LAPD Blog

43-year-old Los Angeles Man Missing Since September 11, 2012

Los Angeles: The family of Blair Fisher and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help to locate Mr. Fisher who has been missing for more than two weeks.

Blair Fisher was last seen on September 11, 2012, around 12:00 p.m., when he left his home located in the 4400 block of W. 59th Street, Los Angeles. Mr. Fisher’s family is concerned for his well-being as he is in need of medication and daily medical care.  

Mr. Fisher is described as a 43-year-old male Black who has black hair, brown eyes and wears a beard.  He stands 5’10” tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds.  Mr. Fisher was last seen wearing a black hat, black jacket, blue shirt, black pants and gray shoes.  In addition, has been known to frequent the Hollywood area.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Blair Fisher, please contact Detective Merrill, LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800.  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.

The family of Mr. Fisher are available for media interviews.  To coordinate an interview, please call LAPD Media Relations Section at (213) 486-5910.

Los Feliz Burglary/Sexual Battery Series

Los Angeles: Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a burglary/sexual battery suspect who has entered and burglarized multiple residences in the Los Feliz community. Between March 27, 2012 and August 17, 2012, the suspect has entered 13 single family and multi-unit dwellings along Los Feliz Boulevard. He frequently enters the victim’s residence between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.  He has taken the victims property while they are asleep inside.  The suspect has made sexual contact with some of the victims while they were sleep. When the victims wake up the suspect leaves on foot. The suspect has been described as a 25-to 30-year-old male Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes.  He is 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a slim build and broad shoulders.  He weighs 160-180 pounds. The community is reminded that composite drawings are based on the perception of witnesses.  Additional witnesses have described the suspect as having a closely shaven haircut and a thick mustache. For your safety, detectives are asking the community to lock your doors and windows at night and pay attention to your surroundings. Anyone with information about the suspect or these crimes is asked to contact Robbery Homicide Division, Special Assault Section during normal business hours at 213-486-6910. 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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Victim Killed at a Local Park

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Criminal Gang/Homicide Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who killed 19-year-old Patrick Caruthers. On September 25, 2012, around 3:15 p.m., Caruthers was sitting on a park bench at a local community park in the 1530 block of West 62nd Street when an unknown suspect walked up to Caruthers and shot him multiple times in the torso. The suspect ran back to an awaiting vehicle and drove away West on 62nd Street and southbound on Denker Avenue. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced Caruthers dead at scene.   The motive for the shooting appears to be gang related.  There is no suspect description.  The suspects’ vehicle is described as a dark colored compact vehicle. The suspects and the weapon are outstanding. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact Criminal Gang/Homicide Division, Detective Lyman Doster or Stacey Szymkowiak (213) 485-1383.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 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, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”

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Human Remains Found in Pacific Palisades

UPDATE 9-27-12 RF Officials from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office have determined the cause of death related to the human remains discovered last Saturday near the Los Liones Canyon Trail was due to suicide.  The decedent, identified as 23-year-old UCLA student David Goeser, died from a single gunshot wound to the head.  A semiautomatic pistol was also found next to the body.   Los Angeles:   On Saturday, September 22, 2012, at 1115 hours, West Los Angeles Area officers responded to a radio call of a “Death Investigation” near the Los Liones Canyon Trail in the 500 block of Los Liones Drive in Pacific Palisades. Two hikers were hiking near the trail when they observed what appeared to be a human skull.  The hikers reported their findings to a nearby L.A. City fire station who in turn notified police. Upon arrival, officers were directed to an area near a hiking trail not far from the entrance to the Los Liones Canyon Trail where they observed the remains of what appeared to be a human skull.  Officers checked the area and observed the skeletal remains of a human torso approximately twenty feet from the skull. Detectives from the West Bureau Homicide Unit and investigators from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene.  The exact cause and mode of death cannot be determined until an autopsy is performed.  The remains have not been identified.   Anyone with information about this case is urged to call West Bureau Homicide Detectives Robledo or Freund at 213-382-9470.  During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAPD24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 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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Victim Killed at a Local Park

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Criminal Gang/Homicide Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who killed 19-year-old Patrick Caruthers.

On September 25, 2012, around 3:15 p.m., Caruthers was sitting on a park bench at a local community park in the 1530 block of West 62nd Street when an unknown suspect walked up to Caruthers and shot him multiple times in the torso.

The suspect ran back to an awaiting vehicle and drove away West on 62nd Street and southbound on Denker Avenue.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced Caruthers dead at scene.  

The motive for the shooting appears to be gang related.  There is no suspect description.  The suspects’ vehicle is described as a dark colored compact vehicle.

The suspects and the weapon are outstanding. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact Criminal Gang/Homicide Division, Detective Lyman Doster or Stacey Szymkowiak (213) 485-1383.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 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, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”

Notes from the September 25, 2012 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission President Andrea Ordin said she attended the Hispanic Forum last week and said it was a good conversation.  She added she was impressed with the Police Cadets and their stories.
• Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman stated he attended the Cease-Fire Forum last week and said he was pleased with the involvement of the community.  He added Captain Bill Scott, Commander Bob Green and Inspector General Alex Bustamante did an excellent job moderating the Forum.
• Police Commissioner Rafael Bernardino said he attended the Hispanic Forum last Thursday at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce with fellow Commissioners Ordin and Richard Drooyan.  He said it was a fantastic event and a particular community activist in attendance spoke very highly of the Chief and the Department.
• Police Chief Charlie Beck thanked the Commissioners for attending the community meetings and forums.  He said their attendance at these events make a huge difference.  Chief Beck also commended the Office of Operations and Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger for hosting more than 1,200 Police Cadets at Disneyland over the weekend.  He said it was the first time being at Disneyland for some of the Cadets and it spoke to the involvement of the Department in the community.  Chief Beck completed his comments by saying this weekend is the scheduled closure of the 405 freeway and it was time for people to begin planning alternative routes of travel.
• The verbal presentation and update from the Commanding Officer and Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) representative regarding community initiated problem solving, crimes strategies, and other programs and goals within the West Valley Area was removed from the agenda and rescheduled for a future date.
• The Department’s report, dated September 20, 2012, relative to the biased policing (BP) update, quarterly report, 2nd quarter 2012, and supplemental review of BP complaint recommendation to the Board of Police Commissioners, was continued.  Commission President Andrea Ordin asked the Department to discuss remaining issues with Police Commission Vice President John Mack and Commissioner Robert Saltzman and produce a possible re-draft of the recommendation.
• The Department’s report, dated September 19, 2012, relative to the request for proposals for Security Management Systems, was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated September 18, 2012, relative to the Major Crimes Division Intelligence guidelines for anti-terrorism intelligence section, as given by Deputy Chief Mike Downing, was approved.  Chief Downing informed the Board the new guidelines compliment what the federal government does and added the guidelines are more stringent then federal standards as far as civil liberties and privacy are concerned.  In order to for the Department to have an on-going undercover online investigation it must first receive written permission from the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners. Chief Downing completed his comments by stating anytime the Police Commission wants to know how many investigations currently exist the Department will provide that information.

405 FWY CLOSURE September 28 & 29

Avoid the 405, E

Eat, Play and Shop Local.  Be part of the success, and use alternate transportation

The LAPD would like to remind everyone to plan ahead and avoid the 405 Freeway the weekend of September 29th and 30th.  A 10-mile portion of the 405 Freeway will be closed between the 101 Freeway and the 10 Freeway in all directions during beginning Friday night at midnight and will remain closed until Monday morning at 5:00 a.m.  The closure is due to the demolition of the northern half of the Mulholland Bridge.

We are encouraging the public to make plans to stay local during the closure weekend and Eat, Play and Shop in your local area.  Make this the weekend to walk, bike and use public transportation to avoid the need to drive around the impacted area.

Last year’s closure success was due to the cooperation of the public who made the effort to avoid the closure area.  This year will also be a success if everyone does their part.

Thank you for being part of the solution.

LAPD

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Father Sends Abused Teen from Georgia to L.A. to Fend for Himself; Young Man and his Sisters Come from Home Life of Horror

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives have been instrumental in exposing a bizarre and tragic case of child abuse that started in Georgia and ended in a Los Angeles bus station. Just before noon on Sept. 11 of this year, two LAPD Newton Area patrol officers received a call about a possible missing child at a Greyhound Bus Station on East 7th Street.  When they arrived, they met up with retired LAPD Sergeant Joe Gonzales who was working security for the station.  Gonzales directed them to 18-year-old Mitch Comer…a pale, gaunt young man of small stature who appeared to be about 12 or 13 years of age. Later, it was determined he weighed only 87 pounds and stood just over 5 feet tall. His story was most unusual. Comer explained that his stepfather had told him he was now a man, given him $200 and put him on a bus in Jackson, Miss., with a list of homeless shelters he had located on the Internet.  Incredulous that the childlike Comer was actually an adult, the officers took him to LAPD’s Central Station for further questioning and to come up with a temporary housing arrangement. Later, police took Comer to the Newton Station where he met with Detective Dan Gersna.  During the interview, Comer provided limited details of the abuse he had endured for at least the past four years.  After removing him from school in the eighth grade, his stepfather, later identified as 48-year-old Paul Matthew Comer, confined him to a room and wouldn’t allow him to leave.  The young Comer was fed only small quantities of food daily and forced to assume a grueling disciplinary position every day for eight hours with the top of his head against a wall, his fingers interlaced behind his head and his feet raised off the ground.  He also had two younger sisters he had almost never seen, and authorities expect additional charges on the case may surface as investigation progresses. Complicating matters, Comer wasn’t able to provide his home address to LAPD officers.  Though he had resided mostly in Georgia, he apparently also moved to Arizona and possibly other places with his family for periods of time and then returned to Georgia.  Fortunately, Detective Gersna learned that the elder Comer ran a home-based appliance business known as “Appliance Support Team,” which eventually led to both a business and driver’s license that revealed Comer’s residential address.  At that point, Detective Gersna contacted Detective A. J. Simonelli of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department in Georgia. Detective Gersna shared what he had learned from the young Comer, including that he apparently had two siblings still living at home.  Detectives Simonelli and Kevin Morgan immediately went to their address and located Comer’s stepfather and mother, Sheila Marie Comer. Both parents were taken to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Station for interviews and subsequently arrested for charges related to child abuse and false imprisonment. Detectives also put Mitch Comer’s younger sisters, Catrina and Lya, into protective custody with Paulding County Children’s Services. After staying briefly in a Los Angeles board and care home, Mitch Comer flew back to where he’d been living in Dallas, Ga., on Sept. 19 to participate in the case investigation and legal proceedings against his parents. “I am greatly relieved and thankful that one of our retired officers brought this victim to our attention and started the process to uncover these heartbreaking circumstances,” said Chief Charlie Beck. “Without the intervention of retired Sergeant Gonzales, Mitch Comer and his young sisters would still be suffering.”   Anyone with information about this case may contact LAPD Newton Detectives at 323-846-6556 or the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Division at 770-445-6105.  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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Customers Scammed into Paying Water and Power Bill with Pre-paid Cash Card

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) warn the public of suspect/s who call DWP customers demanding that they pay their water and power bill with a pre-paid cash card.

The scam begins when the suspect(s) call Los Angeles area residents advising them that their water and power bill has not been paid.  They then threaten to immediately turn off the customers’ services unless payment is made.  The suspect(s) demand that the victims go to a nearby convenience store and purchase a pre-paid cash card.  The victims are instructed to call a dedicated telephone number and read the personal identification number from the cash card.  

Patrick K. Findley, Director, Security Services and Emergency Management of DWP said, “the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power would never call a customer and tell them to pay their bill in this manner.”  He continued by saying “We value our customers and want to ensure that they are not scammed out of their hard-earned money.”  
 
Detectives from LAPD are working in concert with the DWP to locate and identify the suspects responsible for scamming numerous customers out of hundreds of dollars.  Anyone with information regarding this case or who may have been a victim of this scam is asked to call their local police station.  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.  For additional information, please call Patrick K. Findley, DWP at (213) 367-4493.

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“Knock Knock Task Force Warrant Service”

LAPD Operations-Valley Bureau and Operations-West Bureau successfully conduct seven search warrants on residence and business locations of stolen property fencing operators

Los Angeles:   In early 2012, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) through its continual crime analysis noted that residential burglaries were spiking very early in the year.  Specifically, Operations-West Bureau recorded an increase of over 36% in residential burglaries.  Meanwhile, Operations-Valley Bureau noted an increase of nearly 10% in residential burglaries.  With this degree of increase in residential burglaries, it was quickly observed that the crime reduction goals of the LAPD may not be met and worse, an increasing number of community members felt unsafe that their homes and valuables were not safe from intruders.   

Further analysis determined that a unique Modus Operandi (MO) accounted for over 10% of the crimes committed.  Specifically, homeowners and witnesses reported that in many instances the suspects would knock at the front door and await a response from inside.  When there was no response, the suspects would either kick in the door or scout around the back of the home for an open door, window, or other easily accessible means to gain entry.  Once inside, the suspects would ransack the most common locations within a home where jewelry and small electronics would be kept.  Within a matter of minutes, the suspects would emerge with the victim’s property and flee in a getaway car.

As time and crime analysis continued, it was recognized that many of the same suspects that were   committing their crimes in Operations-West Bureau were also striking in Operations-Valley Bureau.

As a result of this specific MO and the shared identities of known suspects preying on the same communities, the “Knock-Knock Task Force” was formed in March, 2012, by the Commanding Officers of Operations-West and Operations-Valley Bureaus with the approval of the Chief of Police.

As the task force developed and fine tuned its operations and gathered information, it became apparent that the suspects would quickly seek out a “fence” in order to exchange the victim’s gold jewelry for cash.  In many instances, these transactions would be completed within an hour of the crime being committed.  

On-going surveillance efforts and monitoring of these suspects led the LAPD to two business locations within the 700 Block of South Broadway, under the business names of Fine Silver Max’s Jewelry and Guadalajara’s Jewelry in downtown Los Angeles.  Time and time again, burglary and armed robbery suspects were observed engaging in hasty transactions in which they entered the store with a handful of gold jewelry and reemerged with money.

It should be noted that within the City of Los Angeles, second hand shops and pawn shops are required by law to obtain a fingerprint and record a form of identification when conducting transactions of personal property in exchange cash payments.  Throughout the course of this investigation, employees of these businesses were never observed obtaining a fingerprint or recording identification information during their exchanges.  This disregard for the established State laws had the result of fueling more burglaries as suspects knew they could exchange gold for cash with “no questions asked.”

As the LAPD began to investigate these business owners, it was apparent that they were overseeing a criminal enterprise and were likely involved in a variety of crimes to include receiving stolen property, suspected tax evasion, and identity theft.  Of particular note, the investigation determined that the owner of Fine Silver Max’s Jewelry obtained the social security number of an unrelated juvenile who resides in the Midwest and was using her identity for a variety of activities to secure credit and further his business activities.  

As a result, around 10:00 a.m. this morning, detectives and police officers from the Los Angeles Police Department in conjunction with Special Agents from the Immigration Control and Enforcement Service and Internal Revenue Service served simultaneous arrest and search warrants on the homes and businesses of these fence operators.    

The owner of Fine Silver Max’s Fine Jewelry, located at 700 block of South Broadway, Ismael Monje, was taken into custody at his business without incident.  Monje was questioned and booked on multiple counts of felony identity theft.  

Mr. Monje was also identified as the owner and operator of two adjacent businesses, Fine Silver Max Jewelry/Discos Barba Azul, located at 600 block of South Broadway, and Max One Electronics located at 700 block of South Broadway.  All three of Mr. Monje’s businesses were searched and all property was seized as potential evidence.  Mr. Monje’s home was searched and various valuables identified as potential evidence were seized.     

The owner of Guadalajara’s Jewelry, located at 700 block of South Broadway, Mr. Farshad Yaghoobi, was taken into custody at his residence without incident.  Yaghoobi was questioned and booked for felony receiving of stolen property.  This store was also searched and all property was seized as potential evidence.  Yaghoobi’s residence was searched and all items of potential evidence were seized.    

All four businesses have been closed and any business licenses within the City of Los Angeles have been cancelled.  A seventh warrant was served which froze the personal and business banking account assets associated with these suspects pending further investigation by the LAPD and other federal agencies.

These arrests and asset seizures mark a significant milestone in the successes of the Knock-Knock Task Force.  The investigative efforts of the LAPD have closed four businesses that fueled many burglary rings operating within the City of Los Angeles.  Additionally, these arrests and asset seizures send a strong message to other jewelry exchanges, second hand stores, and pawn shops that the City of Los Angeles will not tolerate a disregard for State law that have the effect of promoting crime and adversely impacting personal lives and property.

To that end, the investigation and arrest of numerous burglary suspects has continued.  As of this date, this task force has produced significant progress in combating this crime through hard work and perseverance.  This perseverance is reflected in over 1,400 hours of surveillance.  As of September 14, 2012, the task force has arrested 68 suspects.  55 of these suspects were directly involved in residential burglaries and engaged in transactions at the above businesses.  The remaining 13 were arrested for a variety of violations ranging from outstanding warrants to probation/parole violations.  Over the course of these past six months, the task force has served 41 search warrants, recovered nearly $150,000.00 worth of victim’s property, and seized six firearms.  

As a result of this productivity, since March of this year, residential burglaries within Operations-West Bureau have declined nearly over 36% and residential burglaries within Operations-Valley Bureau have declined over 19%.  This is a remarkable turnaround.

Despite these successes, this task force remains in place and committed to serving the communities of Los Angeles by seeking out new leads on new suspects engaged in or promoting residential burglaries.  

For further information please contact Operations-Valley Bureau Lieutenant Jim Setzer at 818-644-8105.  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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