LAPD Blog

Hot Prowl Burglaries in Lincoln Heights

Los Angeles:  On April 26, 2008, between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., a series of burglaries occurred in the Lincoln Heights area.

In each of these incidents, known as “hot prowl” burglaries, because the break-ins occurred while victims were home, the suspect entered the property by removing window screens. Fortunately, no items were stolen because the victims awoke, which startled the suspect and caused him to run away.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic with short, black “buzz-cut” hair. He is 19 to 25 years old and weighs 100 to 150 pounds. He is short to medium in height and was seen wearing a gray sweatshirt with dark pants.

Residents are reminded to be very cautious when leaving windows open and accessible to outside entry, even in hot weather.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Hollenbeck Area detectives at 323-526-3000. During off-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

NOTES FOR THE APRIL 29, 2008 POLICE COMMISSION WEEKLY MEETING

•    Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco joined the LAPD Mental Evaluation Unit and Autism Society of America on April 28, 2008, in providing Metropolitan Division officers training on how to recognize and work productively with individuals with Autism.  This training is part of the LAPD Autism Awareness Program, a collaborative project with the Autism Society of America – Los Angeles.

•    Commissioner Robert Saltzman attended a West Bureau Compstat meeting with Deputy Chief Charlie Beck and Deputy Chief Terry Hara, and was impressed with the detail and the clarity of the information provided.

•    Commissioner Alan Skobin attended the Explorer Academy graduation ceremony.

•    Commissioner Andrea Ordin attended the LAPD Academy Graduation on April 25, 2008.

•    Chief Bratton informed the Commission that the Department is in good shape heading into the May 1st demonstrations and he anticipates a good day for all involved.

•    The verbal presentation and update from the City Domestic Violence Task Force, relative to their current and future activities as discussed by Commander Patrick Gannon, was accepted.

•    The verbal presentation and update from the Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) regarding community initiated problem solving, crime strategies, and other programs and goals within the North Hollywood Area was continued.

•    The verbal presentation by the Office of the Mayor and the Department, relative to the Mayor’s proposed fiscal year 2008-2009 budget for the Department as presented by Deputy Mayor Arif Alikhan was received and clearly reflects the City’s commitment to public safety.  The budget calls for the hiring of 780 new police officers each year, as well as maintaining the class sizes of new recruits.  In addition, 400,000 hours of overtime, which Deputy Mayor Alikhan stated was critical to combating crime, has been added to the 2008-2009 fiscal year budget, as well as the much-needed installation of in-car video equipment.      

•    The Department’s report dated April 14, 2008, in response to a Board query, relative to the Photo Red Light Program, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 23, 2008, in response to Board query, relative to the 2007 K-9 Platoon Annual Summary Report, was approved.

•    The Department’s report dated April 17, 2008, relative to the Annual Complaint Report for 2007 in accordance with Paragraph 130 of the Consent Decree, as provided by Commander Richard Webb was approved.  Commander Webb reported an investigation of 320 complaints was conducted and no incidents of racial profiling were confirmed.  Commissioner Mack and Commissioner Saltzman questioned the report’s findings.  In order to confirm the report’s accuracy, Chief Bratton stated that his office would conduct a survey on complaint findings from the 10 largest police departments in the nation to use as comparison. Chief Bratton believes the numbers are not much different around the country.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 3, 2008, relative to compliance with Audit Division’s recommendations for the Warrant Applications and Supporting Affidavits Audit, Third Quarter, Fiscal Year 2003/2004 - Recommendation Item No. 2, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 4, 2008, relative to compliance with Audit Division’s recommendations for the Arrest, Booking, and Charging Reports Audit - Recommendation Item No. AD 01, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 3, 2008, relative to compliance with Audit Division’s recommendations for the Non-Categorical Use of Force Investigations Audit Report, 4th Quarter, 2006/07 - Recommendation Item No. AD 01, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 3, 2008, relative to compliance with Inspector General’s recommendations for the Inspector General’s Complaint Investigations Audit, - Recommendations 1, 2-A, B and D, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 9, 2008, relative to compliance with Audit Division’s recommendations for the Non-Categorical Use of Force Reports Audit - Recommendation Item No. 01, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 9, 2008, relative to compliance with the Inspector General’s recommendations for the Discipline Report, Second Quarter, 2005 - Recommendation Item No. IG-01, was pulled.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 11, 2008, in response to Board query, relative to personal purchase of Department approved tasers, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 17, 2008, relative to a request for information: Recapitulation of Warrants Authored and Firearms Seized by the Gang Impact Teams, First Quarter 2008, was accepted.

•    The Department’s report, dated February 8, 2008, and Office of the Inspector General’s report dated April 25, 2008, relative to the Quarterly Discipline Report, Fourth Quarter 2007, pursuant to the Annual Audit Plan, was approved.

Missing Person -- Roxana Romero

Los Angeles: Family members and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the publics help in locating a woman missing for over a week.

Detectives said that Roxana Romero left from work at California Hospital on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at around 7:00 p.m. She phoned her relatives to tell them that she had to work the next day, but would be in touch with them on Sunday.

Romero’s boyfriend of eight years told investigators that Romero returned to their home in the 700 block of North Edgemont Street in Los Angeles, after getting off work Saturday night, April 19, 2008. Romero left that same evening at around 9:00 p.m., saying she was going to a club with some of her co-workers. Romero did not leave in her car and it is unknown who she may have left with.

Romero is described as a twenty-eight-year-old female Hispanic, 5’02”, 130 lbs., with blond hair and brown eyes. Romero’s family said the she was in good mental and physical condition.

Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD Missing Persons Unit, Detectives Bruce Kuehl or Ralph Bassett at 213-485-5381. During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics April 26, 2008

VIOLENT CRIMES               2008**          2007**       % Chg

Homicide                            132                119            10.9%
Rape                                   231                265          -12.8%
Robbery                             3986               4255           -6.3%
Agg Assaults **                   3794               3861           -1.7%
Total Violent Crimes         8143              8500           -4.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                5932              6173           -3.9%
BTFV                                    9413             10208           -7.8%
Personal/Other Theft            8058               8684           -7.2%
Auto Theft                            6880              7638           -9.9%
Total Property Crimes      30,283            32703          -7.4%
Total Part I Crimes           38,426           41,203          -6.7%

Shooting Kills Two, Injuring Three Onlookers in the Process

Los Angeles:  A gunman shot and killed two people as they sat in their car Sunday night, and shot and wounded three others who were sitting on a nearby porch.

On April 27, 2008, at about 10:45 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a “shots fired” radio call at 48th Street and Wall Street. When the officers arrived at the location they found three female victims suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. 

Officers were directed to a car parked at the curb a short distance away.   There they discovered two additional gunshot victims inside.  Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics pronounced Brenda Aguilera, 21-years of age, dead at scene.  Jonathan Plascencia, 20-years-old, was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.

Detectives believe that the shooter walked up to the car that Aguilera and Plascencia were seated in and shot both of them.  As the suspect was running from the scene he began firing rounds at the three victims sitting nearby.  Witnesses told police that the suspect, described only as a male Hispanic, left the area in a green van.

It is unknown if the shooting was gang related, and there is no known motive at this time.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Newton Area Detectives Julio Benavides or Johnny Villa at 323-846-5363.  On weekends, holidays, and after hours, please call the toll free, 24-hour detective desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Man Found Dead Hours After Shots Heard

Los Angeles:  A 39-year-old man was found shot to death in front of an apartment complex early Sunday morning.

On April 27, 2008, at around 8:45 a.m. a resident from the apartment complex located in the 7800 block of South Figueroa Street, came out of his apartment and discovered Gouram Wallace Jr. lying at the bottom of the stairs.  The resident immediately called for paramedics.

LA City Fire Paramedics found that Wallace had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at scene.  During the initial investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department it was discovered that several residents in the area had heard gunshots at around 2:00 a.m., but no one called the police or fire department..

Detectives have not determined a motive for this shooting, and there is no information about the suspect(s).  No murder weapon was found.

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Bureau Homicide Detectives Eric Crosson or Roger Guzman at 213-485-1383.  During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Man Killed in Hollywood amid Gang Violence

Los Angeles: A 21-year-old man walking home with food in his hand was shot to death last night in Hollywood.

At around 11:20 p.m., police were called to investigate a shooting in the area of Melrose Avenue and Hobart Boulevard.  When they got there, they found the lifeless body of Oscar Antonio Escobar, a resident of Hollywood, lying in the street, suffering from a bullet wound.

Paramedics rushed the victim to the University of Southern California Hospital where he died an hour later.

According to investigators, Escobar was on his way home from picking up food for his family at a local restaurant when two men confronted and opened fire on him.  Both suspects drove off in a dark colored unknown type vehicle.

The suspects are only described as Hispanic gang members in their early to mid twenties.

Detectives said Escobar was not a gang member and are unclear what prompt the shooting. 

Escobar was married with three children.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact Hollywood Homicide Detectives Rolando Rodriguez or Larry Cameron at 213-972-2910/2913.  During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Police Use Flashlight to Subdue Suspect

Los Angeles: On April 19, 2008, at around 4:00 a.m., patrol officers were dispatched to a radio call to investigate a group of burglary suspects at the Whole Food for Life Market at 3070 Los Feliz Boulevard.

When police arrived, they saw four suspects on the roof of the market and established a perimeter to contain the group. After police ordered the group down, one adult and two juveniles climbed down and were immediately taken into custody without incident. The remaining juvenile, a 14-year-old male climbed down moments later.

Sergeant Richard Rakitis, 28 years, and 2 months with the Department, placed his hands on the 14-year-old juvenile to take him into custody. The teen suddenly became combative and turned towards Rakitis. Rakitis attempted to grab the juvenile and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the teen was hit above the eyebrow with a flashlight.

The juvenile suffered a bruise to his eyebrow and was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released.

The investigation revealed the suspects had trespassed to gain access to a rooftop to spray paint graffiti on an adjacent billboard. All four were booked for felony vandalism.

Force Investigation Division will be handling the incident. 

Officer Involved Shooting Kills Dog

Los Angeles: A dog was shot on April 9, 2008, at 8:15 p.m., when LAPD officers from the 77th Street Area responded to a radio call in the 5500 block of South Western Avenue because of loud noises and a possible traffic collision.

At the scene, as officers began their investigation, a dog charged Officer Miguel Gutierrez, who has 5.5 years with the Department. Gutierrez was forced to shoot the animal, resulting in its death. There were no arrests during the incident.

LAPD KOSTing this weekend

Tune in this Sunday, April 27, 2008, and listen to Officer Joe Marrone, Youth Programs Unit, as he will be a guest on Clear Channel’s 30 minute public affairs show, “Sunday Journal.”  Hosted by KOST 103.5 FM weekday afternoon radio personality Christine Martindale, Officer Marrone will discuss the Los Angeles Police Explorer Program.  Joining them in the discussion are Explorer Commander Eduardo Vega, Explorer Captain Deshawn Green, and Explorer Sergeant Jonas Hernandez.  The show will air on KOST 103.5FM at 6:00 a.m. and will also air on sister station MY-FM 104.3FM at 11:30 p.m.

Established in 1962, the Los Angeles Police Explorer Program provides special training to youth who are preparing for a career in law enforcement.  The successful mentoring program assists recruits in becoming better citizens in their community, while fostering positive relationships between police and youth.  For more information,  click on Explorer Program for requirements.