Glendora Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty To Stabbing Homeless Men

The man accused of fatally stabbing two homeless men at a car wash in August of 2013 pleaded not guilty in court Dec. 16.

Drew Friis, 29, was charged with two counts of murder, which includes a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders and a special allegation of personal use of a deadly weapon, said the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in a written statement.

Friis’ past convictions of arson of property and grand theft auto in 2010 were also noted in the felony complaint.

On Aug. 15, 2013, Glendora Police responded to a call of screaming heard in the area of the Glendora Hand Car Wash, 225 West Route 66, around 2 a.m.

A responding lieutenant discovered the bodies, one on the car wash property and one just outside on the sidewalk along West Route 66.

Both victims, Warren Blagrave and John Welch, reportedly were stabbed up to 20 times, detectives said. Both men were 52 years old and were known as transients.

Police acknowledged that transients were allowed by the car wash owner to occasionally sleep on the property at night.

Friis and a second man were arrested the same day, however, the second man’s name and possible involvement were not disclosed at the time of the arrest.

Friis reportedly knew both victims, authorities said. A motive for the killings was not known.

The deaths rocked Glendora, which had not seen a murder since April 2009.

Friis is scheduled to return for a preliminary hearing at Los Angeles County Superior Court in Pomona Feb. 20.