LAPD Blog

86-Year-Old Missing Woman

***Update***    Mrs. Fisher has been located and reunited with her family.   Los Angeles:  The family of Ollie Marie Fisher and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are asking for the public’s help in finding her. Fisher was last seen on February 19, 2013, at her home in the 600 block of East 119th Street, in the City of Los Angeles. Fisher suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.  The family is extremely concerned for her safety. Fisher is described as an 86-year-old female African-American, with black hair and brown eyes.  She stands 5 feet tall and weighs around 150 pounds. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Fisher is asked to call the LAPD Missing Persons Unit, Detective Saiza 213-996-1800. During non-business hours or on weekends, 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 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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Good Samaritan Saves Life

Los Angeles:  Juan Carlos Cardenas, 25, was arrested February 19 when patrol officers found him walking casually and out of breath in the 13300 block of Borden Street, in Sylmar.  Detectives later booked him for the murder of his ex-girlfriend’s 61-year-old mother and the attempted murder of the ex-girlfriend. The incident started just after 4 PM when a 40-year-old good Samaritan from Pacoima was dropping off a friend on Borden Street and saw a SUV driving erratically behind him.  The SUV pulled into a long driveway and two women jumped out, running.  The good Samaritan followed down the driveway. “At that point, everything seemed to calm down, and our witness ended his 9-1-1 call and backed out of the driveway,” explained Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  “But the witness departing seemed to prompt Cardenas to resume his attack.” Cardenas gunned the car toward Rosa Figueroa as if to run her over, then got out of his car with a pipe and chased Figueroa while her 24-year-old daughter and Cardenas’s ex-girlfriend, jumped over a fence into an adjoining property. The good Samaritan had remained and called 9-1-1 again.  He frantically described Cardenas striking Figueroa then chasing her daughter over the fence.  The good Samaritan had remained and pointed out Cardenas to arriving officers. Figueroa died at the scene, and doctors have sedated her daughter at the hospital to treat the massive fractures to her face.  She is expected to survive.  She has a 2-month-old son in common with Cardenas. “We have no doubt that the daughter’s life was saved thanks to the good Samaritan’s persistence and willingness to get involved,” added Lt. Vernon. Detectives interviewed Cardenas’s family who said they had lived in fear of him due to recent erratic, violent behavior caused by regular methamphetamine use.  Cardenas had spent 12 days in jail recently for choking his mother.  He had also been served with a restraining order to stay away from Ms. Figueroa after he kicked in her apartment door recently.   “The irony of this tragedy is that Figueroa and her daughter were trying to help Cardenas to a hospital when this fatal rampage occurred,” Lt. Vernon said. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call Detective Gretchen Schultz, Mission Homicide Unit at 818-838-9951.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).Anonymous tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477), 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.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

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17-Year-Old Succumbs to His Injuries NR13052df

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) West Valley Homicide Detectives need the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who killed a 17-year-old male victim. On Sunday, February 17, 2013, around 1:00 a.m., West Valley Patrol officers responded to a radio call of a fight in progress at the 15700 block of Sherman Way.  When the officers arrived at the location, they observed a large crowd leaving the area.  Witnesses then directed the officers to the victim who was laying on the ground. The victim was identified as 17-year-old Robert Rizo.  Rizo had suffered multiple stab wounds to the upper body and was then transported to a local hospital by the Los Angeles Fire Department personnel where he went into emergency surgery.  He survived the surgery and remained in extremely critical condition.  On February 18, 2013, Rizo died of his injuries. The Detectives’ investigation revealed that Rizo had attended a party when a fight broke out.  He was attacked by several suspects, one of whom armed himself with a knife and stabbed Rizo. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact LAPD West Valley Homicide Detectives at 818-374-7720.  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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Detectives Return Champ’s Belts, Taken in Burglary

Mission Hill: Fingerprints left on a mirror in the burglarized home of boxing champion Jennifer “The Razor” Barber were the knockout punch that clinched it for detectives in the case of the missing championship belts.

“The smile on Jennifer’s face says it all,” said Det. William Cooper, who investigated the burglary.  “We were glad we were able to get her back her belts.”

The two belts were found inside the home of convicted burglar, 20-year-old Jose Pedraza, who had just finished serving time in county jail for two other local burglaries.  Pedraza has been transferred from jail to ICE custody, pending an uncontested deportation to Mexico.

“When the print report came in, we had to act fast,” Det. Cooper explained.  “Unlike the other burglaries, Pedraza was not copping out to this one, and it seemed like he was in a hurry to get out of the country, like he was trying to avoid something.”

Det. Cooper got an arrest warrant for Pedraza, based on the positive print identification, which was the only way to stop the deportation.  Then detectives went to Pedraza’s home in Sylmar and conducted a probation search.

“After I interviewed Pedraza, my gut told me he seemed like a guy that might hold onto the belts, rather than hawk them,” Cooper said.

Detectives found both belts at the bottom of a clothes hamper in Pedraza’s home.  Unfortunately, detectives were not able to find Barber and her husband’s wedding rings, which had also been taken in the March 20, 2012 break-in.

Pedraza’s deportation has been delayed as he faces this latest count of burglary, his third in one year.  Interestingly, Pedraza was also made by his prints on the two earlier burglaries, also committed in Mission Hills, dating back to December 2011.  When detectives caught up to him for those two cases, he was working off community service at the Mission Police Station for a DUI conviction.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective William Cooper, Mission Burglary Unit, at 818-838-9866.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crime Stoppers 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.

Jennifer Barber is available for comment to media on this release.  Please call LAPD Media Relations to obtain contact number.

25-Year-Old, Tarzana Man Missing

Los Angeles:   The family of Alex Kithcens and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public’s help in locating him after he walked away from the care facility where he lives.  Kitchens left the residence Saturday, February 16th at 4:00 p.m.., Kitchens was last seen in the area of 19000 Santa Rita Street in Tarzana.   

Kitchens is described as a Caucasian male with brown curly hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighs 190 pounds.  He was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and unknown color pants and shoes.  Kitchens is clean shaven but grows facial hair quickly.  

Anyone with information on Kitchens’ whereabouts is asked to contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at 213-996-1800. 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.
             

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Offers Statement on Reward Money

Los Angeles: Due to the high volume of calls generated in regards to reward distribution in the Christopher Dorner case, the LAPD has written the following statement:  

Now that the search for Christopher Dorner has concluded, we are addressing the distribution of the $1 million reward. More than 20 jurisdictions and entities are involved in this reward, so all of them will be coming together to collectively determine whether any individual(s) qualify for it.  Our personal hope is that the reward will be distributed, but we must follow the rules and respect the procedures of each entity.

Due to the large number of inquiries into the reward, the Mayor’s Office and the Los Angeles Police Department remind media outlets that reward monies cannot be distributed until the investigation is complete, which takes time.  Final decisions on the dissemination of the reward on this case, as in all reward cases, will be made upon the completion of the investigation.  Your patience is appreciated.

3-Year-Old Passenger Injured by Hit-and-Run Driver

Los Angeles:  Detectives are investigating a hit-and-run accident that injured a 3-year-old.

On February 16, 2013, around 2:10 a.m., a male Hispanic motorist driving a black four door 1993 Honda Civic was driving southbound on Cornwell Street, approaching Sheridan Street and failed to stop for the posted stop sign.  The Honda broadsided a 2000 Toyota Echo with three occupants travelling eastbound on Sheridian Street.  The collision forced the Toyota into a lamp standard ejecting a three year-old toddler from the vehicle. The driver of the Honda Civic abandoned his car and ran from the scene southbound on Cornwell Street.  

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the collision scene and transported the toddler to a local hospital where the he is listed in critical condition.    

Anyone with information regarding this traffic collision can contact Central Traffic Division, Detective Section at 213-972-1825 during the weekdays between 7 am – 5pm.  After hours and weekends, please contact Central Traffic Division’s front desk at 213-972-6953 or a toll free number at 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.

Young Man Shot to Death in the Highland Park Community

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Northeast Homicide Detectives are investigating the shooting death of a 16-year-old Hispanic male.  

On Saturday, February 16, 2013, around 8:45 p.m., uniformed officers assigned to the LAPD’s Northeast Gang Enforcement Detail were patrolling in the area of North Avenue 52 and Figueroa Street, when they heard multiple gun shots.  Officers responded to North Avenue 51 and Figueroa Street then traveled westbound towards Monte Vista.  Officers discovered an unresponsive male on the ground in the 100 block of North Avenue 51. Los Angeles City Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location and pronounced the victim at scene.

Detectives’ investigation revealed that two suspects, described only as male Hispanics, approached the victim and shot him.  The suspects fled the scene and entered a dark colored mid-sized car. The motive for this homicide appears to be gang related.  

The identity of the victim will be withheld until the family is notified.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact LAPD Northeast Homicide Detectives DiCroce and Yamada at 323-3 44-5744 or the Northeast Watch Commander at 323-344-5701.  After hours and weekends, please contact Central Traffic Division’s front desk at 213-972-6953 or a toll free number at 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.