LAPD Blog

Domestic Violence Leaves Two Dead in the Valley

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Division Homicide Detectives are investigating the murder of 30-year-old woman who was murdered in the Canoga Park area.

On January 9, 2014, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Topanga patrol officers and Los Angeles City Fire personnel responded to a radio call of an “Ambulance Death investigation” on the 21900 block of Roscoe Boulevard.

When they arrived at scene, they discovered two adult individuals inside of the residence deceased. Based on Officer’s preliminary investigation, Topanga Area Homicide Detectives responded.

Detectives initial investigation revealed that the two deceased individuals were married to one another and had one child in common. The victim, a thirty year-old female, sustained several injuries causing her demise.  A 40-year-old male suspect died of an apparent suicide.  

Upon further investigation, detectives learned that this was not a random act of violence, but instead a domestic violence murder.

The victim's name is not being released at this time pending notification of the family.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Topanga Division Homicide Detectives at 818-756-3363 or 818-756-4800. 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.

Officer Involved Shooting in 77th

UPDATE

 

Updated:  The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Mathew Casalicchio.    

Los Angeles: On Friday, December 27, 2013, around 8:15 p.m., officers from the 77th Street Division received a radio call of a prowler with a gun in the 1300 block of West 50th Street in Los Angeles.

When officers arrived at the location, citizens told the officers the suspect ran between the houses in a northerly direction. The responding officers requested additional units to set up a perimeter in an effort to find the prowler with a gun.

After a brief search of the surrounding area an individual was detained in the area of 47th Street and Raymond, a few blocks north of the original call.  It was not known if the detained individual was involved in the original prowler call.    

The officers who initially responded to the radio call returned to the residence to check the property for evidence of a burglary and a possible gun since the suspect being detained had no gun on him.  

The officers walked to the rear of the residence in the 1300 block of West 50th Street to check the area.  While checking the rear of the location the officers were confronted with a man with a gun and an officer involved shooting occurred.

The man with the gun was struck in the elbow and transported to a local hospital for treatment. The officers were not injured during the incident.  

A loaded revolver was recovered from within the garage.

Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General and The 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 call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. 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.

Officer Involved Shooting in Hollenbeck

UPDATE

Updated:  The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II John Acosta.

Los Angeles: On December 25, 2013, around 11:25 p.m., Hollenbeck Area patrol officers were in the vicinity of the 7-11 Market in the 3400 block of North Mission Road having just cleared from an “Attempt Robbery” radio call at nearby Lincoln Park.  As the officers began to drive into the parking lot, they saw two male Hispanics walking away from a Toyota Camry with paper plates which they recognized as matching the suspect vehicle from their previous radio call.  

The officers detained the two males outside the 7-11 Market and were in the process of handcuffing them when they saw the Toyota Camry driving out of the parking lot onto Selig Place.  As the vehicle turned northbound onto Mission Road from Selig Place, it momentarily stopped and one of the officers attempted to detain the driver, later identified as Erick Ortega, and a rear seat passenger.  Ortega suddenly reached under the driver’s seat and removed a dark object, at which time an officer-involved shooting (OIS) occurred.  

The vehicle fled northbound on Mission Road but was later located in the 3600 block of Barbee Street where both Ortega and the other male Hispanic were taken into custody.  Ortega was observed to have an injury to his right hand and was transported by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to a local hospital for medical treatment.  Medical personnel subsequently determined the injury to Ortega’s hand was not the result of a gunshot.  No officers were injured during the incident.  No weapon was recovered.

One of the two male Hispanics originally detained in front of the 7-11 Market, later identified as Edwin Martinez, was subsequently arrested for Possession of a Cane Sword.  The two other male Hispanics with Ortega and Martinez were questioned and released.  

Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General and The 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 call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. 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.

Apartment Burglarized in West Los Angeles

West Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department’s West Los Angeles Area detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect responsible for an apartment burglary.

On Monday, December 2, 2013, around 1 p.m., the suspect was seen entering the apartment complex in the 3400 block of Manning Avenue in the West Los Angeles area.  The suspect entered through the front door after he followed a mail carrier inside.

The suspect entered the elevator got off on the second floor and forced his way in through the front door.  Once inside, he took property belonging to the victim and fled the location.

The suspect is described as a male Black, bald, 6 feet tall approximately 225 pounds.   He was wearing a plaid shirt, dark pants, white shoes and a black wristwatch.  The suspect appeared to be communicating on a cellphone upon entering the apartment complex.

 

Anyone with information about this burglary or who can help identify the suspect is asked to call West Los Angeles Burglary Detective Guevara at (310) 444-1522.  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.

 

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The Suspect Seen on Video Beating a Man with a Folding Chair is Arrested

Venice:  LAPD officers pull over a man for driving at a high rate of speed through a Venice neighborhood.  The officers soon learned that he was the same suspect wanted for beating a man that was captured on video.

On December 13, 2013, officers from Pacific Division responded to a radio call of an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon” in the 1300 block of Ocean Front Walk.  The suspect left the scene prior to the officers’ arrival and the victim was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

During the investigation, a video of the incident was provided to Pacific Division officers and detectives.  The video footage showed the suspect using a folding chair to hit the victim several times in the face and upper body.  LAPD’s media partners aired the video footage in an attempt for a member of the public to identify the suspect.  As the investigation unfolded, officers from Pacific Division’s Gang Enforcement Detail identified Apolinar Celestino Lopez, a 30-year-old male Hispanic, as the suspect wanted for the brutal beating. Gang detectives from Pacific Division then obtained a felony warrant for Lopez.

On January 5, 2014, Pacific Division officers conducted a traffic stop and learned that the driver, Apolinar Celestino Lopez had a felony warrant for Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  Suspect Lopez was also operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.  He was arrested and booked at Pacific Division. 

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact LAPD Pacific Division detectives at (310) 482-6313.   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 (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, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”

 

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48-Year-Old Missing Man

January 10, 2014           UPDATE                NR14012bb

Updated:  Earlier today, Mr. Montelongo returned to his place of business and also contacted his family.  He is in good condition.

 

Los Angeles:  The family of Marcos Montelongo and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit are requesting the public’s assistance in locating him.

Marcos Montelongo was last heard from on December 31, 2024 around 8 p.m. Montelongo was last seen in the 900 block of East 91st Street in the City of Los Angeles, when he left home that morning headed to work in downtown Los Angeles. Montelongo did not return home that night. Montelongo has never been missing before and his wife and daughter are very concerned for his safety.

Marcos Montelongo is described as a 48-year-old male Hispanic with brown hair and brown eyes.  He stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighs approximately 175 pounds.  Montelongo was last seen driving a white Dodge van with California license plate number 3DTJ814.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Marcos Montelongo, please contact Missing Persons Unit, Detective K. Merrill 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 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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22-Year-Old Man Shot and Killed in Van Nuys

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Division Homicide Detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect responsible for the killing of a young man.

On January 8, 2014, around 6:45 a.m., Ramiro Melendez-Lobos, a male Hispanic, was walking southbound on Cedros Avenue at Delano Street in Van Nuys when an unknown male Hispanic approached and fired a handgun at him multiple times. Lobos was struck by gun fire and fell to the sidewalk.

The suspect ran to a waiting light grey Honda or Acura sedan. He entered the passenger side of the car and left the scene westbound on DeLano Street.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced Lobos dead at the scene.

The gun used was a semi-automatic handgun. The suspect and weapon are outstanding.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the LAPD Van Nuys Detective desk at 818-374-0040.  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.

70-Year-Old Missing Man

Los Angeles:  The family of Cary Campbell and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Mr. Campbell. On December 14, 2013, around 12 p.m., Mr. Campbell was last seen in the 9300 block of Firth Avenue in the City of Los Angeles. He has not returned home and has never been missing for this long before.  Cary Campbell may be in need of medical care for a medical condition. Cary Campbell is described as a 70-year-old male Black, with gray hair, brown eyes, stands 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighs around 185 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and black shoes. If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Cary Campbell, please contact Missing Persons Unit, Detective K. Merrill 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 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 January 7, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission President Steve Soboroff thanked the sworn and civilian members of the Department who worked over the holidays.  He also wished Police Officer Shaun King, who was involved in a serious traffic accident last week, a speedy recovery. President Soboroff completed his comments by saying he is looking forward to a good year and meeting all their goals.

• Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman said former Deputy Chief Marshall Anderson, who passed away last year, played a critical role in the early involvement of the Police Commission with officer involved shootings and use of force incidence reviews.  He dedicated the adjournment of the meeting in his honor.

• Police Commissioner Kathleen Kim stated she visited Hollywood Division and went on a ride-along.  She thanked the Captain of Hollywood for giving her a glimpse into the division. 

• Police Chief Charlie Beck wished the Police Commission a Happy New Year and said he rode in the Tournament of Roses Parade with the Department’s Mounted Unit and Sheriff's Mounted Posse.  He added he attended the swearing-in ceremony for New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton.  He said Bratton’s appointment as Commissioner will open up dialog and increase information sharing between the agencies. Finally Chief Beck wished Officer Shaun King a speedy recovery and emphasized employee wellness as a goal for the New Year.

• The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the duties and responsibilities of the Mental Evaluation Unit (MEU) and Systemwide Mental Assessment Response Team (SMART) was given by Captain Mulldorfer.  Captain Mulldorfer informed the Board in January of 1993 the Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health co-deployed the SMART Unit to respond to calls for service involving people with mental illness. In 2005 the case assessment management program was formed along with the investigative follow-up team. Captain Mulldorfer added the Department only responds to crisis calls which are referred to the MEU by patrol personnel. 

• The Department’s report, dated January 3, 2014, relative to the Fiscal Year 2014/15 proposed budget as given by Police Administrator Gerald Chaleff, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Administrative Officer.  Mr. Chaleff informed the Board the proposed budget was constructed with the Chief’s and Mayor’s goals in mind.  Priorities include implementing in-car video systems for Central Bureau vehicles; hire more detention and property officers, the purchase of more police vehicles, facility maintenance, a comprehensive camera surveillance system, a replacement helicopter and a new facility and equipment for Metropolitan Division. Mr. Chaleff added the total proposed budget for 2014/15 will be $1.4 billion, up from $1.3 billion last year. They are also working on the 3-5 year plan to restore civilian employee positions within the Department.

• The Department’s report, December 13, 2013, relative to the transmittal of the grant application and award for the 2013/2014 Internet Crimes Against Children program from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated December 27, 2013, relative to the audit/inspection recommendations status report for November 2013, was approved.  The Board instructed the Department to report back in 60 days.

• The Inspector General’s report, dated December 30. 2013, relative to the follow-up on non-categorical use of force investigations, was approved.  

Unsolved Homicide Results in $50K Reward

Los Angeles: This afternoon, Los Angeles Police Department Detectives held a news conference in connection with the unsolved murder of 78-year-old Joseph Gatto. The victim’s family along with LAPD detectives, are hoping the offer of a $50,000 reward will help solve the case. On November 13, 2013, the body of Joseph Anthony Gatto was discovered in his Silver Lake home located in the 2800 block of Bright Lane. The investigation has determined that Mr. Gatto died as the result of a single gunshot wound and that his death occurred approximately 24 hours before he was discovered by family members at his residence. The Los Angeles Police Department has released the sketch of a male white between 18 -25 years of age who was involved in a burglary from motor vehicle and the assault with a deadly weapon on the same date as Mr. Gatto’s murder, in an area near Mr. Gatto’s residence. Detectives would like to speak with him regarding any knowledge he might have about Mr. Gatto’s death. Robbery Homicide Detectives are seeking the community’s assistance in gaining any information that may lead to the identity of the person or persons responsible for Mr. Gatto’s death. Anyone with information about this incident should contact LAPD Robbery Homicide  Detectives Barry Telis or Chris Gable at (213) 486-5910.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (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 www.lapdonline.org. and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”

 

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