M. Dilworth

Web Site: http://www.theavtimes.com


Search warrants yield 4 arrests, stolen gun, rare coins

June 14, 2013
These stolen items were recovered after teams of deputies served search warrants at two Palmdale homes on Friday, June 14. (Courtesy LASD)

PALMDALE – A .357 magnum revolver, rare coins, and several other stolen items were recovered Friday morning when teams of deputies simultaneously raided two Palmdale homes. Four suspects were arrested during the operation, including 24-year-old Marlon Lizama, 21-year-old Michael Gallego, 21-year-old Gabriela Carrillo and 21-year-old Randy Ontiveros, according to Lt. Cory Kennedy of the...
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A salute to Old Glory!

June 14, 2013
Flag Day 2013 1

PALMDALE – A crowd of about 50 gathered at Poncitlán Square in Palmdale Friday morning for an hour-long ceremony in honor of the nation’s flag. Organized by the Antelope Valley Service Organization Association (AVSOA), the annual Flag Day ceremony commemorates the anniversary of the adoption in 1777 of the official U.S. flag. “The flag,...
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UPDATED: Runner aide faces drunk driving charges

June 12, 2013
UPDATED: Runner aide faces drunk driving charges

LANCASTER – A senior advisor to former state senator and current Board of Equalization member George Runner is scheduled to be arraigned on drunk driving charges this week. Andrew “Drew” Mercy is charged with misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more,...
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Pair charged with leaving toddlers in locked 100-degree car

June 11, 2013
The toddlers were left unattended in a vehicle parked outside the County Department of Public Social Services in Lancaster, authorities said.

LANCASTER – A Lancaster couple accused of leaving two toddlers unattended in a sweltering vehicle outside of a local welfare office have been jailed on child abuse charges, authorities said. Brandi Mann, 30, and 42-year-old David Dillard are each charged with two felony counts of child abuse, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s...
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Girl struck by minivan, airlifted to hospital

June 11, 2013
The girl suffered multiple fractures.

PALMDALE – An 8-year-old girl had to be airlifted to the hospital Monday afternoon, after she was struck by a minivan as she dashed away from an ice cream truck, authorities said. The collision happened around 3:26 p.m. Monday in the 3200 Block of East Avenue R-12 in Palmdale, according to Lt. Ken Wright...
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Residents take part in Sidewalk CPR Day

June 4, 2013
Sidewalk CPR day AMR

LANCASTER – About a hundred Costco shoppers spared 10 minutes from their day on Tuesday to learn how to keep a cardiac arrest victim alive until paramedics arrive. The local residents were part of an estimated 10,000 people at more than 80 locations countywide who learned basic hands only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills as...
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Man bilks victims of $20K+ in check washing, ID theft scheme

June 4, 2013
Ryan Lasko had a makeshift "skimming" device (left) and several fraudulent credit cards when he was caught by authorities last week, according to Lt. Cory Kennedy. (Courtesy LASD)

PALMDALE – A 26-year-old man busted for purchasing a car with a stolen, doctored check has been linked to a check washing and identity theft scheme that bilked more than $20,000 from at least seven victims, authorities said. Ryan Lasko was arrested last week after a Palmdale detective spotted him driving around town in...
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Man killed in shootout with son ID’d

May 28, 2013
The shooting happened Saturday evening in the 5600 Block of Magda Court, detectives said. (Photos by ED FROMMER)

PALMDALE – A 70-year-old man shot to death this past weekend during a gunfight with his son at their Palmdale home has been identified as John Charles Duft, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. The incident happened around 7:40 p.m. Saturday (May 25) at a home in the 5600 Block of Magda...
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UPDATED: Palmdale boy dies after abuse, mother and boyfriend arrested

May 23, 2013
Special Victim's Detectives searched the apartment in the 200 Block of East Avenue Q-10 where an 8-year-old boy lived with his mother and her boyfriend. The boy was hospitalized with critical injuries Wednesday night, and detectives suspect child abuse.

PALMDALE – A Palmdale mother and her boyfriend were arrested Thursday, after the woman’s young son was hospitalized with broken bones, burns and bruises throughout his body, authorities said. Pearl Fernandez, 29, was arrested for felony child endangerment and child abuse, while her boyfriend, 32-year-old Isauro Aguirre was arrested for attempted murder, according to...
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UPDATED: Man shot to death in Palmdale

May 23, 2013
Palmdale 5.23.13 1

PALMDALE – A man was shot and killed in Palmdale early Thursday morning, authorities said. The incident was reported around 4:57 a.m. in the 200 Block of East Avenue Q10 –- the same apartment complex where an 8-year-old boy was found battered and not breathing, just hours earlier. (Read more here.) Authorities are still...
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UPDATED: Teen’s report of attempted rape was false

May 22, 2013
Shortly after the attack, deputies detained two potential suspects in a desert field near 5th Street East and Avenue J-11. The victim was unable to positively identify them, so the men were let go.

LANCASTER - As we reported previously (see story below), deputies were searching a Lancaster neighborhood Wednesday, after a 14-year-old reported that a man had broken into her home and attempted to rape her. Deputies have concluded their investigation and determined that the incident did not occur, and no one actually entered the teen’s home, Lancaster...
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Palmdale teachers, parents stage protest

May 22, 2013
Classified employees have voted to accept a tentative agreement; however, The Palmdale Elementary Teachers Association (shown protesting at the Palmdale School District on May 21) has not agreed to the same salary reductions, furlough days and maximum contribution and is currently in factfinding.

PALMDALE – Nearly 300 teachers and parents gathered for a protest at the Palmdale School District Tuesday afternoon. “Hey hey! Ho ho! Gallizzi’s got to go!” the group chanted, referring to Palmdale School District Superintendent Roger Gallizzi. The latest protest, which was organized by the Palmdale Elementary Teachers Association, is one in a string...
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AV Hospital holds active shooter drill

May 16, 2013
AV Hospital holds active shooter drill

LANCASTER – About 80 deputies from Lancaster and Palmdale Sheriff’s Stations joined local fire fighters and other emergency responders Thursday for the first-ever active shooter drill at Antelope Valley Hospital. “The purpose of today is to train Antelope Valley Hospital staff and security on how to survive an incident if they were to have...
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Solar students gain real-world experience helping local families

May 15, 2013
University of Antelope Valley's Sustainable Energy students partnered with Grid Alternatives for a two-day project installing a photovoltaic system at a Palmdale home.

PALMDALE – Several students were hard at work Wednesday helping retired grandmother Marsha Furman go solar. “This is a wonderful program,” Furman exclaimed, as she watched the students working on the roof of her Palmdale home. “This is absolutely free, and they maintain everything for 25 years,” Furman added. Grid Alternatives, a non-profit organization...
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Palmdale welcomes Amgen Tour of California

May 14, 2013
The pre-race ceremony included the posting of colors by the Highland High School ROTC Color Guard.

PALMDALE – Hundreds of spectators flocked to Marie Kerr Park Tuesday morning  to see Tour de France competitors and Olympic medalists compete in Stage 3 of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California. “It’s the largest race in America,” said Kristin Bachochin, Executive Director of the Amgen Tour of California. “You’ll see the world’s best...
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Palmdale man arrested for videotaping in women’s bathroom

May 14, 2013
Jason Pomare feature photo

PALMDALE – A 33-year-old Palmdale man who allegedly dressed as a woman while secretly videotaping females using a department store bathroom was charged with several misdemeanor counts Tuesday, authorities said. Jason Pomare was charged with six counts of unlawful use of a concealed camera for the purposes of sexual gratification, according to Sergeant Brian...
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Help distraught family members find Michelle Russ

May 13, 2013
Michelle Russ feature

QUARTZ HILL – Distraught family members are asking for your help in locating a 26-year-old Quartz Hill woman who vanished without a trace late last week. Michelle Russ was last seen by family members around 11:30 p.m. on May 9 in the Quartz Hill home she shared with her father and young son, near 50th Street...
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Victim ID’d in fatal mauling, fate of captured dogs uncertain

May 10, 2013
8 pitbulls

LANCASTER - The 63-year-old woman mauled and killed by dogs as she took her daily morning walk in Littlerock has been identified as Pamela Marie Devitt, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. The six pit bulls and two mixed-breed dogs seized from a Littlerock property following the mauling were quarantined at the Lancaster...
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Help detectives find driver in hit-and-run death

May 9, 2013
Grieving family members speak at a press conference to announce the $10k reward for information leading to the arrest of the motorist involved in a hit-and-run crash on March 19 that killed 34-year-old Simone Walker.

LANCASTER – It’s been more than seven weeks since a Lancaster mother of four was struck by a car as she crossed Avenue L, near the intersection of 32nd Street West. Still, authorities are no closer to finding the driver who fled the scene, leaving 34-year-old Simone Walker to die – which she did,...
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Fallen Heroes BBQ: A symbol of remembrance

May 9, 2013
Fallen heroes BBQ 3

LANCASTER – More than 150 deputies took a break at Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Thursday afternoon for a feast in remembrance of deputies killed in the line of the duty. “This barbecue is held every year as a symbol of remembrance for our fallen brothers and sisters. It’s a way for people to remember and...
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