LAPD Blog

Robbery Suspects Apprehended NR21069jl

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives have arrested two suspects connected to a series of armed robberies targeting individuals wearing Rolex watches.  

Detectives have recognized a pattern of armed robberies occurring in the west side of Los Angeles. The suspects target individuals wearing high end watches, primarily Rolex watches.  The affected neighborhoods include: Mar Vista, Venice, Mid-Wilshire, Melrose Shopping District, Culver City, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills.  

On March 11, 2021, Los Angeles Police Department detectives from Wilshire and Pacific Areas arrested two individuals involved in the Rolex robberies.  Detectives believe that the suspects are part of an organized crew responsible for committing the series of robberies.  One Rolex watch was recovered and returned to its owner.  Detectives continue to actively pursue multiple leads in an effort to apprehend additional suspects.  Suspect identification and evidence recovered during this investigation is being withheld at this time.  Any further disclosure could compromise the investigation.   

It is recommended the community take the following precautions to reduce the risk of becoming a victim:  

• Always be alert to your surroundings and the people around you.  
• Try to stay in well-lit areas.  
• Don’t walk alone at night and always avoid areas where there are few people.  

• Be careful when people stop you for directions. Always reply from a distance, and

   never get too close to the car.  

• If you feel you’re being followed, walk to a well-populated area.  

• Don't resist. Give up your property, don't give up your life.  
• Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately.  
• Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims.  

Anyone with information about this incident are asked to contact Wilshire Robbery Detectives B. Romero, Serial No. 36287, and S. Villatoro, Serial No. 40882 at 213-922-8266.  During non-business hours, or on weekends, calls should be directed to (323) 846-6553 or 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.

Severe Injury Hit and Run Traffic Collision NR21070jc

East Hollywood:  Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects responsible for the Hit and Run traffic collision that severely injured a man.

On February 6, 2021, around 8:05 p.m., a severe injury felony hit and run collision occurred on Virgil Avenue just south of Clinton Street when the victim, a tow truck driver, was in the process of towing a vehicle.  The tow truck’s yellow light bar was activated, and the victim was wearing a reflective vest.  As the victim was completing a tow assignment and was taking photographs of the vehicle he was towing, the suspect vehicle, described as a red sedan, was traveling southbound on Virgil Avenue.  The suspect vehicle struck the victim and launched him into the air.  The victim traveled approximately 35 feet before coming to rest in the bed of his tow truck.  The driver of the red sedan fled without identifying themselves or attempting to render aid to the victim. 

The victim was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit with severe injuries as a result of the incident.

Central Traffic Division detectives obtained video that captured the incident.  That video of the collision and a message from the victim to the driver of the red sedan can be viewed on Central Traffic Division’s Twitter account (@LAPDCTD24) or Central Traffic Division’s YouTube account by visiting https://youtu.be/r0OEtFCJ8zM

Drivers are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves.

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 about this collision is asked to contact officer G. Diaz or Detective Juan Campos of Central Traffic Division Detectives at 213-833-3713 or email [email protected].  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 the 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 “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Arrest Made and Charges Filed in Beating of Elderly Man That Caused His Death NR21068jc

Venice: On February 28, 2021, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Pacific Officers were made aware that a Venice resident had died after being assaulted in Venice.  LAPD Officers completed a death report and an investigation was launched into the victim’s death.  The victim was identified as 76-year-old John Decindis.

West Bureau Homicide Detectives’ investigation revealed that on February 8, 2021, Mr. John Decindis had told a hospital social worker that he had been assaulted but that he did not want to make a police report.  The assault had occurred when Mr. John Decindis had been walking his dog and he was attacked by a man he had seen previously in the neighborhood. The attack occurred without apparent motive.  Mr. John Decindis was hospitalized with several fractures and when he was released from the hospital, he had to return some time later due to having difficulty recovering from the injuries.  On February 27, 2021, Mr. John Decindis succumbed to his injuries and died at a local hospital.   

West Bureau Homicide Detectives’ investigation showed that this incident occurred in the 1500 block of Abbot Kinney Boulevard, after Mr. John Decindis had been confronted and followed by the suspect from Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Milwood Avenue. Mr. John Decindis had told others about the assault and had also described the suspect to those same people.

On March 4, 2021, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office determined this case to be a homicide. On March 9, 2021, Pacific Patrol Officers received information and a description of the suspect from West Bureau Homicide Detectives and observed the suspect in the area of Milwood Avenue and Abbot Kinney Boulevard.  Officers detained the suspect, later identified as  45-year-old Obie Thompson, a person experiencing homelessness. Thompson was subsequently booked for Murder.  

On March 11, 2021, West Bureau Homicide Detectives presented this case to the District Attorney’s office and the District Attorney filed the charges of Murder and Elder Abuse. Thompson was held on two million dollars bail and will be arraigned.  

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact West Bureau Homicide Investigators at 213-382-9470.  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 “P-3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Pedestrian Killed in Fatal Hit & Run NR21067jc

Mid-city: The Los Angeles Police Department's West Traffic Division detectives are asking for the public's help in providing any information that would lead to the identification and arrest of the driver involved in a hit and run traffic collision that killed a pedestrian.

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, around 6:25 a.m., a vehicle was traveling eastbound on Venice Boulevard when it collided with a pedestrian crossing within the marked crosswalk at the intersection of Wilton Place. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and render aid or identify themselves as required by California law.

The Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced the pedestrian dead at the scene. The pedestrian's identity will be withheld until next of kin has been notified.

The vehicle is described as a white Chevrolet full-sized pickup truck.

Drivers are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves.

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 $50,000 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 about this collision is asked to contact West Traffic Division detectives at 213-473-0234 or 213-473-0222. 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.

Chaleff Report Statement NR21066ti

Los Angeles: The Department has received the report, "An Independent Examination of the Los Angeles Police Department - 2020 Protest Response," led by Independent Counsel Mr. Gerald Chaleff and his team and will provide comments once we have had an opportunity to carefully review the report in its entirety. Previously, the Department also initiated our own internal report and anticipates that a third report from the National Police Foundation will also be released by the end of this month. It is the Department's intent to review the findings and recommendations from all three reports, identify areas of improvement, and a path forward. To provide detailed comments beforehand would be premature.

Independent of the three reports, the Department recognized areas of improvement from the events that occurred over the summer, and in the spirit of our Core Value, Quality Through Continuous Improvement, implemented several changes. Although the Chief of Police has taken responsibility for the Department's response over the summer, we have also identified lessons learned from the civil unrest. As a result, additional training was provided to the rank and file, as well as the command staff and leadership of the Department. The opportunity to learn from our mistakes, to grow, and become better servants to our community is welcomed, and we look forward to leaning into the challenges before us.

After the events of the summer, intensive Crowd Management and Crowd Control training was provided to nearly 4,200 personnel, including instruction on interaction with the media. Additionally, to date, over 7,500 officers have received Command and Control training. Following the implementation of the added training the Department successfully managed significant demonstrations and protests prior to and during the national elections and the Presidential Inauguration. We will continue to look at lessons learned and make efforts to ensure people are able to express themselves safely.

It is our Department's commitment to facilitate people's ability to express their First Amendment rights, while ensuring that those who prey upon others are unable to disrupt public safety, commit acts of violence, or destroy property.