Tag Archives: Pomona Police Dept

Remembering Motor Officer Carlo Poggetto

Courtesy of Pomona PD

Pomona – Motor Officer Carlo Poggetto was killed in an on-duty motorcycle collision on March 11, 1957, while attempting to stop a vehicle. He was in the process of conducting a traffic stop when he observed another serious violation take place. As he attempted to catch up with the suspect, another vehicle turned left in front of him causing a collision.

Motor Officer Carlo Poggetto was involved in various youth activities and was a key figure in the construction of the Pomona Valley Quarter Midget Track in 1956, which was located near First St. and East End Av. Officer Poggetto saw the track as another way to get boys and girls involved in something positive in the City of Pomona.

The first official race event was held December 30, 1956. After his unfortunate death, the track was renamed the Carlo A. Poggetto Memorial Track on March 31, 1957, at a dedication attended by over 4000. In memory of Officer Poggetto, the first club race of the season was dedicated to him. When the Pomona track closed and the Orange Show track was created, the tradition continued.

Pomona: G.R.E.A.T. Campout Success

Pomona Police Department hosts over 300 Pomona kids

Photo Courtesy: Pomona PD

Photo Courtesy: Pomona PD

Staff Reports

Pomona – The Pomona Police Department in partnership with the Community Engagement Group, City of Pomona and the Pomona Fairplex, held the Annual GREAT Campout, the weekend of July 10-11.

The Campout was for Pomona residents, ages 9-12, who stayed overnight under the stars in a safe environment at the L.A. County Fairgrounds. During the Campout, activities and booths were used to promote responsibility, respect for others and positive decision making.  All campers were provided with a new sleeping bag, and dinner and breakfast were served by local community groups.

Activities during the event were sponsored by local businesses, individuals or local charitable organizations such as the Elk’s Lodge, Pomona Police Officer’s Association, Kiwanis, Western University, Lions Club, Partnership for a Positive Pomona and the Pomona Unified School District.

The event was chaperoned by Police Officers and selected citizen volunteers from the community, and provided a rare opportunity to bond with Officers in a relaxed environment – and win some fantastic raffle prizes.

If you have questions about this or any other community program offered by the Pomona Police Department, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at (909) 620-2318.

Pomona’s ‘Officer Robbie’ Retires After Impressive Career

Staff Reports

Corporal Rick Aguiar with Officer Robbie (Photo Courtesy of Pomona PD)

Corporal Rick Aguiar with Officer Robbie (Photo Courtesy of Pomona PD)

Pomona – One of the Pomona Police Department’s K9 Officers, Robbie, retired this past week after a very remarkable eight year career in service at the City of Pomona.

Robbie is a Belgian Malinois, who was born and trained in Holland before coming to Southern California to work in law enforcement.

Robbie worked with his partner, Corporal Rick Aguiar, and together the team holds some very impressive statistics:

  • 50 criminals apprehended
  • 15 guns recovered during article searches
  • $1.5 million in cash seized
  • 160 kilos of cocaine seized, valued at $3.2 million
  • 3 kilos of heroin seized, valued at $75,000
  • 81 pounds of methamphetamine seized, valued at over $1.2 million
  • 385 pounds of marijuana seized, valued at over $1.5 million

The Pomona Police Department’s K9 Unit will be selecting a new K9 partner for their newest team – a team that has some pretty big shoes/paws to fill.

Corporal Aguiar will continue to care for Robbie while he enjoys his retirement years, as partners for life.

Pomona: Pride Run Honoring Fallen Officer Shaun Diamond

Staff Reports

 

shaun-diamond-pomona            Pomona – On Friday morning, Dec. 19, recruits from the law enforcement academy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, along with Pomona Police Officers, participated in a Law Enforcement Pride Run to honor Pomona Police Officer Shaun Diamond, who passed away in the line of duty on October 29.

The Pride Run is a traditional event that occurs at the conclusion of a law enforcement recruit officer’s training at the Sheriff or Police academy.  It typically marks the final physical fitness exercise for the class.

The Pride Run began at 7 a.m. at the Pomona Police Department on Mission Blvd, and traveled past the Pomona City Hall, Public Library, through downtown Pomona, and returned to the Police Department.

Diamond – a 16-year veteran in law enforcement and a member of Pomona’s SWAT Team – was assisting in the service of an allegedly gang-related search warrant in San Gabriel in the early morning hours of Oct. 28 when he was shot from behind (from inside the house).  He was transported to the hospital in critical condition.  He succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Officers participating in the Pride Run did so with a heavy heart and a great sense pride, not only in their own accomplishments, but in remembrance and honor for their friend and colleague, Officer Diamond.

 

Pomona Crime Report

Staff Reports

pomona-policePomona – Following is a recent crime report for the area of Pomona. This information is communicated from the Pomona Police Department, and anyone with information regarding these incidents is urged to call the Department’s Detective Bureau at (909) 620-2085. For anyone willing to provide information who wishes to remain anonymous, contact “Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 or “We-Tip” 1-800-782-7463.

 

Armed Robbery: On Tues., Dec. 9 at 12:21 a.m., Pomona Police Dispatch received emergency 911 calls reporting the Denny’s restaurant, located at 1504 Gillette Road, had been robbed by three armed individuals. Three suspects entered the restaurant wearing bandanas covering their faces and brandishing firearms. The suspects then forced the employees and customers to give them their personal property and cash from the register. The suspects ran from the restaurant to a waiting vehicle, which was described as a teal or blue passenger vehicle. The suspects drove off in an unknown direction.

Marijuana Cultivation: On Mon., Dec. 8 at approximately 8:17 p.m., Officers were dispatched to #10 Tanglewood Drive in the Phillips Ranch area of Pomona regarding a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the residence. When officers arrived, they confirmed the strong odor and observed suspect Ou Longsheng, 33, from Alhambra, exiting the residence. Upon further investigation it was revealed that suspect Longsheng was utilizing the entire residence to cultivate marijuana. Officers recovered approximately 800 marijuana plants totaling in excess of 280 pounds. In addition, officers recovered sophisticated electrical and lighting equipment used in the cultivation process. Suspect Longsheng was taken into custody and booked at the Pomona Jail for Marijuana Cultivation.

Shooting Incident: On Sat., Dec. 6 at approximately 1:57 a.m., the Pomona Police Department received several calls regarding numerous gunshots from Club La Luna, located at 3220 Temple Blvd. Upon arrival, Officers located a shooting victim outside the establishment, and were advised the suspect vehicle had just left the location. The victim’s injuries were serious, but non-life threatening. A short time later, officers received information that a similar vehicle was involved in a rollover traffic collision at the off-ramp at the 10 Freeway and Fairplex Drive. The suspects caused major injury to an innocent victim – including the death of the victim’s dog as a result of the collision – and fled the scene on foot. Officers conducted a search of the area the located two subjects who were identified as the suspects. Officers also located a handgun in the suspect vehicle. Both suspects were arrested and booked into the Pomona City Jail for Attempted Murder and Felony Hit-and-Run.

Shooting Incidents: On Sat., Dec. 6 at approximately 8:15 p.m., Officers were on the scene of two separate shootings, one in the 1300 block of Scoville Avenue, the other in the area of Lombard Street and Barjud Avenue. Both victims were adult males and each suffered non-life threatening wounds. At this time, there is no suspect information or motive in either shooting, but the two incidents do not appear to be related.

 

 

 

 

Pomona: Fallen Pomona Police Officer

STAFF REPORTS

swat-officer-shaun-diamond

(Photo Courtesy: Pomona Police Department)

Pomona – On Wed., Oct. 29, the Pomona Police Department reported the sad news that SWAT Officer, Shaun Richard Diamond, 45, had died.

On Tues., Oct. 28, in the early morning hours, Pomona Police SWAT Officers, including Diamond, were assisting in the service of a search warrant in San Gabriel. Diamond was shot during this operation, and was transported in critical condition to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. He was surrounded by his family and members of the department when he succumbed to his injuries the following day.

At the direction of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau, 36-year old David Martinez – a resident of San Gabriel – was initially booked by the Montebello Police Department for Attempted Murder on a Peace Officer. With the death of Officer Diamond, Martinez’ charges will be upgraded. He is currently being held in lieu of $4 million bail. Suspect Martinez’ criminal history includes assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence.

Officer Diamond was a 16-year veteran in law enforcement, serving with the LAPD and the Montebello PD prior to joining the Pomona Police Department in 2006. He had been a member of Pomona’s SWAT Team since 2008, and proudly served the City in dozens of SWAT operations.

Diamond worked with the Downtown District Enforcement Team, providing service exclusively to the businesses and residents of Pomona’s downtown area. He was also a Field Training Officer, responsible for training new recruits from the academy. Diamond greatly contributed to many of the Department’s community outreach efforts, including K9 demonstrations, Special Olympics events, and SWAT demonstrations for local school children.

The Pomona Police Department states that they sincerely appreciate the outpouring of support from surrounding law enforcement, fire agencies, and the communities.

The Pomona Police Officers’ Association will be accepting donations on behalf of Officer Diamond’s family. Donations may be sent to them at 174 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona, 91767. Please include Officer Shaun Diamond’s name on any donations or correspondence.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.  If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

 

 

Pomona: Arrest of Attempted Murder Suspects

STAFF REPORTS

albertos-restaurant-pomona

Alberto’s located at 1925 W. Holt Ave., attempted murder scene. (Photo Courtesy: Yelp)

Pomona – On Oct. 4, the Pomona Police Department (PPD) investigated a gang related shooting that occurred at the Alberto’s Restaurant located at 1925 W. Holt Ave. During this incident, three of four victims were shot, including one of the suspects involved.

The suspect that had been shot was identified as Christian Miranda, 21, of Pomona, and according to the PPD, it appears that he was accidentally shot by the other suspect during the gunfire. Suspect Miranda was arrested on the night of the shooting and has been charged with four counts of attempted murder.

Through investigative leads the detectives were able to identify the primary shooter as Derek Sommer, 25, of Pomona, and were able to obtain an arrest warrant for five counts of attempted murder with a bail of $5 million.

On Mon., Oct. 13, the PPD received an anonymous tip that the suspect from the Alberto’s shooting was in the apartment complex located in the 1800 block of West Orange Grove Avenue. Patrol officers responded to this location and were able to locate and arrest Suspect Sommer without any issues.

Suspect Sommer is being charged with five counts of attempted murder with gang and weapon enhancements. Suspect Miranda is being charged with four counts of attempted murder with gang and weapon enhancements. Both Sommer and Miranda are known gang members, and Suspect Sommer is also on AB109 probation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Pomona Police Detective Bureau at (909) 620-2085. For anonymous tips, please contact Crime Stoppers (800) 222-8877 or We-Tip at (800) 782-7463. The Pomona Police Report Number is 14-111094.

Pomona: Jay Walkers Beware

STAFF REPORTS

 

JAYWALK            Pomona – Traffic Safety has been a topic in the news quite a bit lately. With the seemingly increased number of pedestrian and bicyclist accidents and deaths, cities are cracking down on the rules of the road that apply to everyone.

As the Pomona Police Department says, Be Safe, Be Seen, and Be Smart, schooling us with the encouragement of the “3 Es of Traffic Safety: Education, Engineering and Enforcement.” Pomona has been working tirelessly on their campaign to reduce collisions and keep pedestrians and bicyclists safer. They have deployed electronic message boards reminding drivers to be attentive with over 250 hours of messaging. The next phase is to enforce the teachings.

You may be aware of the recent “Three Feet For Safety” law that went into effect on Sept. 16, mandating motorists to allow at least three feet between their vehicle and bicyclists moving in the same direction, or slow down and wait until it is safe to pass. Keeping that safer distance in check will help to reduce the number of collisions.

We’ve all heard that pedestrians have the right of way, but there are rules for them, too. According to the Pomona Police Department, there were 79 pedestrian related vehicle collisions in 2013. These collisions resulted in 69 injuries and 3 fatalities. The causes of these collisions can be attributed to drivers not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks as well as pedestrians who unsafely walk onto the roadway, not conscious of their surroundings.

But we’ve all come upon the pedestrian that takes their right-of-way status a little too seriously. They cross in the middle of the street, and seem to slow down upon your approach. Sometimes they even look you in the eye, daring you to move.

Pomona Police investigators have concluded that some of our pedestrian related collisions were the cause of pedestrians disobeying a lighted traffic signal, suddenly running or crossing into the path of a vehicle, misjudging the speed and distance of a vehicle and alcohol consumption by the pedestrian as a contributing factor. UC Berkeley researchers have found that 30% of all pedestrian fatalities are related to improper street crossing.

The California Vehicle Code (CVC) prohibits pedestrian crossings at very specific locations, which leads us to the concept of “jaywalking,” or crossing between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic signals. Pedestrians do have a requirement not to cross a roadway that puts them in an immediate and dangerous conflict with a vehicle, and must use due care for their safety.

The Pomona Police Department says that now, pedestrians who suddenly walk or run onto the roadway, which can make them a hazard to vehicles, can be cited per the CVC. Pedestrians are also obligated, when they are not in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, to yield the right-of-way to all vehicles so as to not become an immediate hazard.

Remember: Be Safe, Be Seen, and Be Smart. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists all must take steps to ensure safety by following traffic signs, signals and rules.

If you would like more information about traffic safety, contact the Pomona Police Traffic Services Bureau at (909) 620-2081.

 

 

Pomona: Woman Abducts Son From Pomona Foster Care

STAFF REPORTS

Juana-Maria-Corrigan

Suspect Juana Maria Corrigan with abductee Joshua Saul Corrigan in an undated photo. (Photo Courtesy: Pomona Police Dept)

Pomona – The Pomona Police Department has issued a news release searching for a woman who recently abducted the son she abandoned last year.

Suspect Juana Corrigan gave up parental rights to her son, Joshua, when she deserted him and fled to Mexico. Joshua was placed into foster care and has remained there since the incident.

Corrigan, 21, of San Ysidro (and possibly Palm Springs), was reportedly evicted from her home recently. She approached the foster care home in the 700 block of East Third Street at about 5 p.m. on Tues., June 24, and claimed that she received permission from Joshua’s social worker to take possession of the child. The foster mother, who is reportedly related to Corrigan, became suspicious and did not acquiesce to the suspect. At that time Corrigan threatened to harm the child if she did not comply. Believing that the suspect would carry out her threat, the foster mother reluctantly released the boy. Mother and son fled the scene and their whereabouts are unknown as this time.

Juana Maria Corrigan is described as a female Hispanic, 5’8” tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Joshua Saul Corrigan is described as a male Hispanic, 3’8”, 45 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The Pomona Police Department is asking anyone who has seen the suspect or victim to call 911. Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to call (909) 622-1241. If you prefer to remain anonymous, contact “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-8477, or ” We Tip” at (800) 78-CRIME.

 

 

 

Claremont Woman Found Fatally Shot

STAFF REPORTS 

 

Pomona – Eloisa Salas Lara, 37, a resident of Claremont, was found fatally shot in the early morning hours on Mon., June 16.

 

Pomona Police responded at approximately 2:55 a.m. to multiple 911 calls reporting gun shots heard in the area of the 700 block of San Francisco Avenue in Pomona. According to the police report, officers located the victim in the rear area of a carport, and found that she had been shot several times. The Los Angeles County Fire Department pronounced her dead at the scene.

 

Lara did not have any identification in her possession at the scene, and the Coroner’s office has confirmed her ID. Police detectives are now trying trace her activities on the evening of the shooting and determine possible suspects. One resident near the carport allegedly hear the shots, and cars speeding away from the area at the time of the incident.

 

Anyone with information regarding this homicide is urged to contact the Pomona Police Department’s Detective Bureau at (909) 620-2085. For anyone wishing to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, or “We-Tip” at (800) 782-7463.

 

 

Pomona: Convicted Pomona Man Keeps Driving

STAFF REPORTS

 

Pomona – In what Pomona Police Department sources describe as a “habitual traffic offender,” Darryl Ursery has continued to drive on a suspended license despite being convicted of exactly that eight times since 2008. His arrest on Thurs., May 22, will hopefully end his reign of endangering others on our roadways.

 

Ursery, 46, despite his previous convictions, has continued to drive with a suspended license, and has been involved in two injury crashes within the last year, which led to the District Attorney filling criminal charges.

 

A Pomona Police Department report states the Ursery was involved in a traffic collision on April 16 that resulted in serious injuries to a 4-year old boy and his mother. Ursery lost control of his vehicle and collided with two other vehicles, and mother and child had to be airlifted to a hospital. His license was suspended at the time.

 

In August 2013, Ursery was also involved in a collision in Pomona where he lost control of his vehicle and injured four people. His license was suspended at the time.

 

According to the Pomona Police Department’s Traffic Services Unit, Ursery, 46, faces criminal charges of driving on a suspended license and being a habitual traffic offender, and is being held on $200,000 bail.