Addition to Most Wanted List Announced

Los Angeles:  With the capture of LAPD's first Top-10 Most Wanted gang member on February 21, Police Chief William Bratton and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today the name of the next local gang member to be added to the list.

Fernando Araujo, 19, is a member of the Canoga Park Alabama (CPA) criminal street gang in the San Fernando Valley.  An arrest warrant for attempted murder was issued for him after he was implicated in the August 26, 2006, drive-by shooting of an 18-year-old college football player, who was standing outside a youth center near Deering Avenue and Gault Street.  Araujo is also implicated in a second drive-by shooting from August, and is wanted as a material witness in a third shooting.

Detectives believe Araujo was one of several gang members in the car that sped by and fired.  Detectives believe the gang targeted the football player because he is Black.  Witnesses reported hearing a racial slur uttered as the shooting took place.  The CPA gang has garnered a reputation for targeting its victims based on race. Ten shootings in the last six months have been attributed to the CPA gang; all ten victims were Black.  Six arrests have been made in four of the shootings.

The cars used in the August 26 drive-by shooting were a 1990s, white Mazda and a tan Ford Explorer.

Araujo is short and thin, with black hair and brown eyes.  The bail on the warrant was set at $3,050,000.

Members of the community are encouraged to call their local police station or the LAPD's toll-free number with information about local gang activity.  The City Council has authorized up to $50,000 as a reward for information that leads to the capture of any of the Top-10 Most Wanted Gang Members.  The LAPD's toll-free number is 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Persons with information about Fernando Araujo may contact the West Valley Area gang unit at 818-374-7870.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Comments

[CONCERNED]

WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN GANG AND NARCO OFFICERS ARE FORCED TO SIGN FULL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES. HOPEFULLY NO ONE WILL SIGN IT.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE OPEN THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL'S BOOKS, THE POLICE COMMISION, THE COMMAND STAFF... THEY DONT WANT ANYONE LOOKING AT THERE PERSONAL FINANCES AND RIGHTFULLY SO.

THINGS WILL CHANGE WHEN THERE ARE NO GANG AND NARCO OFFICERS. 2007 THE YEAR OF THE GANGS?

LT. WHY IS THIS ISSUE NOT A FRONT PAGER ON THE BLOG.. WHERE IS THE MEDIA ON THIS ONE..

[Truthsayer]

Is that financial disclosure paper rumor, or reality. It seems a little far fetched, and I don't get its purpose. If it is true, they are basically saying we don't trust police. That has to be the craziest thing I ever heard. I just don't believe that.

[SouthEnd P-3]

If you force out the good GED and NED officers with the financial disclosures, you're gonna get lazy officers who would never be picked to work a specialized unit working these very important assignments. Just food for thought. Someone mentioned earlier...there is no need for this...if the city thinks someone is shady, then they can get a search warrant and get all the financial info they need. They don't need to put every single officer in this situation, especially because 99.999999% of these officers are moral, ethical, and selflessly work their asses off. Most people would run awau from a man with a gun, but not them. Our job is hard enough dealing with the negative press, the ungrateful community, the activists always alleging BS, the people suing and trying to win the LAPD lottery, and the list goes on. This proposal is unnecessary and will devastate the city.

[LACOPWATCH]

It is called ACCOUNTABILITY! We have groups that cover government spending, politics etc what makes you cops any different!! You are paid with tax payer money and we need to make sure you are not going to abuse your authority!! If you do not like it get out and find another job!!! City of Los Angeles HR

[Onthesidelines]

LACOPWATCH - I think you should change your moniker to read LACOPHATER. I cringe every time I read one of your comments because you practically spit malice towards the Department and officers, no matter what subject is being discussed.

If the City of Los Angeles goes forward in implementing the financial disclosure requirements, there will be no protections in place to exclude the information to virtually any defendant who has been arrested by the LAPD. Imagine what the criminals could do with this information if they should seek revenge for their incarcerations. No other municipal law enforcement agency in the United States has ever mandated this requirement. You want the officers to leave L.A.? You watch, Mr. Watcher.... if they are forced to comply with this requirement, they will leave in droves. Other departments will gladly hire them.

[Detective]

Lacopwatch

When I get my paycheck, it's my money not the tax payer money. This is not about government spending it is personal finances, which is not anyones business.

How I spend my money is my business just like it is your business what you do with your money. Also this is full financial disclosure. Your accounts, spouse accounts, childrens accounts

Think before you speak. Would you like someone knowing, commenting and following how you spend your money and live your life..

Wheres the ACLU on this one

Again, if I cop is dirty, just as if Copwatch was dirty, build probable cause and get a search warrant.

Becareful what you say "If you don't like it get out and find another job." It is already happening.

Also, you cant be forced to disclose. You will only be re assigned from gangs or Narco. No gang and narco cops, theres a thought.

[Loves LA LEOs]

So. You work for HR? Figures.

[concerened]

araujo is innocent.
i know him
i grew up with his family
he is not capable of doing such thing.
coming from a so called street gang leads people to backstab their what they call "homeboys" just to save themeselves.
hes an innocent young adult
he might have a record but LAPD had to realize what they heard might have come from the person that actually had something to do with it,
im not tring to pursuade but i grew up on the streets of canoga park i know what goes on
and i have learned and realized the way people are
the way people will do anything to save themeselves even if they have to blame it on their own kind