Full Notification

On August 30, 2015 at approximately 0636 A.M., a subject was observed breaking into a videogame machine inside of a laundromat located in the 800 block of W. Covina Blvd in the City of Covina. While the suspect was using a crowbar to pry open the videogame machine, an employee of the business, who was watching the suspect’s actions on a surveillance system, confronted the suspect as he attempted to remove money from within the machine. The employee initially thought the suspect was a female because the suspect was wearing a dress and had long hair; however, when she confronted the suspect, she realized it was a male because his wig fell off when she confronted him. As the employee continued in her attempts to detain the suspect, the suspect used the crowbar and struck the employee in the arm. The employee chased the suspect out of the location and observed him enter the passenger side of a vehicle which drove away.

Responding Covina Police Officers observed the suspect vehicle in the area and a traffic stop was initiated. The passenger, S/Charles Durant, 62 year old resident of San Jacinto,  was positively identified by the employee and was placed under arrest for a variety of charges including robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, drug related offenses and (3) three felony warrants. The driver of the suspect vehicle, Gabriel Curiel, 40 years old resident of from La Puente, was also charged with robbery and possession of burglary tools.

Photos and videos of the burglary and assault are available on the Covina Police Department Facebook page.

Any information or questions regarding this crime, please contact the Covina Police Department Detective Bureau (626) 384-5612, the Watch Commander (626) 384-5665 or Crime Stoppers (800) 222-TIPS(8477).  Refer to Covina PD case # 15-12482.