LAPD Blog

Class 1-14 Recruit Graduation

Class 1-14 Recruit Graduation Podcast

July 11, 2025 – The first-ever Los Angeles Police Academy graduation ceremony to be staged at the LAPD Administration Building plaza occurred this morning at 8 a.m. Previous graduations were always held on the Los Angeles Police Academy’s athletic field in Elysian Park.  However, major renovations at the academy are expected to take about two years and have necessitated relocating the ceremonies.

Today’s ceremony featured 32 graduates, 30 for LAPD and two for Los Angeles World Airports.
All recruits have completed 920 hours of training over the course of 24 weeks and proudly stood before Department command staff, dignitaries, including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and hundreds of spectators composed mostly of family and friends.  

During his speech, Chief Beck remarked on the significance of having the graduation ceremony at the Department’s headquarters, making note of the nearby historic landmarks, such as City Hall, the Los Angeles Times Building, St. Vibiana’s Cathedral and others.

Recruits will be expected to hit the ground running as many will be deployed in the field at their respective LAPD divisions beginning as soon as Sunday, July 13.  At the end of the ceremony, recruits tossed their caps high into the air, a traditional closing gesture of their elation and high hopes for success as Los Angeles police officers.

 

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Man Linked to1982 Cold Case Murder

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Detectives from the Cold Case Homicide Special Section of Robbery-Homicide Division arrested 51-year-old James Robert Scott for an unsolved 1982 Los Angeles Sexual Assault Murder   

LAPD detectives have been investigating the murder of 40-year-old Los Angeles resident Vivian Johnson for more than 31 years.  The victim was murdered inside her residence in the 3900 block of Welland Avenue on November 29, 1982.  The cause of death was strangulation.  The motive for the murder is unknown.

Cold Case Homicide detectives linked James Robert Scott to the murder after DNA evidence matching Scott was discovered at the crime scene.  It was later discovered that Scott was in custody on an unrelated murder at San Quentin State Prison in California.  

On July 1, 2014, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Scott for the murder of Vivian Johnson.  Scott was served with the Los Angeles County murder warrant while he was still in the custody of the California Department of Corrections.  Detectives are making arrangements to have Scott transported to Los Angeles, where he is scheduled to be arraigned on July 24, 2014.  

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division Detectives Martin Mojarro or Jeffrey Allen at (213) 486-6810.  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.”

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Van Nuys Area Sexual Battery Suspect Sought

Van Nuys:  Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect responsible for several sexual assaults in the Van Nuys area.  

There have been five incidents since the first part of June.  The suspect targets females who are out walking their dogs.  He makes eye contact with his victims as he passes them, and then turns to pull down their pants and underwear.
 
The suspect is described as a Male White or Hispanic with black or brown hair and brown eyes.  He stands between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 145 to 160 pounds and is 20 to 25 years of age.  The suspect could possibly be driving a late 1990's model 4-Door Gray Toyota Camry or Ford Taurus.

Anyone with information about these crimes is urged to contact Van Nuys Detectives at 818-374-0040 or you may also call 1-877-LAPD-24-7 if you have information. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can 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.

14-Year-Old Female Twins Missing

UPDATE
July 14, 2025

 
Updated:  On Friday July 11, 2025 sisters Audrey and Hazel Segura were located in good health and were returned to their family.

 

Los Angeles:  The family of twin sisters Audrey and Hazel Segura, and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Mission Division detectives, are requesting the public’s assistance in locating them.  

Audrey and Hazel were last seen on July 5, 2014, around 8 p.m., at their residence in the 14400 block of Lyle Street in the City of Sylmar.  Both Audrey and Hazel walked away from the location after getting confronted by their mother about their social media account. They were last seen in the area of Polk Street and Glenoaks Boulevard in the city of Sylmar. They have not been seen or heard from since. Their family is extremely concerned for their welfare.
     









Audrey is described as a 14-year-old female Hispanic with brown hair and brown eyes.  She stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds.  Audrey was carrying a black backpack.  

Hazel is described as a 14-year-old female Hispanic with brown hair and brown eyes.  She stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds. Hazel was carrying a khaki colored backpack.  

Anyone with information on Audrey or Hazel Segura’s, whereabouts is asked to contact the LAPD Mission Division detectives at 818-838-9800.  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

Victim Severely Injured by Hit-and-Run Driver

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Central Traffic Division detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify the driver who struck 71-year-old Fernando Valdivia, a resident of South Gate and then drove away from the scene. On June 28, 2014, around 12:15 p.m., Valdivia was standing near the gas pump island of the Mobil gas station located in the 200 block of West Slauson Avenue, when he was struck by red Chevy pick-up.  The driver stopped briefly then left the scene without identifying himself or rendering aid to the victim as mandated by law. According to witnesses, the hit-and-run vehicle was described as a red 2000-2005 red Chevy Silverado pickup truck, with an extended cab.  The driver is described as a male Hispanic between 30 and 40-years-old.  He stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs about 170 pounds with black hair. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the location and transported the victim to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment. Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Central Traffic Division Detectives at (213) 833-3713 or Detective Felix Padilla at (213) 486-0753.  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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Chief of Police 2014 Mid Year Crime Statistics

Download 2014Mid year Crime Stats

News Conference to Announce Two $50,000 Rewards for Two Unsolved Murders

WHAT:       
News Conference

WHEN:       
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
1:00 p.m.
      
WHERE:      
77th Street Community Police Station
(Community Room)
7600 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, California 90003
                        
WHO:       
Detectives from the LAPD’s Criminal Gang Homicide Division
Family Members of Victims
        
WHY:       
The City of Los Angeles is offering two $50,000 rewards for information leading to the identity, arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the murder of 26-year-old Rashon Dwayne Davis and 44-year-old Nelva Hernandez.

On January 29, 2014, at 2:45 p.m., Roshon Davis was standing near the bus stop on the northwest corner of La Brea Avenue and Coliseum Street. Mr. Davis was approached by an unknown male and brutally stabbed.  Davis ran to the back gate of his apartment building and collapsed as a result of his injuries.  He was transported to a local hospital where he later died from the stab wounds.

On Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 10:30 p.m., Nelva Hernandez was a passenger in a car occupied by her family members.  When parking their vehicle in front of her family’s home, unknown suspects drove by in a dark colored vehicle, and fired multiple gunshots in the victims’ direction.  Nelva Hernandez was struck by the gunfire and immediately transported to a local hospital where she was listed in critical condition.  On April 5, 2014, she died as a result of her injuries.

Detectives from Criminal Gang / Homicide Division are overseeing the murder investigations and are asking for the public’s help to provide information leading to the identity, arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Mr. Davis and Ms. Hernandez. Anyone with information about the crimes are asked to contact Detective Sal LaBarbera or Sergeant Shearholdt, Criminal Gang/Homicide Division at (213) 485-4341.

 

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Detectives Need the Public’s Help to Identify Robbery Suspect

Canoga Park:  Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Robbery detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect who robbed a business. On June 26, 2014, around 8:40 p.m., a robbery occurred in the 7500 block of Topanga Canyon Blvd in Canoga Park.  One suspect entered the business, brandished a semi-automatic handgun and demanded money.  The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of money on a bicycle, possibly a mountain bike. On July 1, 2014, around 1:30 p.m., an attempt robbery occurred in the 7500 block of Topanga Canyon Blvd, by the same suspect, at a different business.  The suspect brandished a semi-automatic handgun and left the location on a possible mountain bike. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes.  He stands between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighs between 150 to 185 pounds and is 20 to 30 years of age. The suspect was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, black sunglasses, a long sleeve black sweatshirt, blue shorts and white shoes. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Phillips at Topanga Community Police Station (818) 756-3521. 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Man Falls to His Death

Los Angeles:  LAPD Central Division officers responded to a call of a trespass suspect on a business rooftop. On May 24, 2014, around 8:30 a.m., patrol personnel responded to a call of a trespass suspect on a business rooftop.  Patrol personnel contacted a male Hispanic, later identified as Carlos Ocana, on top of a billboard located above the roof of 500 S. San Pedro Street.  The officers requested Ocana to descend from the billboard but he refused to comply.  Ocana descended from the billboard onto the rooftop. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and deployed an airbag beneath Ocana as a safety precaution. The officers requested the assistance of Metropolitan Division, Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT).  At around 11:00 a.m., Metropolitan Division Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) responded and assumed tactical command of the incident. Ocana then attempted to climb the ladder attached to the billboard.  A SWAT officer used the TASER in an attempt to subdue Ocana and keep him from climbing back up on the billboard.  As SWAT officers attempted to grab onto Ocana they lost grip of him resulting in Ocana falling off of the rooftop and onto the ground below.  Ocana missed the airbag and sustained a head injury.  Ocana was transported to USCMC where he succumbed to his injuries. During the attempted rescue of Ocana, an officer sustained a laceration to the left thumb and was treated and released.  No other officers were injured. Force Investigation Division detectives are handling the investigation of the law-enforcement- related death. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General, and the Board of Police Commissioners.  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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested Investigators Seeking Possible Additional Victims

Los Angeles:   On June 19, 2014, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, Special Assault Section, arrested 36-year-old Anthony Leroy Tinzly, a resident of Los Angeles for sexual assault. On June 23, 2014, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed twelve felony counts against Tinzly.  The charges include kidnap, rape, sodomy and robbery. Tinzly is a fifteen year United Parcel Service (UPS) employee.  He was linked to two separate sexual assaults that occurred on June 11, 2025 and June 18, 2014, in the South Los Angeles area.  Both incidents involved underage female blacks. Tinsly owns a white, 1995 Jeep Cherokee, California License plate number 6XZE700.  Based on the evidence, Detectives believed there may be additional victims. They are asking for the public’s assistance in locating possible additional victims. Tinzly was booked on June 19, 2014.  His bail amount is set for $2,670,000. Anyone with information regarding these crimes is encouraged to contact Detective John Macchiarella, LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division, Sexual Assault Section at (213) 486-6926. 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn