LAPD Blog

2011 Summer Night Lights

Podcast for 2011 Summer Night Lights

Today June 24, 2011, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Chief Charlie Beck, Council President Eric Garcetti, Summer Night Light donors and Community Leaders announced the expansion of the 2011 Summer Violence Reduction Program, Summer Night Lights (SNL).  Summer Night Lights is a violence reduction strategy which provides extended programming between the hours of 7 p.m to midnight, four days a week throughout the summer months. 

SNL provides programming for the entire community.  It creates safe environments, engages community members and provides employment opportunities in communities most impacted by violence.  This summer, SNL will expand to eight more sites from last year, totaling 32 locations throughout the City mostly in areas afflicted by gang violence. 

Chief Beck stated, “This program has changed the City.  SNL has allowed the Police Department to develop partnerships with gang intervention programs, youth squads and community members in the way we view each other.  This is a change in culture, not just a police culture but youth culture.   Due to the SNL program, I have played basketball in several of the public housing developments, where before I would only go when there was crime of violence and gang activity. This is a great program.”

Chief Beck announced the Summer Night Lights program will kick off the free event “Safe Summer Tip-Off” Basketball game played between the LAPD and LAFD, on Saturday June 25, 2011, at the USC Galen Center.

 

For more information on the Summer Night Lights Program, log onto www.lacity.org

For more information on the “Safe Summer Tip-off” Basketball game, log onto www.lapdonline.org

Police Identify Stroller Bandits, Still at Large

Los Angeles:  Detectives received several tips after publicizing the faces of two women caught on video stealing wallets out of baby strollers on June, 9, 2011.  The tips identified both women by name:  Bertha Dona Vargas, 55, of West Covina; and Norma Lizette Reyes, 51, of Los Angeles.  They remain at large, and are believed to be professional pickpockets and thieves.

“We are grateful for the tips so far,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division.  “We have served search warrants on both their homes, but both have made themselves scarce.  Now we need the public to let us know where they are hiding.”

Tips poured in immediately after news outlets aired the video, and in less than 24 hours, detectives had both women identified.  Two of the tips came from other police officers who recognized Bertha Vargas and said she was a professional pickpocket.  

“Vargas, the one seen taking the wallet, had been arrested for the exact thing we saw on the video,” Lt. Vernon said.  “I guess it’s a matter of crooks can’t change their MO anymore than a leopard can change its spots.”

On Wednesday, detectives served search warrants on homes in West Covina and in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles.  Both women remain at large and are probably holed up with relatives or friends in the area.

The women's images were captured on video at a swap meet at 530 South Los Angeles Street where they worked in concert to steal a wallet from the baby stroller of an unsuspecting mother.  Her 23-month old baby was in the stroller at the time.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. Mike Mazzacano at 213-972-1231.  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.

Video and photos of the suspects are available for release to the media.  Prior release number NR11259pv

Two Teens Murdered at Venice Area Park

Los Angeles:  Yesterday afternoon shortly after 4 p.m., a suspect on foot using a handgun approached three people in a park and began shooting at them, leaving two dead and one wounded.

The incident occurred at Penmar Park on Lake Street in the Venice area.  All three victims were seated on bleachers adjacent to a baseball diamond when the shooting occurred.  One of the victims, 18-year-old Salvador Diaz, fell from the bleachers and was pronounced dead at the scene.  The second victim, 19-year-old Alan Mateo, collapsed on the bleachers and was pronounced dead a short time later after being taken to a local hospital.  A third victim, whose identity is not being released at this time due to personal safety concerns, was taken to a local hospital in stable condition after being hit in the leg while attempting to escape.

Detectives investigating the incident, which appears to be gang related, are asking for the public’s help to identify and locate the suspects.  Currently, they have very little information, except that a male Hispanic in his 20s fired at the victims.  There was also a second suspect driving a car in which both suspects left the area.  There is no description of the driver, and the car is only described as a silver or grey sedan.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call LAPD Pacific Area homicide detectives at 310-482-6372. During non-business hours or on weekends, messages may be left at 310-482-6377, or calls can be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (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 www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Officers Encounter Suspect inside Residence

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Newton Division patrol officers were investigating a domestic violence radio call when they encountered a suspect later identified as 18-year-old Justin Mack.

On June 21, 2011, around 11:08 p.m., four officers went to the 4100 block of Dorsey Street to investigate a domestic violence radio call.  Officers announced their presence and after getting no response they entered the residence to investigate and ensure the safety of any domestic violence victim.

Officers directed their attention to a bedroom where they heard noises and movement behind a closed bedroom door.  Believing a domestic violence victim was likely in danger on the other side of the door the officers entered and forced open the bedroom door.  Mack, who was in the bedroom rapidly turned in the officers direction holding an object that the officer believed to be a gun, at which time an officer involved shooting occurred.

Mack was not injured and immediately surrendered and was taken into custody.   No officers were injured during this incident.

LAPD Force Investigation Division (FID) detectives responded and are investigating the officer-involved shooting.

Burglary Suspects Captured on Surveillance Video NR11285bb

 Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department West Los Angeles Area detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects who burglarized a business in the 1100 block of South Robertson Boulevard, and whose images were captured on surveillance video.

On May 31, 2011, around 3 a.m., the suspects pried open the front door, kicked through the second door of a medical marijuana dispensary located in the 1100 block of South Robertson Boulevard.  Once inside, the suspects took medical marijuana, U.S. currency, a cash register, and left the location in a light-colored minivan.   

Suspect No.1 is described as a 35 to 40 year old Black male. He stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds.  He is seen wearing a black beanie cap, dark rimmed glasses, a white and blue jog suit jacket, light blue jeans and dark shoes.

Suspect No.2 is described as a 35-40 year old Black male with short black hair.  He stands about 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 240 pounds.  He is seen wearing a black jacket over a white shirt, dark blue pants, and dark shoes.

Anyone with information about this incident or the suspects in these photos is urged to contact Detective Guevara, at 310-444-1523.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (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.

Suspect Fires Handgun at Officers, Leads them on Short Pursuit

 UPDATE:

The Pacific Area officer involved in the below officer involved shooting has been identified as Police Officer II Jorge Barrientos, who has been with the Department for 4 years and 8 months.

Los Angeles: Two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Officers were confronted and fired upon by a passenger in a car that then sped away, prompting an officer involved shooting and a short vehicle pursuit.

On June 13, 2011, at around 12:30 p.m., Pacific Area Patrol Division officers were working a crime suppression detail in an unmarked car and in plain clothes.  While conducting an investigation, the officers drove into a gas station at the corner of Ramsgate Avenue and Manchester Boulevard.

As they were stopped at the gas station, two suspects in a Ford Explorer drove up next to their car and asked the officers were they were from.  The suspects then drove away, with the officers following.  

When they got to the intersection of Ramsgate Avenue and Interceptor Street (approximately a quarter mile away), the passenger in the suspect’s vehicle leaned out the window and pointed a handgun at the officers, firing numerous rounds.  In response to the imminent danger, the passenger officer leaned out his side window and returned fire.

The suspects sped away with the officers following closely behind.  As the suspects reached 84th Place and Alverstone Avenue other responding marked black and white police cars were able to stop the suspect’s car, taking both suspects into custody without any further incident.

Neither of the suspects or officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire.

A loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun was recovered from the scene.

Force Investigation Division detectives responded and are investigating the officer-involved shooting.  Force Investigation Division Criminal Apprehension Team is investigating the crime committed against the officers.

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

Notes from the June 21, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger informed the Board Chief Charlie Beck was in Sacramento to speak to the California State Senator representing the 22nd Senate District on pending legislation.  Chief Paysinger also shared a story about a Police Cadet who was recently accepted to Princeton University and credited her time as a Cadet as one of the driving forces behind her early success.

• The Department’s report, dated June 10, 2011, relative to transmittal of the grant application for the 2010 Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program (Archangel), was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department report, dated May 24, 2011, relative to procedures for custodial interrogation of adults and minors – revised; procedures for admonition of Constitutional rights per California Welfare and Institutions Code, section 625 – Minors Taken into Custody – revised; and procedures for questioning during administrative investigations –was approved.  Captain Carol Aborn-Khoury stated the revised procedures incorporated the desires of the Commission, the Department and the courts.  She added they developed specific procedures for questions on administrative matters as well.

Children Say NO to Bullying--School Assembly Tells Students to Take a Stand against Bullying

Wednesday June 15 – The sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at Orville Wright Middle School in West Los Angeles took a pledge to stand-up against bullying during a 30 minute assembly held in the school gymnasium.

Organized by community activist Monica Harmon, members of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Division spoke to the crowd of a few hundred students and offered them some examples of not only bullying, but cyber-bullying as well.

“If you are being bullied don’t be afraid to tell someone,” said Senior Lead Officer Marcy Garcia.  “Don’t feel like you are alone.”

There are different types of bullying including verbal, social, physical and cyber.  Some examples include name-calling, teasing, spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships, hitting, punching, shoving, and using the internet and mobile phones or other digital technologies to harm others.

In addition to the lecture on bullying the students were also shown a series of short videos, news reports and public service announcements on the seriousness of bullying.  At the end of the assembly, all the students in attendance took a sworn oath to “take a stand” against bullying.

These assemblies began in March and have been held in the Pacific, Newton, Central, Southeast, and Hollenbeck areas with scheduled assemblies in Hollywood and West Valley areas.

Man Struck by Gunfire in Alley

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Harbor Homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who shot and killed 48-year-old Ruben Fematt in the city of Wilmington.

On Saturday, June 18, 2011, at around 1:50 a.m., Fematt was standing in the alley behind his residence in the 900 block of East Robidoux Street in Wilmington.  An unknown suspect approached Fematt on foot and shot him.  

Los Angeles City Fire Department Personnel responded and transported Fematt to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.     

The suspect is described as a male with no further description and the motive for the shooting is unknown.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call Harbor Area Homicide Detectives Isidro Rodriguez or Tony Batres at 310-726-7887 or 310-726-7880.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (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.

Motorcyclist Killed in Hit & Run Crash

Los Angeles:  A motorcyclist was killed late Saturday night after being struck by a car that fled the scene after the crash.

On June 18, 2011, at approximately 11:40 p.m., a motorist in a white Volkswagen Jetta was traveling southbound on Western Avenue at 84th Street, when the Jetta struck a motorcyclist, 30-year-old Edwin Vargas of Los Angeles, who was traveling northbound on Western Avenue.

After the collision the driver of the Jetta failed to stop and identify themselves, or render aid, as is required by law.  That person now faces Felony Hit and Run charges.

Vargas suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at scene by Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact South Traffic Detectives, Detective Sandra Smith at 323-290-6063 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (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.