LAPD Blog

Police Seek More Victims After Sexual Assault Arrest of Melvin Shane Sparks

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives from Van Nuys Division arrested 40-year-old Melvin Shane Sparks on a felony warrant charging him with sexual assault on a child.  Investigators believe there may be more victims out there and are asking them to come forward.

Sparks has been the subject of an ongoing child molestation investigation and was taken into custody on Dec. 18 at his apartment in North Hollywood, located in the 10900 block of Bluffside Drive.

He was charged with lewd conduct with a child under 14, two counts of sexual intercourse with a minor and two counts of oral copulation with a minor.  Sparks was booked at Van Nuys jail and his bail was set at $590,000. 

Sparks is a dance teacher at the Millennium Dance Complex in North Hollywood.  He also served as a judge on the MTV show "America's Best Dance Crew" and as a choreographer on the television show "So You Think You Can Dance."

Anyone with information about these crimes is urged to contact Van Nuys detectives at 818-374-0052.  During non-business hours or on weekends calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts. 

Youth Solutions Forum

December 10, 2024 – As a panelist on the Youth Solutions Forum, Chief Charlie Beck weighed in on his thoughts on gang violence prevention and intervention.  The Forum, which was presented by the Soledad Enrichment Action, included speakers from the youth organization, the Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Department of Probation. 

The three hour discussion offered valuable insight into real problems and real solutions to the ever-present gang problems that plague certain parts of the City.  Chief Beck elaborated on philosophies and expressed his concerns going forward.

The Youth Solutions Forum is a special engagement of the Youth Solutions Project, a program made possible by the James Irvine Foundation which brings together youth, non-profit agencies, social service providers, representatives from the public and private sector, job developers and funding institutions to a series of discussions and convenings in an effort to address the needs of inner city youth.

GIVE WISELY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Los Angeles:  Charities step up their soliciting during each holiday season, but this year they will be even more aggressive for your support. The lagging economy has also led to a sharp rise in the number of charities nationwide.
But if you are like most Angelenos, you have fewer dollars to spend. Selecting charities will not be easy.

To make sound decisions takes knowledge. However, do you really know your charity?  Are you aware of the actual services it provides?  Do you know the ratio of money it spends on those services versus administrative costs?  The Charitable Services Section of the Los Angeles Police Commission wants Angelenos to give, but advises that you Give Wisely. Take the following steps to avoid becoming a victim of charitable fraud:

Look for the POLICE COMMISSION INFORMATION CARD

The Los Angeles Municipal Code requires that all solicitors who solicit tax deductible donations within the City of Los Angeles possess a Police Commission Information Card. Written solicitations are also required to include a copy of the Information Card. This card contains information about your charity, which includes an address, telephone number and contact name, as well as the dates the charity is permitted to solicit. The card also states the dollar amounts the charity reportedly collected and the expenses incurred for a similar event in the past.

Evaluate the charity

If you do not know the charity, ask the following questions before giving.

1.    Are the charity’s expenses unreasonably high? How much revenue actually goes toward the cause. Look at the Information Card for the results of a past event, request a financial statement from the charity itself or check its Federal Form 990.
2.    Is the charity legitimate? Check with the Charitable Services Section of the Police Commission or the State of California Attorney General’s Office (see below for information).
3.    Does the solicitor possess a valid Information Card? Contact the charity to verify the solicitor. Beware of names that sound alike – check with the agency they claim to represent. Alert your local police station if they are soliciting illegally.
4.    Will the charity accept noncash payments? It is recommended that you donate with a check or credit card. However, it is best not to give personal information over the telephone.

Contact the Police Commission Charitable Services Section

The Police Commission Charitable Services Section is here to assist with your questions this holiday season, and throughout the year.  The section may be reached at 213-996-1260.

For further information about Giving Wisely, or the Los Angeles Municipal Code Ordinance governing charities, visit the Charitable Services Section Web site at www.lapdonline.org. Search for “charitable” and click on “Charitable Services Section.”

Additional Resources

 Connect to the California State Attorney General’s Web site at www.ag.ca.gov.  to obtain additional information regarding a charity.

Chief Beck Returns Home for Rampart Division Formal Command Inspection

Chief Beck podcast at Rampart Inspection

December 17, 2024 - During a chilly winter morning Rampart Division had its formal inspection.  The officers appearance was flawless as they stood proudly at attention with their uniforms freshly pressed, glistering badges, and spit polished boots. Rampart Area Captain Steven Ruiz led Chief Charlie Beck, Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger, Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz, Commander Blake Chow and Rampart Patrol Captain Raymond Maltez as they inspected the rank and file.  Chief Beck attentively but proudly inspected the officers and particularly praised individual officers for their outstanding appearance.

After the inspection Chief Beck addressed the officers with a sincere and warm speech, expressing what Rampart Division means to him.  He reminisced about starting his career as a probationary officer in Rampart, then returning years later as a Captain.  Chief Beck spoke about working approximately eight or nine divisions during his 32 years of service with the Department. “Every division is special and unique, every division has great people, but only one division is your home, and I have always considered Rampart to be my home,” Chief Beck stated, resulting in cheers from the officers. According to Chief Beck, Rampart is not his home because it was the first division that he worked or because he was a Commanding Officer there, but because “I love the people here.”

In closing he thanked everyone in attendance and especially the officers who worked so hard preparing for the inspection. He further stated he considered the Los Angeles Police Department to be a living, breathing organism, “If you accept the premise that the LAPD is a living organism, then I would proffer that I think Rampart is its heart.”

Rampart's 350 police personnel provide service to about 185,000 Angelenos, in a compact 5.6 square mile area. Rampart Area serves the communities of Angelino Heights, Echo Park, historic Filipinotown, Lafayette Park, MacArthur Park, Pico Union, and Westlake.

Stun-gun Bandit Robs Boutique

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police detectives released a video of a man they have dubbed the Stun-gun Bandit, who robbed a downtown boutique last Tuesday afternoon, taking $650.00 and shocking the store clerk as he left.

“Make no mistake, the man was armed with a gun, which he showed the clerk,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, who supervises detectives for the Central police station.  “But after the young woman gave up the money, the robber shocked her arm with a stun gun just to be mean.”

The robbery occurred December 15, 2009, at Day to Day Sales, Inc., a small boutique in the Fashion District in the 1000 block of South Los Angeles Street.  A tall, White man with graying hair and a blue baseball cap walked into the boutique at 12:15 p.m. and displayed a handgun to the 27-year-old clerk.  She opened the cash register and allowed the robber to remove the cash.

“That’s when you see him take an object out of his pocket and step toward the clerk,” Vernon said.  “You can hear the stun gun sparking as the man holds it against the woman’s arm.  It must have been very unnerving for her.  It was completely unprovoked and just plain mean.”

The video does not show a clear shot of the suspect’s face, but he is tall and thin.  He appears to be well kept, and in his fifties or sixties.  He was wearing a blue jacket, gray pants, and sunglasses.

“We think anyone who knows this person will recognize him nonetheless,” Vernon said.  “A guy like this shouldn’t get away with robbing a store, or being this mean.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Al Rasch, Central Robbery detectives at 213-972-1245.   Callers can also phone the 24-hour number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Tipsters may text “crimes” with a cell phone.  All messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Media outlets can come to Central Police Station to view and record the video footage.  

Lt. Vernon will be available between 10 a.m and 11:30 a.m.

Chief Beck and Sheriff Baca Launch “CRIME STOPPERS”

New Program will Assist Local Law Enforcement Agencies in Solving Crimes with Help from the Public

December 14, 2024 – In a joint news conference held in a lot overlooking Downtown Los Angeles, Sheriff Lee Baca and Police Chief Charlie Beck announced the launch of the Los Angeles Regional “CRIME STOPPERS” program. Flanked by Los Angeles County Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Zev Yaroslavsky, City Controller Wendy Gruel and scores of local law enforcement officials, Chief Beck praised the collaboration of the 25 Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies involved in the program.

“Criminals do not respect jurisdictional boundaries and now it’s obvious that police departments collaborate so we don’t have to respect those boundaries either,” said Chief Beck. 

“CRIME STOPPERS” is a non-profit organization working with the community, media and various law enforcement agencies to allow individuals to anonymously provide information on crimes they may have witnessed or have knowledge of.  “CRIME STOPPERS” allows law enforcement agencies additional ways to investigate crimes and provides information across various agency borders.  This allows cross-jurisdictional access and ability to work together to have a virtual free flow of information while maintaining the tipsters’ anonymity.  Tipsters may be eligible for cash rewards for information leading to an arrest.

If you have any information on a crime you would like to share anonymously, you can reach “CRIME STOPPERS” by calling (800) 222-TIPS, texting “TIPLA” from your mobile phone, or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Notes from the December 15, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Commissioner Alan Skobin said the LA LEY Charitable Foundation is going to make a donation to help fund the transition of the Police Explorer program under Department control.  He added the foundation would be offering $250 bond scholarship for one Explorer at each of the 21 area police stations and a separate scholarship to the top cadet in each class.

•    Police Chief Charlie Beck informed the Board the Department, in conjunction with 25 other local agencies, is taking part in the CRIME STOPPERS program which allows citizens to report information on crimes anonymously via telephone, text message or internet. He also said the Department currently has 9,982 sworn employees and 3,200 civilian employees with 387 vacancies.  Chief Beck thanked the Council for allocating funding for a new recruit class in January.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 11, 2009, relative to the destruction of obsolete records for original/official records for 77th Area, Devonshire Area, Emergency Services Division, Metropolitan Area, Operations-Valley Bureau, Rampart Area, Records and Identification Division, Southwest Area, Valley Traffic Division, Van Nuys Area, West Valley Area, and Work Environment Liaison Division, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 3, 2009, relative to the supply procurement and disbursement audit (IAID No. 08-097), was approved.  Captain Joan Wakefield informed the Board this was the first of many financial audits to come.  The purpose of the audit was to check the system for controls and policy issues.  Captain Wakefield said the audit uncovered issues with proper documentation/receipts for expenses and following purchasing procedures.  Also at issue was the lack of competitive bidding.  One of the recommendations to remedy the problem was the development of a purchasing manual with updated policies and procedures.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 3, 2009, relative to Gang and Narcotics Division response to confidential informant control package audit (IAID No. 08-006) was approved.

Missing Man Despondent and in Need of Medication

Update

This morning, on December 16, 2009, Claude David Graham was found safe and in good condition in Denver, Colorado.

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Missing Persons Detectives and the family of Claude David Graham are asking for the public’s help to find Mr. Graham.  Mr. Graham is reported to be severely depressed over his failing health and is in need of medication.

Mr. Graham left his residence in the 2200 block of West 6th Street, in the Rampart Area of Los Angeles, on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at around 3:45 p.m.  He has not been seen or heard from since and his family is extremely concerned for his welfare.

He is a male Black, 43-years of age, black hair, brown eyes, 6 feet tall, 165 pounds and was last seen wearing a gray jacket, white T-shirt, and black pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Missing Person Unit, Detective Jessamyn Morales at (213) 996-1800.   After hours, callers may also phone a 24-hour, toll-free tip line number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Tipsters may also text “crimes” with a cell phone.  All messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Home Invasion Robbery Leads to a Hollywood Arrest

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Hollywood Area officers have arrested four suspects in a home invasion robbery.     

On December 16, 2009, at around 1:40 a.m., LAPD Hollywood Area patrol officers responded to a 911 call of a “robbery in progress” in the 8200 Block of Mannix Drive in the Hollywood Hills.  Witnesses reported a white Dodge Charger leaving the scene shortly after hearing several gunshots.

As officers arrived in the area, they saw a car matching the description given by witnesses leaving the scene.  Officers immediately pursued the suspects into the Wilshire Area where they crashed near Pico Boulevard and Hauser Avenue.   A perimeter was established after the suspects got out of the car and ran away.  LAPD’s Wilshire Area patrol, Metropolitan Division and K-9 units were called in to search for the suspects, and all four were taken into custody without incident.  Evidence from the robbery was recovered at the scene, and a search for the suspects’ weapons is still ongoing.

Preliminary information from the investigation suggests that three suspects forced their way into a residential home on Mannix Drive, while a fourth suspect waited inside the getaway car.  At gunpoint, the suspects demanded the victim open up the family safe.  Once the victim opened the safe, the suspects grabbed large amounts of cash, shot the victim and the family dog, and left the scene.  There were two more occupants in the home which included a newborn baby, but fortunately, they were not injured.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition.  The dog was transported to an emergency veterinary clinic and is undergoing surgery.

LAPD Hollywood Area detectives would like to thank all the witnesses who called 911 with critical information on the suspects’ vehicle description, which led to the arrest of all suspects involved.  

Anyone with information regarding the crime or recovering any weapons at either location is encouraged to contact LAPD Hollywood Area Robbery Detectives Dave Vinton or Warrant Eberhardtl at 213-972-2967.  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.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics December 12, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                2009**           2008**          % Chg

Homicide                              291*             361            -19.4%
Rape                                    728               806             -9.7%
Robbery                            11539            12640            -8.7%
Agg Assaults **                  10066            11461           -12.2%
Total Violent Crimes        22,624           25,268          -10.5%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             17,139          18,515            -7.4%
BTFV                                 27,146           28,521           -4.8%
Personal/Other Theft         25,917           26,523           -2.3%
Auto Theft                         17,169           21,271         -19.3%
Total Property Crimes     87,371          94,830           -7.9%
Total Part I Crimes        109,995        120,098           -8.4%

* 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