Los Angeles, Ca
Southern California woman killed by rock smashing through windshield on highway identified
A woman who was killed by a rock that was thrown at her windshield on a Southern California highway was identified as the search for a suspect continues.
On Oct. 8, Sarina Rodriguez, 25, and her boyfriend were on their way home to Lancaster. They were driving on Highway 138, just east of Highway 18 in the Antelope Valley area at around 12:10 a.m.
Franko Martinez recalls the frantic moment he heard a popping sound and noticed Sarina, who was driving at the time, suddenly fall unconscious.
Thinking quickly, he immediately grabbed the steering wheel to stop the car. He then spotted a hole in their windshield.
Somewhere along the highway, a suspect had launched a rock toward their windshield which smashed through the glass, instantly killing Sarina.
After pulling over, Martinez called the authorities and, despite searching the area, no suspects were found.
At the moment the rock was launched, Martinez noted there was another vehicle passing them by in the opposite direction.
“Before we got to the bend, a vehicle with headlights came and then [I heard] a pop noise,” he told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson.
It remains unclear where the rock was initially thrown from — whether it came from a passing vehicle or from someone on the side of the road.
Just two days earlier on Oct. 6, another driver also reported being struck by a rock that smashed through their windshield, injuring two people. The incident happened in the same area and late at night at around 11:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station told KTLA that a suspect, Alexander Veloz, was arrested for allegedly throwing rocks at traffic on the same morning Sarina was killed.
However, investigators note it’s unclear whether he is related to either Sarina’s case or the Oct. 6 incident. He was also arrested near Avenue F and Sierra Highway which was located over 40 miles from where Sarina was targeted.
The woman’s family remains heartbroken as they remember a loving daughter and sister who brightened their days with her lively spirit.
“She was just so happy,” said Sylvia Perez, Sarina’s sister. “My sister was full of life.”
“She was a lot of joy,” said Danny Rodriguez, Sarina’s father.
Her friends and family are left with many unanswered questions. Most importantly, they’re hoping the suspect who is responsible for her death will be caught soon.
“I just want to see justice,” said Danny.
“She is something that we can never get back,” said George Rodriguez, Sarina’s brother. “I really hope they find this [suspect].”
Her family plans to honor her memory by placing a large wooden cross near the spot where she lost her life.
“Please inform the authorities of any suspicious activity in the area because it’s time to catch this person,” a loved one said.
“Given these recurring incidents, the California Highway Patrol Southern Division Major Crimes Unit and the CHP Antelope Valley Area are actively investigating these incidents and are seeking assistance from the community,” detectives said.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the California Highway Patrol at 323-259-3200.
Los Angeles, Ca
Vehicle, 2 occupants plunge into crowded Southern California harbor
Two people were taken to the hospital after a vehicle they were inside plunged into the harbor Sunday night in Marina Del Rey, officials confirmed to KTLA.
Details are limited and It’s unclear exactly how the incident occurred, but authorities with the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to 4675 Admiralty Way just after 6 p.m. on reports of the vehicle in the water.
L.A. County Fire Department Public Information Officer Marco Rodriguez said the two occupants were able to get themselves out of the vehicle after it went into the water.
Both were examined by medical personnel with the fire department and taken to a nearby hospital in unknown condition.
Rodriguez said that two L.A. County Lifeguard divers were deployed to ensure there were no other occupants trapped in the vehicle.
A witness, Johnny Hamcheck, told KTLA that a third person, a woman, exited the vehicle before it went into water, though officials did not confirm that detail.
Footage of the recovery effort showed crews attaching large yellow floating devices to the vehicle as it was anchored to a crane and eventually pulled out of the water and loaded onto a tow truck.
The vehicle showed heavy front-end damage, presumably from crashing through the steel railing and into the water.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing and no further details were provided.
Los Angeles, Ca
Armed robbers hit couple in broad daylight on high-end Beverly Hills street
Two people were hospitalized after a broad daylight armed robbery on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills Sunday, police confirmed to KTLA.
Officers with the Beverly Hills Police Department responded to the 400 block of North Rodeo Drive, at the intersection of Brighton Way just before 1:30 p.m. on reports of the incident.
According to a BHPD news release, a man and a woman were waiting outside a boutique when they were approached by four suspects, one of whom pulled out a gun during a physical altercation between the victims and the suspects.
“During the altercation, the suspects forcibly took two designer handbags – one from each victim – containing cash and cellphones,” police said. “One cellphone was recovered nearby. The suspects also attempted to steal the male victim’s jewelry but were unsuccessful.”
In video of a portion of the incident obtained by KTLA, four suspects all wearing dark clothing and hooded sweatshirts can be seen running from the scene. At least one of the suspects has an item, possibly one of the handbags, in his hands.
The crew was last seen running up Rodeo Drive and ducking into an alleyway.
It is unclear if anyone was injured, but the male victim was seen on the ground as the victim and another person knelt over him, one of which was yelling for help.
Medical personnel with the Beverly Hills Fire Department responded to the incident, but authorities said the man and woman sought their own medical attention at a local hospital.
Their conditions were not immediately available.
An investigation into the robbery remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact BHPD at 310-285-2125. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.com.
Los Angeles, Ca
Authorities searching for at-risk missing teen last seen in Lancaster
Authorities in Los Angeles County are searching for a teenage girl they say could be at risk.
According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, 13-year-old Aleah Ashley Salgado was last seen at 11 p.m. Friday night on the 3000 block of East Avenue H-2 in Lancaster.
Authorities say her family is concerned for her well being.
Salgado was described as Hispanic, 5-foot-4 and 120 pounds, with long black wavy hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, grey sweatpants and black shoes.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Lancaster Station at 661-948-8466.
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