LAPD Blog

Man Shot and Killed By Passing Vehicle

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Harbor homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help with providing information about a man who was killed while driving his car in the Harbor Area.

On September 16, 2010, around 5:50 p.m. LAPD Harbor Area patrol officers responded to a shooting call at Pacific Coast Highway and Figueroa Street.  When the officers arrived, they discovered a man in a car who was unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds.

City rescue personnel responded and transported the man to Kaiser Hospital in Harbor City where he was pronounced dead.

The detectives’ investigation revealed that the victim, 24-year-old Vincenson Edwards, was driving his 1994 White Chevy Caprice westbound on Pacific Coast Highway approaching Figueroa Street when an unknown man driving a white car pulled up alongside of him.  The suspect in the white car pulled out a gun and shot Edwards numerous times and drove away from the location.  The suspect(s) and car are currently outstanding.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Harbor Homicide Detective Brian Gasparian or Officer Fernando Rivas, at 310-726-7882.  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 1-800-222-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.

Wilshire Detectives Investigating a Series of Car Break-Ins

UPDATE

September 23, 2024

New suspect and incident photos related to the vehicle thefts below have been added to this press release on subsequent pages.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Wilshire Area detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify and apprehend several suspects who have recently been breaking into vehicles in the Mid-City/Wilshire vicinity.

Since July of this year and continuing through September, quite a few vehicles have been broken into or stolen, mostly in the Miracle Mile area of the city, by a variety of suspects whom detectives believe are probably operating independently.  The suspects used an assortment of methods to break into the cars they targeted, including picking door locks and smashing windows, with some incidents captured on surveillance video.  In some instances, the suspects even returned to the same location to commit additional thefts where they had broken into cars previously.

Suspects described below on dates shown were all captured by video cameras breaking into vehicles.







July 12, 2025
Male Hispanic  - brown hair - about 5 feet 9 inches tall - 170-180 pounds - 20 to 25 years old

Male Hispanic – brown hair – about 5 feet 9 inches tall – 170 pounds – 20 to 25 years
old

Female Hispanic – black hair and brown eyes – 125 pounds – 18 to 25 years old

July 26, 2024
Male Black – brown hair – about 5 feet 9 inches tall – 170 pounds – 40 to 50 years old

August 18, 2024
Male White (possibly Armenian) – black hair and brown eyes – about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall – 160 to 180 pounds – 34 to 40 years old

August 19, 2024
Male Black – black hair and brown eyes - about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall – 150 to 170 pounds – 30 to 37 years old

September 5, 2024
Male Black – black hair and brown eyes - about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall – 170 pounds – 30 to 40 years old

Anyone with information about these crimes or suspects is urged to call LAPD Wilshire Area auto detectives at 213-922-8205. After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

Those who wish to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-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.” Information can also be submitted by going to www.LAPDOnline.org, clicking on "webtips" and following the prompts.

LAPD Detective Support and Vice Division Award $100,000 Grant

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control announced the 2010/2011 Grant Assistance Program (GAP) recipients and awarded the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) a 15th consecutive grant.  LAPD received the maximum grant award in the amount $100,000.  

Captain Ann Young, Commanding Officer of Detective Support and Vice Division, who oversees ABC enforcement activities on a Citywide level indicated that grant funds will be used to assist the LAPD in reducing the negative effects of alcohol-related crimes and improving the quality of life in an around ABC licensed establishments within the City of Los Angeles.  The GAP program has been an essential part of vice enforcement for the City of Los Angeles for the past fourteen years and has been directly responsible for closing 96 problematic ABC-licensed locations since the inception of Operation ABC.

The grant was awarded to the LAPD in July 2010.  For further information, please contact Sergeants Steve Moore or Fernando Garcia, Operation ABC Coordinators, at 213-486-0910.

46-Year-Old Missing Person

UPDATE:

Mr. Richard Cox was located early on September 22, 2024 and has been reunited with his family.

Los Angeles:  The family of Richard Cox and the Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Mr. Richard Cox.

Mr. Cox was last seen on Saturday, September 11. 2010 at around 12:30 a.m., by a family member that dropped Mr. Cox off at a home located in the 4000 block of 59th place.  When Mr. Cox didn’t make contact with his family later that morning they went to his home located in the 5300 block of San Vicente Boulevard.  The family was able to determine that he had made it home.  His car was parked in his parking space but Cox was nowhere to be found.  Mr. Cox has not made contact with any family members and has failed to show up to work which is uncharacteristic of him.  

The Cox family is extremely concerned for his welfare.  Mr. Cox is described as a 46-year-old male Black with brown hair and brown eyes.  He stands about 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs around 185 pounds.  Mr. Cox has several tattoos including a Nike swoosh on his right arm, a cross on his right arm, a heart with the letters “ABC” on his right arm, the letters “J” and “K” on his left arm and “Donna” on his chest.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Richard Cox, please contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit Detective Ciuffetelli 213-996-1800.  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 1-800-222-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.

Los Angeles Crime Stoppers Benefit

Supporting the LA Crime Stoppers Tipster Reward Fund on October 20, 2010.

Special guests LA County Sheriff Lee Baca and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

 

Special guests LA County Sheriff Lee Baca and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

 

Subway Store Robbery, Caught on Tape

Los Angeles.  LAPD detectives released video today of an apparent lone gunman who robbed a Subway
sandwich shop this week, and got away with $1,600.

“The video is quite graphic in the way this suspect jumps the counter and pushed the employees around,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division.  “Turns out he was armed with a BB gun pistol, which he left behind.”

Around 6:25 a.m., on September 14, a Black man, wearing a white baseball cap and black hoodie, ordered a sandwich at the counter of the Subway sandwich shop at 155 W. Washington Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles.  As the employee prepares the sandwich, the robber pulls a gun from his jacket and jumps the counter.  The employee runs into the backroom and another employee is surprised to discover the robbery in progress.  The robber violently pushed the two employees back to the front counter, forcing the frightened employees on the floor.  He grabs the money and jumps the counter again, giving one more warning to the employees before he leaves.

Witnesses described a 1998 to 1999 red Ford F-150 pick-up truck as the getaway car.  Neither of the employees was injured, and police recovered the BB gun at the scene.

Robberies in the downtown area have dropped 17 percent this year over last year, which amounts to 59 fewer robberies.  

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Lisa Schueller, Central Robbery Unit, at 213-972-1248.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

Lt. Paul Vernon is available for interviews in English, and Detective Lisa Schueller can do interviews in Spanish.
 

Arrest of Serial Sexual Battery Suspect Who Has Been Operating in the Valley

Los Angeles: On September 12, 2010, Los Angeles Police Department North Hollywood Area detectives arrested 42-year-old Edwin Ernesto Cabrera, a resident of North Hollywood, for sexual battery charges. Detectives are asking for others who may have been similarly victimized by the suspect to come forward.

Cabrera has been charged with assaulting eleven elderly female residents of the San Fernando Valley area between September 2009 and August 2010.  Cabrera approached victims in a public place and feigned a prior acquaintance with them.  Cabrera then offered them assistance in the form of massages and proceeded to touch them in a sexually inappropriate manner.  At times, Cabrera offered services as a handyman.  Once he was in the victim’s residence, he requested to shower and exposed himself.  Cabrera also often kissed his victims on the face or neck area.

Cabrera has been known to ride a red bicycle or drive a red van. He is described as a male Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes.  He stands about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds.

Detectives believe there could be additional victims and strongly encourage anyone who has more information or believes she has been subjected to Cabrera’s assaults to come forward by calling North Hollywood Detectives Murachver or Zavala at 818-623-4090.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.

Detectives Seek Man Who Attempted to Kidnap a Girl

Los Angeles:  This afternoon at a news conference, Los Angeles Police Department Northeast Division detectives announced their investigation the attempted kidnapping of a 12-year-old student from Luther Burbank Middle School.

On September 13, 2010, at around 7 a.m., a young girl was walking to school in an alley adjacent to the Metro Gold Line between Avenue 60 and Avenue 61 in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles when a man exited his van nearby and pretended to inspect his vehicle.  As the victim passed him, the suspect grabbed her from behind and attempted to pull her into his van as she held onto wrought-iron fence. Without releasing her grip on the fence, the girl began yelling for help, so the suspect finally released her and drove away. The victim would not release her grasp from the wrought iron fence and continued to yell for help.  A short time later, the girl notified school administrators about the incident and they immediately called the police.

The suspect was described as an African American male, 20-30 years of age, standing about 5 feet 11 inches and weighing about 185 pounds.  He was wearing two studded earrings, and his vehicle was described as a royal blue, older model van with dark tint on all the windows.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Northeast Robbery detectives at 213-847-4270. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to the Northeast Watch Commander at 213-485-2563 or a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Those with tips may also text CRIMES (274637) and begin messages with the letters “LAPD” or submit information on the LAPD website: www.lapdonline.org. All persons who provide tips may remain anonymous.

Concert Benefitting American Soldiers for LAPD Officer Joshua Cullins

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Officer Joshua J. Cullins, currently serving as a U.S. Marine staff sergeant in Afghanistan, was injured July 16, 2010, when a roadside bomb detonated near where he  was working as part of an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team.  

On Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, from 7 p.m. to about 9:30 p.m., the west patio area of Farmers Market, located at 6333 West 3rd Street in Los Angeles, will feature “Welcome Home: A Tribute to our Troops” with a special tribute to LAPD Officer Cullins.  

In July when Cullins was injured, fellow police officers created a get-well video to encourage him in his recovery.  LAPD Officer David Marroquin, a talented video producer off duty, created two videos.  The first one is a high-quality, uplifting video incorporating get-well messages from LAPD personnel and others outside the Department to express their gratitude for Cullins’ service.  It also includes thoughts and prayers for his quick recovery.

For the second video, Marroquin enlisted the help of an actor-musician friend, J. Hunter Ackerman, who wrote a song with Cullins in mind.  Both then collaborated to turn the song into a moving music video entitled
“Welcome Home.”  Both videos can be viewed at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0JEnKrsRHQ.  At the Farmers Market event, Marroquin will present his projects with Ackerman performing the song live.  

A few notes of interest about the video…one of the scenes depicts a young man going into a barber shop to get his military haircut while preparing to serve.  The featured barber shop is located in Farmers Market.  Also, it is  expected that many of those featured in the original get-well video will also be in attendance, including LAPD command staff.  The event will be a special night to honor all of the brave men and woman serving in our armed forces.  The LAPD currently has 50 officers on military leave from the Department serving in various branches of the armed services around the world.

Many of the businesses within Farmers Market will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the “Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation,” a nonprofit organization that raises money for victims of EOD explosions and their families.  

For additional information, contact Officer David Marroquin at 213-485-4328 or the LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

Sunshine Kids Shine Bright

September 9, 2024 – With the LAPD Concert Band in full symphony, 24 children from the Sunshine Kids were sworn in as honorary police officers for the day.  The event, which was part of a week-long visit by the children to Los Angeles, featured the roof-top swearing-in ceremony where the children were given gifts donated by the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union, the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation and the Universal City Sheraton.

Once sworn in as police officers, the children jumped into the black and white vehicles with their reserve police officer partners and formed a convoy where they left the hotel with lights and sirens blaring. Their destination: Raleigh Studios on Melrose to visit the set and the stars of the TNT television series “The Closer.”



The Sunshine Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer. Established in 1982, the organization provides positive group activities and emotional support for young cancer patients. The Sunshine Kids offer a variety of programs and events, free of charge, for kids who are receiving cancer treatments in hospitals across North America.  This is the fifth consecutive year the Department has participated and organized activities for the kids.