LAPD Blog

Man Standing in Front of Apartment Building Fatally Shot

Los Angeles: On April 19, 2008, at about 4:15 a.m., 31-year-old Charles Corey was in front of his apartment building at the 3200 block of West 60th Street when a suspect in a tan, newer-model car, possibly a Toyota Corolla, drove by and fired multiple gunshots. Corley was hit several times and collapsed on the street. The vehicle and suspects proceeded eastbound on West 60th Street toward 8th Avenue.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the incident and the victim was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and was placed on life-support systems until his recent death on April 23, 2008, at 12:50 p.m.

The motive for the murder is unknown and the suspects, their vehicle and weapons remain outstanding.

Anyone with information is asked to call South Bureau Homicide Detectives Bill Ritch or Bertha Durazo at 213-485-1383. After hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour detective information desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

Woman Stabs Boyfriend in Domestic Dispute

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police have arrested a woman who murdered her live-in boyfriend yesterday afternoon in South Los Angeles.

Just before 4:30 p.m., Reginald Wilson, 44, and Elizabeth Shields, 52, were involved in a heated argument at their residence in the 5200 block of south Van Ness Avenue.  The dispute turned violent when Shields picked up a kitchen steak knife and brutally stabbed Wilson in the chest, authorities said.

After the victim staggered to the living room area where he subsequently collapsed, the suspect called 911and waited for police to arrive.

Paramedics rushed the victim to a local hospital where he died of his injuries, and Shields was taken into custody and charged with murder. Her bail was set at $1 million.

Both the victim and the suspect have been involved in an ongoing feud, investigators said.

Anyone with information is asked to call South Bureau Homicide Detectives Roger Guzman and Eric Crosson at 213-485-1383.  After hours and on weekends, please call the 24-hour Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

Armed Bandits Robbed Karaoke Business

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police are looking for two men who were caught on a surveillance camera robbing a Karaoke business at gunpoint on April 14, 2008.

The robbery occurred in broad daylight, shortly after 3:00 p.m. when the pair entered the DJ Karaoke Box located at 4121 West Olympic Boulevard. One of the bandits approached the counter posing as a customer and acted as a lookout. Moments later, the other bandit walked up to a female employee standing behind the counter, showed a handgun, and demanded she open the cash register and turn over the money. The cashier complied with the suspect's orders because she feared for her life, police said. The suspect grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash, a carton of Marlboro Light cigarettes, and a personal cell phone, and placed them in a white shopping bag with handles.

After taking the personal items and cash, both suspects walked out the back door and fled in a 2002-2005 grey, four-door Nissan Altima.

The gunman was described as a 20-25 year old Korean, and was wearing a white long- sleeve shirt and black pants. The second suspect, also described as Korean, was wearing a blue flannel shirt that he used to shield his face and conceal his identity.

No shots were fired and the cashier was not injured.

Surveillance footage and still photographs of the suspects are available through Media Relations Section.

Anyone who recognizes the suspects is asked to contact Wilshire Robbery Detectives Tae Hong or Webster Wong at 213-922-8205/8231. During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFUL (1-877-529-3855).

Shooting Leaves Security Guard Dead, Another Injured

Los Angeles: On Friday, April 18, 2008, Wilshire Area patrol officers responded to a "shots fired" radio call at the Auto Zone located in the 1900 block of South Western Avenue. When the officers arrived, they discovered two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. An armed, uniformed security guard, Hernan Cardona, a 60-year-old, Hispanic male, died at scene, and a Black male in his 50s sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital and has since been released.

At around 10 p.m., Cardona and the second victim were outside the Auto Zone when they were ambushed by two armed suspects. Both suspects fired their weapons striking them several times. In an effort to protect himself, Cardona drew his service weapon and returned fire. It is unknown if any of the suspects were injured.

After the shooting, the suspects ran southbound on Western Avenue from Washington Boulevard to an awaiting dark-colored SUV parked on 20th Street. They were last seen driving westbound on 20th Street from Western Avenue.

The suspects were described as two Black males, ages 18 to 25. Both suspects had a thin build and were armed with pistols. The first suspect wore a gray hooded sweatshirt and white (possible basketball style) shorts, and the second suspect wore a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. There is no description on the get away driver.

Councilman Herb Wesson has offered a $50,000 reward for the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspects. In addition, St. Moritz Security Services, Inc. Cardona's employer, has also offered a $5,000 reward for the identification, arrest, and conviction of the suspects.

Anyone with any information regarding this case is urged to contact Wilshire Homicide detectives at 213-473-0446. During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour, toll-free anonymous tip line at 1-877-LAWFUL (1-877-529-3855).

15-Year-Old Girl Shot

Los Angeles: A 15-year-old girl was shot by gang members in South Los Angeles.

On April 21, 2008, at around 9:20 PM, the shooting occurred at in the 2100 block of East 110th  Street.  Two male Black suspects drove up to the location in a dark blue Jeep Cherokee, exited the vehicle, and fired several rounds at a group of persons who were standing in the front yard.

The girl received a gunshot wound to her left breast.  She was taken to a local hospital and was admitted in stable condition.  No other persons were struck by gunfire.  The suspects were last scene traveling westbound on 110th Street from the shooting scene.

Southeast Area Gang Enforcement Detail officers conducted the preliminary Attempted Murder investigation.  During a follow-up search of the area, officers located the Jeep Cherokee used by the suspects in a parking lot of the Watts Arms apartment complex, 103rd and Beach Streets.

Evidence from the shooting was found inside the vehicle.  The investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have been made.

Inquiries regarding this incident should be directed to Detective Pat Batts, Southeast Enforcement Detail, at 213-972-7901.  During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFUL (1-877-529-3855).

Murder Suspect Wanted

(Update)

*Wanted murder suspect Frank Shano Siganoff ran out of options after seeing a photo of himself on several local news channels and America Most Wanted.  On April 28, 2008, around 9:30 p.m., he turned himself in at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s jail in Phoenix, Arizona.  During a three-way conversation with his relatives and LAPD detectives, Siganoff was convinced to do the right thing and turn himself in.  He waived his extradition and will soon be brought back to California to face murder charges.

Los Angeles: LAPD detectives are asking for the public's help in searching for a murder suspect who threw an incendiary weapon into a fortune telling business that killed a 57-year-old woman in Hollywood.

The incident occurred on September 3, 2007, when a man walked into the fortune telling business located at 5324 West Sunset Boulevard and callously threw a lit molotov cocktail inside.  The business became fully engulfed in flames and tragically claimed the life of the proprietor Rose Marco. Detectives said Marco also resided at her business.

Robbery homicide detectives have developed several leads and identified the suspect as Frank Shano Siganoff, 24.  He is described as Caucasian, brown hair and blue eyes.  He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.  Siganoff's face is also heavily scarred with acne.

According to the investigators, the motive for the killing was related to an ongoing dispute between two families within the Hollywood Gypsy community

Siganoff left the state of California following the murder and remained out of state.  On Tuesday, April 22, 2008, he was last seen on foot in the Hollywood area, near the intersection of Melrose Street and Western Avenue, carrying  personal belongings.  Siganoff details cars and is known to frequent car wash businesses in order to earn money.

A murder warrant has been issued for Siganoff's arrest.

Investigators say Siganoff is possibly armed and considered extremely dangerous.  Citizens should refrain from approaching or making contact with the suspect and immediately call police.

Anyone who may have seen or knows the whereabouts of this murder suspect is asked to call Robbery Homicide Detectives Mike Oppelt or Al Aldaz at 213-485-2531.  After hours and on weekends, please call the 24-hour Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

New O.I.C. of LAPDOnline

Dear LAPD Bloggers,

I would like to introduce myself to you.  I am Lieutenant Rick Banks, and as of April 2008, I am the new Lieutenant in charge of the blog.  That is to say, I manage the blog by approving the postings and reading all of your comments and evaluating which ones will be published.  Once published, your comment is added to the discussion board for everyone to read.

The LAPD created the blog to be able to disseminate our news and information while managing how it is presented to the public, the cyber and global community.  In its few years of existence, the blog has proven to be a successful and valuable tool, which comes with a great amount of responsibility.  This blog provides people the ability to exchange ideas and opinions on numerous Department topics and events.  The blog allows you to have a good amount of influence and more with complete anonymity. 

Unfortunately, people take advantage of being anonymous.  People find it very easy to make accusatory remarks and point fingers at others without having to provide complete, factual and accurate background information or context and that is irresponsible.  On occasion, I have been unable to publish several comments because they included explicit, inappropriate or slanderous language and were personal attacks. I will not post a comment that will help perpetuate a rumor or an unfounded accusation.  The Department welcomes differences of opinion, and those opinions will be published as long as they are well within the guidelines of the disclaimer.

You can illustrate how strongly you feel about a topic without the use of profanities or abbreviations of profanity.  This will make it easier for me to publish your opinions, maximizing the impact of your comment and inspiring others to share their thoughts.

Please take a quick minute to read our disclaimer.  I look forward to hearing from you soon, and encourage you to continue submitting your comments.  Thank you for your time.

Bus Hit and Run Kills Pedestrian

Los Angeles: A 31-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed by a hit and run driver. 

On April 22, 2008, at 8:10 AM, a traffic fatality occurred when a female pedestrian, of Korean descent while walking through the intersection at New Hampshire Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard was struck by a yellow school bus as it made a left turn.  The driver of the bus never stopped to render aid and fled northbound on New Hampshire Avenue. 

The driver was described as a possible male Hispanic with long hair that was pulled back in a ponytail.  Witnesses described the bus to investigators as a newer model, yellow in color with a flat front end, approximately 40 feet in length.  The bus did not have any passengers at the time of the collision. 

The pedestrian identified as Vicky Noh of Los Angeles, died at the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Central Traffic Detective Felix Padilla or Detective Tracy McClanahan at 213-972-1825.  During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFUL (1-877-529-3855).

Notes from the April 22, 2025 Police Commission Meeting

 •    Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco met with Councilmember José Huizar to discuss matters in Council District 14.

•    Police Commission Vice President John Mack, Commissioner Robert Saltzman and Police Commission Executive Director Richard Tefank were briefed by Deputy Chief Michael Hillmann on the Department’s training, planning and preparation for the May 1 event.  Discussions were held to address command control issues and a Tabletop Session is scheduled with command staff to focus on communication and coordination concerns.  Arrangements with outside agencies are also being coordinated.

•    Commissioner Andrea Ordin and Commissioner Robert Saltzman participated in a conference call on the Safer City Initiative.

•    Commissioner Alan Skobin requested the Commission consider various quality of life issues.  He noted the need for the Department to view the Hotel Ordinance from another perspective by adding a training component.  He has met with several hotel operators and staff in an effort to emphasize the education, compliance and enforcement components of the ordinance.  Commissioner Skobin also worked with staff and the Department of Transportation to address enforcement issues concerning bandit taxi cabs (unlicensed taxis).  He will provide the Commission with recommendations at a later date.   

•    Commissioner John Mack joined Chief William Bratton, Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger, Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz and Deputy Chief Charlie Beck in a meeting with community clergy persons to discuss violent crimes, including racially motivated assaults.  The meeting was scheduled in an effort to reach out to the community and receive input on how best to address the situation.

•    Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger reported that the Command Staff Mentoring Program has been very successful.  Over half of the captains that participated in the program during his tenure have promoted and would be extremely effective in mentoring future participants. 

•    The Department’s Verbal Presentation on the status of construction of Metropolitan Jail, new Police Administration building and other projects as reported by Police Administrator Thom Brennan was received.  He reported the Metropolitan Bomb Squad facility move in had been completed in March.  He updated the Commission on the status of the replacement stations: Rampart is 98% complete; Harbor and Hollenbeck are over 90% complete; the construction of Olympic and Topanga should be completed in May, however, due to funding limitations, move in may not occur until January 09; Metro Detention Center is 75% complete and scheduled to open in February 09; and the Police Administration Building is 65% complete.
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•    The Department’s Report, dated April 14, 2008, relative to the Transmittal of the Report for Supplemental Funding for the 2007-08 and Award of Funding for the 2008-09 Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act Program, as discussed by Fiscal Operations Division Senior Management Analyst II Wanda Bell was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.  She reported the State reduced the County’s funding, which reduced the City’s funding from $480,000 to $428,125,  $90,000 of which will be dedicated to the Explorer Program.  Commissioner Saltzman underscored the need to ensure that the Explorer Program was in compliance with the City's non-discrimination policy.  Commissioner Pacheco added that the Commission had requested guidance from the City Attorney’s Office on the issue.

•    The Department’s Report, dated April 15, 2008, relative to the Criminal Case Filing Rates of Individuals Arrested - First Quarter Report (January 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025) was approved.

•    The Department’s Report, dated April 3, 2008, relative to Warrant Applications and Supporting Affidavits Audit Second Quarter, December 28, 2007, AD No. 07-002, Recommendation AD 01, as presented by Assistant Inspector General Django Sibley, Assistant Inspector General Beth Kennedy and Police Auditor Erin Kenney was received and filed.  Police Commissioner Alan Skobin stressed the need for a clear set of objectives and requested an update from staff in the future on how this need was being addressed.

•    The Department’s Report, dated December 28, 2007, and OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT, dated April 8, 2008, relative to the review of the Department’s Warrant Applications and Supporting Affidavits Audit, Fiscal Year 2007-2008, pursuant to the Federal Consent Decree, were approved.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics April 19, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2008**            2007**       % Chg

Homicide                              122                 114           7.0%
Rape                                    213                 243         -12.3%
Robbery                              3730               4007           -6.9%
Agg Assaults **                      3573               3610           -1.0%
Total Violent Crimes           7638              7974           -4.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                 5587               5830          -4.2%
BTFV                                      8821               9624          -8.3%
Personal/Other Theft               7560               8181          -7.6%
Auto Theft                              6438               7210         -10.7%
Total Property Crimes          28,406           30,845          -7.9%
Total Part I Crimes               36,044           38,819          -7.1%

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2008**            2007**       % Chg

Homicide                              122                 114           7.0%
Rape                                    213                 243         -12.3%
Robbery                              3730               4007           -6.9%
Agg Assaults **                      3573               3610           -1.0%
Total Violent Crimes           7638              7974           -4.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                 5587               5830          -4.2%
BTFV                                      8821               9624          -8.3%
Personal/Other Theft               7560               8181          -7.6%
Auto Theft                              6438               7210         -10.7%
Total Property Crimes          28,406           30,845          -7.9%
Total Part I Crimes               36,044           38,819          -7.1%