LAPD Blog

Missing 12-Year-Old and 14-Year -Old Girls

 ***UPDATE***

On June 29, 2011, at about 5 p.m., both girls were located in good condition and are being united with their families.  The investigation into their disappearance is continuing.

Los Angeles:  The family of Samantha Villagran and Andrea Yribe along with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are asking for the public’s help to locate these two young girls, who have been missing since Monday morning.

In the early morning hours of Monday, June 27, 2011, Andrea and Samantha left Andrea’s residence located in the 14000 block of Van Nuys Boulevard. The girls, believed to be with each other, have not been seen since. Both families told police that they were unaware of any problems that would cause the girls not to return home.  Neither Andrea nor Samantha have a history of running-away nor is foul play suspected.

Andrea Yribe is described as a 14-year-old Hispanic female with brown hair, and brown eyes.  She stands 5- feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 100 pounds with a thin build.  She was last seen wearing a white blouse, denim shorts and brown sandals.

Samantha Villagran is described as a 12-year-old Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes.  She stands 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 95 pounds.  Samantha has lip piercings and was last seen wearing a white blouse, denim shorts and brown sandals.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Andrea Yribe and/or Samantha Villagran is urged to contact LAPD’s Mission Division at 818-838-9800.  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.

Suspect Assaults Family; Threatens to Kill Officers with Knife in Each Hand

Los Angeles: A suspect who had already injured his wife and two children, came at Officer’s  with a knife in each hand, threatening to kill them, resulting in an Officer Involved Shooting (OIS).

On Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at around 9:30 p.m. Southwest Area Officers were called to the 3800 block of West 27th Street for an Assault with a Deadly Weapon suspect. When they arrived they were directed to an apartment where a teenage girl had been yelling that someone was trying to kill her with a knife. Officer’s learned later that the girl’s mother and younger brother had already escaped from the apartment to find safety from the suspect, their father and husband.

Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect and victim inside the apartment, but the suspect refused to open the door. Officers then forced their way into the apartment to check on the welfare of the victim. They were immediately confronted by the suspect, 45-year-old Mario Vanegas.  Vanegas was armed with a knife in each hand and repeatedly threatened to kill the officers.  Officer’s gave Vanegas commands to drop the knives, both in Spanish and English, but he refused to comply. One officer used a Tazer to subdue Vanegas, but it had no effect. While Officer’s were preparing to use a non-lethal shotgun, Vanegas advanced on them, wielding the knives, threatening to kill them, and an OIS occurred.

Vanegas was hit multiple times and died at scene. The Officers involved in the OIS are identified as Officer Cesar Aranda, 4 years, 4 months with the Department, Officer Brian Schneider, 2 years, 6 months with the Department, Officer Jose Gonzalez, 16 years, 7 months with the Department, and Police Officer Leonardo Olea, 11 years, 1 month with the Department.

Force Investigation Division (FID) responded and is investigating the OIS, and Southwest detectives are handling the assault on the female juvenile and her mother and brother.

LAPD Encourages Responsible 4th of July Weekend Celebrations Several DUI Checkpoints and Special Patrols to Be in Effect

 Podcast LAPD Encourages Responsible 4th of July Weekend

Independence Day commemorates our freedom from the rule of Great Britain and the adoption of our Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  While this is a great cause for celebration, Independence Day weekend has become an occasion during which some celebrate and drink irresponsibly.  And those  who take to the road while driving under the influence (DUI) create a tremendous public safety concern.  The Los Angeles Police Department recommends the followings tips to ensure that all residents and visitors to Los Angeles can enjoy a safe and sane Independence Day:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Designate a sober driver.
• Leave your car keys at home.
• Call a taxi, friend or family member, or use public transportation to ensure you get home safely.
• Call 911 if you see a possible drunk driver on the road.
• Take the car keys away from someone who is about to drive impaired and assist them in getting home safely.

In the LAPD’s ongoing effort to save lives, keep the streets safe and keep drunk drivers off the road, the following DUI enforcement activities will be conducted over the holiday weekend:

• July 1, 2011 (Friday) – Sobriety Checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in LAPD’s Devonshire Area on Reseda Boulevard at Nordhoff Street
• July 1, 2011 (Friday) – Sobriety Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. in LAPD’s North Hollywood Area on Lankershim Boulevard at Cumpston Street
• July 2, 2011 (Saturday) – Sobriety Checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in LAPD’s Southwest Area on Figueroa Street at 40th Place
• July 3, 2011 (Sunday) – DUI Saturation Patrol from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. in LAPD’s Foothill Area
• July 3, 2011 (Sunday) – DUI Saturation Patrol from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. in LAPD’s Harbor Area
• July 4, 2011 (Monday) – Sobriety Checkpoint from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. in LAPD’s West Los Angeles Area on Pacific Coast Highway at Temescal Canyon Road.

These enforcement activities have been funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, targeting those who still don’t heed the message to designate a sober driver.  For further information, please contact Officer Don Inman, Emergency Operations Division, at 213-486-0703.

Murder Suspect Arrested

Los Angeles:  On June 28, 2011, LAPD detectives arrested 31-year-old Geovanni Cifuentes for the shooting death of David Banuelos.

Banuelos was shot to death on May 28, 2011, outside a place of business located in the 4500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard after a verbal dispute that took place inside the club.

Detectives conducted an extensive investigation and followed several leads that ultimately lead to the identity of Cifuentes as the suspect.  While conducting a surveillance of Cifuentes’ work location, they saw Cifuentes enter a silver Cadillac and drive away.  Uniformed patrol officers assigned to Foothill Division attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Cifuentes failed to yield and a short pursuit ensued.  Cifuentes was ultimately stopped and taken into custody without incident at Colfax Avenue and Riverside Drive where the pursuit ended.

After an extensive interview, detectives were convinced that Cifuentes was the man responsible for  killing Banuelos.  He was booked for murder and is being held on $1 million bail at the LAPD Metropolitan Jail.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Sergio Carrero-Ortiz, Central Homicide Unit, at 213-972-1258.  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.

Notes from the June 28, 2011 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commissioner Richard Drooyan attended the Safe Summer Tip-Off Basketball Event between the LAPD and the LAFD over the weekend.  He said it was a great event and he was particularly impressed with the Police Cadets in attendance.

• Police Chief Charlie Beck said he also attended the Safe Summer Tip-Off Basketball Event and added it was a good way to kick off the start of the Summer Night Lights program.  The Chief also recognized Los Angeles Fire Chief Millage Peaks for his tremendous leadership during what he called a really rough time to be a Chief.  He said he was going to miss him as a partner and as a friend.  Fire Chief Peaks announced his retirement after 22 months as Chief.

• 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 Foothill Area was given by Captain Joseph Hiltner.  Captain Hiltner stated they hold impromptu community meetings in areas where they experience the most crime problems.  Police Cadets, Senior Lead Officers, and C-PAB members go door to door and invite community members to the meetings.  The area also has a Junior C-PAB where they invite high school students to attend meetings.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics June 25, 2011

VIOLENT CRIMES                  2011**           2010**          % Chg

Homicide                              145*                158          -8.2%
Rape                                     323                 385        -16.1%
Robbery                               4740               5386        -12.0%
Agg Assaults **                     4260               4626         -7.9%
Total Violent Crimes             9468             10555        -10.3%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                 7870             8252          -4.6%
BTFV                                    12288           13926        -11.8%
Personal/Other Theft            12529           13012          -3.7%
Auto Theft                             7346             8291        -11.4%
Total Property Crimes        40,033         43,481        -7.9%
Total Part I Crimes            49,501          54,036        -8.4%

* Numbers reflects a change in reclassification for Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) guidelines and numbers are adjusted accordingly.

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

Officer’s Quick Action Saves Woman from Burning Car

Los Angeles:  Two officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Hollywood Area are being commended for their quick action and life saving heroism early Monday morning.

On June 27, 2011, at around 7:30 a.m., LAPD Officer Michael Kim and partner, Officer Jimmy Lam, were near Santa Monica Boulevard and Western Avenue helping fellow Officers with traffic control in aftermath of a Hit and Run Traffic Collision there.

Unrelated to the traffic collision, Officer Kim saw a Dodge Caravan stopped at a nearby traffic light with heavy black smoke coming from underneath it.  Officer Kim alerted his partner to the smoke and both Officers began walking towards the Caravan. As they neared the van the bellowing smoke turned to flames.

Officers Lam and Kim immediately requested Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) personnel to respond to put out the fire, and jumped into action to get the occupants out of the van.  The van’s driver was unaware and confused about the Officer’s actions and could not hear them giving her directions to get out, because the windows were closed.  Officer Lam and Kim began pounding on the windows to alert the driver to the danger, but overwhelmed and confused the driver accidentally locked herself in the car, preventing Officer’s from getting to her.

Once the toxic black smoke began filling the inside of the van, the driver realized the grave danger she was in and was able to unlock the doors, but still unable to free herself from the  vehicle because she was still strapped in her seatbelt. After both Officers’ efforts to unlock the seatbelt failed, Officer Kim used his pocket knife to cut away the seatbelt, allowing Officer Lam to pull the driver to safety.  After safely removing the driver, Officer Lam saw a child seat in the rear seat and began to go back inside to rescue a child, but was told there was not a child in the car.

Without hesitation and putting their own safety at risk, both Officers worked to remove the driver from the van, even as they were being exposed to extreme danger from the toxic thick smoke and hot flames engulfing the vehicle. Officer Lam and Officer Kim used fire extinguishers from their police vehicles to fight the fire until LAFD arrived and put the stubborn fire out.

It was later discovered that the driver had been having mechanical problems with the van, and had smelled gasoline after filling her tank that morning. The driver was very grateful for the Officers efforts and believes that had it not been for their brave and selfless action, she would not have survived the ordeal.

For further information please contact Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

Message from Chief Beck Regarding Stow Case

In response to the idea that Giovanni Ramirez "Could be cleared of all charges" Chief Beck states that “My comments today are in no way indicative of any changes in the status of the Brian Stow case.  The Department will continue to pursue leads that may convict a suspect just as vigorously as we pursue those that may exonerate a suspect.  I still believe that the arrest of Giovanni Ramirez was appropriate and he is still the primary suspect in this case."

Critical Missing Adult From Healthcare Facility

Los Angeles:  Devonshire Division Community Police Station is searching for a critical missing adult who walked away from a Chatsworth healthcare facility and did not return.

On Sunday, June 26, 2011, at approximately 7 p.m., Los Angeles Police Officers assigned to Devonshire Division, responded to the Goldstar Health Care facility, located at 21820 Craggy View Street, in Chatsworth, regarding a missing male adult.  The missing person is a resident of the care facility, and wandered away from the home at 5 p.m., in order to purchase cigarettes.  He was last observed on foot, leaving a mini-mart located at Devonshire Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.  The missing person investigation is deemed to be of a critical nature, due to life sustaining medications that the male is believed to be without.

The missing adult is named Timothy Norton, and is described as follows: 62-years-old, Caucasian, 6 feet tall, weighing 160 pounds. He has a light complexion, and was wearing an orange shirt, and undetermined pants.

Any community member with information regarding the whereabouts of the missing adult, should immediately contact 911, Devonshire Community Police Station (818-832-0633), or respond to the LAPD Command Post that has been established on the premises of the Goldstar Health Care facility. 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 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.

10 Year-Old Missing Child in Newton

UPDATE:

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department are seeking the public's assistance in locating a Critical Missing 10 year-old child Kevin Rodriguez in Newton Division.

The child was last seen Saturday evening June 25th around 7:00 p.m., in the area of 1510 East 22nd Street in Los Angeles. The child apparently ran away after having an argument with his family. Kevin Rodriguez speaks only spanish and has only been in the United States for one month. He is described as a male Hispanic, 4'-5" tall, 100 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, with a heavy build. He was last seen wearing a red shirt, blue pants and no shoes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Kevin Rodiguez is asked to contact the Newton Watch Commander at 323-846-6547.  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 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.

This morning Kevin Rodriguez was found by authorities.  He is safe and has been reunited with his family.