LAPD Blog

Officer-Involved Shooting in Central Area

Updated: 
The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Sergeant I Joseph Sanchez.

 
Los Angeles:  On Monday, April 21, 2014, around 4:30 p.m., Central Area officers received a radio call of an "Assault with a Deadly Weapon suspect" in the 600 block of south Grand Avenue.  When an LAPD officer arrived on scene, several witnesses directed the officer to an underground parking garage where they believed the suspect was located.

As the officer drove down into the fifth level of the parking garage, he was flagged down by two security guards who directed him to the suspect, later identified as Andy Gomez, who was hiding behind a concrete pillar.  The officer exited his police vehicle and began to give commands to the suspect at which time he observed Gomez was armed with a box cutter.  Gomez refused to comply with the officers’ commands and began to approach him, still armed with the box cutter.  The officer deployed his OC spray which did not appear to affect Gomez.  When the suspect continued to advance on the officer while refusing to comply with his repeated commands, an officer-involved shooting (OIS) occurred.  Gomez was struck by the gunfire and fell to the ground where he was taken into custody without further incident by responding units.  

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and transported Gomez to a local hospital for medical treatment.

A box cutter was recovered from the area where Gomez fell to the ground.  No officers were injured during this incident.

Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer-involved-shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Departments 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.

 

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

73-Year-Old Missing Man

The friend of Gregorio Olvera and the Los Angeles Police Department requests the public’s assistance in locating him.

Gregorio Olvera was last heard from on April 24, 2014, around 8-9 a.m.  Mr. Olvera was last seen at the 400 block of 7th Street, in the City of Los Angeles.  Olvera left from his residence and has not returned.  Friends are concerned that he has not been located.

Mr. Olvera is described as a 73-year-old male Hispanic with grey hair, brown eyes, 5’07 inches  and weighs approximately 185 pounds.  Mr. Olvera was last seen wearing a blue sweater.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Gregorio Olvera please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Missing Persons Unit, Detective L. Saiza: (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 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Notes from the April 29, 2014 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

Police Commission President Steve Soboroff said in regards to the LA Clippers, people have the right to decide what they want to do whether it is attending the game or boycotting, as long as they do so peacefully.

Chief of Police Charlie Beck said the LAPD will police the Tuesday night LA Clippers game at Staples Center in a respectful and appropriate way and asks the same from the public. You should not respond to the bad behavior of others with bad behavior of your own.  He said the words of Mr. Sterling were reprehensible and not in the spirit of Los Angeles. He asked people who attend the game to support the LA Clippers do so in a lawful and respectful manner.  Chief Beck also added the LAPD will police May Day on Thursday May 1, 2014. There are three planned marches and he expects it to be peaceful as it has been in recent years. LAPD will police this event in a lawful and constitutional manner. Chief Beck reported the Department has 9,906 sworn personnel, 2,780 civilians, and 4,630 cadets.

Department’s Report , dated April 18, 2014, relative to the request to re-schedule the Security Services Division Audit for the 2014/15 Fiscal Year, as set forth, was approved.

Department’s Report dated April 24, 2014, relative to the request for the status report on Chief of Police Notice, dated April 12, 2012, and Jail Division Order 3, dated October 31, 2012,  regarding the implementation of the Transgender Policy, as set forth, was approved.

Department’s Report, dated April 23, 2014, relative to the Biased Policing up date, Annual 2013 and Supplemental 2nd Quarter, 2013, as set forth, will be continued until next week.

Department’s Report, dated April 25, 2014, relative to the Office of the Inspector General’s 2014 Non - Categorical Use of Force Audit – Status Report, as set forth, was approved.

Department’s Report, dated April 15, 2014, relative to the request for authority to destroy obsolete original records for West Valley Area, as set forth, was approved.

Officer-Involved Shooting in Newton Area

Los Angeles:  On Thursday, April 24, 2014, around 4:30 pm, Newton Patrol Division officers responded to an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon “radio call in the 6600 block of South Main Street.

When the officers arrived they were confronted by a Hispanic male armed with a sword. The officers attempted to take the suspect into custody by using a taser but it was ineffective. The suspect then ran towards the officers still armed with the sword and an officer-involved-shooting occurred.

Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics responded to the location and transported the suspect to a local hospital and his condition is unknown.

No officers were injured and a sword was recovered at scene.  

Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer-involved-shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Departments 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.

 

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Murder near Freeway on Ramp

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Hollenbeck Homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect(s) who shot and killed 52-year-old Ruben Castaneda.

On April 22, 2014, around 5 p.m., the victim stepped out of a homeless make shift tent located off of the northbound 110 freeway near the Avenue 60 on ramp. He was shot multiple times with an unknown caliber handgun by unknown suspect(s).  The motive for the shooting is not known.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and pronounced the victim dead from his injuries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Hollenbeck Homicide Detectives Barajas or Zolezzi at (323) 342-8957.  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.”

 

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Robbery Suspects Caught on Video

West Valley Area:  Los Angeles Police Department West Valley and Topanga Divisions Robbery detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects wanted for committing two armed robberies in the San Fernando Valley Area of Los Angeles.

On Friday, April 11, 2014, around 9:00 p.m., two suspects, one armed with a handgun entered an electronics store located in the 20000 block of Sherman Way, ordered the employees to the back room, had them open the safe and removed approximately $30,000 in cell phones.  Suspect #1 told the employees the gun he had was real. Suspect #2 removed all the cell phones and both suspects fled the store. Unfortunately there is no video footage of the suspects and it is not known if the suspects left on foot or in a vehicle.  

On Thursday, April 24, 2014, around 9:15 a.m., the same suspects entered an electronics store located in the 17000 block of Vanowen Street; again suspect #1 had a firearm.  Like the first robbery, suspect #1 ordered the employee to the rear room of the store and directed her to open the safe.  Suspect #2 removed approximately $42,000 worth of cell phones and both suspects quickly exited the store.  As in the previous robbery, suspect #1 told the store employee his gun was real.  Unlike the first robbery, both suspects were captured on video surveillance and seen by numerous witnesses who were able to provide police with detailed descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle.  Detectives, believing both cases to be related, showed the video footage from the robbery on April 24th to the employees from the robbery on April 11th.  The employees recognized both suspects and identified them as the suspects who robbed them earlier in the month.

Suspect #1 is described as a male Hispanic between 25 and 30-years-old, who stands 6 feet 00 inches to 6 feet 03 inches tall and weighs between 200 and 220 pounds, wearing a black suit and black Aviator sunglasses. The Suspect carried a handgun and seemed to be the lead suspect, as he did all the talking. Detectives remind the public that the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.  

Suspect #2 is described as a male Hispanic between 25 and 30-years-old, stands 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 00 inches tall and weighs between 220 and 230 pounds, wearing a long sleeve gray sweater, brown plaid shorts and a black backpack.  Suspect #2 is believed of having been in the stores a few days prior to both robberies.  Prior to the commission of both robberies, suspect #2 entered the stores first and pretended to browse for merchandise.

The suspects’ vehicle is described as a 1999 to 2000, green Honda or Nissan with slight traffic accident damage to the left front bumper.

A local business surveillance camera captured the suspects’ images, during the robbery on Vanowen Street.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact West Valley Division Robbery Detective Angeles at (818) 374-7746 or Topanga Division Robbery Detective Ruiz at (818) 756-2523.  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 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 "web tips" and follow the prompts.

 

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Denim Day in L.A. and USA marks its 15th year

Click here for pod cast

Los Angeles:  On April 23, 2014, Chief Charlie Beck joined Mayor Eric Garcetti, co-founder of Guess? Inc. Paul Marciano, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, and Peace Over Violence Executive Director Patti Giggans at the downtown LA headquarters of GUESS? Inc. for the official Denim Day rally.  Denim Day is the annual sexual violence prevention and education campaign encouraging people to wear jeans to raise awareness and change harmful attitudes surrounding sexual violence issues and support survivors of sexual assault.

Now in its 15th year, Denim Day is held each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Organized annually by the LA based nonprofit organization Peace Over Violence, Denim Day recalls an Italian court case that sparked international outrage when judges did not convict a rapist because the victim wore jeans. The judges ruled because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her attacker remove them, thus implying consent.  

GUESS, the official fashion sponsor, and The GUESS Foundation made a $100,000 donation to further the efforts of Peace Over Violence.  Last month GUESS launched an online philanthropic marketing campaign to promote Denim Day.

 

Rising Thefts of Catalytic Converters in Wilshire Area

Los Angeles:   Detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division are cautioning the public to be aware of catalytic converter thefts in the Wilshire vicinity.

Since January 1, 2014, the Wilshire Division has experienced 34 thefts from vehicles involving catalytic converters.  The majority of them have occurred south of Wilshire Boulevard, mostly in the area west of Rimpau Boulevard to Fairfax Avenue and south of Wilshire Boulevard to  Venice Boulevard.  Seven have occurred north of Beverly Boulevard.

Catalytic converters were introduced in 1975 to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s stricter exhaust emission regulations.  Early models were known as “two-way” converters, which were replaced in 1981 by “three-way” models. However, both types of converters are still in use.  

Because of the converters’ external location and use of precious metals such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, and gold, which have been steadily rising in value and demand, catalytic converters are a target for thieves. The problem is especially common among late-model trucks and SUVs because of their high ground clearance and easily removed bolt-on attachment.  Welded-in converters are also at risk of theft.  They can be easily cut off, and their removal can be dangerous as well as very damaging to other vehicle components.  Replacement of a catalytic converter can cost well over $1,000.
 
The primary vehicles targeted for the thefts have been Honda Elements and Toyota trucks or SUVs.  The thefts usually occur between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. As preventive measures, detectives advise residents to park their vehicles off the street in garages, carports and driveways whenever possible and to ensure there is ample lighting.  Additional steps include installing/using vehicle burglar alarms and catalytic converter locking devices that can be installed by a mechanic.

Questions and requests for interviews, including Spanish-language interviews, may be directed to Wilshire Area Autos Coordinator Detective Carmine Sasso at 213-473-0556. 

Pedestrian Struck by Hit-and-Run Motorist Dies at Scene

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) South Traffic Division (STD) detectives are investigating a traffic collision that left 47-year-old Von Dedric Miles dead after being struck by a hit-and-run motorist.

On April 23, 2014 around 12:40 a.m., STD officers responded to Figueroa south of 121st Street to investigate a collision involving a pedestrian who was found lying in the middle of the street.

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded to the incident and pronounced Miles dead at the scene.

The initial investigation revealed Miles was attempting to cross the street on Figueroa south of 121st Street when he was struck. The driver left the scene without providing information or medical attention to the victim as required by law.

Anyone with information regarding this traffic collision can contact STD Detective Hill at 323-421-2500 on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.  .  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.

Burglary Suspect Caught On Video

Van Nuys: Los Angeles Police Department West Valley Detectives are seeking the public’s help in apprehending two suspects who they believe are responsible for a residential burglary that occurred in Van Nuys. On April 1, 2014, around 10:00 a.m. a residential burglary occurred in the 17400 block of Covello Street. Neighbors reported seeing an African American female loitering in the area. The suspect approached a house, walked up to the front door, knocked, rang the doorbell and looked inside. The suspect then walked up to the side of the house and looked towards the rear yard. She then left the house and made a phone call on her cell phone. A neighbor’s surveillance camera recorded the female as she slowly walked away from the house. She crossed the street, walked in front of the house and paused several times. At the same time, another neighbor saw an African American male standing in the alley behind the same house the female suspect had approached. The male is between 30 to 34 years old, stands 5’8’ tall, he is medium build and was wearing a black knit cap and a green sweatshirt. The female suspect is African American stands about 5’ 5” tall, and weighs approximately 200 pounds. She has long hair (possible wig). She was wearing a knit cap, white tank top and tan pants. The investigation revealed the suspect(s) forced their way into the residence through a kitchen window, ransacked the house, then fled the location taking the victim’s property. Detectives believe these suspects may be responsible for other residential burglaries in the area and are seeking the public’s help in identifying them. Anyone with information is asked to contact West Valley Detectives at (213) 374-7730. 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn