrender. “Nobody else needs to die,” he said.
More than 40 protection details were assigned to possible targets of Dorner. Police spokesman Cmdr. Andrew Smith said he couldn’t remember a larger manhunt by the department.The hunt spread from California to Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, said a U.S. Marshals Service official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to publicly comment.
The search for Dorner, who was fired from the LAPD in 2008 for making false statements, began after he was linked to a weekend killing in which one of the victims was the daughter of a former police captain who had represented him during the disciplinary hearing. Authorities believe Dorner opened fire early Thursday on police in cities east of Los Angeles, killing an officer and wounding another.
Beck detailed Dorner’s alleged crimes in an unusual press conference in an underground room at police headquarters, where extra security was deployed. The chief said there had been a “night of extreme tragedy in the Los Angeles area” and that all measures were being implemented to ensure officer safety.
Police said Dorner, 33, implicated himself in the couple’s killings with the multi-page “manifesto.”
A Facebook post believed written by Dorner said he knew he would be vilified by the LAPD and the news media, but that “unfortunately, this is a necessary evil that I do not enjoy but must partake and complete for substantial change to occur within the LAPD and reclaim my name.”
Los Angeles police believe the manifesto posted to Facebook was written by Dorner because there are details in it only he would know.
As police searched for him, the packed Los Angeles area was on edge. The nearly 10,000-member LAPD dispatched many of its officers to protect potential targets. The department also pulled officers from motorcycle duty, fearing they would make for easy targets.
In San Diego, where Dorner allegedly tied up an elderly man and unsuccessfully tried to steal his boat Wednesday night, Naval Base Point Loma was locked down Thursday after a Navy worker reported seeing someone who resembled Dorner.
Navy Cmdr. Brad Fagan said officials don’t believe he was on base Thursday but had checked into a base hotel on Tuesday and left the next day without checking out. Numerous agencies guarded the base.
Fagan said Dorner was honorably discharged and that his last day in the Navy was last Friday.
Nevada authorities also looked for Dorner because he owns a house nine miles from the Las Vegas Strip, according to authorities and court records.
Authorities said the U.S. Navy reservist may be driving a dark colored 2005 Nissan Titan pickup truck.
The hunt for Dorner led to two errant shootings in the pre-dawn darkness Thursday.
Los Angeles officers guarding a “target” named in the posting shot and wounded two women in suburban Torrance who were in a pickup but were not involved, authorities said. It’s not clear if the target is a person or a location. Beck said one woman was in stable condition with two gunshot wounds and the other was being released after treatment.
“Tragically we believe this was a case of mistaken identity by the officers,” Beck said.
Minutes later Torrance officers responding to a report of gunshots encountered a dark pickup matching the description of Dorner’s, said Torrance Sgt. Chris Roosen. A collision occurred and the officers fired on the pickup. The unidentified driver was not hit and it turned out not to be the suspect vehicle, Roosen said.
“We’re asking our officers to be extraordinarily cautious just as we’re asking the public to be extraordinarily cautious with this guy. He’s already demonstrated he has a propensity for shooting innocent people,” said Smith, the LAPD commander.
Dorner is wanted in the killings of Monica Quan and her fiance, Keith Lawrence. They were found shot in their car at a parking structure at their condominium on Sunday night in Irvine, authorities said.
Quan, 28, was an assistant women’s basketball coach at Cal State Fullerton. Lawrence, 27, was a public safety officer at the University of Southern California. There was disbelief at three college campuses, Fullerton, USC, and Concordia University, where the two met when they were both students and basketball players.
Dorner was with the department from 2005 until 2008, when he was fired for making false statements.
Quan’s father, a former LAPD captain who became a lawyer in retirement, represented Dorner in front of the Board of Rights, a tribunal that ruled against Dorner at the time of his dismissal, LAPD Capt. William Hayes told The Associated Press Wednesday night.
Randal Quan retired in 2002. He later served as chief of police at Cal Poly Pomona before he started practicing law.
According to documents from a court of appeals hearing in October 2011, Dorner was fired from the LAPD after he made a complaint against his field training officer, Sgt. Teresa Evans. Dorner said that in the course of an arrest, Evans kicked suspect Christopher Gettler, a schizophrenic with severe dementia.
Richard Gettler, the schizophrenic man’s father, gave testimony that supported Dorner’s claim. After his son was returned on July 28, 2007, Richard Gettler asked “if he had been in a fight because his face was puffy” and his son responded that he was kicked twice in the chest by a police officer.
Early Thursday, the first shooting occurred in Corona and involved two LAPD officers working a security detail, said LAPD Sgt. Alex Baez. A citizen pointed out Dorner to the officers who followed until his pickup stopped and the driver got out and fired a rifle at them, officials said. One officer’s head was grazed by a bullet.
Later, two officers on routine patrol in neighboring Riverside were ambushed at a stop light by a motorist who drove up next to them and opened fire with a rifle. One died and the other was seriously wounded but was expected to survive, said Riverside police Chief Sergio Diaz.
Diaz said news organizations should withhold the officers’ names because the suspect had made clear that he considers police and their families “fair game.”
Dorner’s LAPD badge and an ID were found near San Diego’s airport and were turned in to police at early Thursday, San Diego police Sgt. Ray Battrick said.
(Copyright ©2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
New Changes Coming To Eastvale
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Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale
New tenants added to the Cloverdale Marketplace off of Hamner Ave. and Limonite Ave. is one of the many changes happening in the City of Eastvale in the next year.
By Sarah Armijo Eastvale – The City of Eastvale is growing tremendously, causing residents to notice more construction in the area. Here is a list of the many tenants coming to Eastvale in the immediate future and of the many changes that will be added to our beautiful city. Off Archibald Ave. and Schleisman Ave., The Marketplace at the Enclave will be expecting three new tenants. Many will be excited to know that a Starbucks will be opening, including a drive-through. A Jack in the Box will call this shopping center home, and is expected to open in April 2013. An AutoZone will also open, but an opening date has not been announced yet. In the Eastvale Gateway South center, a 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport will open in mid-May 2013. This 24 Hour Fitness is already under construction off of Limonite Ave., near the I-15 Freeway. Pre-Sale membership will begin about 60-90 days prior to opening day. Keep an eye out for updates On the north side of Limonite, two tenants will be joining the Eastvale Gateway North Center. The Joint Chiropractic will be opening near Chipotle, but an opening date has not been announced. Ulta Beauty will also be coming to this shopping center, taking up half of the former Borders location. Ulta Beauty will open in the Summer of 2013, according to the City of Eastvale Facebook page. Eastvales Facebook page also says that the Ulta Beauty superstore will feature over 20,000 beauty products across the categories of cosmetics, fragrance, haircare, skincare, bath and body products and salon styling tools. The store will also include a full-service salon. The Cloverdale Marketplace will be expecting three tenants and all are already under construction right now. In the Ralphs Shopping Center at Hamner Ave. and Limonite Ave., The Riverside Medical Clinic will be opening in Eastvale in May or June 2013. The Learning Experience, which is a early learning daycare center, is under construction and will open in May or June 2013. Waba Grill Teriyaki House will also open in the Cloverdale Marketplace in May or June 2013. Shakey’s Pizza is no longer a future tenant of the Cloverdale Marketplace. According to the City of Eastvale Facebook page, Shakey’s Pizza has pulled out of this location due to family medical issues, not due to a lack of desire to be in Eastvale. Another restaurant that will no longer be a future tenant of Eastvale is Smash Burgers. The information about Smash Burgers coming to Eastvale was released prematurely, before the deal was finalized. In the end, the Smash Burgers lease did not go through. Another change in Eastvale is that the Hamner Ave. widening project is experiencing delays and is now expected to be completed in May 2013, instead of April. Read the full story from the City of Eastvale on page 2. There has also been word about the new elementary school that is planning to be built next to Half Moon Park. As of January 31, 2013, The City of Eastvale’s Facebook page said in a comment that the Corona-Norco Unified School District is ready to build the new school, but the State of California has not released their portion of the funding for the project. They said they are waiting on the State before they begin construction. Lastly, construction on the Eastvale Community Park is expected to start soon. Phase 1 of this project is expected to be completed in 6 – 7 months, which will allow approximately 45 acres to be completed. The goal is to complete the park in time for winter sports.
Walmart Still Planning Eastvale Store
Photo Courtesy of Google Maps
Walmart is slated for the south east corner of Archibald & Limonite.
By Michael Armijo Eastvale- Walmart is still scheduled to come to Eastvale, but plans are still in the preliminary planning phase. If approved, it will be built in the South East corner of Archibald and Limonite, according to city officials. “Walmart has submitted a preliminary application to the planning dept. for a site,” said City Officials. “This is in the very preliminary planning phases and will still need to go through the Planning Commission and City Council.” According to Mayor Ike Bootsma, environmental impact reports (EIR) still need to be completed, and the planning commission needs to review and approve. “This could bring over $1 million in sales tax revenue to the city,” said Mayor Bootsma. “Residents will have an opportunity to review plans and offer opinions at City Council meetings before the project breaks ground.” According to local reports, this Walmart will be a 24-hour Super Walmart around 177k square feet, improvements will be made to area roads for accessibility, other tenants will occupy the location with Walmart being the only large anchor store, the building will be a “Green Store,” a part of their environmental plan to boost energy efficiency, cut down on waste and reduce greenhouse gases tied to global warming, which will be considered a nationwide “pilot store.” “Walmart purchased the property and they came to the City of Eastvale and asked for an application to build,” said Eastvale’s City Manager Carol Jacobs. “So this was all initiated by Walmart. Some cities make it an effort to try to draw Walmart to them, then they usually ask the city for money to help build the store, with the promise of sales tax revenue in return. According to city officials, Walmart has not asked for anything and the city has not offered anything. “They are going to need to do some environmental work, a general plan and zoning amendments,” says City manager Carol Jacobs.” Though Walmart and Sam’s Club regularly build in close proximity of each other, Jacobs says this location will be strictly a Walmart. This process will take about 10 months, and then it will be presented to the City Council. If approved by all necessary agents, Walmart believes it will open in 2014, according to Jacobs.
State Of The City Address Slated For April 9
![563085_427400673942172_1014124149_n[1]](https://anapr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/563085_427400673942172_1014124149_n1.jpg)
Photo Courtesy: Eastvae Chamber of Commerce
Jorge Razo at the 2012 State Of The City.
Staff Reports Eastvale – The Eastvale Chamber of Commerce has begun planning for the second annual State of the City for Tuesday, April 9 at the Eastvale Community Center. The State of the City is being planned by a committee consisting of representatives from the chamber, city, businesses and residents of Eastvale. This is an opportunity to share with Eastvale residents, businesses, and community leaders the future of the City of Eastvale. The event will feature a dessert reception and a formal program. Mayor Bootsma will deliver the State of the City address, providing insights on local development and progress as well as the impact of the current state and regional economy. “I am looking forward to presenting this year’s State of the City Address on behalf of the City of Eastvale,” said Mayor Ike Bootsma. “2012 was an immensely successful year, despite the many challenges we have faced. I am confident that 2013 will be even better still. It’s an exciting time in Eastvale and I am proud and honored to be a part of this great City,” added Mayor Bootsma. “We are excited to be able to again host the State of the City,” stated Chamber Board Chairman Jorge Razo. “This is just proof that the Chamber and City are accomplishing great things and succeeding together.” The Event Sponsor, Waste Management, has continuously supported the Chamber and the City over the past 3 years. Additional Sponsorship opportunities of various levels are available by contacting the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce. “This is going to be a wonderful event, and we are pleased that there is now a Community Center where we can hold the event,” stated, committee chairman, Daniella McClister. “When it came to choosing a location, the committee had no doubt that it should be held at the Eastvale Community Center. This is an event for the community and now that construction for the center is completed, holding it there makes the most sense, and it gives the community another chance to view the beautiful facility.” The Eastvale Chamber of Commerce advocates and represents business interests and issues affecting the community. The Chamber provides an environment which fosters a proactive working partnership among all levels of the government and community organizations. This partnership allows Eastvale to achieve a healthy local economy and quality of life. The Eastvale Chamber provides a wide range of community and member services. To get involved with the Eastvale Chamber, please visit: http://www.eastvalechamberofcommerce.org or call the Chamber at (951) 768-6000.
AK-47 Bandit Reward Increased Again
The reward has been raised again to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest of the AK-47 Bandit.
City of Chino Chino – A reward of up to $100,000 is being offered in exchange for information leading to the arrest of a suspect who shot and wounded a Chino police officer after robbing a bank last year and who has since been linked to additional bank robberies in other states. The increased reward and publicity campaign was announced at a joint press conference held by the FBI’s Assistant Director in Charge in Los Angeles, Bill Lewis; the Chief of Police of the Chino Police Department, Miles Pruitt; the Chief of Police of the North Bend, Washington Police Department, Mark Toner; and the Chief of Police of the Rexburg, Idaho, Police Department, Shane Turman. On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, the California Bank & Trust on 5455 Riverside Drive in Chino, California, was robbed by a white male, described as 25-40 years old, with a stocky built. The suspect was armed with an assault rifle, similar to an AK-47, with a sling and drum magazine. Following the robbery, a police officer patrolling the area came upon the bank robbery suspect who was fleeing the bank. The suspect fired upon the officer and seriously wounded him. During and following the robbery, the suspect wore body armor over a dark-colored collared short-sleeved shirt and blue pants, as well as a ski mask covering his face. The suspect was seen leaving the scene in a vehicle described as a dark gray Nissan Maxima with four doors and tinted windows. Prior to the bank robbery, a threat was called into the 911 dispatch center from a payphone in the general vicinity of the bank by a male caller. Investigators believe the suspect employed a diversionary tactic in an attempt to delay officers responding to the bank robbery. Since the Chino robbery and attempted murder of the police officer, the suspect has been linked to additional bank robberies and one attempt. The suspect is also believed to be connected to the March 12, 2012, robbery of the Bank of the West on the 1000 block of Helen Power Drive in Vacaville, California. He may also have been involved in an attempted robbery three days prior on March 9, 2012, of the Tri Counties Bank on the 1700 block of Challenge Way in Sacramento, California. The suspect is believed to have used the above-described Nissan Maxima in both the Vacaville robbery and the Sacramento attempted robbery. On July 6, 2012, a similar style take-over robbery occurred at the Chase Bank on Mt. Si Boulevard in North Bend, Washington. The suspect was armed with an AK-47 style rifle with attached drum magazine. He had a loud, deep voice with no obvious accent, and threatened to shoot the tellers if they did not hurry. The suspect carried the cash by hand as he did not bring a bag. A dirty, reddish-orange Jeep Patriot or Liberty was parked out front of the bank as a getaway vehicle. It may have had out-of-state license plates with a prominent blue stripe across the top. On November 7, 2012, a robbery took place at the East Idaho Credit Union in Rexburg, Idaho. At approximately 4:30 pm, the suspect entered the bank with what may have been an assault rifle and ordered the employees and customers into the vault. After obtaining the money, the suspect fled in a dark blue sedan with tinted windows and a red and blue license plate. He was last seen headed south on South Yellowstone Highway. Anyone with information about this incident or as to the identity or whereabouts of this suspect is urged to contact investigators at a toll free number established for this case: 1 855 9 BANDIT or send an e-mail to this address: bandit@chinopd.org. This suspect is considered heavily armed and dangerous and individuals who may come into contact with him are advised to contact law enforcement immediately and refrain from taking independent action to apprehend the suspect. Bank surveillance photographs of the vehicle and the suspect can be found at http://www.chinopd.org/. The FBI’s wanted flyer announcing the reward can be found at: https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov/robbers-container/2012-12-07.3681698452 Information can be provided confidentially. Billboard advertising has been donated to assist with the publicity on this case and will run digital ads with a bank surveillance photo, the reward offer and the toll free number for several days in the Los Angeles market, as well as other markets around the United States. The $100,000 reward is being offered collectively by multiple entities, broken down as follows. It should be noted that each entity offering reward money attaches a separate set of criteria that must be met in order for reward money to be paid. FBI: $50,000 City of Chino: $20,000 East Idaho Credit Union, City of Rexburg, Idaho: $20,000 California Bank & Trust: $10,000 This case is being investigated jointly by the Chino Police Department; the Rexburg Police Department; the North Bend Police Department: the Vacaville Police Department and the Sacramento Police Department, as well as FBI offices in each of the above-mentioned jurisdictions.
Task Force Catches Plastic Thieves
Staff Reports
City of Industry – Plastic thefts have been a major issue in California, but the Industrial Plastic Theft Task Force have been working hard to reduce the number of thefts in the LA County area. The Industrial Plastic Theft Task Force is a group from the City of Industry station who have dedicated their time to recover stolen plastics. They were formed in 2011 and are believed to be the only team of this type in the nation. Most of the stolen and recovered plastics are pallets, trays, shelves, baskets, and totes (collapsable crates) from grocery stores, pizza places, bakery industry, restaurants, beverage companies, and shipping and receiving companies. Once thieves collect the plastic, they take it to sites where it can be grounded and then sold to plastic manufacturers. “The plastic trademark products are often stolen from the loading docks behind businesses throughout Los Angeles County and the entire region,” said Sergeant Nabeel Mitry, Industry Sheriff’s Station Industrial Plastic Theft Task Force, in a news release. “Additionally, either employees steal the plastics themselves, or leave them in a place outside the business so their crime partners can pick them up,” Mitry added. Sheriff’s investigators are recovering property stolen from victims throughout Los Angeles County, especially the San Gabriel Valley, as well as communities in neighboring counties such as in the Inland Empire and Orange County. The Plastic Theft Task Force has recovered about $6.5 million worth of items in the past year, according to local reports. They have arrested at least 50 suspects in the past year and have located about 20 sites used to stow or grind stolen plastic. “The victims of these thefts are hard working businesspeople contributing products and services to their customers, as well as jobs to the economy. The enormous cost to businesses as a result of these thefts is ultimately paid by consumers through increases in prices for goods and services,”said Industry Sheriff’s Station Captain Mike Claus in the release. “Clearly, the enormity of the loss just in Los Angeles County could easily exceed $10 million dollars a year. I have been contacted by Los Angeles County and even worldwide global businesses who have made it clear that this is an epidemic that has never been addressed. These businesspeople are grateful that the Sheriff’s Department has taken a leadership role in addressing this issue and educating the public about it. While expressing gratitude, some business owners explained that their losses had been so huge, that had the thefts continued, they most likely would have had to go out of business.” “We will continue to find these stolen products and return them to their rightful owners, and the people responsible will be arrested and addressed by the criminal justice system,” said Captain Claus.
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