Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Two residential Burglary suspects were arrested on 01/05/2018 at approximately 01:00 am in the city of Diamond Bar.

Deputies responded to a call regarding suspicious males in the area of Golden Springs and Rancheria. After a search of the area, the responding deputy saw a male sitting in the vehicle that matched the description and detained the suspect. A search of the vehicle was conducted and revealed a large amount of stolen property along with burglary tools.

The second suspect was detained and arrested while on foot in the immediate area, his identification was later found in the vehicle near the stolen property.

Anyone who witnessed anything at that time and place is encouraged to call the station at 909.595.2264 or call the we-tip hotline at 800 78-CRIME.

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – Are you the type of person that cares what happens to their neighbors and community? Do you feel that it is your civil duty to report a crime or wrongdoing in your neighborhood? The City of Diamond Bar has a program in place that you may be a good fit for.

The Volunteers on Patrol Program in the City of Diamond Bar is looking for individuals who are interested in being the “extra eyes and ears” for local law enforcement. Members of the Community Volunteer Patrol contribute thousands of yours each year to help patrol the City of Diamond Bar.

The job of a volunteer is simple, observe and report crimes and suspicious or unusual activity; conduct vacations checks; report graffiti vandalism; keep an eye on school and park activities; and check on the general welfare of elderly and shut in residents.

Members of the Volunteer become a representative of the Sheriff’s Department, as well the city and county administration so it is essential that they maintain an image of professionalism at all times. Their appearance, demeanor and professionalism must be above reproach while serving in the program.

The Volunteer Mission Statement for the LASD Civilian Volunteers is be dedicated to providing excellent service through relationships that build trust, create a safe environment, and enhance the quality of life in the community within a “Tradition of Service.

Is this program for you? To become a Diamond Bar Volunteer Patrol member all you do is contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department by calling 909-595-2264.

By Anthony Saude

Paco’s Tacos had the glass front door broken in at approximately midnight on Saturday December 16 according to Juan the manager. “Whoever broke the glass did it just to vandalize the place, nothing was stolen or broken” said Juan. “We have an alarm so we we knew we had a break in when it was happening on Saturday night.” We were open for business and the glass was replaced in time to be open Sunday morning” Juan said.

Paco’s Tacos is a little taco shop with a large menu located on 1131 S Brea Canyon Rd in Walnut. It can prove difficult to find authentic Mexican food in the city but stop by Paco’s if you are looking for good food at an old school price. The service is friendly and fast, the food is very good and the menu selection has something for everyone.

It isn’t the first time that somebody has vandalized the Paco’s without stealing anything, “they just like to break the window and then they don’t take anything” said Juan. “We did file a police report just like we always do” said Juan.

If you have any information in reference to this please contact Juan or the Walnut/Diamond Bar sheriff’s station.

By Walnut/DB Sheriff’s Department

Diamond Bar– Rent prices in California have been skyrocketing this past year. The last thing anyone needs during these trying times is to lose money to a con artist.

The Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Department has offered the following tips when looking for apartments to avoid rental scams.

Finding an apartment can often be time consuming and emotionally frustrating. Time constraints and financial considerations can often place the apartment seeker in a vulnerable position where they can fall prey to Apartment Rental Scammers.
While Apartment Rental Scams come in a variety of schemes, they basically boil down to two types: Either the scammer has no authority to offer an existing apartment for rent or the scammer is trying to rent a fictitious apartment. In either case, the goal of the scammer is to get the victim to pay money upfront for a list of available apartments in the area or to arrange the rental of a particular apartment.
The following tips from Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information Page: Rental Listing Scams:
How Rental Scams Work
Scammers know that finding the right apartment or vacation rental can be hard work, and a seemingly good deal is hard to pass up. They’ve been known to game some vacation rental websites and bulletin boards. The take-away: when you’re looking for a rental, its caveat renter renter beware.
Hijacked Ads
Some scammers hijack a real rental or real estate listing by changing the email address or other contact information, and placing the modified ad on another site. The altered ad may even use the name of the person who posted the original ad. In other cases, scammers have hijacked the email accounts of property owners on reputable vacation rental websites.
Phantom Rentals
Other rip-off artists make up listings for places that aren’t for rent or don’t exist, and try to lure you in with the promise of low rent, or great amenities. Their goal is to get your money before you find out.
Signs of a Scam
Being savvy when you’re in search of a rental is well worth the effort. Here are some signs you may be dealing with a scam:
They tell you to wire money
This is the surest sign of a scam. There’s never a good reason to wire money to pay a security deposit, application fee, first month’s rent, or vacation rental fee. That’s true even if they send you a contract first. Wiring money is the same as sending cash once you send it, you have no way to get it back.
They want a security deposit or first month’s rent before you’ve met or signed a lease. It’s never a good idea to send money to someone you’ve never met in person for an apartment you haven’t seen. If you can’t visit an apartment or house yourself, ask someone you trust to go and confirm that it’s for rent, and that it is what was advertised. In addition to setting up a meeting, do a search on the owner and listing. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, that’s a clue it may be a scam.
They say they’re out of the country
But they have a plan to get the keys into your hands. It might involve a lawyer or an “agent” working on their behalf. Some scammers even create fake keys. Don’t send money to them overseas. If you can’t meet in person, see the apartment, or sign a lease before you pay, keep looking. What if the rental itself is overseas? Paying with a credit card or through a reputable vacation rental website with its own payment system are your safest bets.
How to Report Scams
If you find yourself the target of a rental scam, report it to your local law enforcement agency and to the FTC. Contact the website where the ad was posted, too.

Photo courtesy: Google Images

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – A violent auto accident on the 60 freeway left one dead and 5 injured on Sunday, November 26. The accident took place at about 3 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of the 60 freeway in Diamond Bar where the 57 and the 60 freeway intersect.

A 2001 Chevy Impala had been involved in a minor traffic accident that took place in the carpool lane and left the Impala disabled just prior to the fatal crash. The Impala was being driven by 30 year old Melissa Murga from Pomona. She had 3 passengers on board a 29 year old male, also from Pomona, a baby and a little girl.

The Pomona man had unbuckled his and the baby’s seatbelt to exit the vehicle after the Impala had disabled when they were struck by a 2013 Chevy Pickup truck that was driving at an unsafe speed. The man and the baby – 1 year old Anna Franco, were ejected from the car and the 29 year old Pomona man was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Melissa and Anna sustained serious injuries and the child escaped the nightmare with only minor injuries. It was reported that Anna is in critical condition at the hospital.

The driver of the pickup, John Swick a 32 year old Hesperia man, had Ashley Stevens also from Hesperia, a 31 year old female with him as a passenger. It was reported by CHP in a written statement that Swick had been driving at an unsafe speed when the truck rammed into the rear of the Impala.

Swick sustained only minor injuries while his passenger, Stevens sustained major injuries and was transprorted to a local hospital via ambulance. All of the injured parties were transported to a local hospital to treat the injuries they had sustained. Swick was arrested at the scene and there is an ongoing investigation into the cause of the accident. Nothing has been reported about if alcohol was involved in either of the accidents at this time.

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – The City of Diamond Bar is having a FREE event for youth ages 14 – 18 on Saturday December 2, at Diamond Bar City Hall, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar CA 91765, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Registration is required for this free event.

The event will give Diamond Bar middle and high school students a chance to see behind the scenes of local and state government from the eyes of an actual elected official.

What are the requirements to become and elected or state official? What does it take day in and day out to perform the job at the level it requires to do it competently? This event will begin to answer those questions and more. Diamond Bar youth will have the unique opportunity to learn from elected officials what it looks like if and when they decide to get into local or state politics.

This is the first year that the city of Diamond Bar will have this FREE event available as they look forward to the future of the youth in our city. The City sees it as a huge advantage for the residents of Diamond Bar as well.

Knowledge is power and the hope is that the youth become more interested in local or state government in the future. Think about it to have more qualified, educated and enthusiastic candidates running the local or state government is a win win situation for the city or state in the future.

Presentations, interactive exercises as well as lots of opportunities for questions and answers will be presented to the youth at this FREE event.

Participation in the event is FREE space is limited so registration is required so don’t delay get registered TODAY!! For more information or to register, contact the City’s Administration Department at 909.839.7013 or email asantos@diamondbarca.gov.

Photo courtesy: Google Images

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – It was 3 am on Saturday morning October 28, when two people were killed and another injured in a suspected alcohol related automobile accident on the 57 freeway in Diamond Bar.

The woman who was the passenger in the 2014 Toyota Corolla involved in the accident was identified on Monday morning as Paula Queiroz-Lopes age 24, a resident of the city of Diamond Bar. The driver, Eduardo Goncalves-Lins 28, a resident of Costa Mesa was fatally injured as well and died at a local hospital. It was reported by the Coroners office that Paula died at the scene of the crash that occurred just before 3 am on Saturday morning.

California Highway Patrol reported the pair were driving a 2014 Toyota Corolla, heading south in the number 4 lane of the southbound 57 freeway when the driver, Eduardo, veered off the right side of the road and crashed into a tow truck parked on the right shoulder. The Corolla came to a stop in the number 3 lane just south of Diamond Bar Boulevard and was rammed into by a 2007 Toyota Tacoma about a minute later. The impact caused the pair in the Corolla to be ejected onto the freeway.

The driver, Vicent Delavega 28, of Santa Ana crashed into the Corolla, then bounced off and sent the Tacoma careening into a 1998 Dodge Pickup that had stopped to help with the first crash, the CHP reported. The driver of the pickup was 35 year old William Blackburn of Covina who luckily wasn’t injured.

The Tacoma came to a rest on its left side, Delavega, the driver, suffered fractured ribs and bruises to his chest was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol is also suspected to have played a critical part in the Corolla slamming into the tow truck parked on the shoulder. The CHP is urging any witnesses to the fatal accident to please call CHP office Meddaugh at the Baldwin Park office at 626-338-1164 with any information.

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – The City of Diamond Bar will host its annual America Recycles Day celebration on Saturday November 4, 2017 in the parking lot of South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) from 9 am to 2 pm. So clean up your closets, your garage and the yard and bring the stuff you don’t need or want anymore while helping others in need and the environment at the same time.

Donations of Clothing, footwear and household textiles (towels, bedding, table linens and curtains) that you do not need or want anymore will be graciously accepted.

There will be environmentally safe disposal for e-waste and confidential documents. E-waste (short for electronic waste) would include your outdated or obsolete appliances or electronic devices such as Television sets, computers, keyboards, printers, cell phones, radios, and even your old hair dryers. It is harmful to the environment to just throw these types of products into our landfills. Confidential documents would include old tax forms, financial statements and medical records. With cyber crime on the rise you don’t want to just throw those documents in your trash can for anybody to retrieve for criminal use.

There will be a ton of information presented in an interactive way at environmental exhibits and displays. Fun arts and crafts booths will be there to help entertain the children all the while getting educated for the future.

Don’t forget to visit the City’s Environmental Services booth and the local waste haulers, utility companies and other organizations that are all about the environment. They will have a ton of information and giveaways so that while you learn about how to adopt a “greener” way of life, you are having a fun with the family at the same time.

Wait, there is more, you can take home some free garden mulch and a used oil recycling kit all you have to do is show up a little earlier. The kits will be handed out on a first come first served basis while supplies last. One member of each household attending the celebration will be given one free Oil recycling kit (funnel, shop towel, and reusable container) and up to two large trash bags full of mulch upon request. Tools will not be provided for you so make sure you bring your own to fill the bags with mulch and load it into your vehicle.

AQMD is located at 21865 Copley Drive. For more information, contact the City’s Environmental Services Division at 909.839.7012 or greendb@diamondbarca.gov.

Photo by Lorraine Perea-Martinez

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – More than 100 firefighters were dispatched to the scene of two brush fires. At about 4:45 am authorities reported that the forward progress of the fire had been stopped.

The fires were started about a half a mile apart early Wednesday morning in Diamond Bar. The fires were reported a little after 2:15 am, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The two fires converged on the 57 freeway and combined to burn about 15 acres all before nine in the morning. The fires started on the northbound Orange (57 ) Freeway in Brea and quickly spread to the Diamond Bar area.

Resident Lorraine Perea-Martinez said “the 57 freeway northbound was closed from Lambert to Diamond Bar Blvd during my morning commute”. “It took us 20 minutes to go from to get from the 60 fwy to Lambert on the southbound side” said Perea-Martinez. Perea-Martinez also said she heard unconfirmed reports from channel 5 news that the fire was started by a guy throwing flares out his car window”.

A statement released by LA Sheriff’s Department said that arson investigators were sent to the scene after a witness reported, “seeing a man wearing a white scarf around his face, wearing blue jeans and driving a black four door sedan.”

By the time the sun came up, the firefighters of Los Angeles County Fire Department had the blaze about 70% contained and by 9 am the brave men in red had it fully contained.

One of the fires charred 10 acres and the other about five acres. ”No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported. Anyone who may have been in the area of the fires that has any information about the case is asked to call the Los Angeles county Sheriff’s Arson/Explosives detail at 323-881-7500, or Crime Stoppers at (800)222-TIPS.

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – Sprouts long awaited Grand Opening is finally here, on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 the doors officially opened to the public. Sprouts is dedicated to making healthy living for less a staple in the in our communities and families. So, grab your reusable bags, prepare your shopping list and get ready for incredible values on farm-fresh produce, natural and organic meats, barrels of bulk food and specially priced grocery items. We’re making healthy living for less a staple in your community! The stores have natural and organic products alongside a lot of your familiar favorites. There are barrels full of grains, nuts and candy at bulk prices. Fresh fruits and vegetables abound, stop by the meat and seafood departments and pick up your main course. On those busy days you can stop by the deli on your way home and pick up something for the family. Don’t forget dessert at the Bakery, the kids will love you for it. Have a question about our natural meats? Just ask one of our trained butchers for a tour through our Old Tyme Butcher Shop, where we cut your meat any way you want it. Get More with the Sprouts Mobile App. Download the Sprouts mobile app to discover the Checkout Challenge rewards program, and explore a rotating selection of digital coupons that take our great prices to the next level. Click here to learn more. Stay in the Know and Save!Stock up on savings by signing up for our newsletters at Sprouts.com. We’ll keep you up to date on the latest mobile coupons, specials, recipes, health tips and upcoming events at Sprouts! Click here to sign up.Facebook Fan ExclusivesVisit us on Facebook for store updates, grand opening details and recipes. Click here to like Sprouts on Facebook.

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – LASD Deputies from the Walnut/Diamond Bar Station responded to a call regarding a man with a gun at the intersection of Diamond Bar Blvd and Fountain Springs Drive. The Deputies were able to apprehend the male suspect without any incident. Mark Hopper, a witness at the scene, said “he was driving down Diamond Bar Blvd when all of the sudden an unmarked police car sped past him on the road”. “The unmarked car headed straight towards a man walking down the street. When the man saw the car speeding towards him he put his arms out wide and dropped something on the ground”, said Hopper. Hopper said “I couldn’t tell you what the object he dropped was I just know he dropped something”. Yesterday reporters at OurWeeklyNews.com were contacted by Mary at Evergreen Springs Elementary School saying that the school was on lock down due to a deputy involved shooting. When contacted to verify the report the LASD deputy said that there was a call but there wasn’t any shooting. The deputies recovered the handgun at the scene. There weren’t any other reports about the man with the gun and thankfully no one sustained any injuries during the incident.

By Mireya De La Paz

Diamond Bar – Local, already delicious Diamond Bar restaurants will showcase their cuisine and attract new patrons when the City holds its second annual Diamond Bar Restaurant Week (DBRW). Last year’s overwhelming response led the City to continue the annual feast.  Beginning next week,  (October 6^th through the 20^th) local restaurants will entice your taste buds into trying their delicious foods. The event attracts people from surrounding areas and restaurants from all over the city get the chance to show off their new and most popular dishes.

Enjoy the special breakfast, lunch and dinner deals that the restaurants will be offering, but the catch is each place will be holding unique deals. So relax and enjoy “no dishes to do” or “no trash to dump for the day.” There will also be exclusive one time only deals, well at least until next year. Here’s how you can get in on this year’s deals:  There are no advance tickets or coupons to purchase.  Just walk into your favorite participating restaurant and order the “Diamond Bar Restaurant Week Special”. Or if you are the adventurous type, take advantage of the discounts and try out a new restaurant.

This is also a huge opportunity for restaurant owners to bring some new guests into your business. If you would like to participate, the signup fee is $100 that is used towards marketing and advertising efforts. This includes a dedicated website; streetlight pole banners, advertisements in local newspapers, magazines and bus shelters. Promotional materials include posters, window materials and giveaways. To sign up all you need to do is go to http://www.dbrestaurant week.com and click the “Register” button in the top right corner.  Upon signing up, restaurant names are added to the DBRW website and listed on all applicable promotional materials and advertisements.

Aimed at celebrating the diverse dining options that are available within the city limits, DBRW is co-sponsored by the City of Diamond Bar as well as the Regional Chamber of Commerce- San Gabriel Valley. The following restaurants are confirmed participants and will be offering exclusive deals during DBRW: B.R.B. “Bento Rolls Bowls”, Blue Sky Café, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Curry India Bistro, Cuisine of India, Dilliwalla Indian Kitchen, Encore Teppan, It’s a Grind Coffee House, King Bap, Mandarin Taste, Mr. G’s Pizzeria & Pasta, Old Chengdu, Paper Pot Shabu, Peacock Gardens Cuisine of India & Banquet Hall, Round Table Pizza, Snowy Village Korean Dessert Café, The Attic Restaurant and Playground, The Whole Enchilada.

For more information go to www.dbrestaurantweek.com.

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – A new mother “safe surrendered” her newborn son over to firefighters in Diamond Bar last week, authorities said Friday.

The woman first contacted Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 120, 1051 Grand Ave., Diamond Bar, via telephone the night of September 8 and asked if the station was a “Safe Surrender” site under California’s Safe Surrender Law, fire officials said in a written statement. Fire officials could hear the sounds of a baby crying in the background, the statement said.

Captain Michael Park informed the woman that all Los Angeles County Fire Stations are Safe Surrender site, his included. Capt. Park said that “the mother showed up with the baby later that evening, the baby looked to be in great health and was happy and active”.

“Following Safe Surrender procedures, the firefighters evaluated and transported the baby to local area hospital and notified the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.”

“The woman was issued an ID bracelet allowing her to reclaim her child within 14 days. Capt. Park says he the way he understands it is she can reclaim her baby with no questions asked but they don’t know how that part of the procedure works”. “If they bring them in with no questions asked they should be able to have the returned just the same”.

Capt. Park said  “This was first time any of the firefighters working that day had experienced the program in action and what a positive experience it was for the team, it shows that the program does work in discouraging mothers from abandoning newborns and prevents first responders from finding babies in worse. “DCFS will place the baby boy in a safe, loving home, should the mother decide not to return 14 days from the day of surrender.”

Captain Park said “Even with the safe surrender laws it takes courage just to believe that there aren’t any repercussions to walk into a fire station and surrender your child no matter what you are told”. “The mother said that she just couldn’t take care of the baby properly in her current situation”. “That is the definition of selflessness and the reason this law was created; she wanted what was best for her baby and knew he couldn’t get it from her”.

Under the Safe Surrender law, parents who are unable to care for newborns are able to legally leave their children at any county hospital or fire station within 72 hours of birth, with no questions asked, so long as there are no signs of physical abuse.

For more information, call on Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County, visit www.babysafela.org or call 877-222-9273.