LAPD Blog

OFF-DUTY TRAFFIC OFFICER INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

Police Officer Michael Toth, a 10-year veteran, assigned to West Traffic Division was involved in a traffic accident last Friday evening while enroute home. 

Fellow officers, friends, co-workers and supervisors all say that Officer Toth is a very caring individual committed to public service.  It is because of his caring nature that he volunteered to work in the Community Traffic Services Unit, a unit devoted to educating the public about traffic safety.   

While riding his Department motorcycle home, Officer Toth came upon a situation where officers from the California Highway Patrol were involved in an investigation on the Southbound Santa Ana Freeway at Katella Avenue (City of Anaheim).  Although not required, Officer Toth as is in his nature stopped to assist his fellow officers.  Once the situation was settled, Officer Toth mounted his motorcycle and started to leave the scene.  It was while re-entering traffic that the collision occurred.

Officer Toth suffered multiple injuries to his face, ribcage, and legs, and was transported to a local hospital.  On Tuesday, Officer Toth went through extensive surgery and placed in the Intensive Care Unit.  Today officers and supervisors from West Traffic Division visited with Officer Toth and reported that he was in good spirits and on his way to recovery.

West Traffic Division reported that they would be holding a fundraiser in the near future.  Any questions can be directed to (213) 473-0451.  We will keep you updated as we receive additional information. 

Lieutenant De La Torre

Public Communications Section

Man Stabbed at Bus Stop Dies

 Los Angeles: Detectives are seeking the public's help with any information leading to the identification and apprehension of a Hispanic man responsible for the stabbing of a Los Angeles resident early Sunday morning.

On June 18, 2006, at 1:10 AM, William Vasquez, a 38-year-old resident of Los Angeles was standing at a bus stop in the 4800 block of W. Venice Blvd.  Mr. Vasquez became engaged in a conversation with a man. For unknown reasons, the man stabbed Mr. Vasquez in the neck. Mr. Vasquez walked over to West Traffic Division front door to ask for help.

Mr. Vasquez was taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries. He remained in the hospital until June 21, 2006, where he died from his injuries. 

Mr. Vasquez's described his attacker as a male Hispanic, 5'9, wearing a purple shirt and blue jeans. The attacker walked with a limp.

Anyone with information can call Wilshire Area Homicide Detective Holguin or Urena at 213-473-0446. After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-ASK-LAPD (529-3855).

Family Pleads for Public's Help

Los Angeles: The family of Larry Watson and detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department's Southeast Police Station held a news conference today to ask the public's help in finding the person responsible for Watson's death.

"Mr. Watson was a good man," said Detective Leo Kerchenske.  "We think the motive was a mistake in identity, which compounds the tragedy.  But it also means the suspects are still out there and a threat to society."

Larry Watson, 25, was killed on June 4, 2006, around 10 PM when a man walked up to him and shot him in the chest.  Watson was visiting friends in the 9200 block of South Central Avenue. 

"We have very few leads in this case," Detective Kerchenske said.  "But there are people out there who know what happened.  We hope they will come forward.  An innocent man is dead and his family is grieving."

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kerchenske at 213-972-7850.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Harbor City Girl Escapes Kidnap, Describes Suspect

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police detectives have distributed a sketch of man suspected in trying to kidnap a 12-year-old Hispanic girl off the street in Harbor City last week.

The young girl was walking to her junior high school around 8 o'clock in the morning, last Friday, June 16, 2006, when she noticed a large, white van parked in the lot of the Family Ranch Market on Western Avenue, near Pacific Coast Highway.  The van's driver asked the girl, "Do you need a ride?"

The little girl was frightened and told the man, "No."  She continued walking, then felt someone grab her arm as she passed the Der Wienerschitzel on Pacific Coast Highway.  The girl was able to pull free and the man ran away.  The girl was sure the man was the same man from the van.

"This young lady did everything right," said Detective Michelle Esquivel-Solis, who is assigned to the Harbor Police Station.  "The girl's resistance was enough to scare the man away.  She was very brave, and she was a good witness, too."

The young victim was able to provide detectives with details of the man's appearance and his van.  The girl reported seeing the same man in the vicinity over the weekend, so he may live in the area.

The victim described the suspect as a Hispanic male with a dark complexion, and in his thirties.  He is 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium, muscular build.  His head is shaved, and he has a one to three-day growth of beard.  He was wearing a gray T-shirt with a yellow stripe.  He has a tattoo on his upper right arm.

The white van appeared to have a do-it-yourself paint job with noticeable drips and streaks.  The van has a rusted side door handle.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Esquivel-Solis at 310-522-2031.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Man Wanted for Murder at Church

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police have issued a want for a 20-year-old implicated in the stabbing death of a 57-year-old resident at a local church in South Los Angeles.

The incident began around 9 AM this morning when the victim, a Black man who lived at the Church of the Greater Works, intervened when he saw Edwin Veliz Vasquez pulling the ear of Vasquez's two-year-old son.  The victim poured hot coffee on Vasquez and told him to stop hurting the child.  When the victim walked into the kitchen to call police, Vasquez followed him and stabbed him with a knife. 

The victim later died at a local hospital.  The victim's name was not released pending notification to his family.

Vasquez left the church on foot with his wife, Adela Ramirez, 21, and their two-year-old son.  Ramirez is considered a person of interest whom detectives would like to interview.

Police found the knife at the scene.   

Vasquez is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds.  He has a tattoo of a star on his left arm.

Detectives will seek an arrest warrant for Vasquez.  In the meantime, anyone knowing his whereabouts is urged to call the Newton Street Police Station or the LAPD's toll-free hotline.

The church is located in the 500 block of East Washington Boulevard.  The church has a residence for indigent families.  Vasquez and his family had been living at the church for about two months.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newton Street Detectives at 323-846-6547.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).