LAPD Blog

Elderly Man Killed, Teen Wounded

 Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police detectives are asking for the public's help in finding anyone who may have seen the shooting of a man and a teenage boy in South Los Angeles the evening of July 13, 2006.

The shooting occurred at 9:30 p.m., in the 2300 block of West 54th Street.  Booker Whitlock, 63, and the teen, were standing in front of the location when shots rang out from across the street.

Whitlock was shot in the head and leg.  He died at a local hospital. The 15-year-old boy was shot three times in the stomach.  He remains hospitalized in critical condition.  It is not believed that the victims knew each other.

The suspects were described only as two Black men.

Anyone with information is asked to call 77th Street Homicide Detectives at 213-485-1383.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Double Homicide in West Los Angeles

 Los Angeles: Two young men were shot and killed in the 2000 block of South Garth Avenue last night, July 13, 2006, around 8:15 PM. These were the second and third murders in three days, all within the vicinity of Hamilton High School.

Julio Perez and William Avalos had just attended a memorial service for 16-year-old Ana Interiano, who was killed by a gunman on July 11. They were driving around the block from the service when they were confronted by one or more suspects, who shot both victims. Detectives received little information from bystanders.

"Right now, the only connection between the two shootings is the proximity to the location and the fact that the victims had attended the memorial service of the first victim," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon. "One of the men killed had been a witness to the July 11 shooting, but we have not confirmed whether his murder was retaliation or coincidence."

When officers arrived at the shooting scene on Garth Avenue, some bystanders were trying to administer first aid to the victims. A crowd formed and officers tried to keep it back to protect the crime scene and allow a path for paramedics to get in.

At one point, Christian Espinoza Martinez, 21, who is Ana Interiano’s brother, tried to push through the officers. Following a struggle, Martinez was arrested for felony battery on a police officer. While handcuffed in the police car, Martinez kicked out the car’s window.

Perez and Avalos died at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.  Both were 20 years old.

The three murders since July 11 are the only three murders in West Los Angeles this year. Violent crime was down 21 percent in the last four weeks, ending July 8, compared to the prior four weeks. Violent crime was down 7 percent for the year in West Los Angeles, compared to a city-wide reduction of 2.3 percent. Aggravated assaults are down 19 percent in West Los Angeles.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ron Phillips at 323-444-1520. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

LAPD Announces Boot Camp for At Risk Youth

Los Angeles: The 77th Street Police Station is looking for at-risk youngsters between 9 and 15 years old to participate in a boot camp, to be held on eight succeeding Saturdays.

"Our first boot camp last year was very popular," said Lieutenant Paul Vernon. "The program is for kids who are on the edge of running afoul of the law. Many of these kids respond well to a regimented program that teaches them respect is a two-way street."

Police officers will serve as drill instructors for the boot camp of 40 to 50 youth. Instruction will focus on physical training, instilling self-discipline, and building respect for self and others. Teachers and counselors from the Los Angeles Unified School District will also provide instruction to the youth and their parents on anger management and communication skills.

All instruction will be conducted at Fremont High School, 7676 South San Pedro Street, South
Los Angeles. 

While many of the participating youth are assigned through court orders, parents may also enroll their children by picking up an enrollment form at the 77th Street Police Station, 7600 South Broadway, Los Angeles. All participates must get a physical examination from a doctor to qualify for the program.

The next boot camp will begin August 5, 2024 and the registration is scheduled for July 12, 2006, at 7:00 PM, at the 77th Street Police Station.

Interested parents may contact Officer Joe Marrone at 213-485-8606.

Two Men Shot; One Dies

Los Angeles:  Two South Los Angeles men were shot in broad daylight while walking on the busy sidewalk.

On Thursday, July 13, 2006, at 11:35 AM, Donald Hayes, 19, and a companion, 22, were walking out of a clothing store at 93rd Street and Broadway.  A gunman was standing on the adjacent corner and fired several rounds at the two for no apparent reason.  Hayes was shot in the torso and his friend was shot in the buttock.  The gunman ran away after the shooting. 

Both men were taken to a local hospital where Hayes died a short time later.  His companion was treated and released from the hospital.

The motive appeared to be gang related.  The gunman was described as a Black man in his 20s.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Southeast Homicide Detective Jason De La Cova at  213-972-7816.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, LOS ANGELES TIMES

In the July 13th Los Angeles Times, “A Complex Portrait of Rampart’s Redemption,” reporter Jill Leovy got it absolutely correct in writing that many factors contributed to the remarkable turnaround in Rampart area, and more specifically in MacArthur Park. 

In 1991, Rampart was the most violent piece of real estate in Los Angeles; fifteen years later its crime rate lies below the city average.  While credit for the success must be shared, it’s important to recognize that the Los Angeles Police Department under Chief William Bratton deserves recognition as the primary change agent.

Ms. Leovy’s article focused on homicide rates as the sole measure of crime reduction.  While homicide is an important indicator of a community’s health, it’s an imprecise indicator for Rampart since two-thirds of the area’s murders are gang related.  So the precipitous drop in murders is more a measure of reducing gang influence than crime in general. 

To understand the full measure of Rampart’s redemption, one must look at the totality of major crime as well as the pattern of arrests.

At the point Chief Bratton took office in October 2002, Rampart’s crime decline had been on a two-year spike upward.   Who knows how long the up trend would have continued?

The impetus for change in Rampart came through leadership, dedication, and focus within the police department.  It was a concerted effort over two years in which all areas of crime dropped, and murders reached their lowest levels ever, 28 for the year 2004.

While Rampart got its redemption, MacArthur Park saw its renaissance.  In those two years, this Los Angeles landmark went from being a magnet for crime to an inviting oasis in an urban center. 

The renaissance is best illustrated through the arrest profile around MacArthur Park.  What the article missed was how monthly triple-digit arrests in the 1990s have dropped to a mere trickle in last two years, with crimes rates remaining low.

As the captain in Rampart during that renaissance, I want to share the credit and the success with the community, businesses, schools, and all levels of governmental partners.  It was a true partnership.  But make no mistake, the real credit goes to the men and women of LAPD who worked Rampart during that period.  They met many challenges:  scandals, the lack of public trust, and critics who said it could not be done.  But they persevered through it all in large part thanks to Chief Bratton’s faith in them and his ability to trust in their professionalism and dedication. 

The police can be a catalyst for change in society, but society must be willing to jump in and work with the police.  And when the renaissance occurs, society must be willing to sustain the effort.   

CHARLIE BECK, Commander
Los Angeles Police Department

Chief Bratton Reacts to Blue Ribbon Report

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton appeared at the Police Commission's special public meeting this afternoon on the blue ribbon report, "Rampart Reconsidered: The Search for Real Reform Seven Years Later."

Chief Bratton thanked the report's primary author, Ms. Connie Rice for her work.  "I'd like to thank Connie Rice and her committee for carrying out the mandate to produce, once and for all, a comprehensive and objective Rampart after-action report."  Chief Bratton also acknowledged the leadership of the current and former Police Commission presidents and Los Angeles mayors.

"My initial reaction is a favorable one, but, as you might expect, I reserve the right to take exception to some of the findings and recommendations," Bratton added.

The LAPD will review the report and work to implement its recommendations within the Department's own "State of the Department" action plan, which was begun in October 2004.

The blue ribbon report’s most significant finding is the need for more officers, a clarion call Chief Bratton has made since he took office in October 2002.  Mayor Villaraigosa and the City Council heard the call and authorized an expansion of 1,000 officers.  Their commitment is an important step to bringing about operational and cultural changes called for in the report.

"Professor George Kelling's research has shown the best way to reduce the effects of ‘stranger policing’ is to get the cops out of the police cars and interacting with the people they serve," Bratton said.  "Out of necessity, LA has policed from police cars for 50 years, in order to handle a large area and population with half the cops of any other major city."

Bratton added, "One has only to look at the changes in MacArthur Park, Hollywood, and Baldwin Village to see the effects of close interaction with the community."

"This is not a sprint, but a marathon," the Chief said.  "We've made monumental changes in LAPD, but we are still not where we want to be. Our action plan is the road map to get there --- to make Los Angeles the safest big city in America.  And we are committed to doing it constitutionally, compassionately, and consistently."

Police Release Composite of Sexual Assault Suspect

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles detectives need the public's assistance in identifying a sexual predator last seen in a Reseda neighborhood.

On Monday, July 3, 2006, at about 10:20 PM, a woman walking alone was attacked as she attempted to enter her apartment complex in the area of Reseda Boulevard and Ingomar Street.  The suspect approached her on foot, pointed a handgun at her and demanded money.  When the suspect realized the victim had no money, he forced the woman into a hallway of the building and sexually assaulted her.   The victim provided detailed information to a police sketch artist.

"The sketch is quite distinctive," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon.  "We want the public to be aware, and we need them to call if anyone recognizes this man."

The man is described as Hispanic, between 20 and 25 years old.  He is short, about 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weighed about 180 pounds.  He has a mustache and goatee and his hair is cut in a crew-cut style.  He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and dark colored jeans.

Residents should take the following precautions to minimize their risk to becoming a victim:

•    Avoid walking alone at night and in unpopulated or poorly lit areas
•    Always be aware of your surroundings
•    Look confident and purposeful when walking
•    If threatened, scream, cross the street and run in the opposite direction, toward other people
•    Keep doors and windows locked in your car and your home
•    Be a good witness when a crime happens and report it to police

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Valley Area Detective Robert Ward at  818-374-7796.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Robbery Duo Caught on Tape

Los Angeles: Los Angeles detectives are asking for the public's help identifying two suspects who are responsible for at least 4 robberies, all committed within a four-hour period.

On July 9, 2025 in tha late afternoon, a man and woman went on a four-hour robbery spree, targeting three businesses and a private person in Hollywood, Los Feliz, the West Valley, and Tarzana.

Both suspects were caught on surveillance tape at the Village Liquor Mart in Los Feliz at about 4:20 PM. The woman can be seen entering the busy store first, followed a few minutes later by her accomplice, a man armed with a gun wearing a bicycle helmet and sunglasses.

During this robbery, the man pistol whipped a clerk and shot him in the knee. The woman, dressed in a yellow top, can be seen directing the victims around the store as her partner looks for property.

A little over an hour later, the gunman targeted a cigar store in Tarzana, firing a shot during the robbery. No one was injured.

The suspects took money, jewelry, a laptop computer and a cellular phone from the four robberies.

The man is 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall and weighs around 187 pounds. He is either Caucasian or Hispanic, and between 25 and 35 years old. The Hispanic woman is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds. She appeared to be about 25 years old.

Robbery locations:

• 2:15 PM    Momo Clothing Store, 308 North Stanley Avenue, Hollywood
• 4:20 PM    Village Liquor Mart, 1859 North Hillhurst Avenue, Los Feliz
• 5:30 PM    Street robbery,  Burbank Boulevard and Louise Avenue in West Valley
• 5:45 PM    Cigar House, 18458 Clark Street, Tarzana

Anyone with information is asked to call Northeast Area Detectives Martha Ramos or Paul Tagle at 213-847-4270.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

1994 Murder Suspect Sentenced

 Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Detectives solved a 1994 stabbing murder of a 42-year-old woman in Chinatown.

On July 11, 2006, Thanh Chi Phung, 45, pled guilty to the murder with an added weapons charge enhancement, of Rosemary Hom. Phung was sentenced to 16 years to life.

Phung was a former employee of Ms. Hom's company, a fortune cookie manufacturer. His employment had been terminated after he was caught stealing from the company. On November 5, 1994, Phung waited for Ms. Hom to arrive at the business in Chinatown. When she parked her van, Phung confronted Ms. Hom with a knife demanding his job back. When Ms. Hom refused, Phung became enraged and stabbed Ms. Hom numerous times, killing her. Phung dumped the body and her van nearby and fled the area.

Asian Crimes Investigation Detectives re-opened the cold case of Ms. Hom in 2004 with the DNA evidence from the crime scene. Interviews of family members and witnesses led detectives to focus on Phung, whose DNA had recently been placed in CODIS because of a prior crime conviction. Phung's DNA matched that from the crime scene, and he was located and arrested in La Puente.

Ms. Hom was married with four children at the time. 

For further information call Asian Gang Unit Detective Solomon or Yueng at 213-847-1767.

Compstat Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics, July 8, 2025

VIOLENT CRIME                        2006            2005     Change

Homicide                                  240              255           -6%

Rape                                        481               488           -1%

Robbery                                   7290             6829            7%

Aggravated Assaults                 7366             8167        -10%            

TOTAL VIOLENT                     15377            15739          -2%      

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                 10050          11114         -10%

GTA                                       12520          14053         -11%

BTFV                                      15160          17737         -15%

Personal/Other Theft              13840          16306         -15%

TOTAL PROPERTY                   51570          59210         -13%

TOTAL PART I                         66947          74949         -11%       

Last week some of you asked that Part I crimes be identified by specific crime.  So here they are, overall the city is -11%.  To the men and women of the Department, excellent job.  To our communities, we say thank you. 

Officer's Wife Charged with Attempted Murder

Los Angeles:   The wife of a Los Angeles Police Department officer was charged with attempted murder on July 6, 2006, after she pleaded not guilty in Van Nuys court.  Her bail was set at $3 million.

The charge stemmed from a domestic dispute between Yolanda Cade, 38, and her husband, who is an LAPD officer.  The two argued just around midnight on July 2, 2006, at their Reseda apartment on Hatteras Street.

The wife armed herself with one of her husband's handguns, then shot him two times.  The off-duty officer was able to gain control of that 9mm handgun, as well as a .40 caliber Glock, which he also had in the apartment. 

The husband ran from the apartment, wounded, toward a bus stop and asked a bystander for help.  The wife followed in her car and tried to run down her husband, driving the family SUV over the curb.  She crashed the car, then continued to chase her husband on foot. 

The husband turned and fired one round as a warning shot to hold the wife at bay.  At that point, LAPD officers arrived and detained everyone.  Yolanda Cade was arrested and her husband was treated for his wounds.

The LAPD's Force Investigation Division is conducting the investigation into the officer's firing of his gun.  Department policy generally discourages firing warning shots, but the policy does not forbid warning shots outright.  The officer's actions will be reviewed administratively as part of the LAPD's use-of-force policy.

The off-duty officer's name was not released as he is considered a victim of domestic violence, and as such, his name is protected under state law.

Registered Sex Offender Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police detectives have arrested a suspect for possession of child pornography today.  The detectives are making the suspect's photo public to look for additional victims or witnesses.

On June 14, 2006, detectives began investigating Stephen Matthew Brott, 47, a registered sex offender, who matched the description of a person reported to be loitering next to an elementary school while class was in session.  Detectives went to Brott's home where they found numerous sexually explicit photographs and videotape recordings of small children.  Additional sexual photographs and videotape recordings of children were found by police at a nearby storage facility that was rented by Brott.  Over 100 videotape recordings and photographs were seized. 

Brott was arrested for possession of child pornography and he was released after posting bail in the amount of $25,000.00.  Detectives were unable to connect Brott to the initial loitering complaint.

The Sexually Exploited Child Unit (SECU) examined Brott's photographs and videotapes and determined that they contained child pornography, which included upskirt photographs of girls, ages 6 to 10 years old.  The evidence depicted small children sunbathing at local beaches and pools who appeared to be unaware that they were being photographed.

The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office filed 10 misdemeanor counts against Brott.  On July 7, 2006, at 9:45 AM, SECU detectives arrested Brott at his residence in West Los Angeles.  Brott was booked at Parker Center Jail for  possession of child pornography.  Bail was set at $200,000.  Brott remains in police custody pending a court appearance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the SECU at 213-485-2883.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number for the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).