LAPD Blog

Detective Abiel "Abe" Barron Highway Memorial Sign Dedication Ceremony

On April 26, 2007, members of the LAPD saluted their fallen colleague as a memorial sign was dedicated to Officer Abiel “Abe” Barron.  Friends and family gathered at Northeast Area to celebrate his memory and to reflect on the many wonderful times they shared with the officer.

The Honor Guard began the ceremony with the presentation of colors before Master of Ceremonies Commander Jim Voge.  Deputy Chief Carter reminisced on Officer Barron’s life and Councilmember Tom LaBonge vowed to “never forget the sacrifices.”

Officer Barron’s wife, Anne Marie Barron, and his partner, Detective Andrew Teague, unveiled the Officer Barron memorial sign, which will be placed on Highway 138 at Interstate 15. Solemnly united, the crowd stood silent as "Amazing Grace" being played on bagpipes concluded the bittersweet ceremony. 

Detective Barron joined the LAPD in November 1983 and promoted to Detective in June 1995.  In addition to receiving over 78 commendations, he was posthumously conferred the Police Medal, the LAPD’s second highest award for distinguished bravery, for preventing a woman from leaping to her death.  Detective Barron was killed in a head-on collision on Highway 138 on June 25, 2025.  He is survived by his wife, Ann Marie; daughter, Lauren; mother, Magda; brothers, Arnold and retired Sergeant Sam Barron and sister Magda.

Found Child-Publics Help Needed

Los Angeles:  Police are asking for the publics help in identifying a found child and locating his parents.

On Wednesday, April 25, 2007, around 1:45 p.m., Newton Area Officers responded to a call of a found child in the area of Long Beach Boulevard and Vernon Avenue. Witnesses reported seeing the boy standing on the sidewalk alone.

He speaks Spanish only and was able to tell the Officers that his name was Joel. Joel also told officers that his father's name was Ruben, his mother name was Hilda, and his brother name was Junior.

He is between 2 to 3 years of age with short-cropped black hair and brown eyes. He was found wearing a gray long sleeved shirt with the words "PJC Varsity" on the front, blue jeans with red stripes and black sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newton Area Station at 323-846-6547, during normal business hours. After hours and on weekends, phone the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Notes from the April 24, 2025 Police Commission Weekly Meeting

•Reminder: the public hearing pertaining to Chief Bratton's request for reappointment will take place on Monday, April 30, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Department of Water and Power Auditorium at 111 North Hope Street, Los Angeles, California, 90012.  Input from the public is an essential element for a comprehensive review of Chief Bratton's service to the City of Los Angeles.

•There will be no weekly Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 1, 2007.  The next weekly meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Parker Center, Room 146.

•The Department's report relative to Professional Standards Bureau protocol on racial profiling investigations, has been modified and will be on the agenda for the May 8, 2025 Commission meeting.

•The Commission observed a moment of silence in honor of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald of California's 37th congressional district, who died on April 22, 2007.

•There are currently 414 recruits in the Academy.  41 cadets will graduate on Friday, April 27, 2007.

•Chief Bratton will present the Department's budget proposal before City Council on Thursday, April 26, 2007.  The budget proposal, if approved, will fund the addition of 780 new officers next year.  After attrition, this will add 300 officers to the force.

•Chief Bratton will speak on Crisis Management with respect to terrorism at the Milken Institute's 2007 Global Conference on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.

•City Councilmember José Huizar has motioned to name the Hollenbeck Replacement Station in honor of Rudy de Leon, the first Latino to be named captain of the Hollenbeck Area.

•Chief Bratton will travel with Mayor Villaraigosa to El Salvador meet with the president for the signing of the agreement between our law enforcement agencies to cooperate on gang efforts.  Afterward, they will travel to Mexico to meet with the president and discuss the same matter.

•The May Day March will take place on May 1, 2007.  In addition to the march, there will be two parades.  A large turnout is expected.

•The promotion ceremony on Monday, April 30, 2025 will be the largest in the modern era of the Department and will see an increase in the number of women and minorities to the command staff. 

•Deputy Mayor for Homeland Security and Public Safety Arif Alikhan presented the Mayor's gang prevention initiatives to the Commission.

•The Department's report relative to a Special Event Permit application for the May Day March for Workers Rights was conditionally approved for the May Day March.

•The Department's report in response to City Council's request concerning the Department's Youth Gang Prevention, Intervention and Suppression Programs, was approved and transmitted to the Ad Hoc Committee on Gang Violence and Youth Development.

•The Department's report relative to criminal case filing rates of arrested individuals was approved with the addition of an amendment that will provide year-to-year data for analyzing trends.
The Department's report relative to the Consent Decree/Gang Enforcement Detail Status Report, First Quarter 2007, was approved.

•The Department's report relative to the Audit Recommendation Status Report, Fourth Quarter 2006, in accordance with Paragraph 154 of the Consent Decree, was continued 2 weeks.

•The Department's report and the Office of the Inspector General's report, both relative to Audio Tapes Used in Non-Categorical Use of Force Investigation and Complaint Investigations Audit, Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2006/2007, in accordance with the Annual Audit Plan, was approved.

Student Finds Threatening Letter at Hollenbeck High School

Los Angeles: On April 19, 2007, a Salesian High School student found a threatening letter in a classroom and reported it to school administrators.  The letter threatened violent acts against students and teachers at the school and mentioned that the acts would take place on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.

School administrators called police and reported the incident.

When police arrived on campus, they used both firearm and explosive detection K-9's to search for devices. 

After numerous interviews and an intensive investigation, Detectives arrested a 17-year-old juvenile on April 23, 2025 for criminal threats.

Anyone with information is asked to call Media Relations at 213-485-3586.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

USC Student Arrested for Illegal Firearm and Threats

Los Angeles: On Sunday April 22, 2025 officers with the Los Angeles Police Department arrested and booked a 19-year-old University of Southern California student for illegal possession of a firearm.

Zao Xing Yang, a five-semester undergraduate at USC was attending a student party at a home in the 2300 block of Portland Street, near the USC campus.

Around 3 A.M., some students at the party overheard Yang talking to a young woman. At one point the host of the party asked Yang to leave after he was heard making intimidating statements to the co-ed, and then threatening her with violence.

Yang began arguing with the host and that's when the host noticed Yang holding a gun in his hand. Several students wrestled the gun away from Yang and held him until Campus security and LAPD officers arrived.

Early Monday, April 23, 2007, Southwest Area Detectives obtained a search warrant for Yano's home, which he shares with other roommates. In Yang's room Detectives discovered a safe. Within the safe they found methamphetamine packaged for sale, a .44 caliber magnum revolver, and several hundred dollars in cash.

Yang was booked on the firearm charge and is being held without bail. When Detectives present their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, they plan to seek charges including; making terrorist threats, possession of unregistered firearms and possession of illegal narcotics for sale.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Southwest Area Detectives at 213-485-6571.

San Pedro Home Intruder Wanted by Police

Los Angeles:  Police are conducting an investigation into two separate incidents in San Pedro which may involve the same suspect.

On Wednesday, March 21, around 10:30 p.m., a man was seen peering into an apartment at an apartment complex in the 1200 block of South Leland Street in San Pedro.  When a resident of the building saw and confronted the man, he ran away.

The peeping tom was a male Hispanic in his early 20s, 5'8" tall, 150 pounds.

A second incident occurred Sunday, April 15, at a residence in the 1300 block of West 10th Street in San Pedro.  A teenage girl was in the garage at the rear of the home when she heard a door close.  She thought her family had just returned from the store and went inside to talk to her mother.  The suspect, now inside, jumped in front of the victim and grabbed her arms, pushing her down on a couch.  As the girl fought back, she and the suspect fell to the floor.  She continued to fight and managed to escape the man's grasp.  The girl ran from the front living room into the street, yelling for help.

The suspect in the second incident was also a male Hispanic, in his early 20s, 5'8" tall, 150-160 pounds, and was described as having a large, flat nose.

A composite sketch of the suspect is available by request from Media Relations Section.

Anyone with information is asked to call Harbor Area Detective Rafael Mora at 310-522-2028, during normal business hours.  After hours and on weekends, phone the Harbor Area Watch Commander at 310-513-7024.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics April 21, 2007

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                               112              133              -16%
Rape                                     209               280              -25%
Robbery                               4041             4193              -4%
Agg Assaults **                     3698             4003              -8%
Total Violent Crimes          8,060           8,609             -6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5,778            5,988            -4%
Auto Theft                            7,250            7,492            -3%
BTFV                                    9,605            9,276              4%
Personal/Other Theft            7,809            8,420             -7%
Total Property Crimes       30,442         31,176            -2%
Total Part I Crimes             36,139        37,332            -3%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

Critical Missing in Toluca Lake

UPDATE: MR. WOLFE HAS BEEN LOCATED AND RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY IN GOOD CONDITION.

Los Angeles: Police are requesting the public's help in locating an elderly Alzheimer's patient who has been missing from the Toluca Lake area of the San Fernando Valley since 10 o'clock last night.

Franklin Wolfe, 61, is White, 5'5" tall, 180 pounds with gray hair was last seen wearing a striped black-and-blue shirt, blue jeans, black shoes and carries eye glasses with him. Mr. Wolfe wandered away from his residence the evening of Monday, April 23, and was later seen near Magnolia Boulevard and Vineland Avenue in North Hollywood. He requires medication for his condition.

Mr. Wolfe has been reported missing in the past and was previously found walking along the 134 Freeway. 

Anyone with information is asked to call North Hollywood Station at 818-623-4016, or phone 9-1-1.

Detectives Seeking Public's Help in Solving Murder

Los Angeles:  Detectives are asking the public's help in identifying the suspect(s) who gunned down a man on Saturday night.

On April 21, 2007, at around 11:30 p.m., officers received a radio call of an Assault With a Deadly Weapon in front of a 7-11 store in the 1400 block of Westwood Boulevard. 

Once there, officers found the victim, Carvell Baker, a 35-year-old black man lying on his left side with a gun shot wound to the back of his head.  Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Los Angeles Homicide Detective Ben Macias or Tony Umansky at 310-444-1580.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

75-year-old Man Missing

UPDATE:

At 7:15 P.M., Mr. Avakyan was located at his former retirement home in Burbank. He was in good health and is now under the care of his family.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is asking the public's help in locating Arutyun Avakyan, 75, who has been missing since early this morning.

At around 12:30 a.m., Mr. Avakyan walked away from his family's home located in the 7900 block of Stansbury Avenue in Van Nuys and hasn't been seen since.

Mr. Avakyan suffers from Alzheimer's and is often disoriented.

He is a Male White, 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighs 200 pounds.  He has gray hair, black eyes and was wearing a green sweater, green khaki shirt, tan pants and black shoes.

Anyone who has seen Mr. Avakyan is asked to call the Van Nuys Area at 818-374-9500.  During after hours and on weekends you can call the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk can be contacted by dialing 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855). 

Rain Blamed for Fatal Collision

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police detectives are investigating the fatal collision that occurred early Friday morning in Northeast Los Angeles.

On April 20, 2007, at 8:00 a.m., Vardan Agadzhanyan, 36, and his passenger Hranus Hovhannisyan, 54, were travelling eastbound on Glendale Boulevard when he was unable to make a curve in the roadway. Agadzhanyan's car spun out of control and into oncoming traffic, hitting a 2004 Toyota 4-runner and a 2005 BMW X-5.

Agadzhanyan and Hovhannisyan were transported to a local hospital with severe injuries.

Hohannisyan was pronounced dead a short time later and Agadzhanyan was listed in serious condition.   

The drivers of the other two cars escaped with minor injuries.   

There were no signs of drugs and alcohol, however recent rainfall may have been a contributing factor.

For more information, please contact Central Traffic Division, Detective Felix Padilla or Josephine Mapson at 213-972-1825.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).