LAPD Blog

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics November 2 , 2010

VIOLENT CRIMES                  2010**           2009**          % Chg

Homicide                              237*                258          -8.1%
Rape                                     644                 705          -8.7%
Robbery                               9170              10150          -9.7%
Agg Assaults **                     7826                9029        -13.3%
Total Violent Crimes           17877             20142        -11.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               13951            15157          -8.0%
BTFV                                    22953            23877          -3.9%
Personal/Other Theft            21973            23331          -5.8%
Auto Theft                            13823            14970          -7.7%
Total Property Crimes        72,700          77,335         -6.0%
Total Part I Crimes             90,577          97,477         -7.1%

* 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

Burglar Arrested after 5-month Crime Spree

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police officers arrested David Wiggins, 51, October 27, 2010, after he broke into the Orchard to Orchard floral shop for the second time since August.

“Wiggins’ arrest ended a five-month crime spree, involving nearly two dozen burglaries,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of Central Detective Division.  “When officers booked Wiggins, they noticed he had chemically treated his hands in an apparent attempt to remove his finger and palm prints.”

The spree began in June with burglaries of five floral shops in the Flower Mart.  Police released video footage depicting a middle-aged Black man with a prominent bald spot and receding hair line.  “All he was interested in was the cash left in store registers,” Lt Vernon explained.  “He seemed to drop off the face of the earth after the June crime spree.  We knew he was still around when video captured him inside the Orchard to Orchard floral shop on August 27.”

Then between October 10 and 21, nine more businesses, some parking-lot kiosks, were broken into for the cash left in the tills.  Surveillance video affirmed the man was the same serial burglar from June and August.  

On October 26, officers received a radio call to investigate a break-in at the same Orchard to Orchard floral shop that had been hit in August.  Video again confirmed the burglar was the same man listed in the information flyer.  He had kicked in the back door, leaving the impression of his tennis shoe.  

Just over four hours later, patrol officers saw Wiggins walking on the sidewalk, wearing tennis shoes, matching the serial burglar’s description, and carrying a back pack.  When they stopped him, they quickly established probable cause to arrest him for the series of burglaries.

David Wiggins was booked for commercial burglary and bail was set at $20,000.   

“Wiggins made me a believer in the adage, ‘the crook always returns to the scene of the crime’,” Lt. Vernon added.

Anyone with information on these crimes is urged to call Detective Mike Mazzacano, Central Burglary Unit, at 213-972-1231.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

The video stills are available from Media Relation and Central Detective Division.

Lottery Scammers Targeting the Spanish-Speaking Community

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Foothill Area detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating a group of suspects who are working in pairs to target Spanish-speaking individuals in the San Fernando Valley area communities including Pacoima, Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Sun Valley and Sunland.

During the last few months in 2010, Spanish-speaking con artists were duping unsuspecting victims into a lottery scam with no winning ticket.  The suspects approached a lone person and told the victim that they were in possession of a winning California State Lottery ticket.  They then told the victims that the winners were in the country illegally and couldn’t claim their winning tickets or the lottery required them to give cash or something of value before they could collect their winnings.  The victim is then offered a share of the winnings if he or she presents themselves as the owner of the ticket to the state lottery authority.  Ultimately, the suspects demand something of the value from the victims, preferably cash, as their protection.

The suspects have been so creative as to call a third suspect on the phone who pretends to be a representative from the state lottery office.  The victim was allowed to speak to this person by cell phone to verify the ticket.  Sometimes the conversation on the cell phone is by speakerphone.

The victims drove to their homes and banks to retrieve money and/or jewelry and gave it to the suspects and later found out there was no winning lottery ticket.

Detectives are warning the public to beware of strangers approaching them and claiming to have a winning lottery ticket.

The suspects are identified only as male and female Hispanic ranging in age from mid-twenties to late-forties.

Anyone with information on these suspects or who believes he or she may have been a victim of these scammers is asked to contact LAPD Foothill Area Detectives at 818-834-3142.  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.

Response to Concerns about Jail Staffing

Los Angeles:  Today, a coalition of Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detention officers and their representatives held a news conference to publicize concerns about a plan to use sworn officers to augment the staffing of the new Metropolitan Detention Center.

In March 2002, the people of Los Angeles voted to fund Proposition Q, the Citywide Public Safety Bond Measure that funded the construction of 11 new police facilities and the renovation of 12 existing police stations.  The $85 million Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) remains the only new Proposition Q facility yet to be fully occupied.

In 2003, after years of funding-related delays, the Los Angeles City Council approved the use of Municipal Improvement Corporation of Los Angeles Bonds to fund the replacement of the nearly half-century-old Parker Center.  In late 2009, police personnel assigned to Parker Center and other leased facilities began to occupy the new Police Administration Building.  The most recent personnel move from Parker Center occurred this summer when Property Division personnel occupied a portion of the MDC.  Prior to their move and for many years, Property Division personnel regularly endured leaks of raw sewage due to intentional blocking of jail plumbing by prisoners just one floor overhead.  The plumbing overflow in the jail necessitated an immediate move.

Despite very real health and safety concerns, Parker Center continues to house about 160 employees assigned to Scientific Investigation Division (SID) and 75 detention officers along with 25 sworn personnel assigned to the Metropolitan Jail.  Applicable fire codes dictate that Parker Center must be vacated entirely by January of 2012.  Plans are underway to retrofit space at the Piper Technical Center, 555 Ramirez Street, to house all SID personnel currently assigned to Parker Center.

Staffing shortages in the Detention officer ranks have prevented the opening of the MDC, which has been certified for occupancy since late 2009.  Despite a concerted effort to increase jail staffing, unprecedented budgetary constraints continue to prevent the hiring and training of new detention officers.  Attrition, early retirement incentives, and mandatory furloughs have reduced the detention officer staffing to critically low levels.  Jail staffing has been discussed in the public sessions of the Board of Police Commissioners and the Public Safety Committee of the Los Angeles City Council.  The issue has also been the topic of discussion between the LAPD and the involved employee unions.  All efforts to gain a detention-officer exemption for hiring freezes and mandatory furloughs have failed to win necessary support.  These realities, combined with the fact that the modern design of the MDC is more labor intensive than the old cell-block style jail, necessitated an executive decision by LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.  

Even if there were no new jail to staff, at the current rate of attrition and with a civilian hiring freeze and furloughs, using sworn officers to augment DOs would have become necessary by April of 2011.  Chief Beck said “it is unacceptable to me to have LAPD personnel working in a facility that at best has been described as dilapidated and dangerous, while a modern facility next door remains in mothballs.”

Failure to train jail personnel could leave the City in violation of California minimum jail standards.  Jail experts studied every conceivable option including opening only portions of the MDC and closing smaller station-based jails.  Full or partial privatization of the MDC was also discussed, but was not considered a viable option.  Cost recovery for housing out-of-jurisdiction prisoners was considered, but dismissed as not currently feasible.

Beginning in early November, approximately 30 non-probationary LAPD officers will be selected to attend an 80-hour detention officer course.  The officers will then return to their patrol assignments to complete their standard LAPD 28-day deployment period, after which they will be transferred to Jail Division.

This training cycle will be repeated with additional non-probationary LAPD officers for three consecutive 28-day deployment periods, at which time it is anticipated that there will be an adequate number of sworn officers (83 police officers and 5 sergeants) to augment the current detention officer staffing.    On a strategically selected day in February, all prisoners will be transferred to the MDC and the old jail will be decommissioned.

Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect 15th Anniversary Training Conference

 

Click here for podcast

October 28, 2010- Chief Charlie Beck attended the Los Angeles County Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN) conference held at the Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The goal of this year’s conference was to examine the “Nexus” between child abuse and domestic violence. Some of the topics covered during the conference included Emotional Trauma in the Home and School Setting, Breaking the Cycle of Violence and the Legacy of Intergenerational Gang Issues.

During the conference Chief Beck acknowledged that all of his achievements in life are due to the family support system he received as a child and teenager. His family’s strong support system enabled him to pursue his dreams. Chief Beck thanked ICAN attendees for making a difference in children’s lives by stopping domestic violence and enabling them to also fulfill their dreams.“Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the most important people in our society, our youths, without our youths we don’t have a future, without a future we are nothing.”

The Los Angeles County ICAN serves as the official County agent that coordinates the development of services for the prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse and neglect. ICAN develops strategies to implement programs that improve a community’s ability to meet the needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children.

 

21-Year-Old Critical Missing Person

UPDATE
10-27-10

Earlier today Brenda Moreno was located at a local park in the Van Nuys Area. Moreno is safe and in the care of her family.

 

Los Angeles:  The family of Brenda Bernice Moreno and the Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating, Miss Brenda Bernice Moreno.

Miss Moreno was last seen on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at around 1:30 p.m., in the 6900 block of Lennox Avenue, in Van Nuys.  According to the family, Miss Moreno does not have a sense of direction beyond two miles of her residence.    

The Moreno family is extremely concerned for her welfare.  Miss Moreno is described as a 21-year-old female Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes.  She stands about 5 feet 00 inches tall and weighs around 159 pounds with a medium build, and a fair complexion.  Miss Moreno has mild facial acne.  She was last seen wearing a navy blue sweater, black sweat pants, and white slip-on shoes.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Brenda Bernice Moreno, please contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit Detective Sasso 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 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.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics October 23 , 2010


VIOLENT CRIMES                  2010**           2009**          % Chg

Homicide                              234*                255          -8.2%
Rape                                     624                 689          -9.4%
Robbery                               8951               9906          -9.6%
Agg Assaults **                     7682               8855        -13.2%
Total Violent Crimes           17491             19705        -11.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               13582            14760          -8.0%
BTFV                                    22429            23335          -3.9%
Personal/Other Theft            21392            22792          -6.1%
Auto Theft                            13513            14640          -7.7%
Total Property Crimes        70,916          75,527         -6.1%
Total Part I Crimes             88,407          95,232         -7.2%

* 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

13-Year-Old Girl Missing, Possibly Bound for Detroit, Michigan

***UPDATE***

On Wednesday, October 27, 2010, at about 12:30 p.m., Coraima Alfaro was located in the 14700 block of Blyth Street.  Investigators identified the potential suspect in Detroit, who was subsequently eliminated as a suspect.  It was discovered Alfaro had been staying at various locations throughout the Valley since she was reported missing on Friday. She was found in good condition and reunited with her family.

Los Angeles:  The family of Coraima Alfaro and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are asking for the public’s help to locate Coraima who has been missing since Friday.

On Friday, October 22nd at around 7:30 a.m., Coraima was dropped off at Fulton Middle School, in the
Van Nuys Area of Los Angeles.  Later in the afternoon when school let out, Coraima did not show up for her ride home with her mother.

Recently, Coraima has been upset regarding a possible boyfriend who may live in the Detroit, Michigan area.  She has also made comments to friends that she was trying to find a ride to a bus or train station so she could travel to Michigan to see her boyfriend.  At this point, the boyfriend has not yet been identified however, his first name may be “Angel.”  
 
Coraima Alfaro is described as a female Hispanic, with dark hair that has a reddish tone.  She has brown eyes, stands 5’ 2” high, weighs 120 pounds and is 13-years-old.  She was last seen wearing a school uniform that includes navy blue pants, a blue shirt and a navy blue backpack.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Coraima Alfaro 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 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.

Two-Month-Old Child Taken in Stolen Vehicle

Los Angeles:  On October 25, 2010, at about 8:30 a.m., Hollenbeck Area Patrol Officers were called to the  intersection of Spence Street and Whittier Boulevard where a 2-month-old child was taken in a stolen vehicle.  

The child’s grandfather, who was driving a 2000 Red Ford Expedition, had stopped to pick up a newspaper from the corner newsstand.  He had left the vehicle running with the child in the car.  As he was returning to his vehicle, a 16-year-old female dressed in a high-school uniform entered the vehicle and drove away with the child.

Police, along with the Air Unit, responded and immediately saturated the area in search of the child and vehicle.  Approximately 10 minutes later, the vehicle was located on 6th Street west of Esperanza.  Police took the child into custody, unharmed, and the child was immediately reunited with his family.

The female suspect had left the area. Due to the proximity of the vehicle to a nearby school, Police immediately checked the school, however, were unable to locate a suspect.  The criminal investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Hollenbeck Auto Detective Mullder at 213-224-0106.  During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may 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 key pads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.

Donation Accounts Opened To Assist Family of Joshua Cullins

Van Nuys: In response to the tragic death of LAPD Staff Sergeant Joshua Cullins who was killed recently by a roadside bomb while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment in Afghanistan, Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (LAPFCU) has opened a Donation Account to assist his family.

Interested parties may contribute funds via the following options:

• The public may mail in donations. Checks must be made payable to “Blue Ribbon Trust for Joshua Cullins” and send to:

Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union
Attn: Blue Ribbon Trust for Joshua Cullins
P.O. Box 10188
Van Nuys, CA 91410

• LAPFCU members may donate this account through PATROL online banking at www.lapfcu.org, or by calling 877-MY-LAPFCU (877-695-2732) and pressing 2. Please enter account #2030077 S4.47 followed by BLU (first three letters of the account name).
• You may also visit the Community Corner area of LAPFCU’s website at www.lapfcu.org.
• For additional information, please contact LAPFCU Vice President of Marketing Manny Padilla Jr., at 818-779-3311.