LAPD Blog

40-Year-Old Critical Missing Man NR19210rc

North Hollywood: The family of Kent Connell and the Los Angeles Police Department's Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public's help in locating Mr. Connell.

On July 28, 2019, around 5 p.m., Mr. Connell was last heard from when he texted his brother, who was on his way back from a family reunion. Connell suffers from depression. His family is concerned that he has not been found.

Mr. Connell is described as a 40-year-old male white with black hair, brown eyes. He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 155 pounds. Connell was last seen wearing a white shirt and green cargo pants. Connell frequents hiking trails in the area.

Kent Connell

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Kent Connell please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Missing Persons Unit, Detective Merrill 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 the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit ww.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime stoppers" menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the "P3 Tips" mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Off-Duty Los Angeles Police Officer Murdered in Lincoln Heights Identified

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we inform you of the death of Police Officer II Juan José Diaz, who was senselessly killed while off-duty in Hollenbeck Area. Officer Diaz was last assigned to Professional Standards Bureau. We have garnered the talents of our dedicated men and women to the investigation and pursuit of justice. Please hold Juan, a hero, and his family in your hearts, thoughts, and prayers. We will never forget.

“Chop Shop” Investigation Leads to an Arrest

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department's Commercial Crimes Division, Burglary and Auto Theft Section, in collaboration with Southeast Area Detectives, conducted a Chop Shop investigation which resulted in the arrest of Gustavo Ramirez, 35 years of age.

Ramirez was arrested for a violation of Section 10801 of the California Vehicle Code - Owning or Operating a Chop Shop, in the area of Main Street and 88th Place.

 

Gustavo Ramirez

Detectives recovered a stolen vehicle from a prior investigation at the location where Ramirez was arrested. Further investigation and the search warrant service at the location resulted in numerous stolen car parts being recovered.

If you have been a victim or have additional information regarding Ramirez' criminal activity, you are urged to call Commercial Crimes Division at 213-486-6943. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the "Anonymous Web Tips" mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Detectives Seeking Help to Identify Robbery Suspect

Van Nuys: The Los Angeles Police Department's Van Nuys Area Robbery Detectives are seeking the public's assistance in their investigation of a brutal assault robbery.

On January 18, 2019 at 1:15 a.m., the victim along with two females were walking through the parking lot of a hotel located in the 5500 block of Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys.

As the group was walking through the parking lot, one of the females motioned with her hands to a male suspect who was nearby. The male suspect approached the victim from behind with a wooden baseball bat.

The suspect attacked the victim with the bat, striking him multiple times in the head. The victim lost consciousness and fell to the ground. While the victim was unconscious on the ground, the suspect stood over the victim and struck the victim in the face numerous times with the baseball bat.

After brutally beating the victim, the suspect walked to a nearby vehicle and discarded the wooden baseball bat. The suspect returned to where the victim had collapsed on the ground and took the victim's wallet and cellphone from the victim's pockets.

The suspect along with the two females fled the location with the victim's property.

Suspect-1 is described as a male, wearing a brown or orange hooded jacket, dark pants and white tennis shoes.

Suspect-2 is described as a female, wearing a black top, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes.

Suspect-2 is described as a female, wearing a black top, dark pants, and unknown color shoes.

 

 

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Van Nuys Area Robbery Detective Barba or Detective Rose at (818) 374-0087. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Detectives Seeking Additional Victims of a Sexual Predator

Lake Balboa: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's West Valley Division have released a photo of a suspect charged in a several sexual assault cases in the hope of identifying other victims.
22-year-old Omar Talley, a male Black has been charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office with three counts of rape with multiple victims, two counts of oral copulation, and one count of forcible acts of sexual penetration. He is being held in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department with a bail of $1,600,000.

Talley claims to be a nightclub promoter and social media influencer. He moved from the state of New Jersey to California a few years ago, taking up residency in the Lake Balboa area of the San Fernando Valley. Talley would frequently travel to nightclubs in the Hollywood and West Hollywood Areas. He would then befriend young women in their early 20's and gain their confidence. Talley would then order a ride share service to transport himself and the young women to his residence in the 6600 block of Valjean Avenue, located in the Lake Balboa area or a nearby 'after party' location. Once at one of these locations, Talley would sexually assault the young women. Several of the women escaped during the attack, as one young woman did on July 11, 2019. This young woman immediately summoned for help and LAPD West Valley patrol officers responded to her location. Their investigation revealed Talley forced the woman to perform sexual acts, physically assaulted her and spoke degrading words to her during the commission of his criminal act. "It appears Omar Talley would be charming just before the sexual act, then change his demeanor and force the women to perform sexual acts against their will," stated Detective II Katherine Gosser.

Omar Talley

DOB: 09/05/1996

Booking Number: 5685043

Anyone with information related to this crime is urged to call Detective Wes Potter, West Valley Sex Crimes Unit, at (818) 374-7714 or Detective Katherine Gosser, West Valley Sex Crimes Unit, at (818) 374-7717. 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."

Burglary Suspects Caught on Video at Hollywood Hills Home

Hollywood Hills: The Los Angeles Police Department has obtained additional identifying information about two burglary suspects who are suspected of committing a residential burglary in the Hollywood area.

On July 19, 2019 at 5:40 p.m., two suspects approached a residence near Hillside Avenue and North Ogden Drive. The suspects repeatedly rang the victim's doorbell and after a few minutes, shattered the door's glass. They entered the residence and proceeded to ransack the interior. The suspects stole the victim's expensive watches and a Mac computer, then fled the location.

The suspects were caught on home surveillance video and are described as two male Blacks, between 18 and 25 years old with thin builds. One suspect is wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and is seen speaking into a cell phone. The other suspect has short hair and has tattoos on both arms.




Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Hollywood Burglary Detective Aluotto at (213) 972-2929 or Detective Childs at (213) 972-2931. 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."

Shooting in North Hollywood Leaves One Young Man Dead

North Hollywood: The Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Bureau Homicide detectives are asking for the public's help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved in the murder of a 27-year-old male, a resident of North Hollywood.

On July 20, 2019, around 6:53 p.m., North Hollywood area patrol officers responded to a radio call of an, "ADW shooting at Burbank Boulevard and Whitsett Avenue in the rear alley."
When officers arrived, they found the victim laying on the ground in the alley suffering from a gunshot wound and was unresponsive.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. The victim's identification is being withheld until next of kin has been notified.

The investigation revealed that the victim was walking in the alley when he was approached by a light-colored vehicle. The occupants from the vehicle and the victim had a discussion and at that time the victim was struck by gunfire. The vehicle then drove away from the alley in an unknown direction.

The suspects are described as male Hispanics, no further information.

Anyone with information on this shooting should contact Valley Bureau Homicide Detective Steve Castro at (818) 374-1925. 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 the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit ww.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the "P3 Tips" mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Hit and Run Driver Strikes Bicyclist Leaving him on the Roadway

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department's South Traffic Division are asking for the public's help in providing any information that would lead to the identification and arrest of the
suspect involved in a hit and run collision that injured a male bicyclist.

On July 20, 2019, around 10:30 p.m., the victim was riding his bicycle westbound Jefferson Boulevard along with his girlfriend near Denker Avenue when a dark colored sedan travelling westbound Jefferson Boulevard, at a high rate of speed, struck the bicyclist. The bicyclist was thrown from his bicycle and landed on the roadway. The victim's girlfriend was not injured during the incident.

The driver of the vehicle fled westbound Jefferson Boulevard, failed to stop, render aid or identify themselves as required by law.

The Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and transported the bicyclist to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. His identification is being withheld until next of kin has been notified.

On April 15, 2015, the City Council amended the Los Angeles Administrative Code and created a Hit and Run Reward Program Trust Fund. A reward of up to $25,000 is available to community members who provide information leading to the offender's identification, apprehension, and conviction or resolution through a civil compromise.

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Traffic Division, Detective Flannery or Officer Pollard, at 323-421-2500. 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 the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the "P3 Tips" mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Statement Regarding Use of Confidential Informants During Major Protests

In response to the concerns identified in media reports regarding a confidential informant's role in a 2017 criminal investigation of individuals involved in major protests, Chief Michel Moore has ordered a top-to-bottom review to determine whether the Department's stringent requirements for the use of confidential informants were followed.

The Department has been in close contact with the civilian Board of Police Commissioners and its independent Inspector General regarding the concerns and will begin a thorough review of the case and existing processes to ensure that the public's trust is not compromised using certain investigative techniques. Chief Moore has directed the LAPD's Office of Constitutional Policing and Policy to oversee the review and ensure that all legal, policy, and community issues have been properly examined and addressed.

The LAPD is steadfastly committed to constitutional policing and building the public's trust to effectively reduce crime and protect the community. We will take all necessary and appropriate steps to investigate any potential concerns raised.

82-Year-Old Critical Missing Elderly Man

Los Angeles: The family of Wonhee Chea and detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Missing Person's Unit are asking for the public's help in locating him.

Wonhee Chea was last heard from on July 18, 2019, around 6 a.m., when he was walking with his wife and they became separated near the 1200 block of Westmoreland Avenue. Chea is not from the area and is visiting from Korea.

Wonhee Chea is described as an 82-year-old Male Korean with Black hair, brown eyes. He stands 5 feet and weighs around 142 pounds. Chea was last seen wearing a black vest, dark blue shirt and black pants walking with a cane. Chea may need medical attention.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Wonhee Chea please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Missing Persons Unit, and Detective Merrill: 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 the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit ww.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime stoppers" menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the "P3 Tips" mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.