LAPD Blog

Man Shot and Killed

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are investigating the shooting death of 51-year-old Peter Haskell.

On September 11, 2024 at about 2:15 p.m., Hollenbeck patrol officers responded to a radio call of a possible homicide that occurred in the 1700 block of North Main Street.  When the officers arrived, they located and detained the suspect, Bruce Kalberg. 

Officers checked the residence and discovered the victim inside the location on the floor with no signs of life.  Los Angeles Fire Department medical personnel responded to the scene and pronounced the victim dead.

Detectives investigating the incident have determined that the victim and suspect were roommates and that the shooting occurred after an argument.

Kalberg is 59-years-old, and was arrested and booked for murder.  He is being held on $1,000,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Hollenbeck Homicide Detectives Scott Smith and Ron Chavarria at 323-526-3680.  After-hours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour, toll-free number, 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

19-Year-Old Man Shot and Killed

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help to find the persons responsible for the shooting death of 19-year-old Samuel Trujillo of Pacoima.

On Wednesday, September 10 at about 8:40 p.m., Foothill patrol officers responded to a radio call of a shooting that occurred in the 11600 block of Woodcock Avenue in Pacoima.  When officers arrived, they found a victim of a gunshot wound.

The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he later died of his injury. 

Investigators believe that unknown suspects approached Trujillo and exchanged words concerning gang affiliation.  The suspect, who was accompanied by several others, shot the victim.

The suspects are described as male Hispanics, in their 20s, wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Foothill Homicide Detectives Jose Martinez and Joshua Byers at 818-834-3115.  After hours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour, toll-free number, 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

Serial “Garden Glove” Bandit Sought

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police are asking for the public's help in identifying and locating a man who allegedly robbed 13 businesses, including one bank, throughout the San Fernando Valley and surrounding cities since December 2007.

A lone White male dubbed the "Garden Glove" bandit hit a bank and robbed 12 popular chain stores during the early morning hours and the evenings.  In each incident, the suspect walks into the location wearing dark sunglasses, a hoodie, or a black jacket and gardening gloves. After the suspect engages in conversation with the cashier, he brandishes a handgun, orders the clerk to place the money in a plastic bag and takes off in an unidentified vehicle.  The suspect is in his 40s, stands 6'1"and weighs between 220- 240 pounds.



The following businesses have been robbed:

•December 5, 2007 - 10:30 a.m., CVS Pharmacy,  22968 Victory Boulevard
•December 7, 2007 - 1:30 p.m., Vons, 23381 Mulholland Drive
•December 24, 2007 - 10:30 a.m., Kmart, 19600 Plummer Street
•December 27, 2007 - 6:00 p.m., Smart & Final, 19718 Sherman Way
•January 22, 2008 - 11:30 a.m., Tobacco Store, 8410 Topanga Canyon Boulevard
•January  28, 2008 - 3:45 p.m., US Bank, 5961 Kanan Dune Road
•March 12, 2008 – 8:30 p.m., CVS Pharmacy, 19353 Victory Boulevard
•March 17, 2008 – 8:15 p.m., Rite Aid, 6410 Platt Avenue
•March 28, 2008 – 7:30 p.m., Vons, 16830 San Fernando Boulevard
•March 28, 2008 – 9:00 p.m., Borders Books, 6510 Canoga Avenue
•August 28, 2008 – 3:00 p.m., Bed Bath & Beyond, 6530 Canoga Avenue
•September 2, 2008 – 6:15 p.m., Starbucks, 23381 Mulholland Drive
•September 6, 2008 – 7:30 p.m., Office Depot, 5530 Reseda Boulevard

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone who knows the identity of this robber is urged to call Robbery Homicide Detectives Elehue Bauchman or Thomas Thornton at 213-485-0780.  On weekends or during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

LAPD Heroes Honored by the Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles: On Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers and other public safety personnel converged on the field of Dodgers Stadium to be honored for their service on Heroes Day. A special pregame ceremony also paid tribute to civil servants in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001.

Revered guests at the annual event included the family of fallen SWAT Officer Randy Simmons, Officer James Veenstra and his wife, Captain Michelle Veenstra. 

In support of the event, dignitaries who stood alongside Lisa, wife of fallen SWAT Officer Simmons, included: LAPD First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca, Chief Douglas Barry of the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) and representatives from the Los Angeles School Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, the California Highway Patrol and the United States Marine Corps.

The LAPD’s Emerald Society Pipe Band lead the assembly of public safety officials onto the field as LAPD Officer Rosalind Curry sang the National Anthem.  A moving tribute to Officer Simmons closed out the opening festivities with Officer Simmons’ son, Matthew, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to his sister, Gabrielle, followed by LAPD and LAFD Air Operations flyovers as the game began.

For photographs or video footage of Heroes Day, please visit

Public Service Announcement

 Los Angeles: The two Public Service Announcements shown above were produced by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (www.apco911.org) as a means of raising awareness within the general public about proper and improper use of 9-1-1 emergency lines.

Dog Attacks Officers

Los Angeles: An LAPD officer shoots an attacking German Shepherd.

On Wednesday, September 10, 2024 at about 10:30 a.m., officers from the 77th Street Division responded to a possible “domestic violence” radio call at the 6500 block of Bonsallo Avenue.

When officers arrived, they heard people in the rear yard and went to investigate.  As they entered the rear yard, Officer Miguel Gutierrez, who has been with the Department for 6 years and 10 months, saw an aggressively charging German Shepherd and fired at the dog in order to stop its attack.  The dog was hit once in the chest and was injured.

There were no injuries to the officers.

77th Division is handling the investigation.

SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS IS A GREAT SUCCESS

Click here for podcast

Los Angeles:  At a press conference this morning in Baldwin Village’s Jim Gilliam Park, Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and Chief William J. Bratton announced significant reductions in violent crimes in the areas surrounding the City’s eight Summer Night Lights’ parks.  Developed in partnership with USC Football Coach Pete Carroll’s “A Better LA” program, Department of Recreation and Parks, Los Angeles Police Department, Department of Cultural Affairs and the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Summer Night Lights program targeted eight park facilities in the City’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development zones by expanding programming, after-school activities, athletic leagues, art initiatives and family programs.

The eight targeted parks were: Southwest Area’s Jim Gilliam Park, Hollenbeck Area’s Ramon Garcia Park and the Ramona Gardens Recreation Center, Northeast Area’s Cypress and Glassell Parks, 77th Area’s Mount Carmel Park, Newton Area’s Ross Snyder Park and Foothill Area’s Hubert Humphrey Park.  Communities surrounding the Summer Night Lights parks experienced a 17% drop in violent crimes, an 86% decline in homicides and a 23% reduction in aggravated assault after the program’s eight-week run.   

Grateful for the support of the Mayor’s office, Department of Recreation and Parks’ staff and community members, Chief Bratton stated, “This summer, thousands upon thousands of people came out into their parks and enjoyed them in ways they never did before. . . .  a lot happened this summer.  A lot happened in a positive way and it prevented a lot of negatives from happening.”

Speakers also included Councilmember Herb Wesson, Councilmember Wendy Greuel, Police Commission Vice President John Mack and the Mayor’s Director of Gang Reduction and Youth Development Reverend Jeff Carr.  The Summer Night Lights program is funded entirely through philanthropic donations.  Reverend Carr raised nearly $1 million for the summer program.

Notes for the September 2, 2024 Police Commission Weekly Meeting

• Police Commission Vice President John Mack and Commissioner Andrea Ordin attended the grand opening of the new Rampart Community Police Station.  Commissioner Mack remarked on the wonderful partnership Rampart Division had developed with the community.
• Police Commission Vice President John Mack also participated in a press conference with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Chief William Bratton to announce the results of the Summer Night Lights gang reduction program.  The program was a great success and there were reductions in violent crime in all areas surrounding the City’s eight Summer Night Lights’ parks.  Commissioner Mack noted it was the partnership between the public and private sector which made the program possible.
• Commissioner Robert Saltzman had discussions with the Domestic Violence Task Force, as well as Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger regarding incidents with the Department.
• Commissioner Robert Saltzman and Commissioner Andrea Ordin also met with Inspector General André Birotte to discuss various pending cases.
• Commissioner Alan Skobin met with senior staff of the Motor Transport Detail to discuss Harley Davidson motorcycles and attended a meeting with the directors of LA LEY and a Police Protective League Golf Tournament meeting.
• Chief of Staff 1st Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell reported declines in all Part I crime categories.  He announced the grand opening of the new Rampart Community Police Station, stating the new facility not only enables Department personnel to provide top level service to the community, it also provides the community a place to go and is testament of the Department’s commitment to working with the communities it serves.  Chief McDonnell also stated the Department’s welcome of the Sunshine Kids was a huge success.  The Sunshine Kids Foundation is a support organization dedicated to children inflicted with cancer.  The children were sworn in as honorary police officers for the day and were escorted in motorcade formation to the set of the television show “The Closer” for a tour of the studio.
• The Department’s report dated August 5, 2008, relative to the Compressed Work Schedule Program for Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) 12 and 18, was approved and transmitted to the City Administrative Officer.
• The Department’s report dated August 27, 2008, relative to the Inspector General’s Review of Warrant Applications and Supporting Affidavits Audit, Fiscal Year 2007/08, was received and filed.                                 
• The Department’s report dated August 29, 2008, relative to the Recommendation for the Police Commission Distinguished Service Medal and the Police Meritorious Service Medal, was continued.                         
• The Department’s report dated September 5, 2008, relative to the Commission Request for Follow-Up Information Regarding the Foreign Language & TDD Audit, as presented by Captain William Scott was continued.  Captain Scott reported although five locations (the Department’s four traffic offices and LAX services) were without TDD services, the locations had not received any TDD calls and a system was in place to assist callers should a TDD request come in.  He also noted the Department’s foreign language bank consists of 170 different languages to assist foreign language speaking callers.  After speaking with the City’s Department on Disability and members of the hearing impaired community, Commissioner Robert Saltzman confirmed the Department’s TDD system is working.  However, he requested Captain Scott and his staff meet with Department on Disability personnel to discuss issues they are experiencing and how the Department can work with them.  Commissioner Saltzman requested the item be continued in sixty days with an update from the meeting.                                 
• The Department’s report dated September 3, 2008, relative to the Request for contracting Authority for the Fiscal Year 2006 Infrastructure Protection Grant Program:  Chemical Sector Buffer Zone Protection Program Grant, was approved and transmitted to the Office of the Mayor.

16-year-old Shot and Killed

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are asking for the public's help to find the person responsible for the shooting death of 16-year-old Cesar Butron.

On Tuesday, September 9, 2024 at about 11:15 a.m., Butron was riding his bicycle westbound on the 3200 block of East 8th Street.  The suspect walked toward the victim and pulled out a handgun.  He shot the victim several times in the chest.

Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel provided medical treatment to the victim at the scene and transported him to a local area hospital where he later died of his injures.

Investigators believe the shooting is gang related. 

The suspect is described as a male, Hispanic, wearing a blue baseball cap, white shirt, and dark pants. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hollenbeck Homicide Detectives Ron Chavarria and Scott Smith at 323-526-3680.  After hours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour toll free number, 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

Police Seeking Publics Help in Solving the Murder of a Shooting Victim

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are asking for the public's help to find the person(s) responsible for the shooting death of 34-year-old Jermaine Watson.

On Sunday, September 7, 2024 at about 10:00 a.m., Watson was in the rear parking area of an apartment building at the 900 block of West 48th Street.  Watson was arguing with the suspect, a 29-year-old male Black.  The suspect shot at Watson one time, then fled in a late model, dark-colored-compact vehicle.  Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported Watson to a local hospital where he died of his injury.

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