LAPD Blog

Wilshire Burglary Suspect Arrested

Suspect May Be Involved in a Group Responsible for Numerous Burglaries

Los Angeles: A coordinated effort between concerned community members, LAPD Wilshire Area patrol officers and detectives led to the rapid arrest of an armed burglar, Wilshire detectives announced yesterday.
 
On Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at around 11:30 a.m., Wilshire officers received a radio call of a possible burglary suspect in the 1200 block of Sierra Bonita Avenue.  Residents noticed a gold Jaguar cruising the neighborhood and two suspects suspiciously knocking on doors in an apparent attempt to find homes to burglarize.  Though the suspects fled before the witnesses were able to call 911, the sharp-eyed citizens wrote down the vehicle’s license plate number before they drove away.
 
After determining the suspects broke into homes just moments after the homeowners left, officers and detectives swarmed the area in an effort to locate additional witnesses.  A quick discussion at the scene enabled them to connect the car to a series of burglaries plaguing the division in recent weeks.  They then contacted the Operations West Bureau’s Burglary Task Force, a specialized unit that targets residential burglars with gang ties, and the task force quickly deployed to the area.  
 
Within hours, police located the vehicle in Southwest Division and conducted a traffic stop.  The driver, 27-year-old Rayshawn Joseph Foote of Los Angeles, was carrying a stolen loaded pistol and had burglary tools in the car.  Foote is considered an individual known to be connected with narcotics sales and is under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Probation Department.  Police searched Foote’s residence and recovered $2,300 in cash and additional evidence linking him to various burglaries.
 
"This was a great collaboration between everyone," said Detective III Frances McBride, burglary coordinator for Wilshire Division.  “We couldn't have done it without the help of our alert community members.”   

Foote was arrested and booked for burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Detectives believe he is working with a larger crew of burglars who are responsible for numerous break-ins in the Fairfax District and West Los Angeles.  They are asking community members to remain alert and for anyone with additional information regarding the crimes to call 213-473-0557.

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.

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The LAPD Announces the Arrest of a Hollywood Murder Suspect

On January 13, 2013, shortly after 2:00 a.m., a large fight erupted outside of a night club in the 1700 block of North Cahuenga Boulevard.  During the altercation 19-year-old Andre Lowe was shot.  Lowe was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The combined efforts of LAPD’s West Bureau Homicide and Hollywood Area detectives were able to gather evidence, including a video from a media outlet, to identify a suspect in the shooting.

Last night, 22-year-old Los Angeles resident Robert Earl Thomas was located and arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada by members of the Las Vegas Metropolitan-FBI Fugitive Task Force. Thomas has been charged with murder and faces extradition back to California.  The investigation is still ongoing and investigators are looking to identify others that were in the video.

Anyone with information is urged to call LAPD West Bureau Homicide investigators at 213-382-9470.  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.

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End of Watch Broadcast

Parker Center Closing

EOW Broadcast Parker Center (PAB) podcast

Parker Center
Tuesdsay, 01/15/13

All units, this is an end of watch broadcast for Parker Center, the former ‘Police Administration Building’, located at 150 North Los Angeles Street, official headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Department for over 50 years.

During more than five decades of operation, the iconic Parker Center came to be one of the most high profile landmarks of Los Angeles, its sleek mid-century exterior known around the world as home to the LAPD.  In media and popular culture, the building was featured in countless fictional and non-fictional television series and film projects.  It also served as a backdrop for live news broadcasts virtually day and night, instantly recognized as LAPD headquarters by local, national, and international audiences.

Over the years, the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department came to regard the structure as a time-worn, burnished symbol of the LAPD’s best.  In 2009, most of the Department moved to its new headquarters on First Street, just south of City Hall.  Now, with the recent departure from Parker Center of the last remaining police personnel, the building is fully vacated and decommissioned as a Department facility.

It all began in December of 1952, when ground was broken for a new headquarters.  At the time, the varied units of the LAPD were scattered in makeshift, inadequate office spaces throughout the downtown area.  The new building was designed to increase operational efficiency by providing an integrated police headquarters under one roof.

Construction commenced in 1953 with final hand-over of the completed building occurring in 1955.  The actual cost of $6 million was $2 million less than originally projected. 

Its 398,000-square-foot area was laid out according to function, bringing related police activities together on the same floors.  The eight-story building included all administrative offices and staff units, central detectives and patrol divisions, and the Traffic Bureau. The fourth floor comprised one of the nation’s largest and finest crime laboratories.  A felony jail housed adult male prisoners in proximity to Detective Bureau, saving many hours in driving time to and from the Main jail.  A fully functional public auditorium was included, as was a newly designed police radio and communications center, the Department’s nerve center for all routine communications and civil emergencies.

In 1966, the building was named for the late Police Chief William H. Parker, following his untimely passing from a heart attack.

In October 1971, a Los Angeles Police Memorial was constructed in front of the building to honor officers killed in the line of duty.

Parker Center has served and protected the men and women of the Police Department with distinction for 54 years.  Parker Center, on behalf of Chief Charlie Beck and all LAPD personnel, thank you for your steadfast service through more than half a century of the best and worst times in Los Angeles.  You are now end of watch.

 

             

 

 

 

 

Suspect Convicted of Felony Animal Cruelty

On January 4, 2013, Kevin Hor pleaded guilty to California Penal Code Section 597(a) Animal Cruelty, with a weapons allegation, making the charge a strike, under California's "Three Strikes" policy.  Hor may serve a maximum of 2 years 4 months in state prison.  This investigation came to light when a concerned witness telephoned the Los Angeles Police Department to report animal abuse in progress.  Patrol officers from the Hollenbeck Division responded and conducted an investigation, which led to Hor’s arrest for animal cruelty.  The puppy, named Picasso, was taken for emergency medical treatment, but had to be euthanized due to its injuries.  

The Animal Cruelty Task Force (A.C.T.F.) assumed investigative responsibility of the case.  The investigation revealed that witnesses previously observed Kevin Hor abusing a two month old pit bull puppy, named, Picasso.  On one occasion, Hor placed a card board box over the puppy’s head and stepped on it.  When Picasso was cornered into a fence, Hor struck the dog with a pipe looking object.  Hor then kicked and punched the puppy in the face repeatedly.

On another incident, Hor was caught on video abusing Picasso.  Hor was seen on video punching and stomping on Picasso.  He used an unknown object to strike Picasso causing the puppy to let out a loud yelping cry.    

Picasso suffered two broken ribs and a broken left shin-bone.  In addition, the puppy had an obvious problem with his hind legs.  The puppy was unable to properly bear weight on his hind legs and could not move his legs normally.   Department of Animal Services Veterinarian concluded the most likely cause of Picasso’s injuries was trauma to his spinal cord, resulting in a motor neuron problem in the hind legs.  

The ACTF was established in 2005 and consists of personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Animal Services.  This partnership facilitates a comprehensive approach to the prevention, intervention, detection, and prosecution of acts of animal cruelty.  The success of ACTF is achieved through the investigative expertise of the task force members, the use of veterinary forensics, and the prosecution efforts of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The City of Los Angeles aggressively investigates and prosecutes acts of animal cruelty.  There is a strong correlation between those who commit acts of animal cruelty and those who commit acts of violence against humans, and the goal of the ACTF is to break the cycle of violence through aggressive prevention, intervention, detection, and prosecution of acts of animal cruelty.

Acts of animal cruelty can be reported by contacting the ACTF at the following:

(213) 486-0450 [Mon-Fri 7:00 am to 5:00 pm]
877-LAPD-24-7 (877 527-3247) [Non-business hours and weekends]
(800) 222-TIPS (800 222-8477) [Crime Stoppers – anonymous]
Text 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) [Crime Stoppers - All messages should begin with the Letters “LAPD”]
LAPDOnline.org [Click on “webtips” and follow prompts]

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LAPD Arrest Five Suspects in Connection to the Nordstrom Rack Take-over Robbery

Listen to podcast Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department has arrested five individuals in connection with the take-over robbery of the Nordstrom’s Rack located in Westchester. On Thursday, January 10th around 11:00 pm., three armed suspects confronted the employees as they were leaving the closed business.  The suspects forced the employees back into the store and held them hostage while the suspects robbed the business. During the incident, one of the employees called a relative to inform him that the business was being robbed. That relative then notified the Los Angeles Police Department prompting the immediate response of Pacific Division patrol units. Based on initial witness statements and the observations of the first officers at scene, it was believed that armed suspects were inside the business and holding the employees hostage.  When members of LAPD’s Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team entered the location, they searched for suspects and rescued the employees.  None of the suspects were found at the location and it was later learned that they left the location in a white Sport Utility Vehicle as patrol units were arriving. During the course of the robbery, one of the suspects stabbed a female store employee whom he found hiding in a break room.  That employee sustained a non-life threatening stab wound to her neck.  A second employee was sexually assaulted by one of the suspects.  Both victims were treated at a local hospital and released late Friday morning. Robbery-Homicide Division assumed responsibility for the investigation and more than twenty detectives were assigned to the investigation.  They worked relentlessly for the next forty-eight hours scouring the crime scene, reviewing evidence and identifying the suspects.  By Saturday evening, detectives had identified and arrested the three suspects who committed robbery inside the Nordstrom’s Rack.  Two additional persons were arrested for their actions after the robbery. Four of the suspects are currently in custody in Los Angeles while a fifth suspect is in the custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department in Phoenix, Arizona. The following individuals have been arrested and are being held in connection with this robbery: Rochelle Monique Sherman, 33-years-old, of Los Angeles for 32 P.C. (Accessory). Her bail is set $100,000 Troy Marsay Hammock, 29-years-old, of Los Angeles for 211 P.C. (Robbery).   He is being held without bail on a parole hold. Everett Oneal Allen, 24-years-old, of Los Angeles for 211 P.C. (Robbery).   His bail is set at $1,080,000. Raymond Sherman, Jr., 34-years-old, of Los Angeles for 211 P.C. (Robbery).   He is being held in Phoenix without bail pending his return to Los Angeles. Paula Roneshia Bradley, 29-years-old, of Los Angeles for 32 P.C. (Accessory).   Her bail is set at $100,000. On Monday, January 14, 2013, detectives will present this case to the Major Crimes Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration. Anyone wishing to report a crime may remain anonymous by calling 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.”  For more information, please call Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

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