LAPD Blog

Reward Offered for Hillside Burglary Suspects

Los Angeles: Yesterday LAPD detectives and city officials offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men who have burglarized homes in affluent hillside communities throughout Los Angeles.

The announcement came as part of an aggressive yearlong investigation into the series of burglaries that have occurred primarily in Bel Air and Brentwood, but also Hollywood and the West San Fernando Valley. The suspects enter residences and ransack rooms looking for cash and jewelry.  To date, many victims have sustained substantial property losses.

Based on video surveillance tapes provided by residents, the suspects appear to be two male Blacks, 25-30 years, with stocky builds.  They are over 6 feet tall and weigh 200-240 pounds.  The suspects wear gloves and ski masks.

In one of the recorded surveillance tapes, the suspects are seen approaching a home before they pull down their face masks.  Based on that video, the police released photographs of both suspects and are asking for the public's assistance in identifying them.

In support of the investigation, Council Member Jack Weiss asked the City of Los Angeles to authorize a $50,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

The LAPD continues to make every effort to investigate the crimes and apprehend the men responsible.  Since community awareness is a significant part of prevention, residents are reminded to be extremely vigilant in making sure their homes are secure.  The LAPD recommends citizens take the following steps:

•Ensure all doors and windows are securely locked, including side and rear garage doors.
•Verify alarm systems are maintained and in good working order.
•Consider motion sensor detectors as part of any home alarm system.
•Activate alarms when leaving a residence, even for short trips away.
•Consider installation of surveillance cameras as part of the security system.
•Maintain updated records and photographs of small, non-serialized valuables.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Los Angeles Burglary Detectives at 310-444-1566, during normal business hours.  After hours and on weekends, phone the 24-hour Detective Information Hotline at 877-LAW-FULL (877-529-3855).

Fatal Robbery Caught on Tape

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police detectives have released video footage of a robber who fatally shot a man and critically injured a second victim during an attempted liquor store robbery in Hollywood.

The robbery occurred at the Limelight Liquor Store on July 19, 2007. Just before 6:30 p.m., a Black man posing as a customer walked into the store in the 1600 block of La Brea Avenue.

The clerk, Vladimir Akkerman, 69, was standing behind the counter near the cash register when the man asked him the price for a half gallon of milk. The suspect returned the milk to the refrigerator case and walked back to the stock room. There the suspect grabbed 39-year-old Pulod Davlatnazarov by the back of his shirt and walked him at gunpoint to the front counter.

The surveillance footage shows the gunman making demands and Akkerman trying to reason with him. Moments later, Akkerman reaches to activate the alarm button and put his hands up. The suspect shoots Akkerman in the stomach, then shoots Davlatnazarov in the head. After the shootings, the suspect runs from the store without taken anything, police said.

Davlatnazarov died at the scene.  Akkerman was taken to a local hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

The suspect is 18-22 years old, 5'6" tall, 180 pounds. He had a short afro and was wearing wire rim prescription glasses. He was wearing a black oversized short sleeve T-shirt with a white T-shirt underneath.

Video footage of the crime is available to media outlets through Media Relations Section.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hollywood Homicide Detectives Vicki Bynum or Larry Cameron at 213-972-2902 or 972-2910 during normal business hours. On weekends and during off-hours, phone the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAW-FULL (1-877-529-3855).

Man Shot and Killed in Gang Shooting

Los Angeles: A 24-year-old man was shot and killed while walking on Western Avenue at Romaine Street.

On Monday, July 16, 2007, at about 9 PM, the victim, later identified as Jose Angel Ventura of Los Angeles, was found by officers on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound.  The officers had responded for a shooting call at the location.  Paramedics pronounced Ventura dead at the scene.

According to witnesses, two young men were seen running from the shooting scene and they were described as Hispanics, 14-17 years of age.

The motive for the shooting is unknown but it appears gang related.

Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to call Hollywood Homicide Detectives at 213-972-2910.  After hours and on weekends, phone the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

LAPD Chief William Bratton Announces Crime Continues To Decline

Los Angeles: Following five consecutive years of a decrease in major crimes, Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton today announced crime has dropped another three percent during the first six months of 2007.

Today, at a news conference with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LA City Councilmember Jack Weiss and Police Commission President John Mack, Chief Bratton provided an update on the Department's Gang Enforcement Initiatives and Part I Crimes.   

As of June 30th, Part I Crime in Los Angeles had decrease by three percent.  The most notable decrease has been in the number of homicides, a drop of 21% or 50 fewer homicides.  Overall Violent Crimes have decreased by 7 percent, equating to 1,025 fewer crimes.

•Rapes are down 22.4 percent or 108 fewer crimes.
•Robberies are down 4.5 percent or 317 fewer crimes.
•Aggravated Assaults down 7.9 percent, 550 fewer crimes.

Part I property crimes have decreased by 1.9 percent.

•Burglary is down 3 percent, that's 297 fewer crimes.
•Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is down 3.9 percent, 472 fewer crimes.
•Personal Theft/Other Theft is down 5.9 percent, 815 fewer crimes.
•Burglary Theft from Vehicles is up 4 percent, 638 additional crimes.

While Burglary Theft from Vehicles is on the rise, this is a crime that the public can help prevent says Chief Bratton.  "This is an area where a partnership between the public and police can be effective." "We need the public's help to be diligent about taking extra precautions to take the time to put their valuables in a safe place and out of view from would be thieves."

The Gang Enforcement Initiative was begun earlier this year to focus on reducing the number of violent gang crimes.  Despite a 14-percent rise in 2006, LAPD Officers have made progress.      As of June 30, 2025 there were 102 gang-related homicides compared to 143 during the same time period in 2006, 41 fewer for a reduction of 28.7 percent.  The number of victim's shot was also down 8 percent, 622 as compared to 720 in 2006, and the number of shots fired was down 8.9 percent, 1,257 compared to 1,380.

Citywide the gang crime statistics for each geographic Bureau are as follows:

•Central Bureau is down 0.7 percent
•South Bureau is down 4.8 percent
•West Bureau is down 14.3 percent
•Valley Bureau is up 14.8 percent

While officers continue to focus on gang crime, those same officers are becoming the targets of more violence.  In the first six-months of 2007, LAPD officers have been shot at 14 times, compared to 9 for the same period last year, an increase of 55 percent.  Five of these incidents occurred in the Valley. Overall there have been 53 assaults on officers by gang members this year, compared to 39 last year, an increase of nearly 36 percent.

"We are committed to reducing the incidents of Part I Crimes and Gang Crimes.  I'm comfortable that by the end of 2007, the men and women of the LAPD will have achieved a 5 percent reduction in Part I Crime," said Chief Bratton.

Gang Violence Claims Another Life

Los Angeles: Los Angeles detectives are asking the public's help in identifying the suspects who shot a man to death as he stood talking with friends on Sunday evening.

On July 15, 2007, at around 9:00 p.m., the victim, Michael Lynn Presley, 19, was standing in front of an apartment building in the 4500 block of West Martin Luther King Boulevard.

A dark colored car carrying three suspects drove up to the victim and his friends.  The two passengers got out of the car and fired several rounds at Presley.  Presley was hit in the left thigh and buttocks and fell to the ground.  The gunmen ran back to the waiting car and fled the scene.

Presley was able to get in the back seat of his friend's car and was driven to the parking lot at La Brea Boulevard and Rodeo Road where they waited for paramedics.  Los Angeles City Fire personnel transported Presley to a local hospital where he died of his injuries.

The shooters were described only as a two male Blacks and a male Hispanic.  All of the suspects were in their early 20's.  The motive for this shooting is believed to be gang related.

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Bureau Detectives Rick Gordon or Vince Carreon at 213-485-2417.  After hours and on weekends, phone the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (1-877-529-3855).

Cargo Burglars Nabbed by CHP and LAPD

Los Angles: Officers working the Foothill Predator Apprehension Team joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Cargo Interdiction Program and nabbed three cargo burglars in Van Nuys.

On Friday, July 13, 2007, at about 12:40 a.m., Foothill Officers assisted CHP with their operation involving a bait truck at the 14200 block of Arminta Street.  Three suspects were seen burglarizing the cargo trailer and LAPD units were called to effect the arrest of the suspects.  Two suspects were detained without incident.

Foothill uniform and plain-clothes officers chased the third suspect on foot.  The suspect ran to an access road at the 7800 block of Nelson Road and attempted to scale a ten-foot fence.  As he neared the top of the fence, officers were able to grab him by the legs and pull him off the fence. He fell from the fence and struck his face on the ground. 

The suspect, identified as Jonathon Dennis, 30, was transported and admitted to a local hospital for treatment.

The CHP handled the arrest of the three suspects.  Forced Investigation Division personnel are handling the Law Enforcement Related Injury (LERI) investigation.

Officers Shot at Attacking Dog

Los Angeles: A  Los Angeles police officer assigned to the 77th Street Police Station shot at and missed a Pitbull who charged him on July 6, 2007.

Around 9:45 p.m., Officer Rudy Barillas, and his partner were on routine patrol in a marked black and white when they made a traffic stop on a juvenile riding a mini-motorcycle without a helmet at the intersection of Figueroa Street and 47th Street.  During the traffic stop, they learned that the juvenile had a no bail misdemeanor warrant for his arrest.    

When the officers attempted to return the mini motorcycle to the juvenile's home and notify the subject's mother of his arrest, they were charged by a pit-bull who was growling at them and attempting to bite the officers. 

Officer Barillas fired two rounds at the pit-bull in order to stop the animal from attacking him and his partner.  The dog was not hit and retreated to the back of the residence.   

Officer Barillas is 35 years old and has been with the Los Angeles Police Department for 10 years.

No officers or citizens were injured.

77th Area Detectives are conducting the investigation.

17-Year-Old Killed in Gang Shooting

Los Angeles: A 17-year-old juvenile was found shot to death in an alley Tuesday.

On July 17, 2007, at about 7:30 AM, Wilshire Area patrol officers received a call of a man down in an alley to the rear of 5360 West Pico Boulevard.  Upon arrival, the officers found the victim behind a storage container in the alley.  It appeared the victim had been dead for several hours.

Wilshire Area Homicide Detectives assumed the investigation and are continuing to collect evidence and interview witnesses.  Preliminary evidence indicates the cause of death was a gunshot wound.

The victim was identified as Ricardo Cervantes of Los Angeles, a documented local street gang member.  It was the second time Cervantes was the target of gang violence.  In October 2005 he was shot in the leg by a rival gang.  No arrests were made in that incident.

Persons with information regarding this incident should contact Wilshire Area Homicide Detectives at 213-473-0446.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Man Shot and Killed in Gang Shooting

Los Angeles: A 24-year-old man was shot and killed while walking on Western Avenue at Romaine Street.

On Monday, July 16, 2007, at about 9 PM, the victim, later identified as Jose Angel Ventura of Los Angeles, was found by officers on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound.  The officers had responded for a shooting call at the location.  Paramedics pronounced Ventura dead at the scene.

According to witnesses, two young men were seen running from the shooting scene and they were described as Hispanics, 14-17 years of age.

The motive for the shooting is unknown but it appears gang related.

Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to call Hollywood Homicide Detectives at 213-972-2910.  After hours and on weekends, phone the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

Crime Statistics for July 17, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Homicide                                200               253              -21%
Rape                                      411               517              -21%
Robbery                                7193             7574              -5%
Agg Assaults **                      6918             7557              -8%
Total Violent Crimes         14,722        15,901              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  10,298          10,590          -3%
Auto Theft                              12,626          12,996          -3%
BTFV                                      16,451          15,943            4%
Personal/Other Theft              14,108          15,085           -6%
Total Property Crimes           53,483         54,614          -2%
Total Part I Crimes                68,205         70,515          -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

Youths Target Sleeping Homeless Men

Los Angeles: Los Angeles detectives are asking the public's help to provide victim information related to a series of attacks on homeless persons by a group of four Hispanic boys, ages 15 to 17, who targeted homeless persons sleeping on sidewalks since early July 2007.

Just before 1:30 AM Sunday morning, July 15, 2007, patrol officers in Skid Row came upon a homeless man enveloped in smoke and three youths standing over him.  Two of the boys were apparently recording on phone cameras.  Once detained, the officers realized the boys had thrown a smoke bomb, which set the sleeping man's blanket on fire.  The fire went out quickly and the man, who is developmentally disabled, was not seriously injured.

The officers arrested two 17-year-old boys and one of those boys' 15-year-old brother.  Once at the police station, detectives found each boy had a cell phone with a camera, and all three had incidents recorded of prior assaults on homeless persons sleeping on sidewalks in Hollywood, Skid Row, and the industrial area south of downtown.

The assaults dated back to July 3, 2007, and consisted of throwing smoke bombs on persons or shooting victims with airsoft pistols, which are air-operated guns that shoot plastic pellets.

"In all, we think these boys were involved in at least seven incidents, including the one for which we arrested them," said Lieutenant Paul Vernon, head of detectives at the Central Police Station.  "We think their intent had been to record their attacks then post them on the internet.  That's not going to happen now."

Detectives do not intend to release the video footage as it does not show any of the victims' faces.  "We also don't want to put these acts into the public domain.  That's just what the boys wanted to achieve."

"The parents of all three boys have been very cooperative in the investigation," Vernon said.  "But this is a wake up call to all parents to know where their children are and what they are up to at all times."

Vernon added, "The public should also remember this incident the next time they read about an advocacy group decrying the City's efforts to prohibit sleeping on the sidewalk --- had this 36-year-old man been in a shelter, he would not have been a victim Sunday morning."

Detectives have also identified a fourth boy, also 17 years old, who was involved in priors acts with the group.  He will be arrested on Monday.

"All four subjects live in Los Angeles, owned computers, cell phones, and had the freedom to roam unsupervised," Vernon added.  "But for each one of these boys, there are dozens more whose schools and parents bring them down to Skid Row to serve meals to the homeless.  It's experiences like that that help youth put a human face on what other parts of society see as inconsequential."

List of incidents recorded on subjects' phone cameras, dates may be off by one day:

•July 3 – Near Melrose Boulevard and Vine Street, near Pavillions Market.  Homeless man with blanket over his head, shot with airsoft pistol.

•July 4 – Vine Street and Hobart Street.  Subject throws homeless man's bicycle into the homeless man's tent.

•July 15, after midnight.  Near King Taco, San Pedro Street, north of Washington Boulevard.  Subjects throw smoke bombs on sleeping homeless man.

•July 15, around 12:30 AM – Olympic Boulevard and Santee Street.  Subjects throw smoke bomb into group of 3 to 4 homeless men.

•July 15, around 12:30 AM – Olympic Boulevard, east of Broadway.  Another smoke bomb thrown on homeless man.

•July 15, around 1:25 AM – 1012 S. Broadway.  Three subjects arrested by officers after caught recording act of throwing smoke bomb on sleeping homeless man, whose blanket catches on fire.

Lieutenant Vernon can be reached at 213-972-1203.

Serial Rapist Arrested

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department arrested a serial rapist who is responsible for a total of nine incidents and possibly more.

In June 2006, Detectives assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division Rape Section began an investigation that resulted in nine cases being linked to the same suspect.

There are six LAPD cases, one Los Angeles County Sheriff case, and two cases from Chicago, Illinois that have been linked case to case by the State of California's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

The first case occurred in 1999 and the last case occurred on June 23, 2007. All the victims were either accepting an offer of prostitution or a stripper that was lured to a motel. In three of the incidents the suspect stated he was a law enforcement officer and told the victims he would arrest them if they did not comply with his demands.

In the LAPD and LASO cases the suspect would make contact with the victim's on or near Figueroa Street in South Los Angeles. He would drive the victims to a secondary location and assault them.

During the last rape the victim was able to obtain a partial license number on the suspect's vehicle.  Detectives identified and tracked the vehicle to a rental car agency.  Leon Ellis, 46, was identified and arrested on July 7, 2007. 

On July 10, 2007, the investigation was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration. Felony rape charges were filed against the suspect. Bail was set at $2,600,000.00.

The Los Angeles Police Department is continuing the investigation and requesting the public's help in identifying any additional victims or witnesses. Anyone with additional information to assist in the investigation is encouraged to contact Detectives J. Alvarado or P. Stirling, Rape Special Section, at 213-485-2921. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Results of 4th of July Weekend Sobriety Checkpoint

Los Angeles:   A sobriety checkpoint on one of LA's busiest streets netted 12 arrests,
62 citations and 49 vehicle impounds during the seven hour operation.

The Crime Task Force (CTF) – Motor Strike Team of the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) South Traffic Division (STD), in support of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.), conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Saturday, July 7, 2007, between the hours of 6:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M.  The checkpoint was located at Western Avenue between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 41st Drive.  The officers screened drivers southbound on Western Avenue from Martin Luther King Blvd.

This operation was conducted in an effort to reduce the incident of injuries, death, and property damage associated with the intoxicated driver at this location.  Western Avenue was identified as one of the "Greatest Risk Streets" in LAPDs' Operation-South Bureau.  The checkpoint served as a reminder to these South Los Angeles communities to use designated drivers and not drink and drive.

The Operation resulted in the following activity:

•1224 vehicles drove through the checkpoint
•266 drivers were screened
•10 field sobriety tests were conducted at the checkpoint
•10 DUI arrests were conducted at the checkpoint
•1   Felony arrest for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer
•1   Misdemeanor  arrest for possession of Narco Paraphernalia
•49 vehicles were impounded
•41 citations were issued either for Suspended/Revoked or Unlicensed Driver violations
•21 citations were issued for numerous moving violations

Funding for this checkpoint came from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  We can all help make our streets safer.  Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911.

Further questions surrounding the checkpoint results can be directed to Sergeant Arturo  Gomez, South Traffic Division, Driving Under the Influence Enforcement Detail.  He can be reached at
213-485-7336.