LAPD Blog

Commercial Burglary Suspects Captured on Tape

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Major Crimes Division, is asking for the public's help in identifying commercial burglary suspects whose images were captured on surveillance video committing burglaries at hotels in the Los Angeles area.   Investigators have discovered that two to three suspects enter hotels between the hours of 8am and 11am, in either the lobby or dining area. One of the suspects creates a distraction with the victims while an additional suspect takes the victim's property and flees the locations in a getaway vehicle.  The suspects may have committed other burglaries in the South Bay Area. The suspects are described as male and female Hispanics in their late 30's to early 40's. Anyone with information on this crime or the suspects is urged to call Detective Carlos Llamas at (213) 486-7367 or, Major Crimes Division/Criminal Investigation Section at (213) 486-7220.  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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Class 12-12 Recruit Graduation

Click here for Podcast

May 17, 2013 – On the athletic field at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park, the newest members of the Department proudly stood at attention as they were presented with their diploma of graduation.  Thirty-nine individuals underwent six months of intense training which culminated with today’s ceremony in front of Department command staff, dignitaries and their family and friends.

This was Mayor Villaraigosa’s last recruit graduation before he leaves office.  When he came into office July 1, 2005, his goal was to get the LAPD to over 10,000 police officers.  Today the number of police officers hovers around that amount, but fluctuates based on attrition, mostly due to retirement.

As of May 15, 2013, 4,075 officers have been hired during Mayor Villaraigosa's administration. This represents a total of 79 recruit classes. However, one more class will begin on June 17th. That final class will be between 25 and 50 officers.

There is little down time for these new officers as many of them will begin their new assignments on the street of Los Angeles within the next 36 hours.  For more information on how you can become a Los Angeles Police officer, please visit www.joinlapd.com.

 

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Brings Together District Attorneys, Law Enforcement to Combat Gun Violence

podcast of Chief Beck's remarks

LOS ANGELES -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today convened a Leadership Group of the state's
district attorneys to collectively develop smart and practical recommendations to reduce gun violence
through enforcement of existing laws and prevention efforts.

"Gun violence continues to be a distressing and persistent problem in the United States, but California is
leading the nation in smart, common-sense gun policies designed to protect our communities," said Attorney
General Harris. "Working together, law enforcement and our state's district attorneys can make a difference
by improving enforcement and increasing prevention to help keep all Californians safe from gun violence."
At the meeting, district attorneys discussed current programs that effectively reduce gun violence and how to
better enforce current gun laws. The Leadership Group will prepare a report of best practices that will serve
as models for law enforcement in other communities to adopt and as models for potential legislative reform.
Attorney General Harris discussed the importance of the Armed Prohibited Persons System (APPS) which
takes guns out of the hands of those prohibited from owning them.

"The APPS program is unique to California and it is simple common-sense that prohibited persons should
not possess firearms in violation of the law," Attorney General Harris said. "The Department of Justice will
be increasing the number of agents conducting these smart and effective operations."
Earlier this month, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 140, which gives $24 million to the
APPS program. With the funds, the Attorney General will hire 36 additional agents. The Department of
Justice will be able to increase enforcement operations statewide, including in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Sacramento, Fresno and Riverside.

California is the only state with a program like APPS, which identifies people who previously purchased one
or more guns, but are later prohibited from owning them. A person becomes prohibited if he or she is
convicted of a felony or a violent misdemeanor, is placed under a domestic violence restraining order or is
determined to be mentally unstable.

Over the last two years, DOJ agents have investigated nearly 4,000 people and seized nearly 4,000 weapons,
including nearly 2,000 handguns and more than 300 assault weapons. In the first four months of 2013, agents
have collected 461 firearms and 23,080 rounds of ammunition statewide and collected 84 firearms and 9,482
rounds in the Los Angeles area.

 

LAPD Open House Mission Police Station

Los Angeles:  The LAPD Mission Division on Saturday, May 18, 2013, will open its doors a little more than usual. The public will be free to tour the police station, view displays, and hear remarks by local police and government officials, between 10 AM and 3 PM. The station is located at 11121 N. Sepulveda Blvd. “There’s something for everyone here on Saturday,” said Capt. Todd Chamberlain, commanding officer of the Mission Area Police Station.  “We’d like everyone to feel the police station is part of the neighborhood. Opening the doors lets us remove some of the mystery of government.” There will be face painting, an inflated bouncer, and fingerprinting for children. See the bomb squad, motorcycle officers, the Hazmat unit, and a K-9 with its human partner. Police helicopters will perform a fly-over of the station. Food and entertainment will be on hand. Officers will give guided tours of the station between 10 AM and 2 PM. Learn how to become a volunteer at the police station. Meet police cadets and get information about the youth Cadet program for kids. Local government officials will give remarks starting at 1130 AM. Captain Todd Chamberlain, commanding officer of the Mission Police Station LAPD Commander Sharon Papa City Attorney Carmen Trutanich LA County Supervisor Zev Yaraslosky State Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra For more information on the Open House, call Sergeant Adrian Torres at (818) 838-9856.

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Resident Awakens and Finds Female Suspect Stealing Property from Her Apartment

Los Angeles:  On May 8, 2013, at 9:30 a.m., a female suspect entered an apartment through an unlocked door in the 5800 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood. The resident of the apartment was sleeping at the time the suspect was stealing property from her apartment.  When the tenant woke up, she confronted the suspect who starting fighting with her. Due to the physical altercation, the burglary then escalated to a robbery. The female suspect left the apartment with numerous stolen items including multiple credit cards. Later that day the suspect used the victim’s credit cards at numerous locations in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley. North Hollywood Division Robbery Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the female suspect.  She is described as a female, Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes.  She stands 5’05” tall and weighs 130 pounds.  In addition it is estimated that she is between 18-20 years old. Anyone with information is asked to call North Hollywood Division Robbery Detectives Hammer and Mahoney at (818) 623-4061.  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 www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

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Suspects Attempt to Lure Young Girls into Cars

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Northeast Area Detectives are asking for the public’s help in their investigati LAPD Northeast Area Detective II Mark Raichel at (213) 344-5741.on of cases occurring in the Cypress Park area where suspects are attempting to lure female victims into cars. There have been four separate cases that have occurred since October 2012.  Two of those cases involved the same victim.  In each case, the suspect, who remained seated inside his vehicle, pulled alongside the victim while they were walking by themselves and offered them a ride.  Each time, the victims refused to go with the suspect and fled to a safe area.  In each incident, the suspect has only engaged in verbal contact with the victims. It is unknown if there is one or more than one suspect involved.  Two composites have been completed.  The suspect(s) description is as follows: a 30- to 45-year-old Hispanic male, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall.  The first composite sketch depicts the suspect wearing a dark baseball cap with short dark hair and a light mustache with a possible goatee.  The second composite depicts the suspect as bald, wearing small earrings and a chain around his neck. The suspect has been seen driving a light-colored, 2007 to 2011 four-door Honda Accord with possible paper plates.  An additional vehicle has been described as a dark-green, 2007 to 2010 four-door Toyota Camry. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact LAPD Northeast Area Detective II Mark Raichel at (213) 344-5741..  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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Operation Progress

click to hear the Chief's comments

May 16, 2013 - LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, City Councilmember Joe Buscaino, Captain Phillip Tingerides and officers from the LAPD Southeast Area joined Rick J. Caruso, founder and CEO of Caruso Affiliated as he presented a check for $25,000 to Operation Progress. Operation Progress is an organization located in the heart of Watts that provides scholarships for students in elementary through high school and the opportunities to succeed academically and personally. 

That’s Not Santa!

Los Angeles:  Firefighters and police officers rescued a man stuck in the chimney of the Sylmar Recreation Center overnight after the would-be Santa called 9-1-1 for help. “This guy could take some lessons from Santa Claus,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of detectives for the Mission Police Station.  “Namely, abstain from drink before climbing down chimneys and keep better track of the calendar; there’s still 225 days until Christmas.” Sylmar resident, Cuauhtli Castillo Lujano, 27, told police that he “fell” into the chimney after he climbed onto the roof.  He said that he had been jumping from roof to roof of buildings because “that’s what people do.” Officers could smell a heavy odor of alcohol on the man’s breath. After determining the man had no prior criminal record, and seeing that he had not entered the building proper, officers booked him for trespass of the closed public building, which sits on the grounds of Sylmar Park on Borden Avenue.  His bail was set at $2,500. “We suspect his intent was to get into the building, probably to steal something, but we couldn’t prove that,” Lt. Vernon explained.  “But we’ll look into his activities and use his fingerprints now to see if there’s any local burglaries we can clear.  Who knows?  Maybe he gave us an early Christmas present after all.” Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call LAPD Mission Area detectives, at (818) 838-9967. 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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Silver Lake Street Robberies; Victims Robbed near Lake While Jogging

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Northeast Division robbery detectives are investigating what may be a series of robberies occurring in the immediate area of the neighborhood surrounding the Silver Lake Reservoir. The first robbery happened last week on April 29 around 9:20 p.m. near Silver Lake Boulevard and Armstrong Avenue when two suspects approached a jogger and demanded his property.  When the victim refused, one of the suspects displayed a handgun in his waistband. Fearing for his life, the victim surrendered his property, after which the suspects ran to an awaiting vehicle and drove away. A second robbery occurred earlier this week on May 6 around 8 p.m. near Silver Lake Boulevard and Hawick Street.  This time, three suspects approached a jogger from behind and tackled him.  After taking the victim’s property, the suspects drove away in a nearby vehicle. The suspects are described as 18- to 20-year-old Hispanic males who are 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall. Their vehicles are described as a tan or silver 1998-2000, Toyota 4-door Square back with tinted windows or a silver colored 1999-2002, 4-door Honda Accord. The men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department remind members of the community to walk/jog with a partner during daylight hours and to be mindful of their surroundings.  Should you see someone matching the description of the suspects, do not approach, call 9-1-1 and leave the area immediately.  The two men wanted for these crimes should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding these crimes is asked to call Northeast Division robbery Detective Governo at (323) 344-5751. 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 www.LAPDOnline.org click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

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Employee Shot and Killed During Wireless Store Robbery

Los Angeles: On Friday, May 10, 2013, around 1:00 p.m., employees of a wireless store, located in the 15200 block of Saticoy Street arrived to work, but were unable to enter the wireless store.  Family members of the manager and the police were called and arrived to the business at the same time.  Officers from Van Nuys Division forced entry into the location and found 33-year-old Kenny Jermaine Fulks in the rear office of the business dead from a gunshot wound.  Detectives determined that the victim was last seen around midnight on May 9th. Detectives are currently reviewing security footage from neighboring businesses and are processing physical evidence from the scene.  It appears that Victim Fulks was killed during a robbery. Anyone with information is asked to contact Van Nuys Homicide Detectives at (818) 374-0040. 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 www.LAPDOnline.org click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

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