Full Notification

*****3rd Update*****

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives have made an arrest in the triple-fatal arson fire that occurred on Saturday, April 25, 2015 in the 1200 block of Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte.

Significant video surveillance evidence led homicide detectives to the identity of the suspect vehicle, which led detectives to Suspect Roberto Fuentes.  The suspect, a 19 year-old male Hispanic, who resides in Baldwin Park, was arrested for murder and booked at Temple Sheriff’s Station.  He is being held in lieu of one million dollars bail. 

The vehicle used in the commission of the crime, a gold 2002 Nissan Altima, is being held for evidence.

Two victims located during the course of the investigation were identified as 18 year-old Carlos Jimenez, a resident of El Monte, and Destiny Aguirre, an 18 year-old female and resident of Azusa.  The identity of the third victim has yet to be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

Initial reports of a white, Silverado pick-up truck seen leaving the scene at the time of the fire was determined not to be related.

The suspect’s booking photo is not available for release at this time.

The investigation is on-going.

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.

Written by:

Deputy Amber Smith

Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

323-267-4800  
Website: http://www.lasd.org
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"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

*****2nd Update*****

Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a man that occurred today in the 1200 block of Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte.   

Detectives have learned that two additional victims have been located inside of the location.  The victims appear to be adults.

There is no additional information at this time.

The investigation is on-going.  

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.

Written by:

Ryan Rouzan, Deputy

Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

323-267-4800

Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.lasd.org
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Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.

"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Updated Press Release as Follows:

_________________________________________________________

Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a man that occurred today in the 1200 block of Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte.   

Detectives have learned that Temple Sheriff’s Station deputies and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded to a structure fire call.  The caller gave information that Molotov cocktails were thrown at the location which is a local business. 

When they arrived at the location deputies and Fire Department Personnel saw a man within the business compound and behind the heavily locked gates of the location, badly burned and trying to escape the fire. Despite rescue personnel’s efforts to rescue the victim he was overcome by flames and succumbed to his injuries.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The fire fighter who attempted the victims rescue suffered burns to his face and was transported to a local hospital where he is in stable condition.

The victim’s name is being withheld pending confirmation of his identity and notification to next of kin.

Witnesses reported to have seen a white “Silverado” pick-up truck leaving the scene at the time of the fire.  There is no suspect information.

There is no additional information at this this time.

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.

Written by:

Deputy Guillermina Saldaña

Sheriff's Information Bureau-Newsroom

4700 Ramona Blvd

Monterey Park, CA 91754

Office: (323) 267-4800 Fax: (323) 415-1748

Original Press Release as Follows:

______________________________________________________

DATE: Saturday, April 25, 2015

TIME: 5:28 AM

LOCATION: 1200 Block of Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte 

VICTIM: unknown gender

UNIT: Homicide Bureau – Lieutenant Lewandowski

NARRATIVE:

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide detectives are responding to the 1200 Block of Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte , to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a person.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

There is no additional information available at this time.

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.

Written by:

Grace Medrano, Deputy

Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

323-267-4800
Website: http://www.lasd.org
Follow us at: Text and Emails, LASD HQ: http://www.Nixle.com
http://nixle.com/lasd----hq-newsroom-shb-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Twitter: @LASDtalk https://twitter.com/LASDTalk
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ: http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
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LASD Photos : http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary Registry http://snap.lacounty.gov/

Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.

"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department