MONTEBELLO — A man died early Thursday in a crash involving his car and two big rigs on the Pomona (60) Freeway, authorities said.
The name of the man was not released pending confirmation that his family had been notifies, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
California Highway Patrol officials described him as a 42-year-old Los Angeles man.
The collision took place about 2:50 a.m. on the westbound 60 Freeway, near Garfield Avenue, CHP Officer Ed Jacobs said.
Officials said the Los Angeles man was driving a 2003 Acura in the No. 3 lane at an unknown speed when, for reasons that remained under investigation, the Acura rear-ended a slower-moving big rig driving ahead of him, CHP Officer R. Deguzman said in a written statement.
The collision left the Acura disabled in the No. 3 lane, officials said.
Following the initial collision, a 2009 Freightliner truck being driven in the same lane by a 43-year-old Ontario man struck the rear of the Acura, Deguzman said.
The driver of the Acura died from his injuries at the scene.
Officials shut down all westbound lanes of the 60 Freeway for nearly three hours following the fatal crash.
Officers from the East Los Angeles office of the CHP are handling the investigation.

MONTEBELLO — Coroner’s officials on Friday identified the man killed on the 60 Freeway as Jin Ku Kim, 42, of Los Angeles.
The crash, which involved a car and two big rigs, happened at 2:50 a.m. Thursday on the westbound 60 Freeway, west of Garfield Avenue.
CHP officers said for an unknown reason, a white Acura rear-ended a slower-moving tractor trailer. The Acura became disabled in the No. 3 lane.
The car then struck by a Freightliner. Kim, who was driving the Acura, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy was pending.

- Ruby Gonzales

MONTEBELLO — A fire tore through a a Spruce Street home Friday afternoon, officials said.
The fire was reported about 12:30 p.m. at a back house in the 1300 block of South Spruce Street, Montebello Fire Department officials said.
Firefighters found the home fully involved with flames on arrival.
An dollar-value estimate of the damage was not available, and the cause remained under investigation.
No injuries were reported.

LOS ANGELES — A Montebello doctor accused of molesting eight female patients between 2007 and 2011 will stand trial, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Dr. Arturo Vargas, 42, appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court for his preliminary hearing, in which a judge determined sufficient evidence had been presented to order Vargas to stand trial on 23 charges, court officials said.
He is scheduled to return to court Feb. 19 for an arraignment hearing.
Vargas is charged with multiple counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object, sexual battery by fraud and sexual exploitation by a physician.
Montebello police began investigating Vargas after a female patient he treated at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices, 1550 Town Center Drive in Montebello, reported being molested by him during an examination in July of 2011. Investigators arrested him
After word of Vargas’ Jan. 2, 2012, arrest became public, seven additional women came forward to report being sexually assaulted by Vargas, according to Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Martha Carrillo.
The alleged crimes took place both at the Montebello medical office, as well as at other Los Angeles County facilities, authorities allege.
Vargas was released hours after his initial arrest in January of 2012 after posting $200,000 bail, officials said.
Following his re-arrest Feb. 6, Vargas was released from jail the following day after posting $925,000 bail.
If convicted as charged, Vargas faces up to 104 years in state prison.

MONTEBELLO — Rescuers rushed to help after receiving a call of a woman going into labor on a sidewalk Saturday, but the impatient baby girl was already waiting to greet them when they arrived, officials said.
Officials received a 9-1-1 call shortly before 9 a.m. reporting a Pico Rivera woman in her late-30s had gone into labor on sidewalk at Beverly Boulevard and Taylor Avenue, Montebello police Capt. Brad Keller said.
Police arrived first, however the baby did not wait for their arrival, according to the captain. She had already been born.
Officers stood by until paramedics arrived and took the new mother and infant to a hospital, Keller said. Both were believed to being doing well.

MONTEBELLO — Investigators sought a man for questioning Thursday after his roommate was discovered fatally stabbed in their house, authorities said.
The body of Carmen King, 63, was found shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday at a house in the 600 block of North 20th Street, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Emelio Martinez, 51, was a ‘person of interest’ in the slaying of his roommate, whose body was discovered by a family member who went to the home to check on the woman, Lt. Holly Francisco of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said. The Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau is assisting Montebello police in the investigation.
“She hadn’t been heard from in couple days,” Francisco said.
King had been stabbed multiple times in the “upper torso,” Francisco said. Detectives declined to discuss what type of weapon was used or whether it was recovered at the scene.
Detectives have been unable to locate King’s roommate since the body was found, officials said.
“We want to talk to Emilio Martinez, who we believe probably had last contact with the victim,” Francisco said. But investigators stopped short of labeling Martinez a suspect in the killing.
Also missing was the King’s car, the lieutenant said. It was described as a burgundy 2000 Dodge Stratus with a California license plate number of 4JMC641.
Other than being roommates, the relationship between Martinez and the dead woman was not clear, officials said.
It was also not known Thursday exactly how long King had been dead before her body was discovered, Francisco said.
An autopsy was pending, Winter said.
King was believed to have been working as a caretaker for an elderly resident of the home who died of natural causes earlier this month, Francisco said. Nothing criminal was suspected in that death.
No information was available regarding Martinez’s employment or past.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Anyone who spots Martinez or King’s Dodge Stratus was advised not to approach him, but to call 9-1-1 immediately.

MONTEBELLO — The search continued Thursday for a “person of interest” following stabbing death of his 63-year-old girlfriend inside the Montebello home they shared, authorities said.
Emelio Martinez, 51, remained unaccounted for following the Feb. 20 discovery of the body of his roommate Carmen King Feb. 20 at the couple’s home in the 600 block of North 20th Street, Lt. Holly Francisco of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said.
An autopsy determined she died from multiple stab wounds and the death was ruled a homicide, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Though detectives have wanted to talk to Martinez since the killing, they have been unable to find him, Francisco said.
But the lieutenant stopped short of calling Martinez a suspect in the slaying.
“We just believe he’s probably the last person who had contact with her,” she said.
Francisco added that investigators were not seeking any other persons of interest in the case.
Martinez was believed to have family members in other countries, however Francisco declined to elaborate further.
Missing from King’s home when a family members discovered her body just before 6 p.m. Feb. 20 was King’s car, which officials described as a burgundy 2000 Dodge Stratus with a California license plate number of 4JMC641.
It was not clear exactly how long King’s body may have been there before it was discovered, however she was seen alive on Feb. 17, Winter said.
King was the caretaker of an elderly resident of the home who died of natural causes earlier in the month, officials said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

PHOTO of Emelio Martinez courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

MONTEBELLO — A man accused of ambushing and fatally shooting his 24-year-old wife early Saturday when she showed up for work at a Washington Boulevard restaurant turned himself in to police in Whittier Sunday, authorities said.
Arthur Andrade Jr., 29, of Tustin, arrived at the Whittier Police Department shortly after 2 a.m. and turned himself in, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Rich Pena and county booking records. He was booked on suspicion of murder in the slaying of Sonia Esperanza of East Los Angeles
The couple was in the process of getting a divorce, and Esperanza had obtained a restraining order against her husband, Lt. John Corina of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said.
The shooting took place about 8:15 a.m. in the parking lot of Chago Ahogados, on Washington Boulevard at 4th Street, sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
It was not clear if Andrade followed Esperanza to work, or perhaps waited nearby until she arrived, but he confronted her while she was still sitting in her Ford Focus in restaurant’s parking lot, Corina said.
“An argument ensues,” he said. “He pulls out a gun and shoots her.”
Esperanza was struck several times in the head and upper body, Corina said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Andrade fled the area in a dark-colored car, possibly a Ford Mustang, according to Montebello police and sheriff’s officials. The car was last seen heading east on Washington Boulevard.
Though still married, Esperanza was in the process of getting a divorce from her husband, Corina said.
She had obtained a restraining order against him, alleging that he had been “assaultive” toward her, the lieutenant said.
Investigators Saturday announced they were seeking Andrade as a suspect in the killing and released his photograph to the media.
The gun used in the killing had not been located Sunday, officials said.
Andrade was scheduled to appear in East Los Angeles Superior Court for arraignment Tuesday.
Anyone with information can reach the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

PHOTO of Arthur Andrade Jr. Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

MONTEBELLO — A 15-year-old Montebello boy suffered minor injuries Saturday in a shooting in a residential neighborhood, police said.
The attack took place about 2:50 p.m. as the teen was walking in the 400 block of N. Poplar Avenue, Montebello police Lt. Rick Rojas said.
The motive and circumstances of the shooting remained under investigation, the lieutenant said.
The teen, who suffered a grazing wound to the upper body in the shooting, provided little information to investigators, Rojas said. “He’s not being real cooperative.”
Police described the shooter as a man in his 20s or 30s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and of thin build. He wore blue jeans, a blue hat and a blue shirt which he used to cover his face.
Officers searched the area, however the attacker was not found.

MONTEBELLO — A task force made comprised of both local and federal law enforcement officers took part in a large sweep targeting gangs in Montebello early Wednesday, culminating a lengthy investigation that has resulted in the arrest of multiple murder suspects, authorities said.
Agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms joined Montebello police and other agencies in Wednesday’s raids, which came at the end of an investigation that’s been underway for several years, Montebello police Lt. Luis Lopez said.
Further details of the operation were to be released at a press conference late Wednesday morning.

MONTEBELLO — A man died early Friday following a struggle with Montebello police officers, officials said.
The name of the man was not released pending confirmation that his family had been notified, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said. He was initially described as a Montebello man in his 40s, though it was unclear if he lived at the home where the incident unfolded.
He died at a hospital just under an hour after the incident, which took place about 12:15 a.m. in the 1000 block of Carob Way, just south of Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call when they encountered the man, Winter said.
“He was hostile,” Winter said. “They restrained him. While restrained, he became unconscious.”
The man was taken to Beverly Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:12 a.m., he said.
No further information was released.
Montebello police deferred all comments to the sheriff’s department.
By late Friday morning, a few pieces of medical supplies such as alcohol swabs discarded on a front lawn were the only signs of the incident.
No one answered the doors at a duplex that sits behind the yard.
Neighbor Jose Jimenez, 48, who is blind, said he heard what sounded like five male voices yelling before police arrived.
Another neighbor, Rosario Silva, 60, said from her apartment, she heard police yelling repeatedly for someone to show them his hands.
“They repeated it many times,” she said, adding that she estimated the officers repeated the command about 10 times.
Silva said she did not see what occurred between the man and police officers.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau are spearheading the investigation, and anyone with information was encouraged to contact the bureau at 323-890-5500.

MONTEBELLO — A man robbed a Montebello donut shop early Tuesday and is suspected of robbing the same shop last week, authorities said.
The most recent crime took place about 1:45 a.m. at Sunshine Donuts, 201. E. Beverly Boulevard, Montebello police Lt. Michael Bergman said.
The robber entered the store and motioned as if he had a handgun, though no gun was seen, the lieutenant said.
He threatened to kill the employee and demanded money, Bergman said. He fled without about $40.
Police described the robber as a Latino man in his mid-20s with a his right arm sleeved with tattoos. He wore a white cap, a black T-shirt and black sunglasses.
Bergman said the man was beleived to be the same robber who held up the donut shop last week.
According to police logs, a robbery was reported at the same location about 1:55 a.m. July 8. Further details were not immediately available.

MONTEBELLO — A 39-year-old Carson man was killed Wednesday when his motorcycle hit a truck Wednesday afternoon.
Francisco Estrada Jr. died at the scene of the 1:38 p.m. crash in the 6900 block of Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Larry Dietz said..
Montebello police Sgt. Larry Jackson said a Penske truck was backing into the westbound lanes to enter a business.
Estrada, who was westbound on Washington Boulevard ,collided with the side of the truck, he added.
The rider died at the scene.

MONTEBELLO — Homicide detectives are investigating after human remains were discovered along Lincoln Avenue Wednesday, officials said.
The discovery was reported along the Rio Hondo riverbed adjacent to the 900 block of East Lincoln Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s and Montebello police officials said. The find was reported by a bicyclist early Wednesday afternoon.
Montebello police Lt. Michael Bergman said the remains, initially described as skeletal and “minimal.”
The remains had been there “some time,” Lt. Dave Dolson of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said. A more specific time frame was not available.
The bones had been scattered, apparently by animals, Dolston added.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau were helping Montebello police with the investigation, and anyone with information was asked to contact the bureau at 323-890-5500.

MONTEBELLO — A man died after his motorcycle struck a light pole along Montebello Boulevard late Thursday, officials said.
Nicholas Andrew Hovermale, 22, of Montebello died in the crash, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
He was southbound on Montebello Boulevard, just south of Liberty Avenue, shortly after 10:30 p.m. when the crash occurred, Montebello police Lt. Mike Flores said.
“He appeared to have lost control and collided with a light pole,” Flores said.
Paramedics pronounced Hovermale dead at the scene, officials said.
The investigation was ongoing.

MONTEBELLO — A man was hit and killed by an Amtrak train Thursday night.
The fatal collision happened at 7:26 p.m. around Sycamore Street and Carob Way.
Coroner’s officials said it was reported as a suicide.
It appears the man lay down on the tracks, according to Montebello Police Lt. Kelly Gordon.
Amtrak notified Montebello police.
Gordon said the case is being handled by Amtrak police and the coroner’s office.
The man was still unidentified as of Friday morning.

- Ruby Gonzales

INDUSTRY — A Montebello man died late Friday after he was struck by two vehicles while trying to cross the 60 Freeway after the car he was riding in broke down, authorities said.
Roger Reyna, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos said.
The collision was first reported about 8:40 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the 60 Freeway, just east of Crossroads Parkway in Industry, CHP Officer Patrick Kimball said.
Prior to being struck, Reyna was a passenger in a car being driven by his mother that had broken down on the eastbound side of the freeway, Villalobos said. He exited the vehicle to seek help, and attempted to cross the freeway.
“He crossed all lanes of the eastbound 60 and was crossing the westbound lanes when he was struck by a vehicle in the No. 6 lane,” Villalobos said. “He was subsequently struck by a second vehicle in the No. 6 lane.”
A 27-year-old La Puente man who was driving the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche that first struck Reyna, as well as a 50-year-old Corona man who was driving the 19988 Acura TL that struck the man afterward remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, Villalobos said. No arrests or citations were made as the incident remained under investigation.
CHP logs indicated a caller reported seeing a man walking along the side of the road at 8:38 p.m. One minute later, it was reported that the man was seen near the center divider.
A CHP officer arrived on-scene at 8:40 p.m., but the man — later identified as Reyna — has already been fatally struck, logs show.
Officials issued a Sig Alert for the three right-hand lanes of the westbound 60 Freeway for more than an hour as they investigated the scene.

- Brian Day and Ruby Gonzales

MONTEBELLO – Police sounded the all clear Friday after investigating a telephoned bomb threat at the Shops at Montebello, authorities said.
The incident began just after 11 a.m., when Montebello police received a call on the station’s non-emergency line and made a bomb threat against the Shops at Montebello, Montebello police Lt. Mike Flores said.
The caller stated that there were “four explosives set to go off at 5 p.m.,” the lieutenant said.
With help from Monterey Park police and Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, Montebello police searched the mall, which remained open.
“We searched the entire premises. We were unable to locate any suspicious packages,” Flores said.
Officials deemed the mall safe about 1:45 p.m.
It was not clear if the threat was related to three similar ones made to Temple City schools over the past three days, Flores added. But the possibility was under investigation.

Coroner’s officials Wednesday released composite sketches of a man whose skeletal remains were found in a Rio Hondo riverbed in Montebello in late July in hopes of determining his identity.
A bicyclist first reported finding bones about 11 a.m. July 29 in the riverbed adjacent to the 900 block of East Lincoln Avenue, according to Montebello police officials and Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators, who are assisting Montebello police with the investigation.
The skeletal remains were determined to be human, and authorities launched a death investigation, according to Lt. David Coleman of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.
After two months of investigation, the man’s name remained a mystery, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said in a written statement.
“The remains were determined to be a white or Hispanic male with an age range between 35 and 55 years of age,” Harvey said. “He has a partial denture at the back of his lower right jaw. No wallet or other identifying papers were found with him or in the surrounding area.”
The skeletal remains had been scattered in the riverbed, apparently by animals, Coleman said.
Information regarding the man’s cause of death or the length of time he may have been dead was not available.
Anyone with information was asked to contact coroner’s Investigator Daniel Machian at 323-343-0754. The Coroner’s Investigations Division can be reached 24 hours a day at 323-343-0714.

This comes from a Department of Coroner press release issued Wednesday morning:

The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner is seeking the public’s help with the identification of an unidentified male.
On July 31, 2013 at approximately 11:00 A.M., human skeletal remains were found along the Rio Hondo Riverbed bike path near Lincoln Avenue and San Gabriel Boulevard in Montebello, CA. The remains were determined to be a White or Hispanic male with an age range between 35 and 55 years of age. He has a partial denture at the back of his lower right jaw. No wallet or other identifying papers were found with him or in the surrounding area.

There’s two sketches included with the press release. This is the one that’s most telling.

Know who it is? Call the LA County Coroner at 323-343-0714.