Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Suspect Barricaded in El Monte Arrested
Two Suspects were arrested. The first suspect, James Lewis, 38, was found in an attic by officers who had a police dog with them.
UPDATED: 9:30 p.m. Two suspects in neighboring homes wanted on felony charges of possessing stolen property who barricaded themselves in their respective attics were in custody tonight in El Monte.
Police went to the homes in the 4000 block of Gilman Road about 7 a.m., said Detective Pete Rasic of the El Monte Police Department.
The first suspect, James Lewis, 38, was found in an attic by officers who had a police dog with them.
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The dog bit Lewis and he was arrested for outstanding warrants for suspicion of possession of stolen property, burglary and drug charges.
At the second residence, David Huerta, 35, did not respond to officer attempts to contact him. Police used tear gas twice without results.
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After 10 hours, members of a special weapons team entered the home where
they found Huerta hiding in an attic wearing a gas mask.
The same police dog found him and bit him. Both suspects were treated for injuries. Huerta also had outstanding warrants for suspicion of possession of stolen property and burglary.
Nearby residents were evacuated and two nearby elementary schools, Twin Lakes and La Primaria, went on voluntary lockdown.
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