LAPD Blog

A Woman Killed in Hit and Run Collision

Update
December 13, 2024

West Traffic detectives have developed a few leads and their investigation of the woman who was killed in a hit and run traffic collision.  The investigation revealed that the suspect car in this hit and run case is a 1992-1997 Toyota Corolla, DX or base model with black mirrors.  Investigators believed that the Corolla has damage to the front end fender, turn signal, and windshield.  The passenger side mirror is possibly missing.

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) West Traffic Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a driver who fatally struck a woman as she got out of her car in the LAPD’s West Los Angeles Area.

On Thursday, December 2, 2010, at about 9:17 p.m., 60-year-old, Razia Shariff, who lives in   Los Angeles, had just gotten out of her Honda CRV that was parked on the west side of Centinela Avenue and north of Nebraska Avenue.  She was hit by an unidentified car that was traveling southbound on Centinela Avenue.

The driver of the unidentified car immediately left the scene without stopping to help the victim, or identifying himself/herself as required by law.

Shariff suffered extensive blunt force trauma injuries. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics rushed her to a local hospital where she died.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact West Traffic Division Detectives at 213-473-0234.   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.

Update on Death Investigation at Harvey Apartments

Los Angeles:  On Wednesday December 1, 2010, Los Angeles Police Department Robbery Homicide Division (RHD) Detectives respond to a Hollywood apartment building to investigate the death of a man identified as a “person of interest” in the death of well known Hollywood Publicist Ronni Chasen.

At about 6 p.m. LAPD Hollywood Division officers responded to a call of "Shots Fired" at an apartment building located in the 5600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.  When the officers arrived, a male subject had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  He was later pronounced dead at the scene.  At the time of the shooting, Beverly Hills Police Department detectives were on scene conducting a follow-up investigation.  There were no other injuries related to the incident.  The LAPD is conducting the death investigation only.  All matters relating to the Chasen homicide is still being handled entirely by the Beverly Hills Police Department.

RHD is in possession of video from inside the lobby of the Harvey apartment building, taken the night of the suicide.  Detectives have reviewed the video and are confirming that this incident is a suicide due to a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head by the victim.  The weapon used, which was a handgun, has been recovered by RHD and is pending ballistic testing. 

DCFS Social Worker Arrested for Sexual Assault

Los Angeles: A Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) social worker was arrested today on felony sexual battery charges stemming from allegations he had sexually assaulted a woman during a home visit in Woodland Hills on September 17, 2010.

The 30-year-old victim claimed the suspect, 53-year-old Yadullah "Eddie" Lorghaba, forced her to submit to unwanted sexual advances after threatening to remove her children from her home.  After the assault, the suspect told her he would not be removing her children that day; however, he would be returning the following week for another follow-up visit.

The victim immediately reported the assault to DCFS and law enforcement.  DCFS supervisors immediately removed Lorghaba from the field and placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.  The district attorney's office filed charges after forensic analysis of crime scene evidence, DNA, confirmed the victim's allegations.

Lorghaba has been employed with DCFS for 13 years.  LAPD Detectives are trying to determine whether this is an isolated incident and are requesting any other person who may have been victimized by Lorghaba to come forward.  

Lorghaba was released on $75,000 bail.  His next court date is January 5, 2010, at Van Nuys Court to set a date for the preliminary hearing.

Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to call Topanga Area Detective Stewart at 818-756-3375.  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.

Violent Suspect Shoots Multiple Rounds from Handgun, Slashes one Person with a Knife

Los Angeles:  A suspect was subdued by Rampart Area police officers who were responding to a call for help after the suspect went on a violent rampage, firing numerous rounds from a handgun and slashing the face of one victim.  

On November 23, 2010, at around 2:10 p.m., Rampart Area Officer John Hendrix, an eight-year  three-month veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, and his partner, encountered the suspect of an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Shots Fired,” radio call at Temple Street and Union Avenue. As Officer Hendrix and his partner were driving to the call they spotted the suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Shannon Hayes, a male Black from Los Angeles, walking westbound on Temple Street at Bonnie Brae.  When the officers got out of their police car to make contact with Hayes, he displayed a handgun and an officer involved shooting (OIS) occurred.

Hayes was shot once in the head and immediately taken into custody. He was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition. He was later booked for Attempt Murder on a Police Officer and is being held in the jail ward of the hospital.

No officers were injured during the incident, and the victim of the cutting was treated and released from a local hospital.

A .9mm semi-automatic handgun was taken into custody at scene and is being held as evidence in the incident.

Force Investigation Division (FID) is responsible for the investigation of all OIS’s, and responded to the shooting scene.  FID Criminal Apprehension Team is working in coordination with Rampart Area Detectives to investigate the crimes Hayes committed prior to the OIS.

For further information please contact Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

Hit and Run Drivers Fatally Struck a Pedestrian

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Central Traffic Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating drivers who fatally struck a man as he crossed a street in the LAPD’s Rampart Area.

On Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at about 8:35 p.m., 32-year-old, Felix Gonzalez, a resident of Los Angeles, was walking southbound in the east crosswalk of Carondelet Street when he was struck by a possible red Honda Civic or Prelude which was traveling westbound on 3rd Street.  

The driver of the Honda immediately fled the scene without rendering aid or identifying himself/herself as required by law.  Gonzalez was subsequently struck by two additional unidentified vehicles.  Both unidentified drivers also left the scene of the traffic accident.

Gonzalez suffered from extensive blunt force trauma injuries and Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

Anyone with information about this incident or whereabouts of these vehicles/drivers are urged to contact Central Traffic Division Detectives at 213-972-1837.   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.

Joint LAPD-ATF Investigation into Illegal Gun Sales Leads to Indictment of Nine on Federal Weapons Charges

LOS ANGELES : Federal and local authorities this morning arrested five defendants who were named by a federal grand jury in a 19-count indictment that alleges illegal firearms sales and drug trafficking offenses.

Two of the nine defendants named in the indictment were already in state custody, and authorities continue to search for one fugitive. An investigation is continuing into the identity of the ninth defendant named in the indictment.

The indictment, which was returned on September 28, outlines a series of firearms transactions in which guns – including machine guns, sawed-off shotguns and assault rifles – were sold to undercover operatives from April 2009 through June 2010.

During this morning’s operation, ATF agents and LAPD officers seized 12 firearms, including seven handguns and one machine gun, and at least five pounds of marijuana. With this morning’s seizures, this investigation has resulted in a total of 35 firearms being taken off the streets.

In addition to the defendants arrested in the federal case, authorities this morning arrested five suspects who are expected to be prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. "One of ATF’s strategies for preventing violent crime is to disrupt and dismantle underground firearms trafficking pipelines and take down those responsible for supplying violent offenders with crime guns," said John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Los Angeles Field Division. "This investigation shows that ATF is at the frontline in combating violent crime through partnerships with fellow law enforcement agencies. ATF will continue to seek out and eradicate those threatening the safety of our communities."

"As Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, I have been committed to working closely with our federal partners," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. "This morning, in a joint task force with our ATF partners, detectives from LAPD Gang and Narcotics Division executed a federal warrant which targeted illegal gun trafficking. I am very pleased with the results of today’s operation. I will continue my commitment in our fight to reduce crime in our communities and to keeping these dangerous weapons off the streets."

 

Wilmington Man Killed in Shooting

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Harbor Area Homicide detectives are asking the public to provide information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects wanted for killing 27-year-old Johnny Carbajal.

On November 29, 2024 at about 8 p.m., Harbor Area patrol officers responded to a 9-1-1- call of a shooting at an apartment building located in the 900 block of North Fries Avenue.  When the officers arrived, they found a male victim, later identified as Johnny Carbajal of Wilmington, lying on the floor inside of an apartment unit with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. 

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported Carbajal to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Detectives believe that Carbajal was involved in a verbal dispute with an unknown male Hispanic who was wearing the colors of a rival gang inside the apartment building.  Carbajal later went into an apartment unit where he was confronted by two other male Hispanic suspects.  One of the suspects pulled a handgun and shot Carbajal multiple times.  The suspects are described as male Hispanics, about 20 to 25-years-old, no further information was available.  Detectives believe that this shooting was gang related.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Harbor Area Homicide Detectives Rodriguez or Batres at 310-726-7887 or 7880.  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.

Putting Public Safety First

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and members of the LA City Council got it right when they first approved a trash fee hike to grow the LAPD, and then allow the Department to continue to hire to attrition.  Despite difficult economic times, our city leaders are putting public safety first.  

Now, the Police Protective League wants the city to temporarily halt the hiring of new police officers, and allow the LAPD to use the 2 million in savings, to hire civilians.  It’s a bad idea.  The continued hiring of police officers is the lifeblood of this organization.  Without it, the safety of the people of Los Angeles is at risk.  For the past nine years, the LAPD has generated significant crime declines that has not only made our city safer, but has improved community police relations.  The reason we have been able to reduce crime is because we have enough cops to do it.

During the rest of this fiscal year, the LAPD will save the city 40-million dollars by not paying officers cash overtime, and 10-million on civilian furloughs.  The two million the city would save by not hiring anymore officers through the rest of this fiscal year won’t make enough of a difference.  Bottom line, the LAPD can’t keep the city safe without continued hiring to attrition, and if you stop hiring, it will cost more in the long run.

 It currently takes an average of one year for an applicant to get through the hiring process to be certified to enter the LAPD Academy.  It takes another six months to complete it.  That’s a year and a half from the time an individual applies, to the time when they can actually serve as a police officer.  If we stop hiring now, it could take several years to recruit a new pool of applicants to be able to hire a full-size academy class on a regular basis.  

After police hiring was slowed during fiscal year 2003-2004, it took approximately nine months and 3-million dollars to recruit enough viable candidates to hire full-size LAPD Academy classes every deployment period.  That’s too high a price to pay for the city and for communities who will have fewer officers working to make our streets safer.  

My priority as Chief of the LAPD is to continue to hire police officers so that I can deploy them where they are needed the most, in patrol.  The LAPD has proven that if allowed to replace officers who leave or retire,  we are a Department that can reduce crime by policing fairly and effectively, while creating  public trust and cooperation.

Charlie Beck is the Chief of Police of the LAPD.

Stepped-Up Police Patrol for Downtown Shopping Season

Los Angeles:  Police who patrol the downtown area of Los Angeles announced stepped-up enforcement for the coming holiday shopping season, which includes more conspicuous footbeats to deter criminal activity and enhance community safety.

“One-quarter of our major crimes which occur in the downtown area, are thefts, committed by shoplifters and persons taking other’s property when the owner is not paying attention,” said Captain Todd Chamberlain, Commanding Officer, Central Community Police Station.  “We want shoppers to be aware of their surroundings and have an enjoyable shopping experience downtown.”

To combat the thefts, footbeat officers will be walking in the Historic Core, Fashion District, and the Jewelry District.  Police expect the conspicuous patrols will have an effect on shoplifting, purse snatches, and pickpockets.  “We also want to remind drivers to lock it, hide it keep it, which is the Department’s campaign to remind people to lock their cars and remove all items from the passenger compartment, especially electronic items and gifts,” Captain Chamberlain explained.

The Central Community Police Station has a large dedicated reserve corps.  “We’re going to use every one of those officers, in conjunction with Central Area’s patrol force, during the holiday season to make police presence as conspicuous as possible.”

To increase traffic safety, officers will enforce street crossing laws such as jaywalking and crossing against the DON’T WALK signs.  “Drivers and walkers who don’t follow the laws add to people’s frustration and compromise safety downtown when it gets crowded,” Captain Chamberlain said.

During the holiday season last year, police investigated one fatal and two serious traffic collisions involving pedestrians.  In two of the cases, the pedestrian was crossing against the red DON’T WALK sign.  “This message is about education.  We want to ensure everyone’s safety while visiting downtown,” Captain Chamberlain added.  “We want to avert tragedies and enhance the shopping experience this season.”

Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (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.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics November  27, 2010

VIOLENT CRIMES                  2010**           2009**          % Chg

Homicide                              257*                282          -8.9%
Rape                                     722                 757          -4.6%
Robbery                               9954              11080         -10.2%
Agg Assaults **                     8503                9780        -13.1%
Total Violent Crimes           19436             21899        -11.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               15336            16548          -7.3%
BTFV                                    24875            26230         -5.2%
Personal/Other Theft            24023            25453          -5.6%
Auto Theft                            15063            16394          -8.1%
Total Property Crimes        79,297          84,625         -6.3%
Total Part I Crimes             98,733         106,524        -7.3%

* 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