Over the course of the year, a male Hispanic suspect burglarized several churches in Industry and Walnut/Diamond Bar Stations’ areas. The churches had fixed post surveillance cameras which recorded the suspect at the locations. Detectives from both stations worked diligently to identify the suspect, who appeared responsible for all of the burglaries, but were unsuccessful. Special Bulletin flyers were distributed to local police agencies seeking additional information and assistance in identifying the suspect, but he remained unidentified.
Industry Station Detective Charell Heard was the lead detective and created a Special Bulletin flyer with the suspect’s photograph from the surveillance videos. Industry Station personnel contacted Sheriff’s Information Bureau personnel seeking media coverage and the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect. On July 2, 2015, Detective Heard conducted an interview with television and radio media personnel at Industry Station. Shortly after the interview and the suspect’s photograph were televised and posted on media web sites, anonymous community members identified the suspect as Hacienda Heights resident Carlos Montiel, 36 years old.
Detective Heard immediately queried Department resources and confirmed the suspect’s identity. Industry Deputies Christopher Carlson and James McClain conducted surveillance on Suspect Montiel’s location, positively identified him, and arrested him without incident.
Detectives Heard and Remberto Candelario authored a search warrant for Suspect Montiel’s residence and his vehicle to recover evidence related to the crime.
The collaboration of the detectives from Industry and Walnut/Diamond Bar Stations, Sheriff’s Information Bureau, media personnel, and the community led to the successful arrest of Suspect Montiel.
For more information, contact Lieutenant David Infante at (626) 330-3322, Public Information Officer Nicole Nishida, or Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau at (323) 267-4800.
