LAPD Blog

City Employee Arrested for Fuel Theft

Los Angeles:  Yesterday, City of Los Angeles employee Raymond Mark, 44, was arrested and booked for grand theft relating to charges of stealing fuel at Los Angeles City maintenance facilities.  At least 50,000 gallons of fuel have been stolen from a Sunland area facility with an approximate value of up to $250,000.

Beginning in 2008, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives from the Commercial Auto Theft Section (CATS) of the Department’s Commercial Crimes Division began investigating fuel thefts occurring at City maintenance facilities.  Their investigation was in partnership with the City’s Bureau of Street Maintenance (a division of the City’s Department of Public Works) and the City’s Department of General Services.  The investigation revealed that Mark had “customers” who were purchasing the fuel, one of whom was 28-year-old Burbank resident Gevork Sukunyan, who has also been arrested for receiving stolen property.

Mark is currently an employee of the Bureau of Street Maintenance.  Detectives will be seeking additional counts against him for commercial burglary, theft, criminal profiteering and Department of Motor Vehicle fraud.  They will also seek additional counts against Sukunyan for conspiracy to commit grand theft and criminal profiteering   

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division at 213-485-4131.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website: www.lapdonline.org.  All tips may remain anonymous.

Woman Kidnapped by Estranged Boyfriend, Police Seek Public’s Help

UPDATE

On June 5, at around 5:45 p.m., Hollenbeck Area detectives arrested Matias Lopez for kidnapping at his residence.  His ex-girlfriend Davila was brought home by Lopez unharmed.

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police are asking for the public’s help in finding a man who allegedly kidnapped a former girlfriend after she dropped their daughter off at a school in East Los Angeles on June 4, 2009.

At around 12:30 p.m., the victim’s mother walked into Hollenbeck Station Police Station to report at  7:30 a.m., her daughter, Stephanie Lilian Davila, dropped off her 6-year-old child at Griffin Elementary School in a white Mazda minivan, license plate number 5-L-I-D-5-5-4, and never returned.

According to detectives, Davila’s ex-boyfriend, 27-year-old Matias Lopez, may have been distraught over a recent break up and took Davila against her will.  A cell phone record determined that Matias may have driven the victim to the Las Vegas area.

Davila is described as a female Hispanic about 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds.  She was last seen wearing a dark blue sweat shirt, black sweat pants and black sneakers.

Lopez is described as a male Hispanic, 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds.  He was last seen driving a dark green Jeep Cherokee license plate number 3-R-Y-G-5-5-4.

Detectives are interested in any information on the whereabouts of the victim, suspect and the two vehicles involved.  Anyone with information is urged to contact Hollenbeck Detectives at 323-526-3000.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on web tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

LAPD Chief Bratton Named President of Prestigious Major Cities Chiefs Association

for podcast, click below:

• Major Cities Chief
• United Kingdom

Los Angeles:  The Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC) has elected Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief William J. Bratton as the organization's new president.  Founded in 1966, MCC was established to address the concerns and needs of the nation's largest metropolitan law enforcement executives.  The association focuses its efforts on crime reduction strategies, examination of criminal justice and homeland security policy issues, monitoring legislative trends and law-enforcement-specific legislation, and serves as an advocate for public safety at federal, state, and local levels.

MCC is a professional organization of police executives representing the 63 largest urban police departments in the United States and Canada.  All MCC members must serve a core city population greater than 500,000 and employ more than 1,000 sworn officers.  Today, with its reputation as a leading law enforcement professional organization, MCC continues its growth with executive training, research, and criminal justice and homeland security policy development. MCC articulates the public safety needs of large cities in the formulation of criminal justice policy, and MCC members are frequently called to testify in Congress on current law enforcement and homeland security issues.

Chief Bratton has been the LAPD chief of police since October 2002.  He currently leads the third largest police department in the United States, with 9,939 sworn officers, 3,000 civilian employees and an annual budget of more than $1 billion.

Aside from his extensive experience and tenure in law enforcement, Chief Bratton is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Executive Institute and was a Senior Executive Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  He is also the only chief executive to serve two terms as the elected president of the Police Executive Research Forum.

Because of Chief Bratton's innovation, experience and international reputation for fighting crime, MCC chose Chief Bratton as its new president. "I am privileged, and it is an honor to represent such a constructive organization of law enforcement colleagues.  Collectively, the value and effectiveness of the MCC has a continual and significant impact on law enforcement worldwide," said Chief Bratton.

Chief Bratton's two-year term as president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association is effective immediately.  For more information about MCC, please visit: www.majorcitieschiefs.org

LAPD Chief Bratton Honored by Queen Elizabeth II

Los Angeles: The British Consulate-General, Los Angeles and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are delighted to announce that Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton has been honored by Queen Elizabeth II with the honorary title of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).  The award comes in recognition of Chief Bratton's work to promote cooperation between the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) police, both before and during his service with LAPD.

Announcing the award, British Consul-General Bob Peirce said, "Chief Bratton is the outstanding police chief in the United States and, frankly, in the world.  He has transformed policing in New York, in Los Angeles and in cities across America that have adopted his ideas.  He is greatly admired in the UK, and he has been instrumental in creating a rich exchange of ideas about policing between UK and US police departments, and enhancing operational cooperation between them right across the policing agenda --- from counter-terrorism to crime reduction to police efficiency.  We are delighted to honor his service to making the world a safer place."

"I am both honored and humbled by the award," said Chief Bratton. "I accept this award on behalf of the men and women whom I've been pleased to serve with and lead during my 39-years in law enforcement, and whose stories I have the privilege of telling."

Honorary CBE's are awarded to non-UK citizens who have played a prominent national role or a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs, including service to the community, or made a highly distinguished and innovative contribution in his or her area of activity.  An average of only two or three such awards a year, have gone to Americans.

Notes to editors:

Honorary Awards
1.The UK honors system recognizes exceptional achievement and service to the nation.  There are several different types of award, each one recognizing a different type of contribution.  All British honors are awarded on merit.

2.Non-British nationals who have made an important contribution to British interests can be nominated for honorary awards. These awards are conferred by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.
     
3.The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was founded in 1917.  The order honors civilians and service personnel for public service or other distinctions.  It is widely used by Her Majesty The

Queen to honor non-British subjects who have given outstanding service to the UK, both in the UK and abroad.

4.The honor CBE is that of a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.  The recipient may put the letters ‘CBE' after their name, subject to the rules laid down by the authorities of the recipient's country.

5.Honorary awards to foreign nationals are published on the FCO website, which lists awards formally approved by The Queen each year.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/what-we-do/honours/honorary-awards-2009

The 2009 Essay Contest Winner

The 6th Annual LAPD Essay Contest was open to students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District and schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Students were asked to write what they would do that would have the greatest impact on the community if they were a Los Angeles Police Department officer for a day.  Each of the ten winners and their essay are featured on the Department’s website, one each week.  The following essay is one of the ten winning submissions.

As a Los Angeles Police Department officer for a day, I will start by standing in front of a mirror taking great pride in the uniform I wear.  Also I would remind myself of the department’s motto “To Protect and To Serve.”

Just as teachers, doctors, or lawyers plan out their work day, a police officer also has his or her assignments to guide them through the day.  I would take good notes in the morning of the recent criminal activity in the neighborhoods.  I would stop and inform the local business owners of any robberies that have taken place around their neighborhood.  The business owners could use this information to be aware and take necessary steps to prevent a future tragedy.

I would also visit the neighborhood grammar schools and talk to the students about the dangers of drugs, and also the bad influence of gangs.  I would stress that if students decide to take the path of drugs or to gangs, then in the long run this will have a negative effect on their future as productive individuals.  Hopefully, my lectures to the students will guide them in the right direction.

I would visit the neighborhood with high crime activity and tell the homeowners the importance of a neighborhood watch program.  During the day, a lot of the homeowners are at work or not home at all, so it is a good idea for those who are at home to keep a watchful eye on the neighbors’ houses.  Being vigilant also helps the crime rate go down.  When the people stay united, they have more power.

I will do my job to the best of my ability to uphold the law and not abuse it.  A few officers sometimes use their badge as a stepping stone to criminal wrongdoing.  I hope that with the good deeds that I did, will make a difference and the community will look at me and say that I did make a difference!

Notes for the June 2, 2009 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco, along with Commissioners John Mack and Andrea Sheridan Ordin attended the Department’s 30 year pen ceremony held in the Parker Center Auditorium.  The ceremony honors those employees who have 30 years or more of service to the Department and the community. 

•    Over the weekend, Commissioner Andrea Sheridan Ordin attended the Women Against Gun Violence Conference where Officer Kristina Ripatti was honored.  Commissioner Ordin said Ms. Ripatti spoke wonderfully and was happy to see her honored.

•    First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell stated last Thursday’s Medal of Valor Awards Ceremony and Luncheon was a very proud day for the organization.  With 26 recipients, 5 of which were women, it was the most the Department has celebrated in one year.  He added he was very impressed with their stories of sacrifice and heroism.  Chief McDonnell also said the Department held the 31st Annual Memorial Run at the Elysian Park Police Academy.  More than 800 people participated in this year’s event which culminated Police Memorial Month.

•    The verbal presentation and update from the Commanding Officer and Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) representative regarding community initiated problem solving, crime strategies, and other programs and goals within the Harbor area was given by Captain William Hayes and C-PAB co-chair Mona Sutton.  Ms. Sutton said Harbor area has a very strong and dedicated group of C-PAB members.  They have established a Spanish C-PAB which for the first time was combined with the English C-PAB.  In addition, the Teen C-PAB works with local High Schools on drinking and drug issues.  They also conduct an annual Teen C-PAB conference.  Other programs include CAL PAL summer program, KID COP, Helping Badge and Movies in the Park.

•    The Department’s report, dated May 13, 2009, relative to the Discipline Report, First Quarter, 2009, was received. The Commission directed the Office of the Inspector General to submit an analysis of this report along with any appropriate recommendations to the Board.

•    The Department’s report, dated May 26, 2009, relative to the contract no. 90112360 to present the Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation (ICI) Courses – July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010, was approved and transmitted to the Office of the Mayor.

The 2009 6th Annual LAPD Essay Contest Winners

In a breakfast ceremony held at the Los Angeles Police Historical Society on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, the 10 winners of the 6th Annual LAPD Essay contest were greeted and congratulated by Chief William J. Bratton and others for their winning submissions.  Students were asked to write what they would do that would have the greatest impact on the community if they were a Los Angeles Police Department officer for one day. 

With more than 700 submissions, this year’s contest was once again, a success.

The 10 LAPD Essay Contest winners are:

Miss Brittany Agapay, Grade 6
Miss Alexis Arellanes, Grade 7
Miss Alejandra Cabrera, Grade 8
Mr. Matthew Cina, Grade 7
Miss Crystal Fox, Grade 8
Miss Joana León, Grade 6
Miss Adriana Montes, Grade 7
Miss Sarah O’Conor, Grade 6
Miss Iridian Saenz, Grade 8
Mr. Dmitriy Slobodskiy Jr., Grade 6

The essay contest was open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who are enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District and schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Winners were featured on Telemundo’s weekday morning show, Buenos Dias, as well as given gift packages which included tickets to an upcoming Dodger game, tickets to Universal Studios, bike helmets from the Hollenbeck Youth Center, four tickets to a performance of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, four tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific, four tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, vouchers to Speedzone and Boomers Park.  Winners were also given a brand new bicycle courtesy of Liborio Markets and RRG Inc.

Each of the 10 winning essays will be featured on the Department’s web site, one each week for the next ten weeks. Congratulations to all the winners and many thanks to our sponsors.

Son Stabs Mother, Killing Her

Los Angeles:  Officers conducting a Welfare Check in the 7600 block of Reseda Boulevard find a woman stabbed to death.

On Monday, June 1, 2009, West Valley Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of a 'Welfare Check’.  The request was called in by family members who reported that they had not seen the victim since the prior evening at about 5:00 p.m. 

Some family members went to the victims' home and became alarmed when they saw things out of place in the home.  They searched the home and found that a bedroom door was locked from the inside causing them concerned that the victim could be in the room.

When officers arrived they were met by a relative that had located the key to the locked room.  Officers found the body of 40-year-old Saida Munguia on the floor.  It appeared that Munguia had been stabbed multiple times.  Paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced her dead.

Witness’s statements lead detectives to believe that the victims’ son 24-year-old Bryan Garcia-Munguia was responsible for this horrible incident.  Bryan was not at the home when officers arrived. 

Later that evening relatives spotted Bryan near a restaurant near the home and grabbed him and held him until the police arrived.

Bryan Garcia-Munguia was arrested and booked for the murder of his mother Saida Munguia and is being held on $1,000,000.00 bail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Valley Homicide Detectives at 818-374-7730.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on web tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD."  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Bus

Los Angeles:  A pedestrian crossing the street in a marked crosswalk was run over by an MTA bus late Monday afternoon.

On Monday, June 1, 2009, at around 4:20 p.m. a pedestrian crossing the street at the intersection of Rose Avenue and Pacific Avenue was hit by a Metropolitan Transit Authority bus that was travelling westbound Rose Avenue to northbound Pacific Avenue.  The driver of the bus, a 51-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was unaware of the collision and continued driving for nearly two city blocks before being alerted by a witness that the victim was still under the bus.  The bus finally came to a stop at Navy Boulevard and Main Street.

There does not appear to be any evidence of a crime and there are no charges pending at this time.  The driver of the bus was transported to a local hospital for treatment of an undisclosed medical condition.

The victim has been identified as 40-year-old Donald Barrett a resident from the Venice area.

West Traffic Division Officer John Stafford conducted the on-scene investigation and West Traffic Division, Detective Section, Officer Lee Willmon will be conducting the follow-up investigation.  The investigators may be contacted by calling 213-473-0234.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on web tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD"  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Man Shot in Parking Lot

Los Angeles:  A 30-year-old male was gun downed in the early morning hours in the Jefferson Park area. 

On Tuesday, June 02, 2009, at around 01:24 a.m., the victim Anthony Cage, a male along with two friends were inside of a vehicle parked in the parking lot of a restaurant located in the 4300 block of West Adams Boulevard.  An unknown suspect approached the vehicle and fired multiple shots into the vehicle.  Cage was struck by gunfire and died at the scene.  A second victim, a female inside the vehicle was also struck by gun fire and transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition.

The suspect and weapon are still outstanding and the motive appears to be gang related.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Detective Jim Yoshida or Mike Applegate, at Criminal Gang Homicide Group 213-485-1383.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org.  All tips are anonymous.