LAPD Blog

LAPD and LAFD Arrest Subject for Robbing Man Then Setting Him on Fire

Los Angeles: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) Rampart Division and members of Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Arson Unit are investigating a case where a man was robbed then set on fire.

On Monday, June 22, 2015, at 2:30 a.m., Rampart Area officers responded to a radio call of an "Assault with a Deadly Weapon" in the 500 block of Union Avenue. When the officers arrived to the location, the officers were told that a 28-year-old male Hispanic was transported to a local hospital by LAFD for 2nd and 3rd degree burns.

As the investigation continued, the officers learned that while the victim was sleeping near an apartment building complex, the suspect took the victim's property, then used an unknown type of accelerant to set the victim on fire. The victim remains at the hospital in critical condition.

During a follow-up investigation, the subject, a 16-year-old male Hispanic was identified, located and arrested without incident. The subject was charged with robbery and attempted murder.

Detectives investigating the incident are searching for witnesses who may have seen or have information about this horrific crime. Anyone with information is urged to call Rampart Area Detectives at (213) 484-3400. 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 www.LAPDOnline.org click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

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New Trend Honors Outstanding Fathers at Ramona Gardens

On the evening of June 25, 2015, 10 “outstanding” fathers were honored at an occasion  organizers hope will become an annual event.  All honorees were from the Ramona Gardens community and nominated by the Ramona Gardens Resident Advisory Council. 

Three organizations collaborated to make the event possible: Hollenbeck Community Safety Partnership, Ramona Gardens Resident Advisory Council and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA).  “I wanted to make sure these fathers were recognized,” said Sergeant Ken Edwards of the Hollenbeck Division’s Community Relations Office.  “It was a simple gesture, but it meant a lot.”

The 10 fathers were presented with an achievement award and a voucher for Dodgers tickets.  They were also treated to a dinner courtesy of HACLA.  A similar event occurred this past Mother’s Day in which winning moms got a makeover, flowers and dinner.

“This community was forgotten,” said one of the fathers, “and now it’s nice to be appreciated and recognized by this community for doing the right thing.”

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Students Awarded Scholarships with Support from Hollenbeck Community Safety Partnership Program

On June 24, 2015, scholarships were officially bestowed upon 27 outstanding students, including four from the Ramona Gardens housing development. For the past 12 years, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles has sponsored the annual scholarships, but beginning in 2014, the Hollenbeck Community Safety Partnership program joined the effort and began contributing funds.

To be eligible, students had to submit an essay explaining why they should receive a scholarship, and this year’s recipient group was the largest ever. Many of the students have already been accepted to four-year universities.

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Officers Take Girl Scouts from Ramona Gardens to Disney California Adventure Park.

Selling cookies had a big payoff for 12 Girl Scouts from the Ramona Gardens Girl Scout Troop #431. Proceeds from the cookie sales paid for a field trip on June 25, 2015, to Disney California Adventure Park.

Some of the girls were visiting the park for the first time. The event would not have been possible without the help of two senior lead officers from the Hollenbeck Community Safety Partnership program who chaperoned the outing, Officers Mishell Harvey-Dixon and Cesar Wences.

Officer Harvey-Dixon appears in front of the girls in the photo.

Suspects Caught on Camera Stealing Property from Apartment Building Residents

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department's Wilshire Area detectives are asking for the public's help to identify two suspects wanted for burglary.

In the early morning hours of Monday, May 11, 2015, two suspects entered the lobby of an apartment building located in the 100 block of Wetherly Drive. After entering the building, the suspects pried open the apartment building mailboxes and removed numerous parcels.

After stealing the mail, the suspects entered the apartment building's underground parking garage and removed property from unlocked vehicles.

Suspect #1 is described as being between 25 to 30 years old. The individual wore a blue long sleeve sweatshirt with a blue "Bebe" baseball hat. The suspect also wore what appears to be a pink or orange long sock or legwarmer on the left leg and a teal green long sock or legwarmer on the right leg. Suspect #1 also appeared to wear a long curly ponytail with blond highlights and walked with a pronounced gait.

Suspect # 2 is described as a male White between 25 to 30-years-old. He was seen wearing grey pants, a light blue or grey shirt, blue blazer and grey fedora-style hat.

Anyone with information about this burglary, or who can help identify the suspects, is asked to call Wilshire Division Detective Nolan at (213) 922-8255. Tipsters are also asked to reference DR# 1507-09742.

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 (1-800-222-8477). 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.

Reseda High School Police Academy Magnet Program Selected as Finalist

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Academy Magnet Programs at Reseda High School was selected as a finalist in the 2015 Pioneer Institute's Better Government Competition. The awards gala was held on June 24, 2015, in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Pioneer Institute's Better Government Competition, founded in 1991, is an annual citizens' idea contest that seeks out and rewards the most innovative public policy proposals. The competition grand prize winner receives $10,000; four runners-up receive $1,000 each, and other proposals receive special recognition. This year the Pioneer Institute sought innovative ideas to improve public safety and control costs in America's criminal justice system by reexamining policies that have driven mass incarceration and resulted in significant fiscal and human costs.

The Magnet Program at Reseda High School was one of the finalists selected from over 150 proposals submitted from around the country. The program was developed for at-risk youth who are also interested in a law enforcement career. One of the goals of the program is to provide a better understanding of law enforcement through coursework, training, mentoring, work and volunteer opportunities while fostering a strong and positive bond between the participants and law enforcement. This program is also a high quality recruiting resource for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Since 2005, the Police Academy Magnet Program has been producing remarkable results. School attendance rates as well as graduation rates are well above 97 percent. Every one of the students that have graduated from the program have gone to college or joined the military making this program a huge success. Many of those graduates are now serving their communities as police officers, state troopers, military police, forensic scientists, or 911 dispatch operators.

For more information, please call Lt. Darnell Davenport, Officer in Charge, Reserve and Youth Training Section, Training Division at (310) 342-3006. You may also contact Alise Cayen, Reseda High School Program Coordinator at (818) 758-3739. For information, click here:--> Los Angeles Police Academy Magnet Program.

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64-Year-Old Critical Missing Elderly Man

Los Angeles: The family of Hugo Arancibia and the Los Angeles Police Department request the public's assistance in locating the 64-year-old Los Angeles resident.

Mr. Arancibia was last seen on June 24, 2015, around 6:30 p.m. at his residence in the 1600 block of Vermont Avenue in the City of Los Angeles. Mr. Arancibia is diagnosed with dementia and has not been seen or heard from since he left his residence. His family is concerned for his welfare.

Hugo Arancibia, is described as a 64-year-old Male Hispanic with brown hair, brown eyes, "5'5", and weighs approximately 142 pounds. He was last seen wearing a yellow shirt, black sweat pants and black shoes. Mr. Arancibia also has an indentation to the left side of head.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Missing Persons Unit, Detective 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 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipster 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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Pursuits Results in Officer Involved Shooting

June 23, 2015

***Update***

**The following information is based on a preliminary, ongoing investigation which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department's understanding of the incident may change as the investigation continues and additional evidence is collected and analyzed.**


Los Angeles: Early Friday morning on June 19, 2015, at around 1 a.m., two uniformed officers assigned to Southeast Patrol Division, responded to a Domestic Violence radio call at the 9300 block of Firth Boulevard.

Comments of the radio call identified the suspect as Raul Martinez and advised that the suspect had battered his wife and possibly under the influence of methamphetamine. Comments also stated that he was possibly driving the victim's white Toyota Sienna van.

When the officers arrived to the location, the officers saw Martinez in the van and attempted to negotiate a traffic stop. Martinez failed to yield to the officers and a pursuit ensued involving numerous other Southeast Patrol Division officers and supervisors.

During the pursuit, Martinez called the California Highway Patrol via 911 and advised he had a gun in his lap and was suicidal. The pursuit lasted approximately two hours and traveled through Los Angeles and numerous other neighboring cities. At around 3:15 a.m., Martinez stopped his vehicle in the 2600 block of Cogswell Avenue in the City of El Monte and got out armed with a black semi-automatic handgun. An officer deployed a beanbag shotgun firing numerous rounds at Martinez and when he pointed the handgun at officers, an officer-involved shooting occurred.

Martinez appeared unaffected by both the beanbag rounds and the gunfire and got back into the vehicle and the pursuit continued. Around 3:40 a.m., the pursuit terminated on Valley Boulevard just north of Mountain View Road. Martinez exited the van, pointed the handgun at officers, and a second officer-involved shooting occurred. Martinez was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground where he was taken into custody without further incident.

Paramedics with Los Angeles County Fire Department Rescue responded, rendered medical aid, and transported Martinez to a local hospital.

A replica black semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the ground near where Martinez fell. No officers were injured.

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

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.

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$50,000 Reward Offered

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Central Traffic Division detectives are asking for the public's help in providing any information that would lead to the identification of the suspect involved in a hit-and-run collision that resulted in the death of 22-year-old, Manuel Enrique Mendoza-Hernandez, a resident of Los Angeles.

On Sunday, June 7, 2015, around 8:30 p.m., a fatal hit and run traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Slauson Avenue and San Pedro Place in Newton Area.

The collision occurred when Mendoza-Hernandez was riding his bicycle along the south sidewalk of Slauson Avenue, just east of San Pedro Place. Mendoza-Hernandez rode his bicycle off the sidewalk and into the path of a vehicle making a right turn from San Pedro Place onto Slauson Avenue. Mendoza-Hernandez was knocked to the pavement and run over by the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and failed to render aid as mandated by law.

Mendoza-Hernandez was pronounced dead at scene by paramedics.

There were no witnesses to the collision. The evidence recovered at the scene revealed that the hit and run vehicle may possibly be a Toyota Corolla, unknown year or color.

The investigation is being conducted by Central Traffic Division Detectives. Anyone with information is asked to please contact Detective Felix Padilla at (213) 833-3713 or Central Traffic Division Watch Commander at (213) 833-3746. 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.

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Detectives Make Multiple Arrests in the Murder of Tavin Price

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department's Criminal Gang Homicide detectives have arrested 4 people involved in the shooting death of Tavin Terrel Price.

On Friday, May 29, 2015, around 11:00 a.m., 19-year-old Tavin Terrell Price was at the Simms Car Wash located at the 3300 block of West Florence Avenue. Price walked into a smoke shop and was confronted by a male Black over his gang affiliation. The suspect made comments about Price's red shoes. Price did not reply, finished his purchase left the shop and went back to his car. A second suspect ran across the street, walked up behind Price and fired multiple times striking him. The suspect then fled back across the street.

Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the scene and transported Price to a local area hospital where he died.

Detectives arrested 27-year-old Antheyst Jarrett for Accessory After the Fact to Murder (32 P.C.). On June 2, 2015, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed charges against her and she was held to answer on June 18, 2015.

On Wednesday, June 17, 2015, 30-year-old Dwight Smith was arrested at his South Los Angeles home for murder. On Thursday, June 18, 2015, 25-year-old Kevin Johnson was arrested near Florence Avenue and 11th Avenue for murder. Johnson is alleged to have confronted Price over his shoes. The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office filed murder charges against both, Smith and Johnson, and filed a murder warrant for 27-year-old Kanasho Johns, who is the alleged shooter in this case.

On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 Kanasho Johns was arrested just outside of Houston, Texas with the assistance of the FBI/LAPD Task Force and the Houston FBI Office.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call 77th Division Criminal Gang/Homicide Detectives Eric Crosson or Fernando Cuevas at (323) 786-5113. During non-business hours or on the 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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