LAPD Blog

Officers Clear City Hall Lawn of ‘Occupy LA’ Protesters

Los Angeles: An early morning combined Los Angeles Police Department, Department of General Services Police Department (DGSPD), and Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) operation has cleared out the Occupy LA (OLA) encampment on the grounds of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles.  The encampment began on October 1, 2011, and ended today.   

The police operation utilized approximately 1400 officers, resulting in 292 people arrested during the course of the night.  There were three minor incidents of LAPD officers using force to take suspects who were resisting arrest.  There were no serious injuries to officers or arrestees.

The LAPD and the entire City family reached out to the Occupy LA community from the very first day of the protest.  The goal was to ensure that First Amendment rights were upheld, and the Occupy LA protesters and the rest of the community were kept safe.

The LAPD and the City have worked with the occupiers to ensure they could protest safely.  They have protested in a generally nonviolent manner throughout the past two months.   The City family has said from the beginning that the City Hall location is not sustainable.  Public safety and security at a long-term encampment were an ongoing concern.  Additionally, the City Hall property has been used as a First Amendment area for all residents of our City, and will to be open to all groups again.  

Earlier today, a press conference was held during which Mayor Antonio Villariagosa and Chief Charlie Beck praised the involved LAPD, DGSPD and LAFD personnel for their patience, professionalism and compassion during this operation.

Since Wednesday of last week, OLA has known that the end of the encampment was near.  Signs were posted on Thursday, November 24, and hundreds of flyers were distributed the following Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  Outreach workers have been working with OLA to address social service needs of the people occupying the grounds at City Hall.  

Yesterday, the LAPD made loudspeaker announcements throughout the day and all protesters had notice that the park was closed. The clearing of the park this morning came as no surprise.  All the participants at OLA had a choice to make.  Many of the OLA members decided to move on and continue their protest in another manner.

The closure is not meant to stop or interfere with First Amendment expression by OLA or any other person.  The Mayor has assured that the Spring Street steps on the west side of City Hall will continue to be a place for peaceful protest and public demonstrations.

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has also been actively involved in this operation.  All individuals arrested were taken into custody and are being held in lieu of $5000 bail.

For more information please contact the LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

No Police Commission Meeting Notes for November 29, 2011

Chief’s Message December 2011

As the calendar turns to December and the end of the year draws upon us, I want to thank you for all of your hard work throughout the year.  I know you hear me say it a lot but I feel as though I can’t say it enough.  It seems as though every year you manage to build upon our successes and achieve results of historic proportions and for that the City owes you a debt of gratitude.  

This year was nothing short of outstanding.  We are projected to have a 5% decrease in total Part I crime for the year, a tremendous accomplishment.  As the City continues to struggle with financial issues you have stayed on course and made a difference.   

This was also a year of firsts.  We experienced the promotion of Regina Scott from the rank of Captain to the rank of Commander.  She becomes the first African-American female promoted to that rank and she certainly won’t be the last.  We also held the very first Purple Heart Ceremony honoring our heroic officers, past and present, which have been killed or wounded in the line of duty.  This was an award that was long overdue. These firsts were groundbreaking for this organization and are something we should be quite proud of.

The holiday season is all about giving and I also want to let you know how much I appreciate what all the divisions do for those less fortunate in our communities.  Whether it’s Rampart’s benefit for blind children or Southeast’s toy giveaway, every division does something which spreads holiday cheer to those who might need it most.  It makes me proud to see you put just as much emphasis on the “serving” as we do the “protecting”.

In keeping with the spirit of giving there is one way you can give to each other that can be invaluable to those who need it most; by contributing to the Catastrophic Illness fund.  The Catastrophic Illness fund is a special fund which is available to those officers who have experienced a major illness or injury and have exhausted all of their benefits.  This fund is made possible by the generous donation of TO or vacation time by sworn members of our Department.  

Donating time is easy. Simply go to the Department LAN and click on LAPD Forms. Type in “Catastrophic Illness” and the donation form will come up.  Complete the form and submit it to FOD.  There is no limit to the number of hours you can give and you can donate at any time.

I have seen firsthand how this program has given our officers more paid time off to heal.  What better gift than to give a brother or sister in need the gift of peace of mind. Please consider it.

Throughout this past year the LAPD has been successful because of the tremendous support and cooperation we get from our City family.  This year we want to specially recognize the following people who went far beyond the call of duty to help the Department accomplish our missions.  Whether it’s planning for Carmageddon and keeping traffic flowing, fighting to help us maintain our budget, defending our officers against lawsuits or spearheading our gang intervention programs,we want to send a special thanks to the following members of our extended City family:

• Deputy Mayor Ilene Decker - Office of the Mayor
• Supervising Attorney Cory Brente - City Attorney
• Transportation Engineer Aram Sahakian - Department of Transportation
• Director GuillermoCespedes - Office of the Mayor, Gang Reduction and Youth Development

As you gather to spend time with your family and friends during the holidays, please keep in your thoughts your brothers and sisters who will be working during this time.  We are a 24/7 operation and not everyone will be able to spend time with their loved ones.  Some of our PSR’s, detectives, records clerks, patrol officers and many others will be spending the holidays away from their loved ones, serving their community and for that we are grateful.

Please keep in your thoughts and prayers our officers currently serving on active duty in the military.  Keep them close to your heart, as we look forward to their safe return:

• Police Officer III Christine Bulicz        Serial No. 34690    U.S. Air Force
• Police Officer II Jonathan Chandler    Serial No. 38434    U.S. Navy
• Police Officer II Terrence Collins       Serial No. 38318    U.S. Army
• Police Officer II Renee Escobedo      Serial No. 34922    U.S. Army
• Police Officer III Richard Gadsby      Serial No. 31981    U.S. Army
• Sergeant I Billy Gilbert                    Serial No. 31491    U.S. Army
• Police Officer II Edward Hewitt        Serial No. 39644    U.S. Army
• Police Officer II Mario Jacinto          Serial No. 36322    U.S. Army
• Sergeant II Michael Johnson            Serial No. 31570    U.S. Air Force
• Police Officer II August Lopez          Serial No. 38285    U.S. Army
• Police Officer II Kevin Marshall        Serial No. 38399    U.S. Army
• Sergeant II Jose Martinez               Serial No. 32879    U.S. Army
• Police Officer II Rigoberto Torres    Serial No. 39788    U.S. Army
• Police Officer III Brandon Valdez     Serial No. 36464    U.S. Marines
• Police Officer II Jason Valles            Serial No. 38022    U.S. Army
• Police Officer II Ruben Vargas         Serial No. 38825    U.S. Marines
• Police Officer II Roy Yoo                Serial No. 39248    U.S Army
• Police Officer II James Zourek        Serial No. 34445    U.S. Marines

Finally we must never forget the active, former or retired sworn and civilian members of our Department we lost this past year.  Their loss leaves a permanent void in the heart of our organization:

• Captain III William “Bill” Eaton, Serial No. 26957, EOW 1/13/11
• Retired Sergeant Audrey L. Melane, Serial No. 3266, EOW 1/15/11
• Retired Investigator III Roland E. Phillips, Serial No. 6089, EOW 1/25/11
• Retired Police Officer III Lester Vargas, Serial No. 24565, EOW 2/6/11
• Retired Sergeant Gerald “Jerry” Moon, Serial No. 6262, EOW 2/9/11
• Police Officer II Frank Nicholas Hernandez, Serial No. 30889, EOW 2/18/11

• Detention Officer Dilys W. Sandy, Serial No. V9415, EOW 4/2/11
• Retired Sergeant I Scott Timothy Slinkard, Serial No. 21640, EOW 4/22/11
• Police Officer II Jose C. Diance, Serial No. 40316, EOW 4/23/11
• Retired Police Officer III Gerald Allen Jones, Serial No. 11635, EOW 4/27/11

• Retired Detective III John Wesley Hunter, Serial No. 14303, EOW 5/3/11
• Specialist Reserve Police Officer Royce Flowers, Serial No. R2813, EOW 5/5/11
• Retired Police Investigator III Raymond J. Blackwell Jr., Serial No. 6318, EOW 5/7/11
• Retired Sergeant II John “Jack” Lambert Sommers Jr., Serial No. 17769, EOW 5/8/11
• Retired Investigator III Arthur C. Fuentes, Serial No. 3947, EOW 5/9/11
• Sr. Police Service Representative I April Christine Hoff, Serial No. V8498, EOW 5/27/11

• Senior Clerk Typist Adrien Yvette Shields, Serial No. G8637, EOW 6/10/11
• Retired Lieutenant II Wayne Walter Mackley, Serial No. 10258, EOW 6/18/11

• Retired Police Officer Charles Clinton Wright, Serial No. 16550, EOW 7/10/11
• Retired Police Officer II Dennis George Farnham, Serial No. 15186, EOW 7/16/11
• Retired Police Officer II+6 Charles “Chuck” D. Perriguey, Serial No. 17318, EOW 7/16/11
• Former Police Officer II Barry A. Wojciechowski, Serial No. 26616, EOW 7/23/11
• Retired Police Investigator II John Raymond Petersen, Serial No. 5020, EOW 7/26/11
• Retired Detective II Virginio “Val” Santiago, Serial No. 15591, EOW 7/26/11
• Retired Police Officer III Stephen L. Beidle, Serial No. 17776, EOW 7/29/11

• Retired Lieutenant David Wheeler, Serial No. 7776, EOW 8/7/11
• Retired Police Officer III James Leonard Gleason, Serial No. 7451, EOW 8/8/11
• Retired Police Woman Investigator II Nan Lou Allomong, Serial No. 5997, EOW 8/12/11

• Detective II Jesus “Jesse” Ravega, Serial No. 25151, EOW 9/2/11
• Retired Detective III Felix P. Estrada, Serial No. 12124, EOW 9/3/11
• Retired Police Investigator III Stephen D. Broadhurst, Serial No. 3335, EOW 9/4/11
• Retired Sergeant I Dale Barton Bootow, Serial No. 7894, EOW 9/8/11
• Detective II Yolanda Echols, Serial No. 26115, EOW 09/08/11
• Police Officer Chris David Eilers, Serial No. 38274, EOW 9/12/11
• Retired Detective III James A. Pitman, Serial No. 7248, EOW 9/30/11

• Retired Captain III Holbert Dodson “Bob” Burns, Serial No. 3344, EOW 10/7/11
• Retired Police Officer III Richard Laitres, Serial No. 15778, EOW 10/8/11
• Retired Sergeant Fredrick Smith, Serial No. 6181, EOW 10/12/11
• Retired Police Investigator III John Allen Olsen, Serial No. 5139, EOW 10/16/11

Have a wonderful holiday season and I look forward to serving alongside you in 2012.  
Take care and be safe,
Charlie

Local Teacher Arrested for Inappropriate Sexual Relationship with Students

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Harbor Division detectives are seeking to identify any additional victims of 36-year-old Anthony “Tony” Angellano of Wilmington.   Angellano was arrested on Monday, November 28, 2011, for multiple counts related to sexual misconduct with victims under 18 years old.

In August 2011, a former female student at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School reported that while she was a 16 or 17 year-old junior in 2006, her dance instructor, Angellano, engaged in an improper sexual relationship with her that lasted her junior and senior year.  At the time of the relationship, Angellano was 31 years old.  

Detectives from Harbor Area began an investigation into this matter, which involved several interviews of current and former students.  The investigation identified a second victim who attended Peninsula High School in 2000 and. At that time she also was a student in Angellano’s dance class.  The current students of Angellano’s classes were also interviewed and, to date, no additional victims have been identified.  

On October 24, 2011, Harbor Area Detectives met with the principle of and the superintendant of Peninsula High School.  Afterwards, Angellano was removed from the classroom and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.  On November 15, 2011, the information was presented to the District Attorney’s office, and five criminal counts of oral copulation and one count of digital penetration were filed.  

On November 28, 2011, Angellano was arrested by Harbor Area detectives and transported to 77th Street Regional Jail where he was booked.  His bail is set at $350,000.

Anthony Angellano stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 125 pounds and wears his hair short.  Detectives investigating the case believe there may be additional victims.  

Anyone with information about this case or any unreported cases is asked to call LAPD Harbor Area Detective Geary at 310-726-7915 or Detective Gasparian at 310-726-7916.  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.

Riverside County Bank Robbery Suspect Sought

Los Angeles: Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Indio Station, have requested the LAPD’s help in locating bank robbery suspect, Tyson Kohut, a 37-year-old man from Los Angeles.

On Wednesday, November 23, 2011, around 4:45 p.m., Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Indio Station, responded to a report of a robbery in the 39000 block of Washington Street, in the unincorporated area of Riverside County.  The suspect presented the bank employee with a demand note, but no weapon was seen or simulated during the robbery.

The suspect is described as a male White, 6 feet two inches tall, 35-45 years of age, with a prominent nose, wearing a light blue polo shirt with a dark blue collar, a black long-sleeved undershirt, and black pants with a blue Dodger’s baseball cap and black sunglasses.  During the follow up investigation, the suspect was positively identified as Tyson Kohut.

Kohut has most recently been living in Thousand Palms, but could still be in the Los Angeles area.  Kohut is also known to frequent local casinos.

Anyone with information about this crime, or Kohut’s whereabouts, is asked to contact Investigators Matt Diaz or David Eichelt at the Indio Sheriff’s Station at 760-863-8990, or email them at [email protected].

LAPD Creates Text Message System To Communicate With Occupy LA

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department has created a special text messaging system in an effort to communicate more efficiently with members of the Occupy LA participants.

On Wednesday, November 23rd, the Los Angeles Police Department enhanced its capability to communicate more efficiently with members of the Occupy LA movement through text messaging.  Beginning November 23rd, anyone wishing to receive messages from the LAPD regarding Occupy LA information can do so through text messaging and e-mail.

To access the LAPD Occupy LA message system, simply text the key phrase “OLA999” to the number “888777” on any text capable telephone.  This will register you with the system and you will receive an auto-response that states “You are now signed up for the LAPD Occupy LA Information Messaging System”.

The LAPD has created this messaging system as a means of improving their ability to communicate important information to the members of the Occupy LA movement and the general public.  The Department is committed to providing information to the public and the Occupy LA participants and this text messaging system will now expand that capability.

Questions regarding this text messaging system can be directed to LAPD Media Relations at 213-486-5910.

Notes from the November 22, 2011 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman attended the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Forum held last Thursday.  He said there were other agencies in attendance including the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Unified School Police and LAX police.  Commissioner Saltzman said the outreach to the LGBT community has been really good and he commended the Department for their work.  He added he attended the 4th Police Cadet graduation held at the Galen Center with Police Chief Charlie Beck, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and California Attorney General Kamala Harris.

• Police Commissioner Alan Skobin said he participated in a community meeting in Reseda regarding bullying.  He said bullying is an under-reported issue which affects many school children in many communities.

• Police Chief Charlie Beck thanked Commissioner Saltzman for attending the LGBT Forum last week.  He also said attending the Police Cadet graduation was a moving experience.  Three-hundred cadets graduated and he commended Assistant Chief Paysinger and his staff for their commitment to the program.  Chief Beck also stated the passing of Father Maurice Chase (Father Dollar Bill) was a sad loss.  Chief Beck had worked with Father Chase from his days as Captain of Central Division and added he was a strong piece of Los Angeles that he will miss.

• The Executive Director’s report, dated November 15, 2011, relative to the official police garage towing and storage rates for 2012, was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated November 10, 2011, relative to the supplemental police account third quarterly report (July through September 2011), was approved and transmitted to the City Council and City Controller.

• The Department’s report, dated June 15, 2011 and Inspector General’s report, dated March 23, 2011, relative to the Ethics Enforcement Section quarterly report, first quarter 2011, was approved.

Feeding the homeless

Wednesday November 23, 2011 – This morning staff and volunteers of the Los Angeles Mission have been hard at work with final cooking and food preparations, setting up tents, chairs and tables  as they prepare for one of their biggest events of the year. Later today Chief Charlie Beck, alongside Hollywood celebrities and elected officials, will again be serving plates of food for the thousands of homeless people - men, women, and children who live in Skid Row.

Smash and Grab Robbery at a Large Department Store in the Baldwin Hills Area of Los Angeles

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Southwest Detectives are investigating a robbery at a large department store in the Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles.

On November 21, 2011, around 8:45 p.m., four male Black suspects entered a large department store in the 4000 block of Crenshaw Boulevard and used a hammer to smash jewelry display cases. Two of the suspects then attempted to grab jewelry from inside of the cases. The suspects were confronted by a loss prevention officer who attempted to detain the suspects.

A struggle ensued between the suspects and the loss prevention officer. One of the suspects was detained and subsequently arrested by responding LAPD officers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Southwest Detectives, Robbery Section, at 213-485-6571.  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.

Two Pedestrians Struck by Car - One dead and another critically injured

Los Angeles: LAPD West Traffic Division (WTD) detectives are looking for witnesses to a traffic accident in which two pedestrians walking in a crosswalk were run over, killing one and critically injuring the other.

On November 22, 2011, at about 6:15 a.m., 88-year-old Berish Landau of Los Angeles and
59-year-old Samuel Jacobs of Valley Village were walking in the crosswalk at Oakwood Avenue and La Brea Boulevard.  A male White, 27-years of age, from Los Angeles, driving a 1999 Plymouth Voyager northbound on La Brea Boulevard hit both men as they walked across the street.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedic personnel responded to the location and transported the victims to a local hospital.  Shortly after arriving Mr. Landau died from his injuries. Mr. Jacobs’ condition was listed as critical.

This appears to have been a terrible accident and the driver was not arrested.  The driver and victims were all part of a close knit Jewish Community, which is has been deeply saddened by the incident.

Anyone who may have witnessed this traffic accident is asked to contact WTD Detective Faiza Arain at 213-473-0222.  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 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.