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December 28, 2024

Serial Female Robbery Suspects Caught on Video

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives are seeking the public's assistance in identifying two armed robbery suspects.

Since November 25, 2007, two female suspects have committed numerous armed robberies targeting convenience stores in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding cities. In most cases, one suspect walks into the store and while pointing a handgun at the cashier, demands money. The other suspect stands near the door as a lookout and shouts out orders to the employees. Once they receive the cash, and prior to leaving the store, they order the employees to lay on the ground.

The suspects are described as one female White or Hispanic, 5’0-5’2, 110-130 pounds, 25-35 years of age and one female Black, 5’4-5’7, 130-140 pounds 20-30 years of age.

The female suspects wear hooded sweatshirts and commit the robberies during the late evening hours.  They are to be considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Surveillance video is available through Media Relations Section 213-485-3586.

The Los Angeles Police Department is working in conjunction with the San Fernando Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and Oxnard Police Department. If you have any information concerning these suspects please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division at 213-485-2511. During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

December 27, 2024

LAPD Steps up DUI Enforcement

Los Angeles: More DUI enforcement and safer streets are coming to Los Angeles. Increased special impaired driving enforcement measures are on tap this holiday season and throughout the next year as a result of a recent $295,200 grant awarded by the Office of Traffic Safety to the Los Angeles Police Department (Department). The Department is dedicated to keeping our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.

The special grant is to assist in efforts to deal with increased impaired driving problems and reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and drug related traffic collisions. Last year, 1,597 people were killed and over 31,000 injured in California in drug and alcohol related crashes.

The grant activities will specifically target driving under the influence (DUI) offenders and drivers with suspended or revoked licenses. This will be done through the use of checkpoints set up to screen for drivers who may be impaired or operating without a valid drivers license. Checkpoints have been shown to significantly reduce DUI fatalities when utilized aggressively and consistently. The most positive aspects of sobriety checkpoints are their ability to increase public awareness, to prevent impaired driving in the first place, and to encourage designating a sober driver.

"When more people drive sober and safely, lives are saved. It’s just that simple," said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety. "This grant will help make Los Angeles just that much safer of a place to live and work."

Funding for the grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

If you have any questions regarding this press release, please contact Officer Don Inman, Traffic Coordination Section, Emergency Operations Division, at 213-847-1624.

47-Year-Old Man Missing

Los Angeles: The family and the Los Angeles Police Department request the public’s help in locating Mario Rivas, who has a brain injury and needs to take his medication.

Mr. Rivas was last seen on December 13, 2007, at about 3:00 AM, leaving White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles.  He was supposed to be picked up by a family member at the hospital, but they missed each other.

Mr. Rivas is Latino, 5’ 7’’ tall and weighs 162 pounds.  He has brown hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweater and blue jeans

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Rivas is asked to contact the Missing Persons Detective Arnie Adauto at 213-485-5381. During off-hours or on weekends call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

December 26, 2024

15-Year-Old Teen Fatally Shot in Hollywood

 Los Angeles: Los Angeles police are looking for an unidentified gunman who fatally shot a 15-year-old teen Monday evening in Hollywood.

At 8:00 p.m., a citizen driving near the 5600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard called 911 after hearing several gunshots go off and seeing Diego Cruz collapsing on a sidewalk.

When police got to the scene, they found Cruz suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was not breathing. 

Cruz was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he later died.

Detectives are in the initial stage of their investigation and have few leads. It is unclear if the shooting was gang-related.

Cruz was a student at Hollywood High School and was a resident of Los Angeles. 

Police have no suspect description and are asking anyone with information regarding this shooting to notify Hollywood Homicide Detectives Larry Cameron or Rolando Rodriguez at 213-972-2901/2910. During off-hours or on weekends call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Man Under the Influence of Narcotics Dies in Custody

Los Angeles: On December 21, 2007, a 44-year old man arrested for solicitation of an undercover police officer died a day later at a local hospital while in police custody.  The man died from complications of methamphetamine and cocaine in his system, authorities said.

At 7:00 p.m., Los Angeles police vice officers arrested Jose Arocho during a prostitution sting operation in the 6400 block of Figueroa Street.

After police placed Arocho in a sobering cell, he began to sweat profusely and was immediately taken to the jail dispensary doctor for treatment.

Moments later, paramedics transported Arocho to California Hospital where he was admitted, and later died.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.

Two People Shot Dead in South Los Angeles

Los Angeles: Two people were shot and killed in a South Los Angeles apartment on  December 24, 2007.

At around 4:50 p.m., a neighbor made a grim discovery of the lifeless bodies of Shelton Sumerall, 32, and Monica Youngblood, 23, lying on the floor inside of an apartment in the 6700 block of 11th Avenue, and called police.

Apparently, both victims were shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

A witness told investigators that he or she heard an argument and several gunshots in the early morning hours, but did not call police.

No motive has been established for the incident, and detectives have ruled out that the shootings were a murder-suicide.

It is unclear if the victims were involved in a relationship.

Police have no description of the assailants and are still searching for leads.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact South-Bureau Homicide Detectives Regugio Garza or Stephanie Hale at 213-485-1383. During off-hours, or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics December 22, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                   389               466       -16.5%
Rape                                          839              962        -12.8%
Robbery                                 13,109         13,953        -6.0%
Agg Assaults **                       12,520         13,832        -9.5%
Total Violent Crimes             26,857       29,213         -8.1%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                 18,892          19,667        -3.9%
Auto Theft                              22,625         24,114        -6.2%
BTFV                                      29,468         29,358          0.4%
Personal/Other Theft              26,135         27,861         -6.2%
Total Property Crimes           97,120      101,000        -3.8%
Total Part I Crimes              123,977     130,213
         -4.8%

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

December 24, 2024

Notes from the December 20, 2024 Police Commission Special Meeting

  • The Board of Police Commissioners held a closed session to discuss the Department's proposed Financial Disclosure program and draft Special Order, in accordance with paragraph 132 of the Federal Consent Decree.
  • The public comment period included remarks from Los Angeles Police Protective League President Timothy Sands, as well as members of the community.
  • The Board reconvened in Open Session and announced its unanimous decision to approve the Financial Disclosure program and draft Special Order as clarified, in accordance with paragraph 132 of the Federal Consent Decree.

LAPD Disclaimer

  • Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this weblog until the author has approved them. We encourage you to express your opinions about current events through respectful and insightful discussion. The Department reserves the right to refuse to post those comments that contain inappropriate language and/or material. Additionally, hyper-links or E-mail addresses will not be posted. To report or help us solve a crime go to lapdonline.org. To commend an officer or report police officer misconduct - click here.

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