LAPD Blog

Man Arrested for Shooting at Police

Los Angeles: A man was arrested after shooting at police early Monday morning in Canoga Park. On March 26, 2007, shortly after 6 AM West Valley officers responded to a "Shots Fired" radio call in the area of Valerio Street and Loma Verde Avenue.  The officers were driving westbound on Valerio Street when they observed the suspect, Carey Cahill, standing between two parked vehicles and shooting in the officer's direction. 

Officer Baeza returned fire.  Cahill then dropped to the ground and was taken into custody without further incident.  He was booked for Attempt Murder on a Police Officer and was held on one million dollars bail.

A loaded 22 Caliber Semi-Automatic pistol was recovered at scene as well as several expended 22-caliber casings.  Neither the officers nor the suspect were injured as a result of the shooting.

Officer Sven Steffenson, 39, has 6 years, 6 months with the department. Officer Osmani Baeza, 32, has 5 years and 1 month with the LAPD.  Both officers are assigned to West Valley Division. 

Force Investigation Division personnel responded to the scene and are investigating the officer-involved shooting.

Questions may be directed to Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.

Murder Arrest in Hollywood

Los Angeles: A suspect was arrested early this morning after a fatal stabbing in Hollywood.

On Sunday, March 25, 2007, at approximately 12:55 a.m., Hollywood Area officers responded to a radio call of two men fighting at 6300 Delongpre Avenue.  When they arrived, police found the victim unconscious and not breathing inside his vehicle at 1413 North Vine Street.  Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced the victim dead at 1:13 a.m.  The cause of death was multiple stab wounds.

A suspect was taken into custody and identified as Michael Baskin, 34, of Los Angeles.

The identity of the victim has not been released pending notification of family.

Hollywood homicide detectives determined that the stabbing occurred during a fight between the victim and suspect.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to called Hollywood homicide detectives at 213-972-2910 or 972-2915.

Questions may be directed to Media Relations Section.

Studio City Murder Suspect in Custody

Los Angeles:  A man was arrested early Sunday morning in the 10900 block of Bluffside Drive after he fatally stabbed an acquaintance.

On Sunday March 25, 2007, at approximately 8:05 AM, Anthony Lovato, 26, of Studio City, became involved in an argument with Wayne Hughes, 25, from Cathedral City. 

The argument escalated into a physical altercation and Lovato used a knife to stab Hughes multiple times.

Hughes was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later. 

Lovato was arrested for murder and remains in custody.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call North Hollywood Homicide Detectives Thomas Townsend or Timothy Kirkpatrick at 818-623-4075. On weekends and during off-hours, phone the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855)

Elderly Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Car, Driver Sought

Los Angeles: An unidentified woman was fatally struck by a car Saturday evening in the Avalon Gardens area of Los Angeles.  The driver of the vehicle is being sought for questioning.

On March 24, 2007, at approximately 7:30 P.M., the Hispanic woman in her 60s was pushing a shopping cart across Avalon Boulevard at 41st Street.  A car traveling south on Avalon struck her as she attempted to cross the street.  The vehicle was a gray possible Toyota Corolla, Camry or Tercel with a black hood.  The victim was projected onto the hood and carried for nearly a block before being thrown off. 

The driver never stopped.  It is a felony to leave the scene of an injury accident.

The woman sustained extensive blunt force trauma.  Paramedics rushed her to California Hospital where she died of her injuries.

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the woman and locating the driver. Anyone with information is asked to call Central Traffic Detective Michael Kaden at 213-972-1825, or the Central Traffic Watch Commander at 213-972-1853.  On weekends and during off-hours, phone the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Gang Member Arrested for Shooting at Police

Los Angeles: A gang member fired on two police officers last night, March 24, 2007, as the officers drove past the suspect and his two companions.  One officer returned fire.  While no one was injured, all three men were captured, and officers found a .45 caliber handgun.

"It's hard to say whether the gunman knew his targets were police," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon.  "What it demonstrates is the propensity for gang members to attack perceived ‘outsiders' who venture into claimed territory.  Such is the nature of the gang mentality."

Officer Frank Marino, 32, and his partner from the Wilshire Police Station were patrolling near 15th Street and Manhattan Place just after midnight on March 24.  They noticed three men walking westbound on the sidewalk as the officers were driving past in the same direction. Brandin Bell, 22, raised a gun and started shooting without any warning. 

Officer Marino was able to return fire.  Bell's two companions surrendered quickly, while Bell ran and hid.  Police cordoned off the area.  A police dog and his handler founded Bell hiding in a nearby carriage house.  After Bell surrendered, police found the .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun in the building.

Bell was booked on a charge of attempted murder.  He is a documented local gang member.  His two companions were questioned and released.

Last night's shooting was the second time this year that a gang member fired on undercover officers.  On February 2, a gunman chased after an unmarked police car near Figueroa
and 46th Streets after the two officers merely drove by.  Officers returned fire and captured the gunman and the two other men with whom he had been loitering.

Last night also was the sixth time officers have been fired upon this year, on a par with the same period last year.  In all six cases, suspects have been apprehended, and all but one the assaults were committed by gang members. 

It was the 17th time officers fired at suspects this year, compared to seven officer-involved shootings for the same period last year.  Two officers have been wounded by suspects this year.

Officer Marino has over 4 years with the LAPD.

Man Shot to Death During Dispute

Los Angeles:  A 17-year-old juvenile shot and killed a man over a dispute with his mother.

On Thursday, March 22, 2007, at around 6 P.M., Jerome Stallworth, 38,was at the residence located in the 3600 block of 4th Avenue. Stallworth was engaged in an argument with the juvenile’s mother which had being going on for some time.  The juvenile fired two rounds at Stallworth with a shotgun. The juvenile fled from the location.

Los Angeles City Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced Stallworth dead at the scene. 

With the help from family members, the juvenile surrendered to police without incident.

Detectives recovered the shotgun from a nearby drainage near the curb where the juvenile discarded the weapon after the shooting.

For more information, please call Southwest Homicide Detectives Jim Yoshida and Rick Gordon at  213-485-2418.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).