LAPD Blog

LAPD Searching for Parents of Abandoned 3--Year-Old

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the parent or guardian of an abandoned 3-year-old boy who was brought in to the LAPD 77th Area Station by a citizen after being left on a bus stop for one hour.  

October 9th 2009, at 12:40 a.m., a 3-year-old old boy was found at a public bus stop at the corner of Florence and Broadway Avenues.  A local resident told LAPD 77th Area officers that he observed the child sleeping on a bus bench next to an adult woman.  When the bus arrived, the woman got onto the bus and left the child behind. The citizen yelled to the woman to tell her that she forgot about the child but she waived him off.  The citizen stayed with the child for about one hour hoping the female would return, but no one came back to the bus stop to claim him.  The citizen went to the LAPD 77th Area Police Station where he provided details of the incident to officers.  The child was then taken into police custody and released to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.

The woman who entered the bus is described as a 20- to 25-year-old female Hispanic; she stands about 5 feet 4 inches, and weighs about110 pounds.  She was wearing a black and red checkered poncho.  

The name of the child is unknown but his first name may be Xavier.  He is described as a 3-year-old male Hispanic.  He weighs about 30 pounds and has a “Mohawk” hairstyle with black hair and brown eyes.   

At this time no parent or guardian has come forward to claim the toddler.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the LAPD 77th Area Major Assault Crimes Unit Detective Javier Lozano at 213-485-6991 or 213-485-4156.  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.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Chief Bratton’s Final Graduation Ceremony

Chief Bratton said good bye to his last graduation class.  On October 9, 2009, the Chief of Police gave a final salute to the graduating class of 04-09.  As many before, he stood in front of a class of men and women and congratulated and encouraged them to do the right thing for the City of Los Angeles. Today’s graduation took on a special meaning as it is the last graduation ceremony presided by the Chief of Police.

Chief Bratton stated heartfully, “I wish I were you, I wish I could start all over again.  I wish I could be sitting where you are.  Thirty-nine years have gone by just like that and I wish I could start them all over again.” 

He ended his speech by congratulating the newest LAPD Officers.  As today Chief Bratton’s final graduation address and class inspection will not soon be forgotten.

UCLA Student Stabbed on Campus

Los Angeles:  A UCLA student was stabbed by a classmate while in a lab located in Young Hall on the UCLA campus.

On October 8, 2009, at around 12:10 .p.m., during a lab class, a male student stabbed a female classmate.  The victim was stabbed multiple times and was taken to a local hospital.  The victim is expected to recover from her injuries.

Within minutes, UCLA police officers arrested the suspect without incident in the building where the attack took place.  The suspect has been identified as 20-year-old Damon Thompson.  Thompson was booked for attempted murder and is being held on $1 million dollars bail.  

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call LAPD West Los Angeles Homicide Detective Mike Pelletier at 310-444-1520.  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 will remain anonymous.

75-Year-Old Man Missing

Update – 75-Year-Old Man Found

On September 23, 2009, at around 2 a.m. the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s released Mr. Waymon Davis.  Due to his medical condition, Mr. Davis was transported by private ambulance with a deputy sheriff escort and transferred to the care of the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.  Mr. Davis was then transferred from the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center to another care facility where he was located today.

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department officials and family members are asking for the public’s help in finding Waymon Davis, Jr. who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

Davis was last seen on September 23, 2009, at around 2 a.m. when he was released from custody from the Twin Towers Jail located at 450 Bauchet Street in Los Angeles.  Davis did not return home and has not been seen since.

He is described as a 75-year-old male black with grey hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Davis is asked to call LAPD Missing Persons Unit Detective Ciuffetelli at 213-485-5381.  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.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Detectives are Asking for the Public’s Help in Identifying a Chain Snatcher

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a robbery suspect caught on tape snatching a cashier’s chain inside of a neighborhood liquor store.

On October 7, 2009, at 9:40 a.m., a female victim was working as a cashier in the 6000 block of South Avalon Boulevard when a man entered the store shopping for a cigar.  The man approached the cashier and proceeded to pay for his item.  As the man was receiving his change he reached over the counter and grabbed the necklace that was around the cashier’s neck.  The victim also grabbed onto the chain struggling to keep her jewelry.  The suspect overpowered the cashier and snatched the chain from her neck.  The suspect immediately ran outside of the store, jumped into a vehicle, and drove away from the location.  During the struggle, the victim sustained minor injuries.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, stands between 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds.  He had short, dark-colored hair and a thick goatee.  The suspect was wearing a light grey hooded sweatshirt with dark baggy sweat pants.

Detectives believe that that the suspect’s vehicle is a 1995 to 1999 light blue or green Buick Rivera.         

Images of the suspect were captured by surveillance cameras outside and inside of the liquor store and are available at www.lapdtv.org.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call LAPD Newton Area Robbery Detectives Christopher Marsden or Guillermo Medina at 323-846-6572.  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 will remain anonymous.

Woman, 78, Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver

Update

On October 7, 2009, at around 3 p.m., 54-year-old Rochelle Gilmore, a resident of Gardena turned herself in to Los Angeles Police Department, 77th police station.  She is being charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run.  Gilmore is being held on $50,000 bail.  The victim Ye Sook Lee is of Korean descent.

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is searching for the driver of a vehicle who struck and killed a 78-year-old woman this morning as she walked across the street in South Los Angeles.

Ye Sook Lee of Los Angeles was struck around 6:00 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver did not stop as required by law.  LAPD South Traffic Detective Rodney Jones said the victim was walking east across the street on Western Avenue, when a car travelling north on Western Avenue near 79th Street fatally hit her and drove off.

Police are looking for a blue/purple florescent colored vehicle.  There is no other description at this time. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact LAPD South Traffic Division Detective Jones at 323-290-6063.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247) 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.

Los Angeles Police Department to Increase Enforcement to Motorcyclist Driving Recklessly

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation to combat reckless driving.

On Saturday, October 10, 2009, extra officers will be patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists where crashes often occur.  Officers will be cracking down on traffic violations made by motorcyclists and other vehicle drivers that lead to injury and fatal motorcycle traffic collisions.

Motorcycle fatalities have been on the rise in California, increasing 91 percent from 275 killed in 2000 to 533 killed in 2008.  Fatal motorcycle traffic collisions in Los Angeles County have increased 62 percent from 70 in 2004, to 114 in 2008.  In the same period, injury motorcycle collisions have increased 47 percent from 1,996 to 2,927.  From 2003 to 2008, motorcycle fatalities in the 21- to-24-year-old age group have increased 122 percent and 102 percent in the 55-and-over age group.

Factors contributing to motorcycle crashes include speeding and impairment due to alcohol and/or other drugs by motorcyclists and other drivers.  Another major factor leading to fatal and injurious motorcycle collisions are inexperience.  Riders, young and old, are encouraged to seek training and safety information. 

Many people are riding motorcycles without the proper motorcycle license and without the skills necessary to ride safely.  Thirty-six percent of the motorcyclists killed in California are not properly licensed. Improper licensing is a greater problem among younger riders, where 63% of the 16- to-24-year-old operators killed were not properly licensed.  It is every motorcyclist’s responsibility to be properly licensed and have the skills necessary to ride safely.  Riders without the proper motorcycle license may be subject to impound for up to 30 days.

The LAPD is reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.

For further information, please contact LAPD Traffic Coordination Section, Officer Don Inman at 213-847-1624.  Riders can receive training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, and information is available at www.CA-msp.org or 1-877 RIDE 411 or 1-877-743-3411.  Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Police and Family Seek Help Finding Missing Adult

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and family members are asking for help in finding an elderly female who was last seen walking from her residence in the 1400 block of South Sherbourne Drive on October 1, 2009.

Chaja Tuchband, a 74-year-old woman, was last seen at 5:30 p.m., leaving her home to take a routine walk in the neighborhood.  Tuchband was wearing a wool hood, a white robe with flowers, an off-white T-shirt, and green pants.  She has grey hair, blue eyes, stands 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.

Tuchband’s family is very concerned about her welfare and wants her to return home safely.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Chaja Tuchband is urged to call the LAPD Missing Persons Unit 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 cellular phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips.  When using a cellular phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.     

Armed Robbery Leads to Shooting, Victim Survives

Los Angeles: A man was shot inside of his home by two suspects inside of his residence in Woodland Hills.

On October 5, 2024 at around 12:30 a.m., the victim confronted two suspects inside of his home in the 4900 block of Alatar Drive and started arguing with them.  During the argument, one of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the upper torso.  The suspects then ran away from the scene.  The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he is expected to fully recover from his wounds.

Detectives are looking for two suspects described only as males in a white vehicle. 

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Area Robbery Homicide Detectives Jeff Briscoe and Pam Pitcher at 818-756-3523.  After hours or on weekends, calls may 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 will remain anonymous.

Commercial Burglars Caught on Tape

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects whose images were caught on surveillance video burglarizing a commercial building in Canoga Park on September 29, 2009.

At around 1:40 a.m., a male and female suspect broke into a three story business located in the 22000 block of Sherman Way and got away with stolen property.  The thieves forced entry into several suites, ransacked them, placed the items inside a black trash bin and loaded it onto a dolly.  Inside, the camera captured the suspects leaving the floor with the property, then fleeing in a 4-door silver Ford Focus with a dark primer colored hood.  The pair also tried to break into two other suites but were unsuccessful, detectives said.

The male suspect is described as Hispanic.  He has dark hair and was last wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans, black tennis shoes and a black glove on his left hand.  The female suspect is also described as Hispanic with long dark hair.  She was last seen wearing a long black T-shirt, capri-style jeans and white tennis shoes.

Anyone with information or who recognizes the suspects is urged to call LAPD’s Topanga Area Burglary Detectives at 818-756-5850.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to 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.