LAPD Blog

Notes from the October 29, 2013 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission President Steve Soboroff said the Board serves as a Board of Directors whose main purpose is service to the public and implementing policy.  He stated four of the five Commissioners are new, making for a steep learning curve but added the cooperation between City Hall and the Department has been invigorating.

• Police Commission Vice President Paula Madison said she had meetings with several Captains to gain a better understanding of the Department.  She also met with LA City Fire Department commanders to discuss their recruitment practices in an effort to increase the candidate pool and diversity for the police department.  She completed her comments by stating she attended the Police Magnet School formal inspection at Reseda High School last week.

• Police Commissioner Sandra Figueroa-Villa said as a Central Bureau liaison she met with Deputy Chief Perez, attended several events and went on a ride-along in the area. 

• Police Commissioner Kathleen Kim said as the West Bureau liaison she met with the Captain at Olympic Division.  She met with personnel from Risk Management Group and Force Investigation Division to learn more about Department policies on such matters. 

• Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman attended the LGBTQ Forum last week with fellow Commissioners Madison and Figueroa-Villa.  He said it was very well attended and thanked Chief Beck for improving the relationship between the Department and the LGBTQ community.

• Police Chief Charlie Beck thanked the Commissioners for their time spent working in the field and learning as much as they could about the Department.  He attended the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania last week.  He said they discussed issues of common concern with the on-body camera being the number one topic.  Chief Beck completed his comments by offering his support for LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy. 

• The Department’s verbal report and discussion, relative to the status of the On-Body Camera project was given by Chief Information Officer Maggie Goodrich.  Ms. Goodrich informed the Board the Department is currently working with two vendors who are going to loan the Department 30 video devises each for evaluation.  She said the devices will be loaned out at no cost and the Department was currently working out logistics on how it will work, what areas of the City the cameras will be used in and which officers would wear them.  The testing will begin in November and last 90 days.  Ms. Goodrich stated after the initial testing the Department would come back to the Board and present recommendations for usage and a policy draft.

• The Department’s verbal report and discussion, relative to the current status of the Police Cadet Program was given by Senior Management Analyst Natalie Torres-Soriano.  Ms. Torres-Soriano offered the Board a brief history of the program stating it began in 1963 as the Explorers and transitioned into the Police Cadets in 2010.  She said the program offers Cadets, who are between the ages of 13 and 20 years old, alternatives to street life and teaches them discipline, life skills development, motivation and leadership skills.  Ms. Torres-Soriano said the program has 27 posts with more than 4,000 active participants. The future of the program will include the expansion of Cadet posts, the creation of a LAPD Page Program and the formation of a Cadet Bike Unit.  

• The Department’s report, dated October 11, 2013, relative to the Van Nuys Area detective command accountability performance audit (IAID N. 13-027), was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated October 11, 2013, relative to the confidential financial disclosure inspection, was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated October 18, 2013, relative to the biased policing quarterly report, 2nd quarter 2013, was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated October 22, 2013, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for Central Traffic Division, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

• The Department’s report, dated October 25, 2013, relative to the request for payment of reward offer on City Council File No. 12-0010-S18 for witness #1, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated October 25, 2013, relative to the request for payment of reward offer on City Council File No. 12-0010-S18 for witness #2, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Executive Director’s report, dated October 23, 2013, relative to the official police garage towing & storage rates for 2014, was approved. 

• The Inspector General’s report, dated October 24, 2013, relative to the review of traffic collision reports & safety belt use, second quarter, was approved.  Inspector General Alexander Bustamante said in his report police officers are more likely to be killed by not wearing their seat belts while driving on-duty then by assaults or being shot at.   He said officers’ number one reason for not wearing them was because they impede their tactics when quick reaction is need.  Mr. Bustamante looked at various studies on those theories and found there to be no correlation.  In fact, Mr. Bustamante stated, injuries suffered by police officers during traffic accidents nationwide could have been prevented 45% of the time had a seat belt been used.  Police Commission President Steve Soboroff suggested the Department needed a cultural shift to wearing seat belts at all times and asked the Inspector General to include workers compensation costs to the city as a result of injuries sustained by officers during traffic accidents in his next report. 

Consejos Para La Seguridad Vial En La Noche De Brujas (English: Halloween Safety)

La noche de brujas es una noche mistica en la cual ninos, jovenes y adultos se reunen para celebrar en armonia las festividadez a lo largo de toda la ciudad de Los Angeles.  Entre poniendose su dizfras favorite, recogiendo dulces en sus vecindarios o llendo a fiestas, este tiempo siempre atrae a mas peatones  en las calles y a mas vehiculos en las carreteras.   Desafortunadamente, la noche de brujas se distingue por tener los mas altos numeros de ninos peatonales muertos en las calles como consecuencia de conductores conduciendo bajo los efectos del alcohol durante epocas festivas.  El Departamento de California de la Seguridad Vial (OTS) y el Departamento de la Policia de Los Angeles estan trabajando juntos para brindar a la comunidad angelina consejos para la seguridad de toda la familia y educacion para asegurar que la noche de brujas sea una noche llena divercion.

 “OTS aconseja tanto a padres como a ninos  que piensan celebrar las festividez  que se mantengan alertas y seguros en la noche de brujas,” dijo Chris Cochran, Asistente de Direccion del Departamento de California de la Seguridad Vial.

“Si no son responsables mientras recojiendo dulces o celebrando, la noche de brujas se puede convertir en una verdadera historia de terror.”

“Los conductors deben poner atencion a ninos y adultos caminando en las calles, crusando carreteras y a todos los disfrasados con trajes obscuros- puesto que sera mas dificil de verlos en la obscuridad,” comento Cochran.  “Esten Pendientesmientras  recojiendo dulces puesto que muchos ninos ponen poca atencion al trafico y tienden a corran hacia la calle traficada o entre vehiculos que estan estacionados.  Los conductores de vehiculos y motos deben de escanear con la vista areas residenciales , poner atencion a la gente crusandon la calle y cautelosamente manejar su vehiculo.”

En California, las muertes de peatones por causa de ser impactados por un vehiculo en la noche de brujas son mas del doble del promedio.  La gran mayoria por causa de conductores manejando bajo el efecto del alcohol o las drogas.  De acuerdo a La Administracion de la Seguridad Nacional de la Carretera de Caminos, en el 2011, 44 porciento de todos las fatalidadez  nacionales durante la noche de brujas fue por cause de conductoresque tenian niveles de alcohol en la sangre mas altos que el limite legal de .08 porciento.  Esta noche de brujas, todos beden considerer seguir estos consejos cuando planeando su celebracion:

Consejos a Seguir Para los Adultos

·        Tener un conductor asignado.  Alguien quien no beba alcohol para  llevar y traer a todas aquellas perconas que piensan tomar alcohol.
·        Tratar de no conducir en ereas residenciales y donde ninos pidiendo dulces tienden a estar presentes.
·        Prendan la luces altas de su vehiculo para que su vehiculo sea mas visible, hagan esto durante el dia tambien.
·        Obedescan las senales de transito y las leyes al conducir.  El riesgo de matar a un peaton aumenta con el mas minimo aumento de velocidad.  Un peaton tiene el doble de posibilidad de morir al es impactado por un vehiculo llendo a 30 millas por hora en comparacion con una llendo a 25 millas por hora.
·        Las personas organizando fiestas deben de ofreser bebidas no alcoholicas y comida para sus invitados.  Los organizadores nunca deben permitir que sus invitados manejen mientras estando bajo el efecto del alcohol.

 Consejos a Seguir Para los Padres de Familia al Llevar a sus ninos a Pedir Dulces

·        Planear una ruta bien iluminada y sin mucho trafico antes de la noche de brujas.  
·        Escojan disfraces en los cuales los ninos puedan caminar y puedan ser vistos facilmente por los conductores.
·        Mascaras pueden obstruir la vista de los ninos, asegurese de quitarles la mascara a la hora de crusar las calles.  Pueden maquillarse la cara en lugar de usar mascaras como mayor precaucion.
·        Es mejor ir a recoger dulces antes que anochesca, si no es posible utilizen linteras.
·        No corran! Caminen y asegurense que los ninos hagan lo mismo.
·        Crusen las calles en las esquinas y en areas designadas para los peatones.  Nunca crusen entre vehiculos estacionados o en medio de la interseccion.
·        Esperen hasta llegar a sus casas para revisar y organizer y comer sus dulces.
·        Recuerden que acuenque ustedes vean a un vehiculo no significa que la persona conduciendo el vehiculo les ve a ustedes.  Si no estan poniendo atencion a conducir puede que les vea cuando sea demaciado tarde.

En un esfuerzo para mantener las calles de Los Angeles seguras en la noche de brujas, El Departamento de la Policia de Los Angeles tendra a oficiales conduciendo y enforsando las leyes de transito durante todo el dia. Los oficiales se enfocaran en la velocidad de los conductores, y el derecho a los peatones al crusar las calles.

Fondos financieros para esta asignacion especial es por parte de OTS atravez de La Administracion de la Seguridad Nacional de la Carretera de Caminos.  Todos podemos ayudar a mantener nuestras calles mas seguras.  Porfavor reporten a conductores conduciendo bajo los efectos el alcohol- llamando al 9-1-1.

COMUNIQUENCE:
Para mas informacion , porfavor llamar al Oficial Don Inman, Cordionador de la Seccion de Trafico al  213-486-0703

Traffic Collision Leaves Mother and 2-year-old Passenger Severely Injured

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department, Central Traffic Detectives are currently investigating a felony hit and run traffic collision and are asking for the public’s help in finding the driver of the vehicle.

On October 10, 2013, around 8:05 a.m., a hit and run occurred at Pico Boulevard and Burlington Avenue.  38-year-old victim and her 2-year-old son were at a stop waiting to make a left turn when they were rear ended by a silver 4-door Hummer.  The driver of the vehicle failed to stop, render aid and identify himself or herself.    The impact of the collision left both victims severely injured.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and transported the victims to a local hospital where they were treated for their injuries.

Anyone with information can contact Central Traffic Division, Investigator I. Rojas at (213) 972-1849. 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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Detectives Looking for Sexual Assault Suspect

Suspect Riding a Skateboard in the Valley Approaches Women on the Street

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Division detectives are seeking public assistance to identify a suspect who has sexually assaulted women while riding down the street on a skateboard.  

The suspect has assaulted (grabbed) three victims from behind between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. earlier this month in separate incidents all on Oct. 10.  The incidents have occurred in an area bordered by Sherman Way on the north, Vanowen Street on the south, Van Nuys Boulevard on the west and Hazeltine Avenue on the east.  

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic who stands about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds.  He appears to be 20 to 25 years old and has been wearing a grey hoodie, grey pants and sunglasses.  

Anyone who may have information on the incidents or the identity or location of the suspect is urged to contact LAPD Van Nuys Division detectives at 818-374-0040. Callers with tips may also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or texting Crime Stoppers 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 can also go to www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Propane Tank Explodes inside a Pick-Up Truck

Los Angeles:  LAPD Major Crimes Division Criminal Conspiracy Section and the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Investigators are investigating an explosion that occurred inside a pick-up truck with a 22-year-old male inside. On October 22, 2013, around 8 p.m., a 22-year-old male was seated inside of a pick-up truck parked behind the 11300 block of Miranda Street when a propane tank that was stored inside of the truck exploded. The 22-year-old male received moderate burns to his arms, face and respiratory trauma.  He was attempting to use propane for recreational purposes. The Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded, treated and released the 22-year-old. The propane tank was not defective and investigators determined that this was an isolated explosion incident. Criminal Conspiracy Section detectives and Arson Investigation Section investigators are still continuing their investigation and this explosion is being classified as accidental in nature. For further information please contact Los Angeles Police department Major Crimes Division, Criminal Conspiracy Section detectives at (213) 486-7260.  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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Music Artist is Charged With a Felony

Los Angeles: Music artist CeeLo Green is charged with furnishing a controlled substance.

On July 16, 2012, a thirty-three year-old female reported that 38-year-old Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, a resident of Fayetteville, Georgia and a singer known as CeeLo Green, drugged her using ecstasy and sexually assaulted her.  The female met with Mr. Callaway for dinner at which time she believed he drugged her. The sexual assault occurred later that night at the Luxe Hotel near the Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles.

On August 1, 2012, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, Special Assault Section, opened an investigation into these allegations. The case was submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration in February of 2013.

On October 21, 2013, the District Attorney’s Office filed 1 felony count of 11379 (A) of the Health and Safety Code, furnishing a controlled substance.  It was determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove rape of an intoxicated person beyond a reasonable doubt.

On October 21, 2013, Callaway presented himself at the Foliz Criminal Justice Center and was arraigned on the charge.

 

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22-year-old Female Kidnapped by Ex-boyfriend

Los Angeles:   The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Hollenbeck Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating the victim and the suspect who were last seen near the 4000 block of Huntington Drive.

On October 18, 2013, around 7:00 p.m., Karen Pineda was seen asking the suspect, ex-boyfriend  Jose Luis Marin (AKA Jose Luis Marin Duran) to leave the area because the police had been called. 

The detectives investigation revealed that Marin shoved Pineda inside his vehicle after an argument prior to driving off.

The LAPD needs the public’s help to find Karen Pineda who is described as a 22-year-old
female Hispanic with brown hair and brown eyes.  She stands 5 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs about 170 pounds.  Pineda was last seen wearing an orange tank top with blue jeans.

The suspect, 28-year-old Jose Luis Marin is described as a male Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes.  He stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighs 170 pounds.  Marin has a tattoo of a spider on one of his elbows, and the name “Matthew” and skulls on his back.

Karen Pineda and Jose Luis Marin were last seen in a Silver 2004 Nissan Altima 4-door, license plate# 6MPU056.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Pineda and Marin is asked to contact the LAPD Hollenbeck Division Detectives at (323) 224-0128.   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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LAPD Arrests a Second Suspect for Dry-ice Destructive Device Incidents

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Detectives assigned to Criminal Conspiracy Section (CCS), Major Crimes Division, Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau continued their investigation into the dry ice destructive device incidents at LAX Airport.

After further investigation and multiple interviews this week, LAPD detectives developed information of a second suspect’s involvement in the dry-ice destructive device incidents.

Today, Friday October 18, 2013, LAPD CCS detectives arrested Inglewood resident Miguel Angel Iniguez (Date of Birth 08/24/1972) while working at LAX Airport.

Iniguez was employed as a supervisor for Serviceair, an LAX contract service company.  He was responsible for supervising Dicarlo Bennet, the first suspect arrested earlier in the week.

Iniguez was booked at the LAPD’s 77th Street Jail Detention Center for 18715 (a)(4) PC, Possession of a Destructive Device Near an Aircraft. Booking # 3746922.  Bail set at $500,000.

For more information, please call LAPD Media Relations Section at (213) 486-5910.

 

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Woman Confronts Officers with a Knife Resulting In an Officer- Involved Shooting

Los Angeles:  On October 11, 2013, at around 1:25 p.m., Central Patrol Division uniformed police officers responded to a “415 Woman” radio call in the 100 block of East 3rd Street.  When the officers arrived they were by an individual whom directed them to the suspect, later identified as Evonne Mitchell, who resided in the hotel. 

As the officers opened the door that was ajar, the suspect threw a glass mirror at them and then armed herself with a knife.  The officers verbally ordered the suspect to stop and drop the knife but she continued to advance toward them at which time the officer-involved shooting occurred.  The suspect was struck by the gunfire and fell to the floor where she was taken into custody.  Mitchell was transported to a local hospital where she received medical treatment for a gunshot wound.

No officers were injured and the knife was recovered from within the room.   

Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting. 

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General and The Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at (213) 486-5230. 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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Officer-Involved Shooting in the Mission Area

Los Angeles:  On October 11, 2013, at around 6:20 a.m., Mission Area patrol officers and a sergeant responded to a “Violent Male Mental” radio call in the 12700 of Shenley Street. 

When the officers arrived they met with the parents of the suspect, later identified as Ernesto Lopez.  The parents advised the officers that Lopez had vandalized their vehicle and residence and had threatened to kill them.  They also told the officers that the suspect was in a camper shell located in the driveway.  The sergeant formulated a tactical plan to take Lopez into custody.  Officers repeatedly attempted to verbally order Lopez out of the camper shell without success.  The suspect opened the door from the inside, armed with a hammer.  As the suspect prepared to throw the hammer at an officer an officer-involved shooting occurred.  After throwing the hammer, Lopez remained standing in the doorway cursing the officers at which time one of the officers’ fired one beanbag round at the suspect which did not appear to have an effect on him.  Another officer deployed a TASER which, again, did not appear to affect Lopez.  A second beanbag round was fired which struck him and at that time he was taken into custody without further incident. 

The suspect was not struck by the gunfire and no officers were injured.  However, Lopez was transported to a local hospital for psychological evaluation.  The hammer was recovered from the middle of the street.   

Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting. 

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General and The Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at (213) 486-5230. 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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