LAPD Blog

30-Year-Old Woman Missing

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officials and family members are asking for the public’s help in finding Amanda Rogers.

Amanda is described as female, African-American, 5’05”, 200 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.  Amanda has tattoos on both shoulders and is believed to be in good mental condition, and is believed to have identification with her.

Amanda was last seen leaving work on October 1, 2024 at about 4:15 p.m.; she last spoke with a coworker the same day at about 6:30 p.m. Amanda worked for Dora L International in downtown Los Angeles.  Amanda was last seen wearing a black tank top with a pink with sliver print hooded zip jacket and jeans.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Amanda Rogers, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Detective Support and Vice Division, Missing Person’s Unit at 213-485-5381; or the 24-hour toll free Real Time Analysis and Critical Response (RACR) desk at (877) 527-3247.

Magnate High School Program Inspection

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Friday, October 16, 2024 - Chief William J. Bratton addressed five magnate high school programs and the Police Orientation Preparation Program (POPP). 

The inspection was held at the Elysian Park Police Academy.  This was the first of its kind, as both programs joined together for a command staff inspection.

The magnate school program, now in its 11th year, consists of five high schools, Reseda, Monroe, Wilson Dorsey, and San Pedro and one middle school, Mulholland.

 The POPP began this past May and allows community college students to study for an A.A degree in criminal justice

New Police Memorial Dedication

October 14, 2024 – In a dedication celebration to honor those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, the Los Angeles Police Department unveiled the brand new Police Memorial located at the new Police Administration Building.  

“This is a fitting symbol of the trust and love we have for the fallen,” said Police Chief
William J. Bratton.

With the sound of the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Bagpipes and Drums in the background, the precession of family members of the fallen, dignitaries and invited guests made their way to the steps of the Memorial.  As Chief Bratton and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa laid a wreath at the base of the edifice, TAPS were played and a moment of silence was held.  

Afterward, the family members of the fallen were the first to walk up and view the Memorial first-hand.  Family members placed white roses beside the names of their loved ones, many of them still emotional.

The new Memorial stands 12 feet, 3 inches high and is 32 feet long.  The design involves complex wall surfaces and edges and features 2,106 brass plaques.  Of those, 201 are engraved with the names, ranks and the day each LAPD officer gave his or her life in the line of duty.  
The Memorial was generously funded by the Los Angeles Police Foundation.

The new Police Memorial is located on the east side of the new Police Administration Building which is on First Street between Spring and Main Avenues in Downtown Los Angeles.  

Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives announce the arrest of a sexual assault suspect 28-year-old Salvador Jesse Solis of Los Angeles.

On October 15, 2009, at around 12:30 p.m., a female victim was walking southbound on Soto Street from Alcazar Street when Solis walked alongside the victim and attempted to engage her in a conversation.  The victim told Solis to leave her alone, but he continued following her until they arrived in front of Hazard Park.  He then pulled the victim into the park’s female restroom and sexually assaulted her.  After the alleged assault, Solis ran from the restroom and the victim ran from the park.  The victim called  police via her cell phone and police officers located her at Fairmont Street and Soto Street. 

The victim provided a description of the suspect-Solis and a crime broadcast was issued over the radio frequency.  The suspect was described as a male Hispanic with a ‘Nike swoosh’ symbol tattooed on the right side of his head.  Police officers located and arrested the suspect at Huntington Drive South and Fithian Avenue.  The suspect was identified as 28-year old Salvador Jesse Solis. 

During the investigation, Detectives learned of a previously reported attempted sexual assault of a female victim at 5150 Huntington Drive, at about 10:00 a.m. and the suspect’s description was similar to Solis’ appearance.  A witness positively identified Solis as the person responsible for the attempted sexual assault at 5150 Huntington Drive. 

On October 15, 2024 at 1:35 p.m., Solis was arrested and booked at the Parker Center Jail for Rape.  Solis is being held on $100,000.00 bail.

Detectives also believe Solis may be responsible for additional assaults on other female victims in the area of Huntington Drive South and Soto Street.  Solis has a distinctive Nike swoosh symbol tattooed on the right side of his head. 

Anyone with information about this crime or similar assaults by Solis is asked to call Hollenbeck Detective Division Sex Crimes Detail at 323-342-8992.  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.

AB 962

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Thursday October 15, 2024 - Audio of Chief William J. Bratton highlighting a bill signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed, AB 962 by Assemblymember Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), building on the Governor’s commitment to keeping dangerous weapons off California’s streets and out of the hands of criminals and gang members

This bill would require vendors of handgun ammunition transfers and sales to keep a log of information on handgun ammunition sales, store ammunition in a safe and secure manner and require the face-to-face transfer of ammunition sales.

Medical Marijuana Clinic Robbery Suspect Arrested

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Wilshire Area detectives have identified three people in connection with a robbery of a marijuana clinic in April of this year.  All three suspects are currently in custody.

On April 11, 2009, at 11 pm, three Black male suspects, one of whom was armed with a gun, entered a medical marijuana facility in the 700 block of North La Brea Avenue and ordered everyone to the ground.  The suspects then ransacked the business and took both cash and marijuana.  During the robbery, one of the suspects, 26-year-old Eric Frierson of Long Beach, attempted to remove the video hard drive from the clinic’s security surveillance system and cut himself in the process.  Investigators were able to collect blood evidence from his injury.  Later, the blood sample was analyzed and yielded a DNA profile match with Frierson.

On Oct. 8, 2009, after detectives worked diligently to develop significant leads on the case, Frierson  was charged with one count of robbery and booked at the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail.  His bail has been set at $50,000.

Further investigation indentified Carl Washington and Rico Yoakum as the other two suspects in the clinic robbery, both currently in custody in the state of Oregon on separate robbery charges. Both suspects will be extradited to Los Angeles at which time the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will file charges.

Investigators believe these three suspects are responsible for several marijuana clinic robberies throughout the Los Angeles Area.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call LAPD Wilshire Area Robbery detectives at 213-922-8266.  During off-hours, call 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.

An Unidentified Man Killed By Hit and Run Driver

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is asking for the public’s help in identifying the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a man who was in the street Monday evening.

On October 12, 2009, at around 6:20 p.m., the victim, listed as a John Doe, was lying in the number one lane of westbound 8th Street.   He was hit by a silver Mercedes, unknown model, traveling westbound on 8th Street in the same lane.  The vehicle continued westbound and stopped west of Berendo Street.  The driver exited and walked around his vehicle, then got back in and left, continuing westbound on 8th Street.  There is currently no description of the suspect.

The victim was taken to a local hospital and died from his injuries. 

Division, Investigator J. Fisher at 213-473-0234.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at1-877-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.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics October 10, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                2009**           2008**          % Chg

Homicide                             243*              298           -18.5%
Rape                                    601               660             -8.9%
Robbery                              9489             10259            -7.5%
Agg Assaults **                    8503            9545            -10.9%
Total Violent Crimes        18,836          20,762             -9.3%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                            13,971           14,887           -6.2%
BTFV                                 21,935           23,130           -5.2%
Personal/Other Theft         21,097           21,660           -2.6%
Auto Theft                         14,060          17,377           -19.1%
Total Property Crimes     71,063          77,054           -7.8%
Total Part I Crimes          89,899          97,816           -8.1%

* 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

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

Update
A Bakersfield woman recognized her grandson in the widely covered story of an abandoned toddler in South Los Angeles.  The abandoned boy has now been positively identified as 3-year-old Xavier Nelson.  Detectives continue to investigate the circumstance which led to Xavier's parent or caregiver leaving him on a bus bench in the early morning hours of October 9, 2009.  Xavier remains in the care of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 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 about 110 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.

A photo of the child is available from the LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586

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.

Halloween Traffic Safety Reminder Emphasizes Slowing Down

Los Angeles:  The Traffic Coordination Section of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is reminding the public to slow down their driving speeds, especially on Halloween, as children will be out in force.  Doing so can prevent tragic, senseless deaths and serious injuries.

During the entire month of October, to facilitate the traffic safety incentive, the LAPD will be conducting speed enforcement operations to reduce the number of fatal and injurious speed-related traffic collisions.  The operations will also increase as the month progresses in anticipation of Halloween.

Unfortunately, excessive speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions in the City of Los Angeles, accounting for 15 percent of all traffic collisions.  Furthermore, speeding drivers are responsible for 21 percent of all traffic-related fatalities.  Throughout the next year, the LAPD will attempt to reduce these percentages through increased speed enforcement. 

Funding for the speed reduction program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For further information, please contact Traffic Coordination Section Officer Don Inman at
213-847-1624.