Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A crash took the life of a pedestrian early Tuesday. The crash occurred at Holt Avenue and Loronne Avenue just before 1 a.m. April 30. The pedestrian was found unresponsive, laying in traffic lanes. Despite efforts by paramedics, the pedestrian, only described as a man, died at the scene, according to the Pomona Police Department. The driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian remained at the scene and is speaking with investigators, according to the Pomona Police Department. Anyone with information about this crash is urged to cal ..read more

Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A 20-year-old Pomona man is facing one count of murder in a shooting death that took place less than a year ago, the Pomona Police Department said. Oscar Cruz was identified by detectives in the Pomona Police Major Crimes Unit who were investigating the murder of 43-year-old Alex Adorno of Pomona. Adorno was found suffering gunshot wounds in an alleyway June 4, 2023. Despite life-saving efforts, Adorno died at the scene. Cruz was located and arrested April 16. Cruz is being held in lieu of more than $2 million bail at the Inmate Receptio ..read more

Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A playground was incinerated April 7 and city officials are offering $10,000 leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Firefighters and police were called to Montvue Park, 1401 Cordova St., around 11:12 p.m. Sunday. By the time the fire was extinguished, the playground suffered extensive damage, according to the Pomona Police Department. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to call Pomona PD at 909-622-1241 or email ppdmedia@pomonaca.gov. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800 ..read more

Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Investigators took 17 people into custody Thursday and confiscated evidence related to illegal gambling at two different locations in the city. Numerous community complaints and anonymous tips led investigators to serve two search warrants, one at 825 East Mission Blvd., another at 1470 W. Holt Ave. During the searches, officers located slot-style and “fish game” table machines, a firearm and cash, according to the Pomona Police Department. Both locations were red-tagged by the Pomona code enforcement team. Any resident, or business owne ..read more

Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Pomona police detectives arrested a man March 21 accusing him of murdering a woman in February. First responders were sent to the 900 block of West Holt Avenue February 26 on what was initially described as a fentanyl overdose. A woman was found unconscious and with visible bodily injuries. Los Angeles County Firefighter paramedics attempted to revive the woman, but she was declared dead at the scene, according to the Pomona Police Department. Pomona police major crimes unit detectives eventually identified Tommy Ray Belin, 43, as a suspe ..read more

Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A crash late Saturday night killed two people at the scene, a third died later at a hospital and alcohol is to blame, police said. The accused DUI driver, Victor Siharath, a 36-year-old Pomona resident, was arrested at the scene after officers determined he was driving while impaired. He was booked on suspicion of felony DUI, according to the Pomona Police Department. First responders were sent to White Avenue at Phillips Boulevard just before 11 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Two other people injured in the crash remain hospitalized. Siharath ..read more

Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A brief audio recording was released detailing a woman trying to escape a driver who was apparently following her around town January 15. Once police caught up and located the suspect, he evaded officers for a brief time until crashing into another vehicle in Ontario. He failed to escape on foot after the crash and was taken into custody, according to the Pomona Police Department. Luis Puga, 31, was officially charged in court with stalking, felony evading, felony hit-and-run and attempting to remove a firearm from an officer, according t ..read more

Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Police announced the arrest of two men accused of a fatal shooting in town January 29. An investigation by the Pomona Police Major Crimes Unit led to the arrest of 29-year-old Armando Wardle and 28-year-old Mayan Ayala in connection to the murder of 35-year-old James Avila. Both men were arrested February 9. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office formally filed charges against both suspects with one count each of murder. Wardle was additionally charged with two counts of a prior felony conviction enhancement, being felon in po ..read more

Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Detectives are investigating a murder after a man was found unresponsive in an alleyway in the 900 block of East Holt Avenue on Valentine’s Day. First responders were called around 11:54 p.m. after being told of a man down. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics treated the man at the scene and transported him to a hospital where he later died from his injuries, according to the Pomona Police Department. The Pomona Police Major Crimes unit is investigating this incident. The Pomona Police Department did not specify the type of inj ..read more

Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A man was struck and killed by a westbound Union Pacific train Monday afternoon. The man was hit at the crossing at S. San Antonio Ave. and E. First St. January 29 around 3:45 p.m., according to Robynn Tysver, Spokeswoman for Union Pacific. Firefighters were dispatched 3:45 p.m. They were on scene within three minutes and cleared at 4:13 p.m., according to Christian Reynoso of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The victim is identified as 64-year-old Ronnie Swafford, a Black man. He died from multiple blunt force traumatic injuries ..read more