LAPD Blog

Man Shot to Death in Wilmington

Los Angeles: LAPD Harbor Area detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect(s) who shot and killed 21-year-old Ernesto Reyes of Wilmington.

On January 22, 2012 at 9:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department Harbor officers responded to a shooting call in the 400 block of East L Street. When they arrived, they discovered Reyes on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds.  LAFD rescue personnel responded and transported Reyes to a local hospital where he late died from his wounds.

Investigators say that Reyes was walking on the side walk, on L Street, when an unknown suspect(s) pulled out a handgun and shot him multiple times.  The suspect(s) left the location after shooting Reyes. There is no suspect description and the investigation is on-going. It is unknown if this shooting is gang related.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Harbor Area Homicide Detectives Julie Scruggs or Mike Villareal at 310-726-7888, or 310-726-7880. 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.

78-year-old Man in Need of Medical Attention is Missing

January 21,2012                                                                                                  

**UPDATE**

 MP Barcelo was found this morning in Huntington Park and taken home.

Los Angeles:   The family of Jose Barcelo and the officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Area are asking for the public’s help in locating a 78-year-old man who recently suffered a stroke and is considered to be in poor mental and physical health.  

Mr. Barcelo was last seen on January 20, 2012, at around 8:00 p.m.  It appears that Mr. Barcelo walked away from his home located in the 400 block of South Orange Drive in Los Angeles.  Mr. Barcelo recently suffered a stroke and is need medical attention.  He is described as a male Hispanic, approximately 5’7” tall and weighs 180 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a brown bathrobe.  Mr. Barcelo also has a visible scar on his head from a previous surgery.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jose Barcelo, is asked to contact Wilshire Police Station at 213-473-0476.  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 click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Members of the media who wish to speak with the family of Jose Barcelo are asked to call  Media Relations at 213-486-5910.

Missing Person Sultan Adel Aldossary

UPDATE
February 6, 2012
Sultan Adel Aldossary has been located and he is safe and sound.

 

Los Angeles:  The family of Sultan Adel Aldossary and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help in locating Mr. Aldossary.

Sultan Adel Aldossary, was last heard from by his family in Saudi Arabia on December 28, 2011.  He was last seen by law enforcement in Greenlee, Navajo County, Arizona on the same date.  Aldossary has not been seen or heard from since and his family is extremely concerned for his welfare.     

Sultan Adel Aldossary is described as a 23 year old male Middle Easterner with black hair, brown eyes, stands at 5 feet 6 inches, and weighs approximately 230 pounds.  No clothing description was available. Aldossary was last seen driving his 2001 BMW with a license plate of 4MHT883.

Information suggests that Aldossary may be headed to Las Vegas, Nevada, or Washington State.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Aldossary is asked to call 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.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers 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.

Man Murdered While Standing on the Sidewalk

Los Angeles:  A man was shot and killed while standing on the sidewalk with several of his friends.

On January 21, 2012 at 12:25 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department Rampart officers responded to a shooting call at the 1600 block of West 5th Street. When they arrived, they discovered a male victim, later identified as 21-year-old Manuel Campos, a resident of Los Angeles, dead at the scene with a gunshot wound to his head.

Investigators discovered that the suspect and Campos were arguing after the suspect saw Campos and his friends drinking in front of his building. The suspect fired multiple rounds at Campos and fled the location on foot. The motive appears to be a dispute only and not gang related.

The suspect has been identified as Santos Navor-Flores, a male Hispanic who stands at 5 feet 7 inches and weighs 170 pounds. He also has dark and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to call Rampart Homicide Detectives at 213-484-3650. 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 Occurs as Man Exits Car and Points Gun at Officers

Los Angeles: LAPD narcotics officers conducting an investigation were sitting in an unmarked car when another car stopped near their location.  Then a man who was in the car got out and pointed a handgun at them.  

On Jan. 17, 2012, about 10 a.m., an LAPD narcotics officer working with a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent, both in plain clothes, were involved in an investigation on 53rd Street west of Hoover Street in Los Angeles.  Suddenly, a burgundy-colored Cadillac pulled up just west of their location.  Almost immediately, an officer-involved shooting occurred when a suspect, described only as a Black male, pointed a handgun directly at the officers after getting out of the left rear passenger door of the car.

After the shooting, the suspect, who was not hit by gunfire, left the area on foot.  The suspect’s car then sped away, driven by another male suspect and also carrying a female passenger in the front seat.  

Additional officers responded to the scene, and a perimeter was established.  A short time later, a handgun and two possible suspects were found within the perimeter.  Officers also located the car and detained a possible driver.  Later, the two suspects were released after questioning, and the driver was booked for parole violation.

Several hours into the investigation, one of the original investigating officers was complaining of pain to his right leg and taken for medical treatment due to a possible strike from a bullet fragment.    
 
The LAPD Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer-involved shooting and all related crimes.   The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Office of the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and 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.  

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the FID 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.

Arizona Minor Suspected in Double Murder, Arrested in Skidrow

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police patrol officers detained a 16-year-old boy from Peoria, Arizona, this morning in the skidrow area of downtown Los Angeles after the officers recognized the minor from a BOLO (be on the lookout) flyer that was shown in the patrol roll call briefings.

“This was police work at its best and most efficient this morning,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of Central Detective Division.  “We received the BOLO last night and put the information out to all the officers, including the shift that came in this morning.”

One officer who recognized the face and description of the 16-year-old from the flyer. He remembered seeing the youth sleeping near Wilson and 7th Streets yesterday morning, January 18.  The officer and his partner left their briefing and went directly to the location and found the boy sleeping.

The BOLO flyer named the subject and explained how he was suspected in robbing a Peoria medical marijuana clinic on January 17, 2012.  The suspect in that case shot to death a man and a woman, then shot another man. He stole the dead man’s car and abandoned it in Phoenix.  Local police believed the subject boarded a Greyhound bus to Los Angeles.  The robbery/murder was covered in local media, but the suspect was not named publically.

“When the officers returned to the last place they had seen the kid, there he was, sleeping,” Lt. Vernon added.  “They detained him at gunpoint, but he put up no resistance.”  The officers found a semi-automatic handgun in a bag of belongings.

Detectives from Arizona were still working on obtaining an arrest warrant for the youth named in the BOLO, and two Peoria detectives are already driving to Los Angeles.  In the meantime, LAPD detectives will book the minor for gun possession.  He will be taken to Eastlake Juvenile Hall and eventually extradited to Arizona.

If anyone has any additional information regarding this crime contact Central Detectives at 213-972-1203. 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.

$50,000 Reward Being Offered in Murder Investigation

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help to identify and locate the suspect responsible for gunning down a man on the streets of South Los Angeles.

On February 19, 2011, at 9:50 p.m., 54-year-old Jewell King was walking in the area of 116th Street and Main Street.  An unidentified assailant shot King once in the upper body and fled the area.  King staggered along the sidewalk calling out for help until she collapsed near the intersection of Main Street and Lanzit Avenue.  A nearby citizen heard King’s cries for help and phoned 911.

Detectives have exhausted all known leads in this investigation and are asking for the public’s help.  The Los Angeles City Council has approved a reward of $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person(s) who were responsible for the murder of Jewell King.

The motive for this murder is unknown.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Criminal Gang/Homicide Division Detective Kerri Potter at 213-485-4341.  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.

Robbery Committed Inside a Bus

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Wilshire Division Robbery detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of a suspect who robbed a 26-year-old woman inside a bus.

On January 9, 2012, around 6:15 a.m., the suspect and the victim where both on a bus on Pico Boulevard at La Cienega Boulevard when the suspect approached the victim.  The suspect struck the victim twice on the face and took her cell phone. When the bus came to a stop, the suspect got off and left eastbound on Pico Boulevard.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics treated the victim for minor injuries at scene.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 20-27 years-old, brown eyes, 5’6” tall, weighs around 180-200 pounds and has a shaved head.  He was seen wearing a black beanie, black jacket, checkered pants, blue and white shoes.

Surveillance footage of the robbery can be viewed at www.lapdtv.org.

If anyone has any additional information regarding this crime contact Wilshire Robbery Detectives at 213-922-8205. 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 January 17, 2012 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

This week’s Police Commission meeting was held in the San Fernando Valley at Saint Nicholas Church in Northridge.  Police Commission President Richard Drooyan welcomed the congregation and expressed his thanks to the church leadership for allowing them to have their Board meeting there. 

Police Commission Vice President John Mack welcomed and thanked the many members of the community who turned out for the meeting and expressed his desire to hear any issues they might have relevant to their police department. 

Once Vice President Mack spoke he turned the floor over to Councilmember Mitchell Englander whose district falls within the Devonshire Area boundaries.  Councilmember Englander gave the audience an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Police Commission and their role as a civilian oversight committee.  He then presented two members of the community with certificates of recognition for outstanding service.  He concluded by recognizing the 18 year anniversary of the Northridge earthquake and informing his constituents of the disaster preparedness proclamation he made to City Council. 

After Councilmember Englander spoke, Police Chief Charlie Beck addressed the crowd.  He thanked them for their attendance and said it was the best attended Police Commission meeting he could remember.  He invited community members to speak on the issues that were concerning them and finished by saying he was there to listen.

Deputy Chief Jorge Villegas, head of the Department’s Valley Bureau, then spoke briefly on the crime statistics for the year ending 2011.  He said there were 20,000 fewer victims of crimes in the area and Devonshire Division led all divisions in the Valley in crime reduction.  Captain Kris Pitcher, Commanding Officer of Devonshire Division, then stated some of the challenges and goals for the division in the coming year. 

The final portion of the meeting was the public comment period.  Many of the members of the community who spoke expressed concerns over the proposed changes to the unlicensed driver/30 day impound policy.  More than 60 people took advantage of the opportunity to address the Board.

The Board of Police Commissioners as well as the Chief of Police look forward to these special meetings as they serve as an opportunity for community members to attend who might otherwise not be able to attend the regular meetings of the Board in Downtown Los Angeles.  The Commission holds these meetings a few times a year throughout the entire City. 

Business Owner Arrested at LAX

Los Angeles:  Members of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Fugitive Warrants Task Force arrested 47-year-old Young Lee, on an outstanding felony warrant for aggravated assault, related to an evening attack on a homeless man near downtown Los Angeles on June 15, 2011.  Lee is the co-founder of the Pinkberry yogurt franchise.

According to police records, a homeless man was begging at the off ramp of the 101 Freeway and Vermont Avenue when Lee and a companion had words with the man.  According to witnesses, the two men chased and beat the homeless man, who was later treated at the hospital.  Detectives could not locate the homeless man for a time, but were able to get information from a number of witnesses, including the license plate of the attackers’ Range Rover which returned to a rental in Lee’s name.

When federal databases alerted detectives that Lee was inbound on a flight from his native Korea on January 16, 2012, detectives from the task force and the FBI met Lee at the airport and arrested him.  His bail was set at $60,000.  Detectives have not identified Lee’s companion.

The Fugitive Warrant Task Force follows up on most felony warrants that are issued in cases handled by detectives at neighborhood police stations, or in cases when the suspect is a foreign national, which frees up detectives to work on other cases while the task force detectives look for the warrant suspect.

The LAPD accepts tips on crime. 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.