"In July 2024, two men walked into his office holding guns, he testified with the help of a Mandarin interpreter. Pointing their weapons at his chest, the pair demanded money. He told them he had none. According to authorities, this was an old-fashioned shakedown carried out by the largest gang in the city, Pomona 12th Street. The Times is not identifying the witness over concerns about his safety."
"He bluffed, saying he had no debit card. When the pair threatened to kill him if he didn't come up with money, he called his son, who brought $1,000. One of the men said he would come by to pick up the same amount every month, the witness testified. The man took down his phone number so he could "let me know when he will come to collect," the business owner testified."
Two armed men allegedly entered a Pomona business in July 2024 and threatened the owner, demanding money and pointing weapons at his chest. The men allegedly drove the owner to a bank and coerced his son to bring $1,000; one assailant then demanded the same amount monthly and recorded the owner's phone number to arrange collections. In January, authorities arrested Gustavo Maldonado and Alexis Hernandez on charges of extortion, kidnapping and robbery; both pleaded not guilty and face $2 million bail. Prosecutors say the Pomona 12th Street gang carried out the shakedown; a reputed Mexican Mafia member from Pomona was earlier convicted of racketeering.
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