Assault and Wild Foot Pursuit in Fontana Lead to Arrest of El Monte Man

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FONTANA, Ca. – A 33-year-old El Monte man was arrested at a Fontana Motel 6 after leading officers on a foot pursuit, police said.

On Thursday, October 10, 2019, at around 5:30 a.m., officers responded to the Motel 6 for the report of an assault. The suspect identified as Matthew Baiza, fled before officers arrived at the scene. Baiza was located near Marygold and Sierra. Although Baiza was placed in handcuffs, he was able to remove them and run. He was chased into an apartment complex in the 16900 block of Marygold.

“The suspect entered an apartment where a male resident was inside,” Fontana Police said. “The suspect took money from the second victim and climbed onto the victim’s balcony and onto the third story roof. Residents in the area directed officers to the roof. As they closed in on Baiza, he climbed onto a balcony of an adjacent apartment and hid.”

After a brief standoff, officers entered the balcony and took him into custody. The suspect was arrested and transported to the West Valley Detention Center for assault, criminal threats and residential burglary.