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La Mirada Weekly Crime Summary
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Weekly Crime Summary
November 29 – December 5, 2010
Robbery
A robbery was reported at the intersection of Gateway Dr. and Firestone Blvd. Two unknown suspects stole a purse from a stranded motorist.
Residential Burglary
One residential burglary was reported on the 13700 block of Valley View Ave. A television was taken. A suspect was taken into custody at the location.
Other Structure Burglary
Two commercial burglaries were reported this week. In both burglaries, unknown suspects smashed windows to gain entry.
One incident occurred on the 14600 block of Mercado Ave. Laptop computers were taken from Los Coyotes Middle School.
Another occurred on the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd. Cash and other items were stolen.
Sarega, Mowles and Jones Turn in Papers; DeRuse, Brown Join In
La Mirada~Andrew Sarega and Planning Commissioner Larry Mowles turned in their papers to city hall yesterday-for the La Mirada City Council race-joining Councilman Steve Jones who turned in his last week.
There are three remaining potential candidates who have pulled papers but have not yet turned them in, Councilman Pete Dames, Community Services Commissioner, Steve DeRuse, and attorney Paul R. Brown.
Candidate's have until Wednesday to turn in papers.
DeRuse indicated to the Blog last week that he would be filing any day now.
There are three seats up for grabs in March, with the big question being: Will Pete Dames run or not?
Incumbents in La Mirada usually having an easy time winning elections. If Dames chooses to run again, it could set up a showdown between Commissioners Mowles and DeRuse for the remaining open seat vacated by a retiring Hal Malkin.
UPDATE: Steve DeRuse and Paul R. Brown both filed their nomination papers today and have qualified for the election, according to city clerk, Anne Haraksin.
So far, of the six potential candidates that have pulled papers, only Mayor Pete Dames has not returned his yet.
Shooting on Freeway Leads to Death of Teen
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A minivan stopped just east of La Mirada after being fatally shot at on the 5 freeway. Photo by Tony Aiello |
Vehicle involved in shooting stops just east of La Mirada city limits
Santa Fe Springs~A car-to-car freeway shooting occurred around 9:40 pm Wednesday night at the 5 freeway and Carmenita Road.
The minivan hit by gunshots exited the freeway at Rosecrans Avenue and traveled east eventually stopping just before Marquardt Avenue.
John Estrada, 17, of Lakewood was pronounced dead a short time later after being transported to a local hospital. The other two victims in the vehicle in their 20's and 30's are in stable condition.
Police officers closed down the northbound lanes of the freeway between Rosecrans and Carmenita, looking for clues and evidence.
With essentially two crime scenes to deal with, on the freeway and on Rosecrans, deputies received assistance from the Lakewood/Cerritos and Pico Rivera sheriff stations and the California Highway Patrol.
Officials are still searching for a motive in this case.
Shooting on Freeway Leaves Teen Dead
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| A vehicle stops just before Marquardt Avenue after being fatally shot at Wednesday night. Photo Tony Aiello |
Santa Fe Springs~A car-to-car freeway shooting occurred around 9:40 pm Wednesday night at the 5 freeway and Carmenita Road.
The minivan hit by gunshots exited the freeway at Rosecrans Avenue and traveled east eventually stopping just before Marquardt Avenue-just west of the La Mirada city limits.
John Estrada, 17, of Lakewood was pronounced dead a short time later after being transported to a local hospital. The other two victims in the vehicle in their 20's and 30's are in stable condition.
Police officers closed down the northbound lanes of the freeway between Rosecrans and Carmenita, looking for clues and evidence.
With essentially two crime scenes to deal with, on the freeway and on Rosecrans, deputies received assistance from the Lakewood/Cerritos and Pico Rivera sheriff stations and the California Highway Patrol.
Officials are still searching for a motive in this case.
Use Caution This Rainy Season
A SUV lays on its side next to a rain slickened La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada this past Saturday
Two More Candidates Pull Papers With Intent to File
La Mirada~Two more potential candidates have entered the La Mirada City Council race.
Attorney Paul R. Brown and Andrew Sarega, police officer, both visited city hall Monday.
That makes six candidates vying for three spots-which could make this one of the most interesting La Mirada elections in recent memory.
There is one non-incumbent "open" seat with the retirement of councilman Hal Malkin.
Pursuit Ends in La Mirada; Surprises Neighborhood
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Officials comb the scene after two suspects were taken into custody after pursuit through La Mirada neighborhood |
Start of Pursuit Appeared to be in Santa Fe Springs
La Mirada~Last Tuesday around Noon, a pursuit by Buena Park Police and U.S. Marshalls ended in the City of La Mirada.
Just how did it end up in La Mirada?
"(Buena Park) Armed robbery detectives and U.S. Marshalls were investigating a strong armed robbery that occurred October 9th at the Coral Motel, 7891 Whitaker, in Buena Park," said Sgt. Cohanek of the Buena Park Police Department.
"Their investigation led them to Alondra Blvd. and Firestone Blvd (Santa Fe Springs), where they encountered a 1997 Toyota Rav 4 vehicle-believed to be involved in the robbery", he said.
"From there, the suspects immediately fled and a pursuit ensued, going on and off the 5 freeway, through parking lots, and a construction site", Cohanek said.
The automobile eventually pulled over without incident at the intersection of San Feliciano Drive and Castellon Road in La Mirada.
Arrested were Francisco Zarate, 35 and Valerie Gonzales, 25-residence unknown.
La Mirada Blog Facebook fan Jackie Stewart said, "They zoomed right passed the preschool I work at; it was lunch time and we had to rush the kids inside and go to lock-down mode. It ended a short time later by Neff Park. Everyone was safe."
Four Now in the Race for City Council
La Mirada~La Mirada Community Services Commissioner Steve DeRuse announced this past summer he would be running for La Mirada City Council.
DeRuse pulled nomination papers at city hall yesterday joining Mayor Pete Dames, Councilman Steve Jones, and Planning Commissioner Larry Mowles who pulled papers on Monday.
Potential candidates have until December 13th to file, or December 15th if an incumbent does not run.
The March 8th election scenario now has four city officials running for three spots- a rarity in La Mirada politics.
Ken Taylor, who ran two years ago, is not entering the race this time around according to his son Kenny.
Do you Follow the La Mirada Blog on Twitter and Elsewhere?
Feed provides instant LM News: Part of Network Following La Mirada News and Information
La Mirada~The La Mirada Blog Twitter feed available at www.twitter.com/lamiradablog offering exclusive news quips, announcements, etc. for the La Mirada community and surrounding areas.
Our Twitter feed often contains news we may not write a story on, and this is the only place to find it. You don't have to be a follower or even sign up for Twitter (we wish you would), to read La Mirada Blog tweets.
Just an example of what we tweeted recently: Buena Park police involved in pursuit that ends up in La Mirada; man splits his head open on Sunnybrook Lane after car he is working on falls on it; city council candidate race is set.
Council Filing Period Opens; Mowles to Pull Papers
La Mirada~With the mid-term elections behind us, we can now focus on the local elections, which will take place March 8, 2011-about four months from now.
La Mirada resident Larry Mowles, who this past June told the La Mirada Blog his intention to run for La Mirada City Council, will make it official this Monday when he pulls nomination papers at City Hall-on the first day of the filing period. Potential candidates have until December 13th, 2011 to file.
Three council seats need to be filled with the terms of Hal Malkin, Steve Jones, and Pete Dames being exhausted. The three ran a successive "togetherness" campaign four years ago, easily swatting away the competition.
Malkin has made it clear for over this past year, he will not be running for a fifth term as a council member. Steve Jones is expected to file, and Dames is playing his usual close-to-the-vest approach, saying all along, as least publicly, he is undecided.
Resident Steven De Ruse also expressed interest in the race to the Blog this past September.
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