Motorcycle

Marianne Love LA CRESCENTA -- Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Deputy Rick Momet was not at fault in the motorcycle accident that left him seriously injured, investigators have concluded. Momet was on duty driving his motorcycle east on Foothill Boulevard on Jan. 12 when a car driven by La Canada Flintridge resident Reba Osterman, 70, tried to make a left turn into the driveway of the Crescenta-Canada Family YMCA, where Osterman volunteers. Momet crashed into the front side of Osterman's car. He suffered a broken back, crushed ankle, punctured lung and numerous other injuries.

GLENDALE -- Love Ride 19 is rolling into town Sunday, and the Glendale Police Department says it's ready for it. About 20,000 bikers are expected to roar in for the event, so extra officers will be on duty to handle crowd control and traffic congestion. A tactical team also will be on alert to handle anything else that might happen, following a fight earlier this year between two rival gangs at another motorcycle event in Laughlin, Nev., Lt. Don Meredith said.

Robert Shaffer TROPICO -- Gary "Tigger" Finnerty woke up at 4:30 a.m. Sunday in his Sierra Madre home, took a shower and shined his black leather boots. He put on his Freedom Warrior jacket, also black leather. Finnerty, a roofing contractor who years ago drank hard and raised hell, has something else in mind this morning. Coffee. The Freedom Warriors are one of several Southern California motorcycle gangs popular with recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, and troublemakers, a 12-step group that keeps them on the straight and narrow.

Rima Shah Lots of black leather jackets, worn jeans, tattoos and about 2,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Looks like trouble? Maybe to some -- that is if they don't see the big, fluffy teddy bear perched at the back of a motorcycle, waiting to cheer up a homeless child. Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts gathered Sunday from all over the greater Los Angeles Area at the Harley Davidson store, 3717 San Fernando Road, to participate in the 17th-annual Skid Row Toy Drive.

Tim Willert GLENDALE CITY HALL -- Scott Fabbro's idea of a good time is leaning into a turn on his motorcycle at more than 100 mph. Fabbro, 39, happens to be a city employee with a passion for road racing, where riders travel around an oval track at high speeds with their knews dragging on the asphalt for a shot at $4,000 in prize money. "It is extremely joyous to be locked into a tight race with a couple of your friends," Fabbro said Wednesday.

Mark R. Madler With hours to go until dawn, Scott Floren arrived so early for the 21st annual Love Ride on Sunday that he beat event officials to the preferred parking lot. That's how Floren, of La Crescenta, ended up at the head of the thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts taking part in the ride that raises money for several charities and ends with a celebration and concert at Castaic Lake. "It's been a tradition to be at the front of the pack," said Floren, who was riding for the sixth year.

DOWNTOWN — Glendale Police Officer Juan Giraldo did not know the Ortega family, who were gunned down Christmas Eve by a Montrose man during a holiday party, but he will always remember the tragedy and the devastation caused to 15 children who were left without parents. “It’s just a horrible, horrible tragedy that occurred,” Giraldo said. “Hopefully, this will never happen again.” To honor the family and raise money for remaining members, Giraldo and his organization, National Latino Peace Officers Assn.

About three years ago, CHP Captain Bill Vance decided to dedicate an officer to Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest highways. Officer Stout, a motorcycle officer whose first name is not being made public, began patrolling the area, Morrin said. “The amount of accidents decreased,” Morrin said. Stout continues to be very aggressive in catching those who exceed the speed limit, especially motorcyclists. In fact, he has become somewhat of a legend on motorcycle websites, not that he is always respected in the chat rooms.

San Fernando Road will rumble with the sound of more than 13,000 bikes revving up for the 23rd annual Love Ride Sunday, a one-day motorcycle event that will raise funds for 23 charitable organizations. "It's just so much fun," said Deana May, a motorcycle enthusiast since she was 12. "There's barbecue, concerts and so many people. It's just a great experience." May has been to more than seven Love Rides and plans to attend Sunday's ride, which will feature performances from the Black Crowes, Edgar Winter and the Fryed Brothers.

The following information was taken from police reports: 700 block of Burchett Street: Police arrested a 41-year-old Glendale man Monday on suspicion of threatening to kill his wife and her family. 1200 block of Orange Grove Avenue: A woman told police Monday that someone scratched the trunk of her 2004 Hyundai while the car was parked in her carport. 300 block of North Belmont Street: A Glendale man reported Monday that someone broke into his 1991 Toyota Camry and stole his cellphone.