News
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report
Weekly crime summary for La Mirada April 24-30, 2017
Notable Arrests- Male and female suspects were arrested for the armed robbery listed below on the 14000 block of Valley View. A male suspect was arrested for possession of narcotics with intent to sell on Imperial Hwy and Valley View.
Homicide- A victim was fatally shot near the intersection of Santa Gertrudes and Alicante Rd. Two suspects have been arrested on unrelated charges, and the incident is still being investigated for their involvement.
Robbery-Two suspects robbed a convenience store at gunpoint on the 14000 block of Valley View Ave. No injuries were sustained during the incident. The suspects were later arrested.
Aggravated Assault- During a domestic incident on the 15300 block of Tacuba Dr. a victim was assaulted and sustained non-life threatening injury to the head. The suspect was arrested for the incident. A victim sustained a gunshot wound the arm on the 15000 block of Imperial Hwy. Two suspects have been arrested on unrelated charges, and the incident is still being investigated for their involvement. The victim was treated for his injury.
Two Shootings in La Mirada After Pico Rivera Carjacking
La Mirada~Two separate shooting incidents occurred in town earlier today after a carjacking in Pico Rivera.
Two suspects still at large driving green SUV. We will have further shortly.
Get the latest including our live Pericasts on our Twitter feed here.
UPDATE: 18:30-04/29/17: Receiving reports that one victim from La Mirada shooting has died.
UPDATE: 19:15 04/29/17: Vehicle used in shootings has been found at Mayberry Park in Whittier, unoccupied, suspects still at-large.
UPDATE: 06:20 05/03/17: Although not officially announced, our sources tell us and we reported on Twitter the suspects, identified as 21-year-old Alejandro Lazo and 26-year-old Reyna Gomez, have been detained after the incident at the Budget Inn at the 5 freeway and Carmenita Road in Santa Fe Springs that evening. They were apparently shot, but not by law enforcement. A look at LASD records indicates both Lazo and Gomez have extensive criminal records. Both are expected to be arraigned Tuesday May 5th at 8:30 a.m. at Downey Superior Court.
OBITUARY: Mark “Pick” Pickering
Mark “PICK” Pickering
10/04/1959 - 03/23/17
Mark John Pickering was born to John T. Pickering out of Ojai, California and Dolores Flores from Merced, California. They wed at age of 16 and shortly after started a family. Mark is followed by his sister Kathy Wilkinson in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Brother, Steve Pickering also from Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Mark cherished family time, always would give his nieces and nephews, Derek Clark, Lynnette Pickering, Tyler WIlkinson, Bre-Ana Wilkinson, and Caitlin Pickering, “Life” talks every time he saw us. We couldn’t wait for them to be over so that we didn’t hear how bad we were messing up or what we could improve on. “You’re not wrong but you’re not right.” was his favorite for me. Over the years Mark and I, Tyler, had grown apart, and to be perfectly honest I hadn’t even noticed until my mom called me one day telling me he had went in for back surgery to get that squared away. It had been bothering him for years, it was about time he took care of it. It wasn’t until that moment, that it all started clicking and coming together. I suddenly could put action to all the words he said to me, I could see the way. While that realization is going on, I am half ass listening to my mom tell me to text him or call him he needs it, but not too much because he needs his rest and or is out of the room and doesn’t answer. Later that night I text him, “Thinking about you! Wishing for a fast recovery. Love you big guy!” Next day I woke up to that, “Thank you Doug and Heather for the flowers appreciate them”. I thought it was comical at the time. Now I think it’s sad because he didn’t know I was thinking about him. That how I realized how much him and I did have in common and the list goes on and on. It was too soon for me to let him go. He is gone, that I cannot change. But he is not forgotten. We are collecting pictures and memories of Mark, you can send them to drowsydwarf@gmail.com or share them here.
Northbound I-5 Alondra Boulevard/Freeway Drive On-Ramp Permanently Closed
La Mirada Resident Killed in Crash
Alexis Barragan of La Mirada, 22, was killed this past early Sunday morning after the vehicle she was travelling in crashed near Valley View and Katella Avenues.
The driver, Nicolas Sanchez-McCormick, 22, of Whittier was arrested on vehicular manslaughter and DUI charges. He was the driver of the vehicle and reportedly ran a red light.
Valley View Interchange Project Update
The northbound I-5 on-ramp at Freeway Drive/Alondra Blvd is now closed.
Motorists will now be detoured to proceed west on Alondra Boulevard, then north on Carmenita Road to access the northbound I-5 on-ramp. Heavy traffic and delays in the area are expected. Motorists are urged to use alternative routes whenever possible.
Starting Sunday, April 16 through Thursday, April 20 crews will be performing work in the median island along northbound and southbound I-5 between Artesia Boulevard to Alondra Boulevard. In order to complete this work, there will be partial lane reductions on I-5 and the northbound and southbound I-5 Valley View Avenue on- and off-ramps may be closed nightly between 7:00 p.m. and 5:45 a.m.
Pile driving and shoring activities are ongoing on the south side of Valley View Avenue. This work will be conducted weekdays during the daytime between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
PUBLIC POSTING: Committee Forming to Rename La Mirada High Softball Field After Jennie Finch
NOTICE OF PUBLIC POSTING:
The NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT is REQUESTING APPLICATIONS; FOR THE FORMING OF A COMMITTEE, FOR MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN EXPLORING THE NAMING OF LA MIRADA H.S. SOFTBALL FIELD.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BEGINNING APRIL 17, 2017 THROUGH APRIL 28, 2017 AND NEED TO BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN 2:00 P.M. ON THE LAST DAY.
PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO:
NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTN: MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT 12820 PIONEER BLVD. NORWALK, CA 90650IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL MYRA LOPEZ, FACILITIES MANAGER AT 562-210- 2030.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND ON THE DISTRICT’S WEBSITE at NLMUSD.ORG (ON THE HOMEPAGE).
Local Retailers Burglarized; Crime Continues to Climb at Alarming Rate in La Mirada
La Mirada~Last night, the Cabo Taco Baja Grill restaurant was broken into, but the thief left with no loot. Cabo’s owner told us the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. and told us security cameras show a male with a white hoody breaking/shattering the front door glass after attempting to use a crowbar first. Once inside, soon after, the thief flees when a motion detector activates an alarm. He attempted to grab the cash register.
This past early Friday morning, a thief broke into Sami’s Liquor located at Rosecrans and Valley View Avenues. Stolen was the entire cash register which contained about $200. However, Sami’s owner tells us the cash register itself was worth around $2000.
We have also received an unconfirmed report of a similar incident at Flame Broiler recently.
This past Saturday a truck was burglarized-in broad daylight- while parked at Creek Park. A Blog fan messaged us the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. She told us that after a short walk, she returned to her husband’s truck to discover the window smashed. Her purse was stolen and the thieves attempted to use her credit card a short time later at the Target in La Habra.
Part One Crimes (homicides, rape, arson, aggravated assault, thefts) continue in recent years, at an alarming uptick in town. In 2014 there were 724 Part One Crimes. In 2015 there were 923 and there were 962 in 2016, according to city staff reports.
So far in 2017, sheriff reports indicate a 20% rise in these crimes over the same period last year. If this trend continues, crime will have risen over 60% in La Mirada in a four-year period.
New Habit Burger Grill Opens in La Mirada
La Mirada~The wait is over and clamoring burger lovers in town will have a new reason to celebrate, as the La Mirada Blog has confirmed, The Habit Burger Grill will open for business officially Thursday, April 20th culminating a week of free food giveaways!
The new Habit Burger Grill, home of the popular, award-winning Charburgers that are always grilled over an open flame and made-to-order, is located at 14986 Imperial Highway site of the former Starbuck’s which moved across the street.
A handful of pre-opening events will take place, beginning with the first on Monday, April 17, where the first 200 guests will be awarded with a free Charburger, fries, and a drink during Free Burger Day at 11:30am and again at 5pm.
The next event, “Free Habit Day”, will take place on Tuesday, April 18, where the first 200 guests who arrive will be offered a free chargrilled meal from pre-selected menus at 11:30am and again at 5pm.
Lastly, on Wednesday, April 19, starting at 11:30am, the first 200 people who visit The Habit will enjoy a free chargrilled meal from pre-selected menus.
The more than 2,700-square-foot Habit restaurant seats 64 people and will be open Sunday 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. and Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m.
Better burgers are just the beginning at The Habit where the menu also includes hand-cut salads, grilled sandwiches including line-caught, sushi grade albacore tuna, fresh chicken and hand-fileted marinated grilled tri-tip, and sides including onion rings, sweet potato and French fries and tempura green beans.
Guests can choose from a variety of peppers, lemons, limes and sauces at a complimentary condiment bar to customize the flavor of their meal. Their restaurants have been serving the Best Tasting Burger in America exactly this way since the first Habit opened in 1969.
La Mirada Resident Dies in Cerritos Crash
Cerritos~A La Mirada resident, 58-year-old Ronald Franken, was killed after he was involved in a two-car crash this past Friday evening. His name was released this morning by the coroner's office.
The accident occurred at Marquardt Avenue and Artesia Boulevard around 9:15 p.m. in the city of Cerritos. He passed a few hours later at UC Irvine Medical Center.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. The condition of the passenger in the other vehicle is unknown.
Man Injured in Fight at La Mirada Movie 7 After Seat-Kicking Incident
La Mirada~A man was injured last night at the AMC Movie 7 after a fight started inside the theatre when a patron complained about another patron kicking their seat.
The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. during the 9:50 showing of “Belko Experiment,” a witness told us.
The witness said two couples began arguing in the back of the theatre and a fight ensued. At one point a female allegedly pulled out a “box-cutter” type knife and began stabbing the male victim.
The couple fled the scene and were caught a short time later when, “deputies conducted a traffic stop nearby and arrested the suspects on an assault with a deadly weapon charge,” said Sergeant Jason Cunningham from the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station who confirmed that the seat-kicking seem to spark the incident.
Cunningham said it is unclear whether the weapon used was a box-cutter or an actual knife.
Photos from the scene from a La Mirada Blog Twitter fan, seem to indicate a slash-type wound. WARNING: Graphic photos.
Afterwards, blood could be seen around the auditorium seats as witnesses assisted the victim, who was treated at the scene and released.
Latest La Mirada News; City Council Bypasses Sarega Again
TICKER: The old traffic signals from the 1960’s have been removed and upgraded at Imperial/Telegraph. Shabuya Restaurant looks like it’s about to open soon. The Habit Burger Grill also looks like it will be opening soon. Receiving reports Oxman’s Surplus may start selling guns. City reporting eviction notice will be served at the end of the month to marijuana dispensary at Green Hills Shopping Center South. It appears The Flag Man may have been evicted from his home at De Alcala/Valley View. The City Council is considering banning smoking in all La Mirada parks. K-Grill cuisine has opened at Roseview Center North.
Council Reorganizes
John Lewis and Andrew Sarega were sworn in as the newest La Mirada City Council members March 28th at the reorganization meeting after their recent election victories. The council elected Ed Eng as the new Mayor and Larry Mowles as the Mayor Pro-Tem. Sarega was bypassed for a third time, sparking a war of words at the meeting, with Eng and Councilman Steve DeRuse saying Sarega is “unqualified” to lead the city. Sarega, disappointed, said that the Mayor position in La Mirada is mostly ceremonial. Traditionally, La Mirada Mayors have “taken turns” being Mayor since the city was incorporated in 1960. The only other time a councilperson was bypassed, as far as we can tell, was Ken Jones in the late 1970’s.
La Mirada Jazz Band
The 8-Bit Jazz Heroes is a duo out of La Mirada that arranges and performs jazz versions of classic video game music. They’re currently booking about three to four gigs a week and have a residency every Wednesday night at Eqeko Peruvian Cuisine in Santa Ana. They are also working on their first EP. They just finished performing at BeachCon, a CSULB gaming convention. Check out their website and Facebook page.
Relay for Life La Mirada
The event will take place May 20-21 at Splash! Aquatic Center benefiting the American Cancer Society. The relay is partnering with Clothes for the Cause. This year they need as many donations as possible. Here is a link to their Facebook Event Page.
Where: IQ Air Headquarters at 14351 Firestone Blvd. in the parking lot on Saturday April 8th taking donations until 1:00 p.m. or call (949) 463-6061 for early Saturday pickup.
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