LAPD Blog

Robberies near University Campus

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Southwest Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of several suspects who committed robberies near the University of Southern California campus and identifying any additional victims.

On April 11, 2011, at around 9 p.m. several suspects committed three robberies near the 2900 block of Ellendale Place.  The suspects approached the victims while one of the suspects was holding an unknown object and demanding their property.  The suspects took the victims property and left the location.

These robberies do appear to be related to one another.  However, it is yet to be determined if they are related to any other robberies in the area.  The suspects described as two to four male Hispanics from 15 to 20 years old, are still outstanding and have not been arrested.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Southwest Robbery Detective Eloy Ochoa at 213-485-2561.  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.

Reward Offered for Information Related to the Shooting of Three Mentally Challenged Adults

Los Angeles:  At a news conference this morning at LAPD’s 77th Street Community Police Station, Captain Dennis Kato announced a $75,000 reward obtained through Council member Bernard Parks, Council District 8, for information leading to the identity, arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for a tragic South Los Angeles shooting that injured three of society’s most vulnerable members.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 77th Street Area detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying suspects wanted for the shooting of three mentally challenged people on March 7, 2011, at about 12:50 p.m. in the 2000 block of West Vernon Avenue.  The three victims were in the backyard of an adult daycare center when they became unintended victims in the shooting.

There are two suspects connected with the incident.  Both are described as male Blacks , one wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt and the other wearing a black shirt with red lettering.  They were standing on the northwest corner of Vernon and Van Ness Avenues when they began firing a handgun at two unidentified, Black male victims who were walking on the south side of Vernon Avenue near Van Ness Avenue.  When the gunfire erupted, the two intended victims began running east on the south side of Vernon Avenue to escape.  Neither of those victims ever notified police of the incident, and they remain unidentified.

After the shooting, both suspects ran to a vehicle parked at the northwest corner of Vernon and Van Ness Avenues and entered the left rear passenger side of the car.  The suspects then drove away southbound on Van Ness Avenue.

The three victims suffer from profound mental challenges that require continuous day care and supervision.  They are described as a 29-year-old Black female shot in the head, a 31-year-old Black male shot in the face and a 34-year-old Black female with a graze wound to the head.

All three victims were transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel. Since the shooting, the 29-year-old victim is making a slow recovery and is facing additional surgery. The 31-year-old man shot in the face is doing well and is in good condition.  The 34-year-old victim of the graze wound has fully recovered physically from her injuries.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call 77th Area detectives at 213-473-4861.  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 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.

Notes from the April 12, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman thanked Dr. Luann Pannell for providing him with information regarding the changes in the training program for sworn officers.  He also commented last week was the first day of the Community Police Academy for the LGBT community. He added the graduation is scheduled for June.

•    Police Commissioner Debra Wong Yang thanked fellow Commissioner Richard Drooyan and Police Chief Charlie Beck for their attendance in a meeting with the Singapore Attorney General.

•    Police Chief Charlie Beck stated he attended the funeral services for Lawrence Tolliver III and added there was a good Department turnout.  He finished by saying he attended a soccer scrimmage between the LAPD and Univision Channel 34.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 29, 2011, relative to second amendment to professional services agreement C-115534 with Marilyn Droz for composite sketch artist services, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 30, 2011, relative to Memorandum of Agreement between the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.  Captain Anita Ortega informed the Board crime in the Ramona Gardens area of East Los Angeles has dropped as a result of the agreement and Captain Phillip Tingirides stated with the implementation of the new agreement the City can build upon existing programs and progress.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 22, 2011, relative to destruction of obsolete duplicate records, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 31, 2011, relative to Narcotics Enforcement Detail Booking Approval Form Inspection (IAID No. 11-001) was approved. Sergeant Richard Suviate informed the Board there was a detailed inspection conducted and found there was nothing of major risk involved.  There were some discrepancies discovered and they met with Office of Operations personnel to address those issues.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 31, 2011, relative to Vice booking approval form inspection (IAID No. 11-005) was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 24, 2011, relative to request for proposals for Forensic DNA Analysis, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 31, 2011, regarding response relative to the Vehicle Pursuit Management Inspection, Fourth Quarter, IAID #09-026A, was received and filed.

•    The Department’s report, dated March 31, 2011, regarding response relative to the Foreign Language/Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), Inspection #09-026, was received and filed.

•    The Executive Director’s report, due April 7, 2011, relative to write off of uncollectible false alarm receivable – January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2008, was approved and transmitted to the City’s Board of Review. 

Man Stabbed to Death during Downtown Street Fight

Los Angeles:  LAPD Central Area Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects seen fighting with a man early Wednesday morning, April 13, 2011, near the Chase Bank building in downtown Los Angeles.  The victim, a man in his forties with a full beard, was stabbed at least one time and died on the sidewalk.

According to a witness, three men were fighting near the alcove of the Chase bank around 2 a.m. The two men, who appeared to be Black, ran away, carrying trash bags, leaving the victim lying on the sidewalk.  It is unknown whether the incident was a robbery or just a dispute.

A security guard from another building discovered the body just before 4 a.m., when the guard approached the bank’s ATM.  Fire department paramedics pronounced the victim dead where he lay about 100 feet from the bank’s door.

Detectives will comb over video footage from the bank’s ATM lobby and other cameras in the area to help identify the two men seen beating on the victim.  The Chase Bank building is located at 855 South Hill Street.

The victim appeared to be a transient.  At the time of this release, no identification had been found.  The victim’s name will be released once his family has been notified.

This is the fourth homicide this year in the downtown area.  Two incidents that occurred last year were ruled as homicides this year: a man who died weeks after a beating in Skid row around Christmas time; and the Jane Doe found in the recycle center last September.  The last murder and the only one to occur in 2011, was the shooting of a vocational teacher by his student on February 23, 2011.  

“I’m confident we will solve this,” Lt. Vernon explained.  “Someone on the street knows what happened, and time and again, we see persons come forward with tips that break tough cases like this one wide open.”

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Al Marengo, Central Homicide Unit, at 213-972-1249.  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.

Photos Discovered and Released in Historical Display of Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department enjoys a rich history which we are fortunate to maintain and enjoy through the efforts of our Los Angeles Police Historical Society.  The men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department can’t thank the members of the Police Historical Society enough for their dedication and commitment to preserving the rich fabric of our history.

In 2005, members of the Historical Society were engaged in a photo archive sorting and cataloging effort.  During this process they came across a tall box containing tightly rolled portraits of 13 officers who were killed in the line of duty.  A web search revealed that none of these 13 officers had ever been depicted on the national website that tracks Officers Killed in the Line of Duty.

Through an exhaustive effort on the part of the members of the Historical Society, they were able to obtain funding to restore these valuable photos so they can be displayed and remembered by the Department and the Los Angeles Community.

Department personnel searched the Los Angeles Times archives to find corresponding information regarding the Officers depicted on the photo display.  Through that search, Times personnel were able to give to us a snapshot of the events surrounding the lives of the officers at the time of their deaths.  The Department is honored and thankful to both the Historical Society and the LA Times for giving us the opportunity to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the safety of our Community. 

The historical photos will be on display in the lobby of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Police Administration Building located at 100 West First Street, Los Angeles, and will run through the month of May for National Police Memorial Month.  

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

Neighborhood Market Clerk Robbed at Gunpoint

Los Angeles:  Investigators are asking for the publics help in identifying an armed robbery suspect before he can strike again.

On March 23, 2011, at about 10:10 a.m., a suspect armed with a handgun held up a neighborhood market in the 3300 block of Griffin Avenue. The suspect pointed a handgun at the store clerk and demanded money from the cash register and the victim’s wallet.  With the money in hand the suspect ran northbound on Griffin Avenue until he was out of sight.  He is a 30 to 35-year-old male Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes.  He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 250 pounds.  He was wearing a blue baseball cap with the “Rams” logo, worn backwards on his head, a blue hooded sweatshirt and baggy grey pants,

No one was injured during the robbery, but detectives would like to find him before he can rob again and before someone gets hurt.  He should be considered armed and dangerous.  A portion of the robbery was captured on video and can be viewed at www.lapdtv.org

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Hollenbeck Robbery Detectives Stanley Young or Araceli Negrete at 323-342-8986.  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.

 

Crime Stoppers Announces the Launch of the TipSubmit™ Now available for iPhone™ and Android™ applications

Los Angeles:  CrimeReports, creator of the National Crime Map, today announced the launch of the TipSubmit™ Mobile application for Android™ and iPhone™.  This application is the first mobile application that allows the public anonymously submit tips to law enforcement agencies including LAPD to help solve and prevent crime.

Users of this application may now submit secure and anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers programs, law enforcement agencies or school safety officers and administrators.

The new mobile application augments the existing TipSoft tools that allow the public to submit anonymous tips via phone, Web and Short Message Service (SMS) Text-a-tip.  The application offers more powerful options than SMS Text-a-Tip, because it has the ability to use Global Positioning System (GPS) to auto-locate the nearest agency or to select an agency manually.

Community members now can attach images and video clips to tips.  The application also makes it possible to establish an anonymous, ongoing, two-way dialogue and real-time chat with the receiving agency.

There is no cost to the public to use this application.  To learn more or download the TipSoft application, visit Tipsoft.com or visit the Android™ Market or iTunes™ App Store.

Community members can also continuously contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) to report crimes anonymously. Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.

For more information, contact LAPD Crime Stoppers coordinator at 213-484-6710 or LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-86-5910.

Burglary in the West Los Angeles Area

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) West Los Angeles Area detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who is responsible for a residential burglary.

On January 28, 2011, at around 4:15 a.m. a man entered an underground parking garage through a locked side door at an apartment complex in the 2200 block of Fox Hills Drive.  Once inside, the suspect stole a mountain bike, along with other items and left the scene.  The suspect is described as a 45 - to 55 - year-old white male with brown and grey hair.  It appears that his hairline is receding.  He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds.  Detectives have obtained images of the man from surveillance video.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call LAPD’s West Los Angeles burglary detectives at 310-444-1568.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may 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) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Officers Threatened by Knife-Wielding Assault Suspect Resulting in an Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles: On April 6th, 2011, an Olympic Area sergeant and a Newton Area sergeant were working off duty as plain-clothes security officers at an entertainment venue in Hollywood.  At about 10 p.m., three female employees requested help from the security detail after being assaulted with a knife by a male White suspect; the above sergeants responded.

As the sergeants walked towards the front entrance located near the intersection of Argyle Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, they saw the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Justin Trent Owens, who immediately turned away and ran in an easterly direction on Sunset Boulevard and then north on El Centro Avenue.  The sergeants followed Owens to the mid-block of El Centro Avenue when one of the sergeants pushed Owens from behind causing him to lose balance and fall. When Owens fell, both sergeants saw Owens holding a knife in his right hand.  

One sergeant stood behind Owens and the other near his head while ordering Owens to drop the knife. Owens failed to comply with the sergeant’s orders at which time the Olympic Area sergeant became involved in an officer-involved shooting.  During the shooting, the Olympic Area sergeant’s bullet accidentally struck his left hand and grazed Owens.    

LAFD paramedics responded and transported both the sergeant and Owens to a local hospital. Both were treated and released.

Force Investigation Division (FID) personnel responded and are investigating the officer-involved shooting.  The crime committed against the three female employees is being investigated by Hollywood Detectives, while FID continues to investigate the possible crime against the sergeants.

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.

80-Year-Old Missing Man

Los Angeles: The family of Jae Soo Kim and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help to find him.

On April 8, 2011, at around 3:30 p.m., Kim was last seen at a retirement home in the 4300 block of Lockwood Avenue where he resides.  At around 5 p.m., the staff learned that Kim was missing and immediately notified police.  Due to Kim’s Alzheimer’s, the staff and Kim’s family are very concerned for his well being.  

Kim is an 80-year-old Asian male with grey hair and brown eyes. He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds with a light complexion. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket, tan pants, black slippers and prescription glasses.   
 
Anyone who may have seen Flynn, or who has information about her whereabouts is asked to call the LAPD Rampart Detective Rivas at 213-484-3050. 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.