LAPD Blog

198 Arrested in County-wide Sex Trafficking Operation

Los Angeles: In observance of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, The Los Angeles Police Department Detective Support and Vice Division, Human Trafficking Unit (DSVD-HTU), in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Innocence Lost task Force (FBI-ILTF) conducted a County-wide operation that focused on the rescue and recovery of commercially sexually exploited children.

Operation Reclaim and Rebuild took place during the week of January 18 through January 23, 2016. Vice Investigators across the County conducted field operations to raise the public awareness of human trafficking by searching for potential sex trafficking victims, rescue them and attempt to locate and arrest the pimp.

Operation Reclaim and Rebuild resulted in 198 potential human trafficking suspects taken into custody. Six pimps were arrested and 12 minors were rescued who had been trafficked for the purposes of sexual slavery. Six adults were also identified as trafficking victims and received appropriate victim services. All recovered minors were placed in protective custody and will receive assistance and social services from the Department of Children and Family Services, as well as other non-governmental organizations.

Operation Reclaim and Rebuild was extremely successful and the quantity of arrests sends a strong message to the community that Human Trafficking is not tolerated. Most importantly, the operation provided 18 victims of sexual exploitation the opportunity and ability to reclaim their freedom and rebuild their lives.

Anyone with information on this crime or any other crimes related to Human Trafficking, Pimping, and Pandering are asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Human Trafficking Unit Detective Lina Teague at 213-486-0957. 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.

25-Year-Old Missing Woman

Update

Hannah Bower has been located and her family is in contact with her.

25-Year-Old Missing Woman

Los Angeles: The family of Hannah Bower and the Los Angeles Police Department's Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public's assistance in locating her.

Hannah was last seen on January 26, 2016 around 1:30 p.m. from her place of business in the 14700 block of Ventura Boulevard, in the Devonshire area of Los Angeles. Hannah has not been seen or heard from since, and her family is extremely concerned for her welfare.

Hannah Bower is described as a 25-year-old female Japanese American with black hair and brown eyes. She stands 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds. Hannah Bower was last seen wearing a black shirt with "Rocket Fizz" on the front, dark jeans with glasses and her hair in a bun or pony tail.

Hannah is driving a 2012 Toyota Prius, 4 door, green, 6XKA669 CA license plate.

Hannah Bower

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Hannah Bower, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Missing Persons Unit, Detective Carlton
(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.

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Suspect Wanted for Grocery Store Robbery

Los Angeles: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a robbery suspect.

On Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at about 12:45 p.m., a robbery occurred at the Trader Joe's located at the 10700 block of National Boulevard. The suspect entered the store, loaded a backpack with liquor and left without paying. When store employees confronted him, the suspect threatened them with a knife.

The suspect is described as a male, Hispanic, with black hair in a ponytail, beard with mustache, standing at 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 200 lbs. The suspect was wearing a dark sweater, dark shorts, and grey and black tennis shoes.

A photo of the suspect was taken with the backpack filled with the items taken from the Trader Joe's.


Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Pacific Area Robbery Detective Keyzer at 310-482-6369 or call Pacific Watch Commander at 310-482-6334. 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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Notes from the January 26, 2016 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

BOPC Meeting Jan 26, 2016

Commission President Matthew Johnson opened the meeting.

Chief Charlie Beck was attending a large scale counter assault exercise in the San Fernando Valley and was not present at the police commission. Assistant Chief Michel Moore, Office of Administrative Services, provided the Chief of Police report. Chief Moore announced the pride and success of the inaugural Run to Remember - Los Angeles. The half marathon and 10K race was modeled after the notable Run to Remember in Boston. It brought community members and first responders together to pay tribute to members of public safety and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 5k runners participated. In attendance were 75 different agencies from 30 states and 5 countries outside of the United States.

Department’s Report, dated January 19, 2016, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for Detective Support and Vice Division, as set forth, [BPC #16-0033] was approved and will be transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

Department’s Report, dated January 19, 2016, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records for Southwest and Pacific Areas, as set forth, [BPC #16-0034] was approved and will be transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

Department’s Report, dated January 19, 2016, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for Commercial Crimes Division, as set forth, [BPC #16-0035] was approved and will be transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

Department’s Report, dated January 19, 2016, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records for Hollenbeck and Rampart Areas, as set forth, [BPC #16-0036] was approved and will be transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

Department’s Report, dated January 19, 2016, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records for Motor Transport Division, as set forth, [BPC #16-0037] was approved and will be transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

Class 8-15 Recruit Graduation

January 22, 2016 – A Los Angeles Police Academy graduation ceremony was held this morning at the LAPD Administration Building plaza.  

Today’s ceremony featured 25 graduates.  All recruits have completed 920 hours of training over the course of 24 weeks.  The recruits appeared before Chief Charlie Beck, Department command staff, city officials and hundreds of spectators.   

In his speech, Chief Beck thanked family members and friends in attendance for trusting their loved ones on their decision to enter the profession of law enforcement.  “It’s a tough time to be a cop in America,” said the chief.  “It takes a tough person; it takes an even tougher family.”  As always, he emphasized the importance of how character, instilled and maintained by a recruit’s family, is the single most significant factor to ensure a successful career as a law enforcement officer.  

To the graduates, Chief Beck talked about the question he always asks recruits during his inspection of the them near the beginning of the ceremony.  As he walks through the rows of new officers standing at attention, he asks each of them why they decided to become an LAPD officer.  “You gave me 25 different answers, all of them good, all of them relevant, all of them on point,” said the chief.  “You write down what you told me. You put it on a piece of paper in your own handwriting, and you keep it some place where you’ll see it every day. I want you to look at that piece of paper and remember why you are here, and always be true to that.”  

Continuing to address the recruits directly, Chief Beck stressed that all LAPD officers must make the city safer and build public trust.  “Those are not two separate things,” he said. “Because the public’s perception of police has more to do with crime than anybody had ever imagined in the past, and you define the LAPD in everything you do, on duty or off duty.  I demand that you treat people fairly, and I demand that you treat them well.”  Chief Beck closed as he always does, by promising to protect and serve the new officers as they protect and serve the City of Los Angeles.

Recruits will start their new jobs almost immediately, as many will be deployed in the field at their respective LAPD divisions beginning as soon as Sunday, January 24.  Abiding by tradition, at the end of the ceremony, recruits recited their class chant and tossed their caps high into the air, celebrating their training achievements and visions of success as LAPD’s newest officers.

Download COP Grad Speech 1-22-16

 

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Officers Confronted by Man Wielding Hunting Knife

**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 evidence is collected and analyzed.**

North Hills: West Valley Area patrol officers responding to a 9-1-1 call of a man armed with a knife in Mission Area where officers used a TASER and then fired their handguns when the suspect approached them wielding a hunting knife with a 6 ½" blade.

On January 17, 2016 at approximately 5:45 p.m. a resident in Mission area made a 9-1-1 call to LAPD Communications Division to report a man with a large knife across the street from her home. West Valley patrol officers Raul Gonzalez and Adrian Cruz responded to the 8800 block of Norwich Avenue and observed the suspect holding a large hunting knife. The officers exited their patrol car when the suspect approached the officers with the knife in his hand. The officers directed the suspect to stop approaching and to drop the knife. The suspect, however, ignored the officers' commands and quickened his pace toward Officer Cruz on the passenger-side of the patrol car.

Officer Gonzalez, positioned on the driver's side of the patrol car, fired his TASER at the suspect while Officer Cruz simultaneously fired one round from his handgun. The suspect momentarily fell to the ground and let go of the knife and Officer Gonzalez reactivated the TASER and directed the suspect to get down on the ground. The suspect, however, appeared unaffected by the TASER, grabbed the knife and began standing up. The officers continued yelling at the suspect to drop the knife and get down on the ground and Officer Gonzalez again tried using his TASER to incapacitate the suspect. The suspect, however, did not respond to the TASER and continued getting up and holding the blade toward Officer Cruz. Officer Gonzalez then drew his handgun and fired at the suspect who then fell to the ground and was taken into custody.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics treated the suspect, later identified as Efrain Herrera, Jr., and transported him to a local hospital where he later died.

LAPD's specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. The completed investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force fully complied with LAPD's policies and procedures. In addition, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the incident to determine whether any of the officers' actions violated California criminal statutes.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call LAPD's 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) or send a text starting with the message "LAPD" to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S).

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Officer’s Confronted by Armed Robbery Suspect in Hollywood

**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 facts and circumstances of the incident may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

Los Angeles: Hollywood Area patrol officers were confronted by an armed robbery suspect last Saturday resulting in an officer-involved shooting and the death of the suspect.

At approximately 2:15 p.m. on January 16th, LAPD Communications Division received a 9-1-1 call from a local resident regarding a trespass suspect who later returned and confronted the caller in his backyard in the 1800 block of Courtney Terrace. The caller described the intruder as a male who was wearing dark clothing and pointed a handgun at him while in his backyard. LAPD patrol units along with a police helicopter responded to the area. The police helicopter was the first to spot the described suspect as he fled up a hillside surrounding the neighborhood.

Before LAPD ground units arrived, the suspect attempted to break into a garage near the original caller's residence but was unsuccessful. The suspect then fled down a steep hill through the brush ending up in the 1800 block of Nichols Canyon Road where he attempted to gain entry into a gated yard and pointed a handgun at a person working at a residence. Hollywood Area patrol officers Marcus Kemp and Brett Cohen responded to the location where the suspect was seen hiding behind a car along Nichols Canyon Road. The suspect emerged from behind the car pointing a firearm at the officers as they arrived. The officers responded by firing their handguns striking the suspect who fell to the ground. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics provided immediate medical treatment but the suspect died at the scene.

The suspect was later identified as Alfred Longoria, 33 years of age, and investigators found him in possession of property stolen from the 9-1-1 caller's residence along with a replica firearm resembling a Colt Defender semi-automatic pistol.

LAPD's specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD's policies and procedures. In addition, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the incident to determine whether any of the officers' actions violated California criminal statutes.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call LAPD's 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) or send a text 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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Officers Save Life of a Suicidal Man

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Hollywood Area officers responded to a radio call of a '"Suicide in Progress" on corner of La Brea Avenue and Delongpre Avenue.

On January 17, 2016 around 5:30 p.m., Hollywood Officers saw a man near the top of a telephone pole with a tied torn shirt around his neck threatening to hang himself from the pole.

Hollywood supervisors began coordinating the scene and requested multiple resources, including Los Angeles Fire Department and Emergency Response Team. Officers were ready to take lifesaving action should the victim hang himself from the telephone pole. An extended ladder and air bag was also deployed to facilitate the safety of the man.

When the man let go of his grip on the pole, he hung himself by the neck with his feet dangling in the air. Officer Joseph Marx and Chris Ignacio took direct action and put the emergency contingency plan and saved the man's life.

Lieutenant Scott Murray stated, "I could not be prouder of the supervisors and officers who brought this incident to a successful and safe conclusion." Their actions saved the life of a mentally disturbed, suicidal man, who they neither knew, nor never met.

The man received medical treatment from the Los Angeles Fire Department at the scene and was transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment and mental evaluation.
No officers were injured during this incident.

Hollywood supervisors and officers are to be commended for their heroic action while upholding the proud traditions of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Questions or requests for interviews may be directed to the Hollywood Division watch commander, Lieutenant Scott Murray, by calling (213) 972-2976.

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LAPD Statement on Crime Fighting Strategies

Los Angeles: Earlier today, Directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) held a press conference regarding the Department's efforts to fight crime in the City of Los Angeles. The LAPD and its nearly 13,000 sworn and civilian employees work hard every day to make Los Angeles the safest big city in the Nation despite a state-wide trend of increasing crime. While reported violent and property crime increased in 2015, it is important to note the following facts.

Crime in Los Angeles continues to be at historic lows.

•   Crime per capita in 2015 was lower than it was in 1953 when the City's population was only two million residents compared to four million today.

•   2015 marked the sixth year in a row that homicides were below 300 in the City. By contrast, in 1992, 1,094 people were murdered in Los Angeles.

•   Overall reported crime in 2015 represented a 21% decrease in crime compared to ten years ago.

Last year's crime increase was largely driven by the following factors:

•   The potential unintended effects of Proposition 47 and AB 109 which reduced penalties for certain offenses and promised additional services which have not yet materialized.

•   Stricter reporting of aggravated assaults under the federal Uniform Crime Report system.

•   Increased outreach to victims of domestic violence, traditionally an underreported crime.

•   The increase in the homeless population which increased the number of potential victims vulnerable to a variety of property and violent crimes.

Despite these factors, and the statewide trend of increasing crime, the LAPD has implemented several strategies in partnership with other City agencies and community groups which have taken hold and have had a positive effect in the last quarter of 2015. These successful strategies included:

•   Significantly expanding the number of specially-trained officers assigned to LAPD's Metropolitan Division who are flexibly deployed to rapidly respond to crime spikes and proactively prevent crimes throughout the City.

•   Doubling the number of Domestic Abuse Response Teams (DART) enabling every LAPD patrol division to field specialized teams to prevent and respond to domestic violence incidents.

•   Expanding the Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) program to include twice as many GRYD zones that provide prevention and intervention services to at-risk youth.

•   Combining City and County efforts to reduce homelessness comprehensively by increasing available housing and providing additional support services.

•   Doubling the number of specially-trained teams of police officers and mental health professionals to respond to incidents involving a mental health crisis.

•   Expanding Smart Policing Initiatives to use sophisticated data analysis to deploy police resources in areas that will have the largest impact in preventing and reducing crime.

These proven strategies have not only reduced the much higher crime rates of past years but have shown positive results in the last quarter of 2015 and the initial weeks of this year. Through the expertise, creativity, and commitment of the officers and leaders who developed these successful strategies in the past, the LAPD will continue to work with the community to reduce crime throughout the City each and every day.

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Church Robbery Caught on Camera

Los Angeles: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollenbeck Division are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a robbery suspect.

On Tuesday January 12, 2016, at around 11 a.m., a group of parishioners from The Church of the Assumption located in Boyle Heights were robbed of the church's weekly offerings.

After the weekly money count of the church's offerings, an 80 year old parishioner, left the church carrying a canvas bag containing cash, coins and checks totaling around $4,100.00.

The suspect grabbed the bag and ran off. The parishioner attempted to hold onto the bag as he was dragged on the pavement. Ultimately, he let go of the bag and the suspect jumped into the passenger seat of an awaiting late model, black sedan. The church parishioner was treated for his injuries at scene by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The church's video cameras captured the suspect arriving and loitering in the church parking lot for around 45 minutes prior to the robbery. A second suspect, who was the getaway driver, is seen acting as a lookout from the opposite side of the parking lot.

The first suspect is described as a male Hispanic, thin build, wearing a black hat, dark jacket and light colored pants.

There is no available description on the second suspect.



Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Hollenbeck Detective Dante Palacio at (323) 342-8981 or the Hollenbeck Detective desk at (323) 342-8900. 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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