LAPD Blog

The gym at Reseda high school was crowded with students as they held their formal uniform inspection.   On September 28, 2011, 138 students stood in formation while they waited anxiously for Chief Charlie Beck to inspect their uniforms. 

The Los Angeles Police Academy Magnet School Program is a rigorous, police officer-led high school curriculum developed for young men and women expressing an interest in a career in law enforcement. The high school course provides students with specialized coursework, training, mentoring, work and volunteer opportunities. The program provides a better understanding of law enforcement for students no matter what career path they eventually follow.  

Before the inspection, Principle Michael Summe introduced the Command Staff in attendance including Roberta Weintraub, Executive Director of the program.  Chief Beck made a few comments before inspecting the students.  “Thank you for participating in this program.  Thank you for investing in your future, this is an important step you will take in your life.  You will grow, develop skills, knowledge, and become stronger and this will stay with you forever.” 

“What you are doing is shaping your character, what you do not only impacts your own interests but others, a sense of what’s right and wrong.  Take this responsibility very seriously, think about what kind of character you want.  I have great confidence in you because you have made a great choice. Thank you for being the future of Los Angeles.”

The Police Academy Magnet School Program is implemented at Monroe, Dorsey, Wilson, San Pedro and Reseda High Schools.

Los Angeles:  The LAPD Hollywood Homicide Detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing information about a shooting that lead to the murder of a 25-year-old Los Angeles man.

On September 25, 2011, around 11:35 p.m., LAPD Hollywood Area patrol officers responded to a shooting call on 18th Street and Preuss Road in the West Los Angeles area. When they arrived, they saw a man on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds.  The victim was transported by the LAFD rescue personnel to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives say the victim, identified as Edmundo Lorenzo a 25-year- old Los Angeles resident, was walking on 18th Street when he was shot by an unknown suspect.  There is no description of the suspect and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the crime is encouraged to contact Hollywood Homicide Detectives R. Rodriguez or S. Brandstetter at 213-972-2910.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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:  LAPD Rampart Homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing information about a shooting that lead to the murder of a 20-year-old Los Angeles man.

On September 26, 2011, around 11:46 p.m., Rampart Area patrol officers received a shooting call in the 1900 block of West Pico Boulevard.  When officers arrived, they saw a man suffering from gunshot wounds.  LAFD rescue personnel responded and transported the man to a nearby hospital where he died two days later.  Officers also learned that a female, who was also shot, ran from the scene and was taken to a local hospital by relatives.

Detectives say a man identified as 20-year-old Ilan Hernandez and woman were walking eastbound Pico Boulevard on the north sidewalk near a restaurant when a suspect(s) driving a possible Ford Expedition traveling westbound stopped in the roadway and shouted profanities at the victims.  The suspect(s) pulled out a handgun and fired multiple times striking both victims.   Hernandez collapsed at the scene, while the female victim ran to her nearby home.  The family of the woman took her to the hospital where she was treated for a gunshot wound.  She is in stable condition.

Anyone with information regarding the crime is encouraged to contact Rampart Homicide Detective Pere at 213-484-3638.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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:  LAPD Van Nuys Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that will lead to the arrest of a suspect who robbed a local business in Van Nuys area.

On Monday, September 19, 2011, around 11:00 a.m., the suspect entered a local business in the area of Sepulveda and Burbank Avenue.  The female suspect posed as a customer and then pulled a gun out of her purse.  She pointed the gun at store employee and ordered him to fill her bag.  The employee complied fearing for his safety.  The suspect took the property and left the scene on foot in an unknown direction.
 
The suspect is described as a female Hispanic with brown hair and brown eyes. She stands about five feet five inches tall and weighs around 125 pounds.  She is between 20-30 years of age and was wearing a white blouse, blue jeans and high heeled sandals.  The suspect also carried a black and white colored purse.
 
The suspect is to be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.

Anyone with information on this crime, or who can help identify the suspect, is asked to call LAPD’s Van Nuys Robbery Detectives, Detective G. O’Shea at 818-374-0087. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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:  On September 27, 2011, a veteran Los Angeles detective pled no contest to two counts of misdemeanor workers’ compensation insurance fraud.   Detective II John Vach Jr., who had 15 years of service with the Los Angeles Police Department, was last assigned to Major Crimes Division.

The Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit (WCFU), Special Operations Division, began investigating Vach in 2008 for worker’s compensation fraud, perjury and attempted grand theft.  Vach operated two private businesses while out on a disability claim for job-related stress.  Vach purportedly also sought a lifetime disability pension.  Subsequently, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Healthcare Fraud Division issued an arrest warrant for Vach on October 5, 2010.     

As part of the criminal conviction for workers’ compensation insurance fraud, the court ordered Vach to pay $105,000 in restitution to the City of Los Angeles for all salary and medical benefits the City paid as part of his fraudulent claim.  In addition, Vach was given three years summary probation.  Also as part of the plea agreement, Vach agreed to resign from the police department.  Vach is due back for sentencing on November 7, 2011.  

The goal of the Department has been to aggressively investigate fraud and abuse of benefits within the workers’ compensation system.  The Department has and will continue to successfully investigate and prosecute employees who compromise the safety of the public by committing fraud and or magnifying their symptoms to continue to stay off work.

The investigation was conducted in partnerships with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Healthcare Fraud Division, Tristar Risk Management and Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions Department.

Anyone with information related to other cases of workers compensation fraud, is encouraged to call the LAPD Special Operations Division, at 213-473-5672.  After-hours and 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.

Los Angeles:  A homeowner’s sophisticated security system captured three burglary suspects breaking into and burglarizing a house in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.

On Tuesday, September 13, 2011, around 9:00 p.m., three suspects broke into a residence in the Palisades are.  The suspects were all seen entering the house through the front door after one suspect forced the door open with his shoulder.  The suspects got away with items of jewelry, the value of which has not yet been determined.

Suspect one is a male Black with black hair, 6 feet tall and weighing about 235 pounds.  He is between 20-25 years of age and was wearing a white shirt and black pants.
 
Suspect two is a male Black with black hair, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 185 pounds, 20-25 years of age and wearing a blue shirt, blue shorts, and a green and yellow Oakland A’s hat.

Suspect three is also male Black, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 185 pounds, 20-25 years of age.  He was wearing a blue and white striped polo shirt, blue shorts and a white and green Miami Dolphin’s hat.  

These suspects are believed to be responsible for multiple crimes that have occurred recently along the Sunset Boulevard corridor in the Pacific Palisades area.  

*** Video of these suspects is available through Media Relations Section and at www.LAPDTV.org ***

Anyone with information on this crime, or who can help identify the suspects, is asked to call LAPD’s West Los Angeles Burglary Detectives, Detective Greg Davis at 310-444-1568.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

•    Police Commission President Richard Drooyan said he, along with his colleagues, attended the inaugural Purple Heart Ceremony held last week at the J.W. Marriott at L.A. Live.  He said it was a very moving ceremony which was a testament to the courage and heroism of LAPD police officers.  He thanked fellow Commissioner Alan Skobin for being the driving force behind the Purple Heart being awarded to officers and added it was a wonderful event with a great turnout.

•    Police Commissioner Alan Skobin stated Police Chief Charlie Beck’s speech, given at the Purple Heart Awards Ceremony, was as fine and sincere a speech as any he has ever heard.  He said the compassion he expressed was touching and went on to thank the Commission and the Department for making the ceremony happen. 

•    Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman said Chief Beck’s recent reports to the Commission on the rise of attacks on Police Officers struck him with concern.  Commissioner Saltzman also stated he attended the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement conference in New Orleans and found it to be a wonderful experience.

•    Police Chief Charlie Beck presented Police Commissioner Alan Skobin with an honorary Purple Heart for his efforts in championing the cause.  He added the award was a long time coming.

•    The verbal presentation and update from the Commanding Officer and Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) representative regarding community initiated problem solving, crime strategies, and other programs and goals within the Newton Area was continued.

•    The Executive Director’s report, dated September 12, 2011, relative to recommendation for the Police Commission Unit Citation, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 25, 2011, relative to complaint form 1.28, investigations audit, as given by Lieutenant Bert Mora, was approved.  Lt. Mora informed the Board they reviewed 52 investigations with 23 objectives.  He said 22 of 23 objectives in investigations done by Professional Standards Bureau were 95%-100% accurate. He finished by stating he met with PSB to discuss the findings.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 26, 2011, relative to Property Division performance audit, (IAID No. 10-171), as given by Lieutenant Bert Mora, was approved.  Lt. Mora said they looked at 171 items and found 7 errors.  He added nothing was missing from the property log and said it was remarkable given the division recently moved into a new facility. Lt. Mora finished by saying he met with the Commanding Officer of Property Division to discuss the findings.

•    The Department’s report, dated September 15, 2011, regarding response to City Council motion relative to graffiti, was approved and transmitted to the public safety committee.

•    The Department’s report, relative to destruction of obsolete duplicate records – Pacific Area, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

•    The Department’s report, relative to first supplemental agreement for the phase-out of the Photo Red Light Program (Council File 11-1015), as given by Assistant Chief Michael Moore, was approved.  Chief Moore stated this six month contract for the phase out of the photo red light system may be terminated at any time with a 30 day notice by the Police Commission. An update will be provided in mid-October to determine the appropriateness of continuing the contract.

Los Angeles: Kevivon Dayzhawn Brown, who was brutally stabbed in front of the Union Rescue Mission in Downtown Los Angeles on July 29, 2011, died September 16, 2024 from his injuries.
 
Brown’s attacker, 32-year-old Melvin Parker, who is in custody and charged with attempted murder will now be re-charged with murder.
 
Detectives found Parker, a parolee, the day after Brown's murder at the Crown Inn Motel where, after a short stand-off, he was arrested.
 
“It was a great credit to the patrol officers assigned to the Safer Cities Initiative who quickly realized who the suspect was,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division.  “These officers have an established rapport with the missions and locals, and they put all that to use, which led to Parker’s arrest the next day in South Los Angeles.”
 
Also taken into custody was Brown's female companion, Willina Patterson, who was wanted for an unrelated murder.  “It was a case of ‘birds of a feather’ and a two-for-one arrest.”

According to witnesses, Brown, who was 22 years old and lived in Pomona, frequented Skidrow where he had an on-going dispute with Parker over drugs and money.  The two men had fought twice that day, and it was during the second fight that Brown was stabbed in the face and the chest. 
 
He remained in critical condition for several weeks until he was moved to a convalescent hospital, where he died.

Anyone with additional information on this crime is urged to call Detective Thayer Lake, Central Homicide Unit, at 213-972-1254.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) 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.

Los Angeles:  An officer-involved shooting occurred after a man pointed a gun at officers in South Los Angeles.

On September 18, 2011, around 10:50 p.m., 77th Patrol Division Special Problems Unit officers responded to a radio call of a loud party in the 1000 block of West 53rd Street.  When officers arrived they saw several individuals in the vicinity and attempted to talk to a male Black in his 40’s.  At that moment the male black immediately took off running and appeared to be reaching repeatedly for his pockets as he ran from the officers.  The officers went into a foot pursuit and followed the individual for over 150 yards into the 1100 block of 53rd Street.  The suspect produced a handgun and pointed it at the officers at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred.

Los Angeles Fire Paramedics responded and pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.

A loaded semi-automatic handgun and narcotics were recovered at the scene.  No officers were injured.

Force Investigation Division personnel responded and are investigating the officer involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 77th Street Detectives at 213-485-4175.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

September 20, 2011- The City of Los Angeles presented 48 sworn and civilian employees from the Los Angeles Police Department with service pins recognizing the years of commitment and service they have given to the City. 

Before the pins were presented Chief Beck stated, “Twenty-five years is a huge milestone.”  He mentioned in the past twenty-five years Los Angeles hosted the Olympics. He stated, “That was a time of innocence.  It was a great time to be hired and like today it’s a great time to be a part of the Los Angeles Police Department.”

He thanked the family and friends of the recipients stating, “Your support is what allows the men and women of this Department to get through the difficult times they have, so thank you.”  

After the ceremony there were many hugs and smiles from friends and family in attendance.  The ceremony was held in the Ronald Deaton Auditorium located at the Public Administration Building.