LAPD Blog

Man Wanted for Series of Bank Robberies

(UPDATE)

Los Angeles: Robbery-Homicide Detectives are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a serial bank robbery suspect.

On January 24, 2009, at around 12:18 noon, the Salt & Pepper bandit hit the Bank of America located at 11501 Santa Monica Boulevard.

The suspect has allegedly robbed at least 12 banks since January 5 to January 22, 2009.  He has been nicknamed “Salt & Pepper Bank Bandit” due to his hair.  His method of operation is to present a

 note to the teller and demand cash.  Afterwards, the suspect flees in a getaway car described as a gold   1993-1997 Toyota Corolla.

The suspect is a male Black and has mustache and goatee.  He wears a two tone reversible black and grey jacket.  He stands 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 170 pounds.

LOCATION	DATE	TIME	VICTIM
1201 N. CENTRAL AVE	THU  1-22-09	1:00 PM	CITIBANK
2701 WILSHIRE BLVD	TUE  1-20-09	12:34 PM	FIRST BANK
2701 WILSHIRE BLVD	SAT  1-17-09	11:32 PM	WASH. MUTUAL
464 N. FAIRFAX	FRI   1-16-09	13:58 PM	FIRST FEDERAL
10680 W. PICO BLVD	THU 1-15-09	3:25 PM	CITIBANK
6245 WILSHIRE BLVD	THU  1-15-09	11:30 AM	WELLS FARGO
13900 SEAL BEACH BL	SAT  1-10-09	10:15 AM	WASH.  MUTUAL
2001 WILSHIRE BLVD	THU  1-08-09	11:58 AM	UNION BANK
16001 VENTURA BLVD	THU  1-08-09	11:00 AM	CITIBANK
310 N. FAIRFAX AV	TUE  1-06-09	10:30 AM	WASH.  MUTUAL
2566 OVERLAND AV	TUE  1-06-09	9:10 AM	CAL NATIONAL
3302 W. PICO BLVD	MON 1-05-09	12:03 AM	US BANK

Surveillance photographs are available through Media Relations Section.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tracy Benjamin, Robbery-Homicide Division at
213-485-2511.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 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.  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Officers Encounter Man with Two Guns – Officer Involved Shooting Occurs

Los Angeles:   Los Angeles Police Department officers encountered a man armed with two guns.

On January 24, 2009, at about 11:30 hours, officers assigned to the Hollenbeck Area CLEAR project in Ramona Gardens were walking a footbeat to enforce curfew violations when they encountered two male Hispanic adults.  Both suspects, initially suspected of vandalism, ran from the officers.  The officers followed both suspects and again encountered them in the 1500 block of Evergreen Avenue.  One suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Oscar Velasquez, produced a pistol grip shotgun.  An exchange of gunfire between Velasquez and one officer occurred.

Velasquez discarded the shotgun and continued to run from the officers.  While in the 1400 block of Evergreen Avenue, Velasquez produced a handgun and a second officer involved shooting occurred.  Velasquez discarded the handgun and again attempted to escape on foot.  Responding officers took Velasquez into custody near the Ramona Gardens recreation center several hundred feet from the shootings.  Velasquez was suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm.      

The second suspect, identified as Gilbert Garcia, 20 years of age, was taken into custody after the first shooting.  Both suspects are residents of the area.  

Oscar Velasquez was transported to White Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released for booking.  Velasquez was booked for Attempt Murder and is being held on $1 million bail.

Gilbert Garcia was booked for Violation of a Court Order and is being held on $5000.00 bail.              

The involved officers have been identified as Police Officer II Matthew Ensley, 4 years 7 months with the Department, and Police Officer III Jose Vazquez, 14 years 7 months with the Department.  

Force Investigation Division is responsible for conducting the investigation.

Persons with information related to this incident are requested to call the 24 hour tip line at 1-877 LAPD 24-7  (1-877-527-3247).   Those wishing to remain anonymous may use their cellular phones and text to “CRIMES” or by logging on to www.lapdonline.org and clicking on “webtips.”  When using a cell phone always begin the text portion of the message with the letters LAPD.  Texting or internet tips provided in this manner are anonymous.

17-Year-Old Male Points Handgun at Officer

Los Angeles: A 17-year-old male pulled out a handgun and pointed it at an officer, which resulted in an officer-involved shooting.

On January 21, 2025 at about 5:50 p.m., two LAPD officers pulled into a Carls Jr. restaurant parking lot at 11224 Western Avenue, intending to purchase food.  The officers observed a teenager walk across the parking lot and enter the restaurant.

Officer Vincent Rojas, who has 23 months with the Department, entered the restaurant and stood in the service line where the 17-year-old was placing an order.  The teen appeared nervous and was pre-occupied by the officer’s presence.  Within seconds, the subject ran from the location.  The officer followed the teen into the parking lot.  The subject pulled out a handgun and pointed it at Officer Rojas.  The officer fired at the subject, who continued to run and was later taken into custody.  A replica semiautomatic handgun was recovered at the scene.

Neither the officers nor the subject were injured.

Force Investigation Division personnel responded and are investigating the officer-involved shooting and the crime against the officer.

Chief Bratton Travels to Jordan for Meeting with King Abdullah II

Trip Includes Crucial Summit Meetings in Washington, D.C.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief William Bratton left today for a trip to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with His Majesty King Abdullah II to discuss various topics, including law enforcement, security, counter-terrorism, criminal intelligence and community policing tactics and philosophies.  Meetings have also been planned with the Jordanian National Police and General Intelligence Division to discuss international issues affecting both Jordan and Los Angeles.  Deputy Chief and Commanding Officer Michael P. Downing of the Department’s Counter-Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau will accompany Chief Bratton on the trip.

A few days later, on Jan. 26, Chief Bratton will return to the U.S. for two important law enforcement executive conferences in Washington, D.C.  The first, sponsored by Major Cities Chiefs Association, will be a two-day assembly of law enforcement executives to include the Major County Sheriffs’ Association. It will focus on legislative issues affecting police departments nationwide.  Key U.S. Congress members may also attend the event.

The second meeting, on Jan. 28, will be the Police Executive Research Forum’s 2009 Summit on the Economic Crisis and Police.  The forum is an effort to get a national perspective on how the economic downturn is affecting nationwide policing.  Participants will discuss and share economic challenges that potentially threaten their ability to provide first-rate law enforcement services.  They will also exchange views on ways to mitigate budget cuts and produce credible information about these challenges that they can disseminate to the incoming U.S. Congress, the Obama administration and other decision-makers.  Conference attendees will also focus on exploring ways to ensure that cutbacks in police department budgets will not undermine significant accomplishments that police agencies have made in recent years.

Chief Bratton is looking forward to meeting with King Abdullah II and attending the meetings. “These are unique opportunities to learn and exchange information that can truly play a critical role in assisting the LAPD and all U.S. police departments in maintaining the highest law enforcement standards and growing our accomplishments during this tough economic period,” he said.

Homeless Person Burned to Death; Update

UPDATE

Original Release Dated Oct. 10, 2008

Los Angeles: At about 11:45 this morning in Riverside County (City of Rancho Mirage), detectives from the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division with the assistance from the FBI, made an arrest of a 30-year old male Hispanic, Benjamin Mathew Martin, for the murder of John Robert McGraham.      

The Murder garnered significant media attention both because of the brutal nature of the attack and because the attack occurred without any provocation.  The victim, a chronically homeless person, was totally helpless and lived in common public areas for many years along the 3500 Block of 3rd Street in the LAPD Rampart Area.

Though he was considered “transient” or “homeless,” terms that tend to dehumanize, he could usually be found in a specific area, and his family knew where to find him. Area residents and business people also knew him.

It was on Oct. 9, 2008, at around 9:40 p.m., as John Robert McGraham occupied his usual space in the 3500 block of West 3rd Street, a suspect approached him and doused with an accelerant – probably gasoline.  The suspect then intentionally set the victim on fire and ran from the scene leaving behind a red plastic gasoline container.

McGraham was taken to Los Angeles County Medical Center where he died.  Officially he was listed as a “John Doe,” but very quickly, LAPD detectives learned that he had family, an area of residence and a name.      

During an initial public plea, all that was known about the suspect was that he was a male Hispanic in his mid- to late-20s.  There was no known motive for the killing, and to this day, it remains unclear.  

When his family appeared at a press conference, they provided photos of McGraham that depicted a very sad situation and a man who presented a threat to no one. Fortunately, the news media, reaching millions of people, ran with the story, and America’s Most Wanted television program took the story to the people on a nationwide level.  Through television, print, radio and the Internet, the word got out, and the LAPD received numerous tips and leads.

UPDATE Original Release, Homeless Person Burned to Death, Was Dated Oct. 10, 2008

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At about 11:45 this morning in Riverside County (City of Rancho Mirage), detectives from the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division made an arrest of a 30-year-old male Hispanic, Benjamin Mathew Martin, for the murder of John Robert McGraham.     

The Murder garnered significant media attention both because of the brutal nature of the attack and because the attack occurred without any provocation.  The victim, a chronically homeless person, was totally helpless and lived in common public areas for many years along the 3500 Block of 3rd Street in the LAPD Rampart Area.

Though he was considered “transient” or “homeless,” terms that tend to dehumanize, he could usually be found in a specific area, and his family knew where to find him. Area residents and business people also knew him.

It was on Oct. 9, 2008, at around 9:40 p.m., as John Robert McGraham occupied his usual space in the 3500 block of West 3rd Street, a suspect approached him and doused with an accelerant – probably gasoline.  The suspect then intentionally set the victim on fire and ran from the scene leaving behind a red plastic gasoline container.

McGraham was taken to Los Angeles County Medical Center where he died.  Officially he was listed as a “John Doe,” but very quickly, LAPD detectives learned that he had family, an area of residence and a name.     

During an initial public plea, all that was known about the suspect was that he was a male Hispanic in his mid- to late-20s.  There was no known motive for the killing, and to this day, it remains unclear. 

When his family appeared at a press conference, they provided photos of McGraham that depicted a very sad situation and a man who presented a threat to no one. Fortunately, the news media, reaching millions of people, ran with the story, and America’s Most Wanted television program took the story to the people on a nationwide level.  Through television, print, radio and the Internet, the word got out, and the LAPD received numerous tips and leads.

Local Taxi Cab Driver Arrested for Sexual Assaults

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Los Angeles: A taxi driver who allegedly sexually assaulted five women in a taxi was arrested yesterday and detectives are seeking additional victims and anyone with information to come forward.

On January 21, 2009, at around 10:30 p.m., Eric Clay, 37, of Hollywood was arrested near 7th Street and Central Avenue after a woman flagged down a patrol unit and told them she saw a man inside a taxicab that resembled a composite sketch of a suspect that was drawn on a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) community crime alert bulletin.  Clay was booked at Parker Center and is being held in lieu of a $300,000 bail amount.

LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Detectives (RHD) said the incidents occurred between August 22 and December 22, 2008.  In each incident, the lone customer accepted a cab ride and was picked up in the area of Central Avenue, Main Street and East 6th and 8th Streets.  Once inside the taxi, the passenger was driven to a location where the suspect parked his cab on a street curb and thereafter he proceeded to sexually assault the victim inside the cab.  Afterwards, the suspect abandoned the victim at the scene and drove away.

The suspect drove and committed his crimes in a taxi with a legally marked seal and with a phone number and taxi light displayed.  The taxi was leased from an operational taxi company, detectives said.

Over the past six weeks, detectives from RHD, Central Patrol and Vice, Fugitive Warrant Section and the Department of Transportation have set up surveillance, and patrolled and canvassed the area to come up with leads and to distribute to the public the flyer with the drawing sketch, in attempt to track down Clay.  “This series highlights the vulnerability of homeless people in the Skid Row and the value of having uniformed officers on patrol”, said Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz.

The first incident occurred on Friday, August 22, 2008, at around 9:00 p.m.  The victim was picked up from 7th Street and San Pedro Avenue, was taken to the area of 11th Street and Burlington Avenue and sexually assaulted.  

A second incident occurred on Saturday, November 15, 2008, just before 8 p.m.  The victim was picked up from 7th Street and Towne Avenue.  She was taken to 12th Street and Towne Avenue where she was sexually assaulted. 

The third incident occurred on Thursday, November 20, 2008, at around 11:00 a.m.  The victim was picked up from 6th Street and Gladys Avenue.  The suspect drove her to 8th Street and Garland Avenue where he sexually assaulted her.
 
The fourth incident occurred on Saturday, November 29, 2008, at around 9:00 p.m.  The victim was picked up from 8th Street and Los Angeles Street and was taken to the area of 20th Street and Maple Avenue where she was sexually assaulted. 

The fifth and most recent assault occurred on Monday, December 22, 2008, at around 4:30 a.m., when the victim was picked up from 7th Street and Towne Avenue and was driven to Palmetto Street and Santa Fe Avenue where she was sexually assaulted.  
     
Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Sexual Assaults Section at 213-485-2921  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and begin the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website  www.lapdonline.org.  All tips are anonymous. 

16-Year-Old Killed in Gang Shooting

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police detectives are investigating a gang-related shooting death of a 16-year-old.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at around 3:00 p.m., Foothill Area patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 11000 block of Telfair Avenue.  Upon arrival, the officers discovered the victim deceased as a result of a gunshot wound. 

A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, Javier Garcia of San Fernando, was riding his bicycle northbound on Telfair Avenue approaching Weidner Street when he was shot by a suspect multiple times.  The suspect ran away after the shooting.

The suspect was described as a male Hispanic wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. 

The motive for the shooting appears to be gang related. 

Anyone with information about this case, is asked to contact Foothill Area Homicide Detectives at 
818-834-3115.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 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.  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

7-Eleven, CVS, and Three Liquor Stores Robbed

 Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help in nabbing two bandits whose images were caught on surveillance video robbing five businesses including three liquor stores in the Reseda and Van Nuys area.  The robberies have occurred since December 19, 2008.

In each incident, two men wearing hooded sweatshirts entered the store posing as customers.  One of the suspects stepped up to the counter and asked to make a purchase.  When the store clerk opened the cash register to make change for the purchase, the other suspect approached the counter and brandished a handgun.  The pair demanded cash, and in one case, grabbed money from the cash drawer.   Prior to leaving the liquor store, the suspects demanded premium liquor such as Patron Silver tequila or Remy Martin cognac.  Afterwards, they took off in an unidentified white vehicle with an undetermined amount of cash, detectives said. 

 The suspect who displayed the handgun was described as a male Black in his early 20s, about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a dark gray or navy blue hooded jacket and dark pants.

The second suspect used bodily force was also described as a male Black in his early 20s.  He stood 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a goatee, and weighed 170 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt or a tan hooded jacket, a white long sleeve crew neck shirt and dark pants.  Police consider the suspects armed and dangerous.

No one was injured during the incident.

The following businesses have been robbed:

•December 19, 2008 – 2:45 a.m., 7-Eleven, 17710 Saticoy Street
•December 24, 2008 – 10:40 p.m., CVS Pharmacy, 23357 Mulholland Drive
•December 31, 2008 – 9:00 p.m., Rainbow Liquor, 18033 Saticoy Street
•January 4, 2009 – 9:45 p.m., Woodley Liquor, 7550 Woodley Avenue
•January 12, 2009 – 9:30 p.m., Liquor Bank, 16925 Vanowen Street

Anyone with information or who knows the whereabouts of these suspects is urged to call West Valley robbery detectives at 818-374-7730.  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.

The Bel-Air Burglar has been Captured

Los Angeles: West Los Angeles Area Detectives have announced the arrest of Troy Corsby Thomas, believed responsible for more than 150 burglaries, over the past 3-years, in some of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

On Saturday, January 17, 2009, Thomas, 45 years of age, and a resident of Los Angeles, was taken into custody and booked for burglary. Investigators believe Thomas is the primary suspect responsible for the rash burglaries that have occurred in the estates of Bel-Air, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, and the Hollywood Hills.  Detectives have estimated the total property loss to be in excess of $10 million.

In January 2006, West L.A. detectives began to notice a trend of burglaries occurring in the estates located in the hills of Los Angeles, north of Sunset Boulevard. A Task Force was assembled and personnel from the various divisions impacted by the series of crimes were assigned to the task force. 

The suspects of these crimes soon became known as the "Bel-Air Burglars."  Almost three years to the day the task force was formed, Thomas was identified and taken into custody.  A critical facet of this investigation was LAPD's Scientific Investigation Division (SID), who collected, processed and analyzed key forensic evidence.

Additionally, LAPD's Special Investigative Section (SIS) was also an important factor of the investigation.  SIS conducted surveillance on Thomas, who is believed to be the main culprit in the series of burglaries, and they were instrumental in his arrest.

The District Attorney's Office has filed two felony counts of Burglary against Thomas.  He is being held on $3 million bail.  Investigators are still working on leads and anticipate additional arrests in this case.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Lieutenant David McGill, West LA Detective Division at 310-444-1581.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 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 LAPDwebsite  www.lapdonline.org.  All tips are anonymous.