LAPD Blog

Notes from the October 15, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission President Steve Soboroff said he enjoys such publications as “The Thin Blue Line” which is put out by the Los Angeles Police Protective League and “ABC Debriefer.” He said they were well done and contain a lot of good information. President Soboroff also stated he visited 77th Division, Southeast Division and Operations-South Bureau last week. He called it an interesting experience and was struck by the amount of activity at the divisions. Finally President Soboroff said a detailed report of the on-body cameras will be presented at the October 29th regular meeting of Police Commissioners. He stated there were a number of people involved in developing the policies for the cameras and the Commission has secured approximately $775,000 for the program thus far.

• Police Chief Charlie Beck informed the Board that while he could not comment on the specifics of the LAX dry ice bombings investigation, the Department will catch the person or persons involved. Chief Beck also stated last week the Department presented an investigation to the District Attorney into a Use of Force incident from 2012 where an officer was found to have used unauthorized force. He said the DA decided to file criminal charges against the officer. Chief Beck informed the Board the case is an example of the Department being able to police itself.

• The Department’s report, dated September 25, 2013, relative to the transmittal of the grant application and award for the 2013 Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force continuation program, was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated October 11, 2013, relative to the transmittal of the grant application for the 2013-2014 Intellectual Property Enforcement grant, was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated October 1, 2013, relative to the request for approval of third amendment to contract No. C-117357 between the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles for reimbursement of data conservation services of traffic citations issued by the Los Angeles Police Department, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor.

• The Department’s report, dated October 4, 2013, relative to the supplemental police account XXVII, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated October 11, 2013, relative to Operations-Valley Bureau vice command accountability performance audit (IAID No. 13-007) was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated October 11, 2013, relative to Operations-West Bureau gang enforcement detail command accountability performance audit (IAID No. 13-014), was approved.

LAPD Arrests Suspect Wanted for Dry-ice Destructive Device Incidents

REVISED

Suspect’s First Name is Dicarlo, his Last Name is Bennett

Los Angeles:  On Sunday, October 13, 2013, at approximately 6:40 p.m., an unknown suspect placed a dry-ice destructive device that exploded inside the employees men's restroom at
Los Angeles International Airport, terminal Number 2, and near an aircraft at Tom Bradley terminal Number 148.
 
Detectives assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Criminal Conspiracy Section, Major Crimes Division, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau,  conducted an investigation that eventually led to the October 15, 2013, arrest of Dicarlo Bennett (Date of Birth 12/21/1984) in the city of Paramount.  

Suspect Bennett was subsequently booked at Metropolitan Detention Center for 18715 (a) (4) PC, Possess/explosion of a Destructive Device near an aircraft.  Booking # 3744009. Bail set at $1,000,000   

For more information, please call LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

LAPD Hollywood Detectives make an arrest in connection with the double stabbing on Hollywood Boulevard on Labor Day

Los Angeles:   On September 2, 2013, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a group fight occurred in the 6700 block of Hollywood Boulevard.  During that fight, two individuals were stabbed.  One of the victims was treated at a local hospital that morning and released.  The second victim was also transported to a local hospital where he remains today in serious condition. On October 9, 2013, investigators assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department Hollywood Area Detective Division, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as the Simi Valley Police Department, arrested Danny Moreno, a 26 year old male from the Simi Valley area.  Moreno was booked at Hollywood Station for Penal Code section 664/187 Attempt Murder. The investigation is on-going. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Hollywood Area Detectives at (213) 972-2931. 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.

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Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck responds to District Attorney Filing Charges on an LAPD Officer

Los Angeles: On July 22, 2012, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers were involved in the arrest of Ms. Alesia Thomas in the 9000 block of South Broadway in Los Angeles.  The arrest involved a use of force.  Ms. Thomas later died in police custody.  LAPD detectives conducting the investigation observed the actions of a Los Angeles Police Officer documented on the Department's Digital In-Car Video System and reported their findings to their commanding officer.  The Inspector General and the Board of Police Commissioners were also notified.  

After an initial review, the LAPD removed the officers involved from the field pending the outcome of the internal investigation.  After an extensive investigation by LAPD’s Professional Standards Bureau, the officer is facing internal Departmental discipline.  That discipline is still pending at this time.

As in all cases involving in-custody deaths, the District Attorney’s Office was notified immediately and kept abreast of the investigation as it progressed.  LAPD detectives continued their investigation and presented their case to the District Attorney.  Today the District Attorney’s Office announced that they have filed charges on the officer.

“Our detectives worked closely with the District Attorney’s Office on preparing and filing this case,” said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.  “The officer’s actions that day, as seen on the video, did not meet the expectations I have of our officers in the field.  As troubling as this case is, it demonstrates that our system of discovering misconduct is working, and that we will hold our officers accountable for their actions.  Every single day LAPD officers are asked to do extraordinary things for people while proudly wearing the LAPD badge.  I hope the community recognizes that the act of one officer cannot and should not be an overall reflection of this Department.”

For further information, please contact the Department’s Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910. 

Gym Locker Theft Series

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department, West Los Angeles Division, theft detectives are asking for the public’s help to identity a suspect linked to thefts from fitness gym lockers since August 2013. During the months of August and September 2013, there have been eight reported incidents of thefts from gym lockers at Los Angeles area fitness centers.  These incidents have occurred at Equinox Fitness and LA Fitness in the West Los Angeles, Van Nuys and Hollywood areas. It is believed that the same suspect is responsible for all of these incidents as well as two additional incidents being handled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The suspect enters the fitness centers and removes the victim’s belongings and flees the gym. The suspect is known to have used the victim’s credit cards at various Los Angeles and Orange County area stores. The suspect is described a 35 to 40-year-old African-American male with a bald head. He stands between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall and weighs between 215 and 230 pounds.  He wears glasses and has been seen wearing blue denim, black basketball shorts and black or blue t-shirts. Anyone with information identifying the Suspect is asked to contact LAPD West Los Angeles Theft Detective Tiffany Maston at (310) 444-1565.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). 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.

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Notes from the October 8, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission President Steve Soboroff said he would like to see Department reports of the Cadets program, Police Reserve program and the Metropolitan K-9 division on future agendas.  He added he is continuing to cultivate relationships in City Hall and recently had meetings with City Controller Ron Galperin and Councilman Mitch Englander.

• Police Commissioner Sandra Figueroa-Villa attended a rally on comprehensive immigration reform over the weekend and thanked the Department for policing the event.

• Police Commission Kathleen Kim said she was happy Governor Jerry Brown signed so many immigration bills recently.  She thanked the Department for their support of the bills as well.

• Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger invited the Commissioners to attend the Command Staff Breakfast with the newest Police Cadets later this week.  He said there are 500 cadets in the academy. 

• The Inspector General’s report, dated October 1, 2013, relative to the Post Refresher Training Audit, as given by Inspector General Alexander Bustamante, was approved.  Mr. Bustamante informed the Board his office took a sample of a pool of 3,700 officers and found the Department to be in high compliance.  He said there was some concern for POST training in regard to CPR for officers but the Department implemented a system which remedied the issue. 

• The Department’s report, dated October 4, 2013, relative to the approval of Raytheon contract for Digital In-Car Video System, as given by Chief Information Officer Maggie Goodrich, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.  Ms. Goodrich informed the Board the contract is a 5 year agreement which will include maintenance of the system.  She said 381 vehicles in Operations-Central Bureau would be outfitted with the system which would have no compatibility issues with those already in use in Operations-South Bureau.  Ms. Goodrich completed her comments by stating it would take 12 months to execute the contract and would include system upgrades to existing software in OSB.

• The Department’s report, dated September 20. 2013, relative to the transmittal of the report for funding for the 2013/14 Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) program, was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated September 27, 2013, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for Juvenile Division, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

• The Department’s report, dated September 27, 2013, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for Juvenile Division, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

• The Department’s report, dated September 27, 2013, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for Metropolitan Division, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

Burglary Suspects Sought; Series of Distraction Burglaries in the San Fernando Valley

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department West Valley Burglary detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of two female suspects who committed a series of distraction burglaries in which elderly women are being targeted. On September 24, 2013, around 1:30 p.m., two suspects entered a beauty salon in the 6600 block of Reseda Boulevard, one suspect distracted the employees and customers, while the other suspect took the victim’s purse. On September 29, 2013, around 7:45 a.m., in the 5300 block of Zelzah Avenue two suspects committed the same crime, but this time one of the suspects entered the victim’s residence and took her purse. The victim, who was home at the time, gave chase, but was unsuccessful in catching the suspect.  Some of the victims have told police the suspects possibly work for a cleaning company. After two of the crimes were committed the suspects used or attempted to use, the victims’ credit cards.  They were successful at one store located in the 14900 block of Raymer Street and were caught on video buying cleaning supplies. The first suspect is described as a female Hispanic, between the ages of 45-50 years-old.  She stands 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds with brown hair. The second suspect is described as a female Hispanic, 40-years-old.  She stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs between 150-160 pounds with brown hair. The suspects are seen on leaving the parking lot in a large, dark colored SUV; possibly a Chevy Suburban. Anybody with any information on the identities of the two suspects should call Detective Tracey Angeles, at West Valley Station (818) 374-7768 or Detective Scott Crowe, West Valley Station (818) 374-7760.  After hours, anyone with information can call the front desk at West Valley Station at (818) 374-7611.  During non- business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 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.

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Pedestrian fatally struck by a Hit-and-Run Vehicle in Encino

Encino:  On Monday, October 7th, 2013, around 12:15 a.m., a pedestrian was walking westbound Ventura Boulevard at Gaviota Avenue outside the crosswalk when he was struck by a hit and run driver.  The driver of the car failed to stop, identify himself and render aid.  The pedestrian was pronounced dead at scene by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.  The pedestrian is a male in his late 40’s and his identity is pending notification of next of kin.

The car was described as a black newer SUV, possibly an Escalade with possible partial license plate of “6”.  The suspect’s car sustained collision damage to the right front end and it was last seen eastbound Ventura Boulevard then northbound Haskell Avenue.

Later in the day the suspect, 26-year-old Grant James Valentine of Woodland Hills walked into LAPD Valley Traffic Division station with his attorney and turned himself in.  He was arrested and booked for felony hit-and-run and is being held on $50,000.00 bail.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Detective Bill Bustos at (818) 644-8022.  During non-business hours or 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 key pads) 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.

 

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76-Year-Old and 67-Year-Old Critical Missing Females

Los Angeles:  The family of Chom Ho Smith, Jean Renee Harwell and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public’s help in locating Smith and Harwell.

On October 4, 2013, around 7:15 a.m., Smith and Harwell were last seen walking from their residence in the 1000 block of South Orange Grove Avenue, in the city of Los Angeles.  Smith and Harwell have not been seen or heard from since.  Both Smith and Harwell suffer from dementia. Their families are extremely concerned for their safety.

Smith is described as a 76-year-old female Asian with black hair and brown eyes.  She stands 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 120 pounds.  She was last seen wearing a beige shirt, gray pants and black shoes.

Harwell is described as a 67-year-old female White with gray hair and hazel eyes.  She stands 5 feet tall and weighs about 97 pounds.  She was last seen wearing a gray jacket and white pants.

If you have seen or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Smith or Harwell please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Missing Persons Unit, Detective  Carlton at (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 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 "web tips" and follow the prompts.

 

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Governor Brown signs Assemble Bill 60

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“It’s a proud day for California,” said Chief Beck.  “That’s what this bill is about, making the streets of this state safer. With this bill over one million drivers in California will be more likely to have been tested, to have insurance, to know the rules of the road, and to obey the laws of this state. This is a huge step forward in inclusion, not exclusion. This is bringing this state together in a way that hasn’t been possible in the past.” 
I want to thank all the legislature that were involved particularly the Governor because I know that the City I love and the police will be safer because of what we do here today.”

Los Angeles: Thursday, October 3, 2024 – This morning on the South Lawn of Los Angeles City Hall, Chief Charlie Beck joined Mayor Eric Garcetti, immigrant rights advocates, community leaders, and local lawmakers as Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed AB 60, which will enable millions more Californians to legally drive on the state’s roadways.