Crime
Arson suspect Jose Carranza-Escobar arrested at Pioneer Park in Azusa
Brush fire incident at Pioneer Park leads to Arrest On Friday, January 10, 2025 at approximately 11:37pm, officers were dispatched to Pioneer Park, located at 1360 N. Dalton Ave., in response to a reported brush fire.
Upon arrival, a witness alerted officers that the individual responsible for igniting the fire was still at the scene.
Officers located the adult male suspect, identified as Jose Carranza-Escobar, a transient, with a last known address in Azusa standing next to the flames.
Officers quickly detained Carranza as Los Angeles County Fire arrived to extinguish the fire.
Los Angeles County Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. During the investigation, Carranza admitted to starting the fire and was arrested for Arson.
He was subsequently booked at the Azusa Police Department Jail and is currently being held in custody.
City of Azusa Public Works along with Azusa Light and Water are currently assessing the damage caused by the fire.
The investigation is ongoing. Azusa PD urges everyone to remain alert as fires continue to affect the county. We must be cautious of individuals who may enter our community with the intent to start fires.
The Azusa Police Department has staffed extra officers on duty due to the ongoing fire situation.
We are taking a “zero tolerance” stance on these types of criminal acts. The Azusa PD will continue to work with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, the California Army National Guard and all of our partner agencies to ensure our community’s and residents’ safety.
This investigation will be presented promptly to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of filing on all applicable criminal charges.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Azusa Police Department at 626-812-3200 or to submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
Crime
One Dead, One Injured in Apparent Self-Defense Shooting Outside Cali Rose 15 Kitchen in Lakeland
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, at approximately 9:31 p.m., officers with the Lakeland Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at Cali Rose 15 Kitchen, formerly known as Rush Hour Bar & Grill, located at 1323 Ariana Street in Lakeland.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that two individuals—identified as Jesse Banks, 28, of Lakeland, and Nicholas Lue, 26, of West Palm Beach—had sustained gunshot wounds.
Both men were transported to Lakeland Regional Health for emergency treatment.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Banks was pronounced deceased.
Lue was stabilized and remains hospitalized in recovery.
Preliminary findings from witness interviews and physical evidence at the scene indicate that the incident began as a verbal altercation between Banks, Lue, and another individual, identified as Tre D’Shon Huntly, 24, of Lakeland.
The confrontation occurred just outside the restaurant’s front entrance.
According to investigators, the dispute escalated when Banks physically struck Huntly in the head.
At that moment, a male standing just inside the business opened the front door in defense of Huntly.
Banks and Lue then allegedly turned their aggression toward this second individual, producing a firearm and pointing it at him.
In response, Huntly drew a handgun and discharged several rounds, striking both Banks and Lue.
A handgun was later recovered from Banks at the scene.
Huntly remained at the location and fully cooperated with detectives during the investigation.
Based on the information available, it appears Huntly acted in self-defense.
No criminal charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is urged to contact Detective Neal Robertson at 863-834-6971 or via email at neal.robertson@lakelandgov.net.