LAPD Blog

Supervised Visit Ends in Child Abduction

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Detectives seek public’s help in locating an abducted child.

On July 2, 2009, at around 3:10 p.m., Officers responded to a possible kidnapping in the area of 25th and San Pedro Streets.  The investigation revealed that the child had been abducted by her biological mother, Duana Byrd.

By court order, Duana Byrd has only supervised visitation of her four-year old daughter Yashima Granberry.  Byrd grabbed Yashima from a social worker and walked away.  Byrd and Yashima have not been seen since.  

Suspect Duana Byrd, is described as a female, African American, 5’10" tall, black hair, brown eyes and weighs about 200 pounds.  Byrd was last seen walking away south bound San Pedro Street from 25th Street.  It is believed that Byrd may be headed to the Los Angeles International Airport with the child.  

Four-year old Yashima Granberry is described as an African American girl; she has black hair and brown eyes; she is 3’00” tall and weighs 40.

There are currently no photos of Yashima available.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Newton Detectives at 323-846-5363.  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.

62Year-Old Critical Missing

UPDATE
July 10, 2025

On July 4, 2009, Ruth Franklin was located and returned home safely.  Her family was extremely grateful for the efforts of everyone responsible in finding her. “Words cannot express our gratitude for your diligence and professionalism in handling the report for my sister,” said Franklin’s sibling, Jo Franklin Glasco.  “I appreciate your interest, understanding and efforts and have the utmost
respect for the LAPD.”

Los Angeles:  The Franklin family and the Los Angeles Police Department requests the public’s assistance in locating 62-year-old Ruth Franklin who has been missing since July 1, 2009.

Ruth was last seen on July 1, 2009, at approximately 12:30 pm walking eastbound on Olympic Blvd towards La Brea Avenue. Ruth has been missing on a prior occasion and subsequently located in the Wilshire area of the City. It is believed that Ruth has identification on her person, but may not have the mental capacity to tell where she lives. Ruth is believed to be wearing a black jacket, green pants, grey sneakers, carrying a greenish stripped shoulder beach bag, and a black shoulder purse.

Ruth is described as female, African-American, 5’09”, 160 lbs, with blonde dreaded hair and light brown eyes. Ruth is believed to be suffering from Alzheimer and is presently taking medication.

Los Angeles Police Department, Detective Support and Vice Division, Missing Person’s Unit detectives are handling the investigation.  Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact detectives at 213-485-5381.  During off-hours, 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.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Husband Arrested for Bribing a Police Officer

Los Angeles.  Los Angeles detectives arrested a downtown businessman today after the man handed $2,000 cash to a police officer assigned to enforce counterfeit merchandise sales in the downtown Fashion District.

Senior Lead Officer Randy McCain has been enforcing counterfeit sales in the Fashion District since 1994.  “He knows everyone, and everyone knows him,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of detectives in downtown.  “But apparently at least one person did not know him well enough to know he’s an honest cop, working for a professional police department.”

Indeed, Officer McCain has known Demba Camera, 35, for over ten years.  On June 24, Officer McCain was involved in the arrest of Camera’s wife, Karina Gonzalez, 24.  It was her third arrest for selling counterfeit purses from the couple’s sublet business at 936 S. Maple Street.

“After hearing about his wife’s arrest, Camera called me,” McCain explained.  “Not once but several times, then he sent a text message to my private cell phone.  It was pretty obvious he was serious about helping his wife.”  The text message said in part, “I PAY U.”

Detectives set up a recorded phone call with Camera and McCain last Thursday, the day after the wife’s arrest.  “I was really hoping that he would have reconsidered his impulse, but the conversation told me he was serious.  I was really surprised.”

The meet was set up for today, near the convention center, just after noon.  McCain arrived in uniform, driving a black-and-white police car.  Camera handed McCain the cash in full view of watching undercover officers.  “He had the nerve to put the bribe in one of his counterfeit bags, too,” Officer McCain explained.  “At least the purse did not have a designer label on it yet.”

Officer McCain has been a police officer for over 25 years, and this was the first time anyone has ever offered him a bribe.  “They even teach us in the academy that some day we might be offered a bribe,” McCain explained.  “We know sometimes that it can be a matter of a person coming from another locale where bribes are expected, but that was not the case here.”  While Camera is originally from Senegal, he has been doing business downtown for over a decade.

“We gave Camera several opportunities to think over his offer and withdraw it” McCain added.  “My badge and my integrity are not for sale.”

Camera was booked at the Metropolitan Jail for the felony, Bribing a Police Official, and his bail was set at $25,000. 

Lieutenant Vernon and Officer McCain can be reached for interviews at 213-972-1203.

Woman Robbed, Then Shot

***UPDATE***

On July 05, 2009, at about 3:00 p.m., after an extensive investigation Wilshire Robbery Detectives   arrested and booked April Pitts, 25 years of age from Fontana, for Attempt Murder and Robbery.  She is being held on $2 million bail. 
The victim's condition is stable after undergoing surgery; she is recovering at a local hospital.

Los Angeles:  Late Monday night, a woman walking alone was robbed of her purse and then shot without provocation.

On June 29, 2009, at around 11:20 p.m., a 31 year-old woman was walking east on 3rd Street near Kings Road, going to a friend’s house.  The victim was approached by Suspect #1, a loan Black female, 20-25 years-old, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 145 pounds, wearing all dark clothing, who demanded the victim’s purse and indicated she would shoot the victim if she did not cooperate.  The Suspect pulled the victim’s purse off of her arm and then shot the victim in the upper torso.

A witness driving east on 3rd Street approaching Orlando Avenue was flagged down by the victim who told them she had just been robbed and shot.  The witness observed the suspect leaving the location in a car driving north on Kings Road and followed the car to the 100 block of South Flores Street where three suspects got out of the car and began running through the apartment complex.  The suspects were described only as two male Blacks with dark complexions and one light complected female Black.

Wilshire Area Robbery Detectives are following several leads but are asking anyone with information about this case to call Detective Robert Palacios at 213-922-8266.  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.  All tips may remain anonymous.

Notes from the June 30, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Commissioner John Mack called Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco a man of tremendous integrity as he bid Mr. Pacheco farewell. 

•    Police Commissioner Alan Skobin said President Pacheco has served as a mentor to a number of individuals from the Police Department as well as other City departments.  He added what he was most impressed with was Mr. Pacheco’s upbringing and his rise to the position he occupies today.  He stated President Pacheco never forgot where he came from and thanked him and his law firm for allowing him to serve.

•    Police Commissioner Andrea Ordin echoed the sentiments of her fellow Commissioners and said it was a pleasure to work with President Pacheco.

•    Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman said he appreciated President Pacheco’s leadership and friendship.

•    Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco said he had a wonderful four year stint as a Police Commissioner, two of which were as President. He added it was a great pleasure to work with Police Chief Bratton, Inspector General Andre Birotte, Executive Director Richard Tefank and their respective staffs. 

•    Police Chief William Bratton spoke on behalf of the men and women of the Department and thanked President Pacheco for his leadership through the years.  He added President Pacheco can take great pride in the change he has witnessed during his tenure on the Commission. 

•    The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the status of pending disciplinary actions as a result of the May Day 2007 incident was given by Deputy Chief Mark Perez.  He informed the Commission all investigations pertaining to the May Day incident had been completed.  Five officers were suspended as a result of a Board of Rights and one Sergeant was found Not Guilty.  He added the absence of training had a determination on the outcome of the complaints.

•    The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the status of the discipline settlement process was given by Deputy Chief Mark Perez.  Chief Perez stated since 2004, the number of settlements has declined steadily and the criteria have changed.  The Department does not plea bargain and the settlement must meet four main requirements: Command staff belief in development in an employee, employee acceptance of responsibility, core facts must not be in dispute and the proposal must be accepted by Professional Standards Bureau command staff.  The goal is to have less settlement agreements in the end.

•    The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the status of the in-car video system was given by Chief Information Officer Tim Riley.  Mr. Riley informed the Commission 300 cars in South Bureau have video installed and the corresponding area stations have equipment which has been tested.  City Hall East stores all the video captured and Scientific Investigation Division is responsible for making videos for court requests.  The video policy draft has been completed and Senior Lead Officers from Southeast Area are going to be the first to be trained on the new system beginning next week. The TEAMS II section will be responsible for training Department personnel and training will take approximately 30 days.  As early as next week the Department could have in-car cameras online and ready to go on a very limited basis.

•    The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the status of the Miranda admonishment guidelines was given by Captain Sargent.  He said they looked at the issue of when personnel are supposed to stop questioning.  Realizing there were wider issues with laws, he gave it to Planning and Research Division (PRD) to craft a Department-wide policy.  PRD pulled directives, training bulletins and other documents and is working with the City Attorney to compose a draft. Police Commission Pacheco asked to have the item revisited in a few weeks.

•    The Department’s report, dated June 24, 2009, relative to the Categorical Use of Force Investigation Audit (IAID No. C08-008), was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated June 9, 2009, relative to the Audit of the Non-Categorical Use of Force Investigation Process (IAID No. C09-064) was received and filed.

•    The Executive Director’s report, dated June 30, 2009, relative to the Police Commission Distinguished Service Medal, was approved.  Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco was presented with the Police Commissions highest honor.

2009 Community Police Advisory Board Summit

Members of the area Community Police Advisory Boards (C-PAB), Department command staff, volunteers and dignitaries gathered on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles for the 2009 Community Police Advisory Board Summit.  The summit, which was sponsored by the Los Angeles Police Foundation, offers participants an opportunity to hear from Department brass on the state of the organization as well as affording them a chance to see how one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the nation, the Forensic Science Center, works. 

California State Senator Alex Padilla addressed the congregation and offered his own life experiences on being an active member of the community and police supporter.  As a former Los Angeles City Council member and resident of Los Angeles, his rhetoric resonated with the crowd of community advocates.

 After a series of guest speakers and video presentations, the crowd of 516 participants separated into 6 Break-Out Groups to participate in six seminar’s that were aimed at giving them an overview of the Scientific Investigation Division and their new facility.  These seminar’s included: Crime Scenario; Forensics Firearms, Trace, DNA; Forensics Chemical Processing and Questioned Documents; Forensics Narcotics and Toxicology; and Department Response Vehicles.

 Community Police Advisory Boards were created in 1993 by the Christopher Commission to provide community members an opportunity to provide information and advice to their respective area and to take information from the Police Department back into the community.  Each of the 21 geographic areas (community police stations) throughout Los Angeles has its own C-PAB. 

 For information on how you can become a member of your local C-PAB, please contact your area Senior Lead Officer.

10-Year-Old in Critical Condition After Road Rage Incident

Los Angeles: A road rage incident occurred Monday afternoon resulting in a serious rollover accident that critically injured two young children.

On June 29, 2009, at around 3:00 p.m., Valley Traffic Division Officers responded to a traffic collision on Sepulveda Boulevard south of Mayall Street.  Once on scene Officer’s discovered an overturned Chevrolet, Astro Van.

The van contained the driver, Juan Garcia, 28 years of age, Garcia’s 25 year-old girlfriend, Garcia’s 10 year-old son, his 9 year-old daughter, 7 year-old daughter, and his 2 year-old daughter.  

All of Garcia’s children were riding unrestrained in the back of the van.  The 10 year-old was ejected from the van and suffered life threatening injuries.  The 7 year-old was admitted to the hospital with a serious head injury.  The two other children received minor injuries and were treated and released from a local hospital into the care of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Investigators learned that another vehicle had fled the scene and had been involved in a road rage incident with the overturned van.  Using information provided by witnesses, Investigators were able to locate the other driver, Armando Anaya, 50 year-old, at his residence in North Hills.

Anaya and Garcia were both arrested and booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a Vehicle.  Other charges are pending, including Driving Under the Influence, and Child Endangering for Garcia.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mission Homicide Detective Gene Parshall at 818-838-9810.  After-hours and 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.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Critical Missing Juvenile

***UPDATE***

Missing person has been found in the downtown area of Los Angeles; in good condition; and returned home.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 13-year-old Morita Gunner Jr.

He is described as a male Hispanic, 4 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 70 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes and a small build and has the mental capacity of a 6-year-old.  Morita did not take his medication with him and is in need of it.

Morita was last seen around 7 a.m. on June 30, 2009, at his group home in the 11600 block of Gladstone Avenue in Lakeview Terrace.  Morita apparently left his residence on foot and headed in an unknown direction.  Morita was wearing a grey shirt, blue pants and black shoes.  He also has a scar on his chest.  

Anyone who has seen Morita Gunner Jr. or has information regarding his whereabouts, is urged to contact the Missing Persons Unit of the LAPD’s Detective Support and Vice Division at 213-485-5381.  After-hours and 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.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

The 2009 Essay Contest Winner

The 6th Annual LAPD Essay Contest was open to students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District and schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Students were asked to write what they would do that would have the greatest impact on the community if they were a Los Angeles Police Department officer for a day.  Each of the ten winners and their essay are featured on the Department’s website, one each week.  The following essay is one of the ten winning submissions.

The first thing I would do is choose a neighborhood elementary grade school and visit each classroom and speak to the students about different topics that I thought would impact the community.  I would prepare myself for the discussion by selecting which topics I would discuss and have pictures to show the students.

The topic that I would talk about would be gangs, drugs, alcohol, guns, emergency and safety.  The first topic is gangs and I would tell the children not to get involved in gangs because it is dangerous and people can get hurt or killed from gang violence.

The second topic is drugs and alcohol and I would tell them not to take drugs or drink alcohol because it destroys your body, it’s addictive and you can die from using it.

The third topic is guns.  I would share with them that guns are not toys and are very dangerous.  Children should tell an adult right away.  People can get injured or killed from playing with guns.

The fourth topic is what to do in an emergency.  Call 911 if it is a life threatening emergency or you see someone that needs help or get an adult.

The last topic is safety which is sharing with them not to play with fire, do not cross in the middle of the street, do not talk to strangers, do not get in the car with strangers, make sure you wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, and make sure you have your seatbelt on when you are riding in a car and obey the law.

The second part would be to discuss my uniform and why I carry a gun, baton, and handcuffs.  I would talk to them about the police car and let them sit in it and explain the different equipment in the car and how it works.  I would tell them as a police officer that my job is to protect and serve the community.  Finally, at the end of my shift I would give them a little treat, a LAPD goodie bag with all the wonderful things in it.

Officer’s Injured in Encounter with Violent Suspect

Los Angeles: Two Los Angeles Police Officers and a suspect, 29-year-old, Raymond Clay, were injured at the conclusion of a foot chase when the suspect violently resisted arrest.

On June 18, 2009, at around 9:00 p.m., Office of Operations Officers, working the Crime Reduction and Enforcement of Warrants (CREW) Unit, saw Clay walking southbound on the west sidewalk of Figueroa Street, in the area of 40th Place. 

The Officers stopped to speak to Clay and discovered that he was on parole and probation, and in possession of marijuana.  Clay suddenly ran from the Officers.  When the Officers caught up to Clay he began fighting with the Officer’s and refusing to submit to arrest.

Officer Joseph Stevenson, and his partner, Officer Jordan Ornelas, both with two years on the Department, used baton strikes, punches, and bodily force in response to Clay’s aggressive and combative behavior.  With the assistance of a security guard who was nearby, and other responding Officers, Clay was finally taken into custody.

Officer Stevenson, Officer Ornelas and Clay were transported to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries.  The Officer’s were treated and released, and Clay was treated and released for booking.  The following day, June 19, 2009, at about 1:00 p.m. Clay was admitted to the hospital for further treatment of a back injury.

Clay was booked for Battery on a Police Officer and Violation of Parole.  He was held without bail.

LAPD Force Investigation Division is conducting the investigation