LAPD Blog

Murder Suspect Sought in Hollywood

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect responsible for the shooting of two men, one was killed and the other was injured. 

On December 17, 2024 at about 8:40 p.m., officers responded to a shooting call in the 900 block of North Hobart Boulevard.  When the officers arrived, they found Jose Jorge Perez, a 29-year old resident of Hollywood, and his 41-year old companion inside a parked car at that location.  Both were suffering from gunshot wounds.
 
Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced Perez dead at the scene and transported the other victim to a local hospital where he is in stable condition.

Based on preliminary information, detectives believe that Perez saw gang members vandalizing property with graffiti.   Perez decided to confront the gang members about the graffiti.  In an apparent response to the comments about the graffiti, one gang member pulled out a gun and fired into the car killing Perez and injuring his passenger.  The gunman ran from the scene southbound on Hobart Boulevard.

The injured victim is a 41-year old Hispanic man, who resides in Hollywood.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighing about 160 pounds, approximately 21 years of age.  The suspect was wearing dark clothing. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Hollywood Homicide Detectives Rolando Rodriguez or Chris Gable at 213-972-2910 or 213-972-2901. After-hours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour toll-free number,1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org.  Tips may remain anonymous.

77-Year-Old Woman Hit by Car

Los Angeles:  Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a hit and run driver who struck and fatally injured a 77-year-old woman.

On December 17, 2024 at about 6:30 p.m., a vehicle traveling northbound in the 1200 block of Westmoreland Avenue hit Los Angeles resident, Eop-Dong Yoo, who was crossing the street.  The driver of the vehicle failed to stay at the scene or render aid to Yoo.

Witnesses found Yoo lying in the street with a severe head injury.  Yoo was transported to a local area hospital where she died of her injures.

There is currently no description of the hit and run driver or vehicle at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Central Traffic Division Detectives Felix Padilla or Jose De Leon at 213-972-1825 of the Central Traffic Division Watch Commander at 213-972-1953.   After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.  When using a cell phone, messages should always begin with “LAPD.”  All calls and contacts are anonymous.

Notes from the December 16, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Chief William Bratton announced that overall gang crime will finish down for the year.  He added there is going to be an announcement regarding a major gang initiative at the end of January. Chief Bratton also said the Department is the most diverse it has ever been with 10% black, 46% Hispanic, 5% Asian and 39% white officers on the force.

•    The verbal presentation and discussion by the Department, relative to the current status of home garaging authorities was given by Assistant Chief Sharon Papa.  In light of the city’s budget constraints, the Department looked at its home garaging authorities again.  Chief Papa said it was necessary to pull back all non-essential home garaging.  Typically personnel who receive 10 emergency call outs get a vehicle and after a review, the Department pulled back 115 home garaged vehicles.  The individuals were given a 30 day notice prior to the vehicle being pulled back.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 3, 2008, relative to the Blake-Justice Consent Decree Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2007-2008, was approved and transmitted to the Personnel Department, Public Safety Bureau.

•    The Department’s report, dated November 24, 2008, relative to the Hunter-La Lay Consent Decree Annual Report for the Fiscal Year 2007/2008, as approved and transmitted to the Office of the City Attorney.  Captain Kevin McClure said education has become a key component of promotions and the Department is working with the Information Technology Agency to document the education of employees.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 8, 2008, relative to a request for payment of reward offer to individual(s) for providing information instrumental in the conviction of Frank Harris, (council file no. 04-0010-s55, renewed 08-2408), was approved and transmitted to the Public Safety Committee.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 8, 2008, relative to the Transmittal of the Grant Augmentation Award for the 2007/08 Internet Crimes Against Children Program (ICAC) from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor’s Office and City Council concurrently.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 10, 2008, in response to City Council Motion (CF #08-0615), relative to the Communication with Gang Intervention Workers, was approved and transmitted the entire matter to the City Council.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 12, 2008, relative to City Council Motion (CF #04-1076), relative to Bicycle Licensing, as presented by Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz, was approved and transmitted to the City Council.  Chief Diaz said the Department was looking to do away with the bicycle licensing and that bike licensing is not the only way to recover and recognize a bike. 

•    The Department’s report, dated November 20, 2008, relative to the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009/2010, December 3, 2008, relative to the Revisions to Fiscal year (FY) 2009/2010 Proposed Budget (Second Edition), and December 11, 2008, relative to the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009/2010 – Third Edition, was approved.  Police Administrator III Rhonda Sims-Lewis stated the Department is co-operating with the city in making budget cuts.  She said the Department cut its budget by 1% at the request of the mayor, saying it saved the City $10 million in Overtime this year.  She added the Budget and Finance Committee was pleased with the cuts.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 4, 2008, relative to a request to award the Police Distinguished Service Certificate to the 22 individuals specified, was approved. 

•    The Department’s report, dated December 10, 2008, relative to Audit Recommendation Status Report, Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2008/2009, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 1, 2008, relative to the Quarterly Status Report, Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2008/09, was continued.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 4, 2008, relative to the Audiotapes used in Non-Categorical Use of Force Investigations (AD No. 08-028), was approved.

•    The Executive Director’s Report, dated December 11, 2008, relative to the Official Police Garage Towing and Storage rates 2009 – posting completed, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 15, 2008, in response to Board query, relative to the Communication Devices for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, was approved.  Captain William Scott said the LAX subdivision and the three area traffic divisions had no TDD devices but have since added some.  He added if the City has the ability to purchase video phone equipment, it would be very beneficial to the Department.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 3, 2008, relative to the Foreign Language and Telecommunications device for the Deaf Telephone Calls Audit – (AD No. 07-026) – Recommendation Item Nos. 3 and 5, was received and filed.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 10, 2008, relative to the Supervisory Performance Evaluations, Fourth Quarter, Fiscal Year 2007/2008 (AD No. 07-023) – Recommendation item Nos. 1 and 2, was received and filed.

•    The Department’s reports, dated October 30, 2024 and December 8, 2008, relative to a special order entitled, “Policy Against Discrimination in Employment Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Gender Expression,” which will revise Department policy and amend Section 1/285 of the Department Manual, were approved, received and filed.

LAPD and “Operation ABC”

Los Angeles: LAPD has received $100,000 in grant money.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced the 2008/2009 Grant Assistance Program (GAP) recipients and awarded the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) a 13th consecutive grant.  LAPD received the maximum grant award in the amount $100,000.  

Captain Ann Young, Commanding Officer of Detective Support and Vice Division, who oversees ABC enforcement activities on a citywide level indicated that grant funds will be used to assist the LAPD in reducing the negative effects of alcohol-related crimes and improving the quality of life in and around ABC-licensed establishments within the City of Los Angeles.  The GAP program has been an essential part of vice enforcement for the City of Los Angeles for the past twelve years and has been directly responsible for closing 90 problematic ABC-licensed locations since the inception of Operation ABC.

The grant was awarded in July 2008 and formally approved by the Los Angeles City Council on October 23, 2008.  For further information, please contact Sergeants Steve Moore or Fernando Garcia, Operation ABC Coordinators, at 213-972-2500.

Suspect Arrested for Possession of Firearms on School Grounds

Los Angeles: On Dec. 5, 2008, at about 3:40 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) West Los Angeles Division detectives arrested 46-year-old Lynford Wiley for possession of a firearm on the grounds of Kenter Canyon Elementary School in the 600 block of North Kenter Avenue in West Los Angeles.

Initially, West Los Angeles Patrol Division officers responded to a call about “a man with a gun on campus” at the school. Upon arrival, officers were directed to a residence adjacent to the campus where they found Wiley and made contact.  The suspect was compliant and also consented to a search of his residence.  Inside, officers found numerous hand guns, rifles and other weapons.

After his arrest, Wiley was booked at LAPD’s Parker Center Jail and initially held without bail. However, he was arraigned a few days later on Dec. 9 in Los Angeles County Superior Court Division 144 (LAX Municipal Courthouse), and the presiding judge set bail at $500,000.  Wiley subsequently posted bail and has been released.  A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 23 in Department 142 of the LAX Municipal Courthouse.    

Anyone with information about Wiley or the incident is asked to contact LAPD West Los Angeles Division detectives at (310) 444-1580.  After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD24-7 (527-3247) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org. All calls and tips are anonymous.

DUI Driver Collides with an Oncoming Car, Killing a Passenger

Los Angeles: A suspected lone driver escaped serious injury when he collided with a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, critically injuring the driver and leaving his passenger dead.

On December 15, 2008, at 9:15 p.m., 31-year-old Marlon Roldan of Wilmington was driving a 2000 Chevrolet van westbound on Anaheim Street near Foote Street.  He was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle and veered into opposing traffic lanes.  

Roldan’s vehicle collided into a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer that was traveling eastbound on Anaheim Street.  That vehicle’s driver, a 22-year-old resident of Long Beach, was critically injured, and his younger brother and front seat passenger, Lionel Molina, 17 years of age, was killed.  They were returning home from church when the collision occurred.

Roldan received non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.  He was treated and released from a local hospital and subsequently booked for suspicion of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated.

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Traffic Division Detectives Jimmy Render or Sandra Smith at 213-485-7336 or 323-290-6063.  After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to the 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD24-7 (527-3247) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org., and can remain anonymous.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics December 13, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**             2007**          % Chg

Homicide                             354*               386              -8.3%
Rape                                    761                884             -13.9%
Robbery                             12648            12826             -1.4%
Agg Assaults **                  11469             12287              -6.7%
Total Violent Crimes       25,232          26,383             -4.4%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                            18348              18656           -1.7%
BTFV                                 28319              28909           -2.0%
Personal/Other Theft         25823              26184          -1.4%
Auto Theft                        21204              22198           -4.5%
Total Property Crimes    93,694           95,947           -2.3%
Total Part I Crimes       118,926         122,330           -2.8%

* Numbers reflects a change in reclassification for Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) guidelines and numbers are adjusted accordingly.

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

Officer Joseph Sanders (CHP)

Officer Sanders graduated the CHP Academy just over a year ago. He did a tour of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corp. prior to coming to the CHP. He was killed when an errant vehicle struck him while he was laying a flare pattern due to a previous solo vehicle collision on the eastbound 60 fwy west of Azusa. Officer Sanders was 29 yrs old and leaves behind a wife, 3 children and one on the way.

17-Year-Old Stabbed and Killed

Los Angeles: Detectives are asking the public’s help in identifying the persons responsible for the murder of 17-year-old man.

On Friday, December 12, 2024 at about 10:30 p.m., officers from Wilshire Area went to a stabbing call where they found one victim down with a stab wound.  The victim was taken to a local hospital by the Los Angeles Fire Department where doctors pronounced him dead.  The victim, 17-year-old male Hispanic, a resident of Los Angeles, was confronted by several suspects.  A struggle with the suspects ensued and the victim was later stabbed.  The suspects left the area on foot.  

The motive for this altercation and murder is unclear at this time.  Although no arrests have been made, homicide investigators are analyzing evidence and interviewing witnesses at this time.

The victim’s name is being withheld until his family can be notified.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Wilshire homicide detectives at 213-473-0446.  After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  All calls and contacts are anonymous.

Deputy Escalante’s Killers Arrested

Los Angeles: A collaborative investigation culminated in the arrest of two suspects believed to be responsible for the murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Abel Escalante.

Deputy Escalante was a devoted husband to his wife and a dedicated father to his three children.  As a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff and a United States Army Reservist, Escalante was dedicated to a life to public service.

On Saturday, August 2, 2008, in the early morning hours, Deputy Escalante was leaving for work,  when he was brutally shot and killed in front of his parent’s home in Cypress Park.

A task force was developed which included representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and members of the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (LA HIDTA).  An increased uniform patrol element was included in the task force.

On December 11, 2008, detectives obtained a series of search and arrest warrants.  The warrants were executed on December 12, 2008.  As the investigation progressed throughout the day, two male adults were arrested and booked in connection with the murder of Deputy Escalante.

The suspects have been identified as Guillermo Hernandez, 20, and Carlos Velasquez, 24, both residents of Los Angeles.  The suspects were booked and arrested for the murder of Deputy Escalante and are being held without bail at LAPD’s Jail Division.  

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on  December 16, 2024 for filing consideration.

The investigation is still ongoing in an effort to search for additional suspects that may have been involved in the murder of Escalante.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Robbery-Homicide Detectives at 213-485-2531. After hours or on weekends, call a 24-hour toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org.