Early this morning, at about 2:45 am, police officers from the Irwindale Police Department initiated a pursuit of a stolen Honda Civic, which led them into the city of Azusa. Just as Azusa Police Officers arrived to assist the Irwindale officers, the suspect vehicle came to a sudden stop in the 800 block of N. San Gabriel Avenue. The driver, Jose Garcia, exited the vehicle and fled west into the adjacent, residential neighborhood. A female passenger was cooperative with officers and safely detained at the scene.
As officers surrounded the area to start searching for Garcia, the female described how Garcia, who is also her boyfriend, had fired a shotgun in her direction during an argument two days earlier, while they were at their home in the 800 block of N. Angeleno Avenue. The female said she was not struck by the blast, and didn't immediately report the incident to the police, out of fear.
With the assistance of the Irwindale Police Officers, our officers conducted an extended surveillance of the neighborhood, while pursuing investigative leads to locate Garcia's exact location. At about 10:50 am, Garcia was spotted by our detectives attempting to leave the area on a bike. The detectives quickly approached Garcia, detained him, and transported to the Azusa Police Department's Jail.
The detectives obtained a search warrant, and completed a search of the couple's makeshift residence inside of a residential garage. The detectives located ballistic evidence of a shotgun blast consistent with the female's allegations. However, the shotgun nor any ammunition was located inside the garage.
Garcia was later booked for assault with a deadly firearm, domestic violence, auto theft, felony evading of a police officer, delaying/obstructing a police officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and for not having a driver's license. His bail is set at $75,000.
The Azusa Police Department wants to remind anyone who is the victim of domestic violence that there are resources out there to help you get away from abusive relationships. Please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline's website or call them at 1−800−799−7233 for more information.