LAPD Blog

Pit Bull Charged Detectives

Los Angeles: A Los Angeles Police Department detective shot and wounded a Pit Bull in self defense after the dog charged him.

On Friday, November 2, 2007, at around 8:10 a.m., two Harbor Area robbery detectives were conducting a follow up investigation at a home near Vermont Avenue and Lomita Boulevard.

A barking dog confronted two investigators as they searched the area and attempted to locate individuals that might have information on a recent robbery.

After the confrontation, Detective Ryan Williams and his partner both began backing out of the area, with their weapons drawn.  The Pit Bull continued to bark and suddenly charged at them.  Williams fired his semi-automatic pistol, and struck the dog in the leg.  The injured dog ran into the woods. 

Los Angles Animal Control officers responded to the scene and searched for the dog but were unable to find the wounded animal.

Harbor Division detectives are handling the dog shooting investigation.

Animal Hoarding in North Hollywood

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles City Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACTF) investigators found 5 dead cats along with 17 live cats and kittens at a residence in North Hollywood. 

On November 20, 2007, at 7:50 in the morning, investigators served a search warrant in the 5700 block of Fair Avenue.  The ACTF has received numerous complaints from the neighbors regarding animal hoarding at the residence.  The neighbors said there are multiple cats and that there were obnoxious odors emanating from the location.

A 65-year-old female resident was detained per a search warrant.  The ACTF worked in cooperation with the Department of Housing, the Los Angeles Police Department Hazmat Unit and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and obtained the much-needed care for the resident.  Four dead cats were removed from inside the home as well as 17 live cats and kittens.  Another dead cat was removed from the driveway.

The resident was placed on a mental evaluation hold due to her condition and the animals were placed into protective custody at the Los Angeles Animal Services East Valley Shelter.  The Department of Housing posted a notice advising the residence was uninhabitable and required immediate attention before re-occupancy.

The Los Angeles City Animal Cruelty Task Force is made up of Los Angeles Police Officers and Detectives, Animal Service Officers from the Department of Animal Services and Deputy City Attorney’s from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.  They investigate human cruelty against animals.

Reports of animal cruelty can be reported to the Animal Cruelty Task Force at 213-847-1417.

Contact your local Los Angeles Animal Services shelter to adopt a pet today

Notes from the November 20, 2024 Police Commission Weekly Meeting

• This week's meeting was the last meeting for Commissioner Shelley Freeman.  Commissioner Freeman resigned to devote more time to her work as regional president for Wells Fargo's Los Angeles Metro Community Bank.  Her nominated successor, Robert Saltzman, was present at the meeting this week and is scheduled for confirmation by the City Council on Wednesday, November 21, 2007.  If he is confirmed, his first day with the Commission will be Tuesday, December 4, 2007.
• The Board of Police Commissioners presented Commissioner Freeman with the Police Commission Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award for service the Commission is able to bestow.  An emotional round of tributes from each Commissioner followed.  Commissioner Freeman then thanked the Commissioners and several others, including Chief Bratton, for her experience on the Commission. She characterized her experience with the Commission as life changing.  She listed the achievements of the Commission during the her tenure, including increasing Department transparency, streamlining the Use of Force review process and tremendous progress in Consent Decree compliance, among a long list of others.  She also listed issues she encouraged the Commission to continue to focus on, one of which was the Explorer matter, which was among the meeting's agenda items.
• Sitting in for Chief Bratton, Assistant Chief Sharon Papa reported on the officer who was injured in Hollenbeck Area before the meeting began.  The officer was run over by a suspect and he sustained 2 broken legs.  Further details were still being confirmed.  Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger and Deputy Chief Mark Perez went to the scene of the incident.
• The Inspector General introduced a new employee, Police Performance Auditor III Amanda Dyson. 
• Commissioner Freeman pulled 4 of the meeting's Consent Agenda Items for discussion, as they pertained to the Explorer matter.  All nine of the meeting's Consent Agenda Items were ultimately approved.
• The verbal presentation from the Department, made by Deputy Chief Mark Perez, as requested by the Board on October 23, 2024 on the current status of the personnel investigations and adjudication process relative to the MacArthur Park incident occurring on May 1, 2007, was accepted.  Another update on this matter was requested for the December 18, 2024 weekly meeting.
• The verbal presentation from the Department, made by Commander James Cansler, regarding the Diversity of Police Officer Applicants in the hiring process, was accepted. 
• The Department's report, dated November 8, 2007, relative to a supplemental award agreement of $200,000 for the augmentation and extension to the law enforcement response to Human Trafficking Grant Award, was approved.
• The Department's report, dated November 13, 2007, relative to the wireless data card funding request with detailed specifics on the history of transactions, was approved.
• The Department's report, dated November 9, 2007, relative to the Blake-Justice Consent Decree Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2006-2007, was approved.
• The Department's report, dated November 10, 2007, in response to a Board request, relative to an action plan and quarterly report on the City Controller's audit of Fiscal Operations Division of the Los Angeles Police Department, was approved.
• The Department's report, dated November 2, 2007, relative to a request for proposal for Canine Veterinary Services for the Department's K-9 Platoons: Metropolitan Division, Narcotics Division, Emergency Services Division's Bomb Squad, and Bomb Detection Canine Unit, was approved.
• The Department's report, dated October 31, 2007, relative to the Ethics Enforcement Section Quarterly Report, Third Quarter 2007, in accordance with the Annual Audit Plan, was approved.
• The Department's report, dated November 13, 2007, relative to the Discipline report, Third Quarter 2007, in accordance with the Annual Audit Plan, was approved.
• The Department's reports, dated August 6, 2024 and September 7, 2007, in response to a Board request, relative to the Police Explorer program and administrative issues, was approved.  Another update on the Explorer matter was requested for the December 18, 2024 weekly meeting.
• The Department's report, dated August 8, 2007, relative to the ordinance, policy, and procedures in respect to the acceptance of donations for the Police Department, was continued.  This issue will be on the agenda of the December 18, 2024 weekly meeting.
• The Executive Director's report, dated November 15, 2007, relative to awarding the Police Commission Distinguished Service Medal to Shelley Freeman for her service as a Police Commissioner, was approved.
• The Department's report, dated November 14, 2007, in response to a Board request, relative to an update on the progress of Professional Standards Bureau's Racial Profiling investigations subsequent to the implementation of the new protocol, was approved.  This issue will be revisited in six months' time for an update.
• The Inspector General's report, dated November 16, 2007, in response to a Board request, relative to a review of the Department's use of Professional Standards Bureau's Racial Profiling investigative protocols, was approved.  This issue will be revisited in six months' time for an update.

Reward Offered in Rug Merchants Murder

Los Angeles: City Councilman Jose Huizar announced this morning a $75,000 reward for information leading to the arrest, apprehension, and conviction of the man who shot   Ebrahim Torbati on October 23, 2007, during a late-afternoon robbery in the Los Angeles Fashion District.  Torbati’s nephew from New York, Adam Mehrfar, stood beside the councilman at the news conference.

“Perpetrators of these senseless crimes must be brought to justice quickly, and I hope the reward will be the incentive needed to solve the case,” said Councilman Huizar, who represents the 14th Council District where Torbati had his business. “I only wish there was more I could do.”

According to witnesses on the day of the murder, a Black man cased the store first by asking about a rug at the Rug City, Inc., located at 840 S. Santee Street.  The so-called customer left, then returned a short time later.  This time he pointed a gun at the owner, Ebrahim Torbati, and reached toward the cash drawer.   When Torbati struggled to keep the money, the robber shot him.  Torbati, 71, died a short time later at the hospital.

Detectives found blood and other evidence at the scene.  Witnesses described the suspect as Black, under 5’5” tall, thin, and 20 to 25 years old.  He was last seen wearing a gray shirt and gray baseball cap.  Witnesses helped a sketch artist reconstruct the suspect’s likeness.  Both witnesses thought the sketch bore an uncanny resemblance to the young robber.

Witnesses saw the robber run north from the store, then east to 8th Street and Maple Street, where he got into a white Toyota Camry with two Black women.

Ebrahim Torbati was a Jewish, Iranian immigrant, who owned one of the several rug stores on Santee Street.  His closet kin in the USA was his sister and his nephew, Adam Mehrfar.

The last homicide to occur in the Fashion District was related to a love triangle between two men and a woman in 2002.  There have been no shots-fired incidents in the Fashion District in over two years.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide investigation is encouraged to call Detective Doug Pierce at 213-972-1254.  Persons can call the LAPD Hotline number any time at 877-LAW-FULL.

25-Year-Old Man Shot and Killed

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Detectives are investigating the murder of Venus Hardin 25, a resident of Los Angeles.

On November 12, 2007, just before midnight, Hardin and Kenneth Harvey were standing in front of 826 West 42nd Place. They were engaged in a conversation when the suspects drove up and stopped next to them. The suspects then fired multiple gunshots at the two men. Hardin was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene. Harvey, also struck multiple times, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

Suspects drove off eastbound on 42nd Place. 

The motive for the shooting is believed to be gang related.

Anyone with information is asked to call South Bureau Homicide detectives Rick Gordon or Vince Carreon at 213- 485-2417. During off-hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Taxi Passenger Killed in Crash

Los Angeles: One person was killed and at least seven others were injured early Sunday morning when a taxi filled with passengers was involved in a collision with three other cars.

On November 18, 2007, at approximately 2:15 a.m., a 2000 Ford, Crown Victoria, Checker Taxicab travelling southbound on Crescent Heights Boulevard at Melrose Avenue was hit broadside by a 2008 Toyota Scion. Willie Faulkner, 28, of Los Angeles was driving the Scion, westbound on Melrose Avenue, at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for the red phase traffic light at the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Crescent Heights Boulevard.  Faulkner entered the intersection and collided with the driver side of the taxi, causing both cars to careen into the eastbound lanes, crashing into two eastbound cars, a 2009 Ford Escape and a 2002 Subaru Impreza.

The taxi was carrying five passengers, all seriously injured in the crash.  They were each transported to local hospitals where one of the passengers, Sarah Gilfillan, 26, of Pasadena, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving there.  The four others were admitted with injuries ranging from moderate to critical.  The cab driver was also transported to the hospital where he was treated for injuries, but later released.

Two passengers in Faulkner’s car received minor injuries and were treated and released from one of the hospitals where the injured were transported.   The occupants of the two vehicles hit after the initial impact were not injured.

Faulkner was subsequently arrested and booked for Felony Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence and is being held on $170,000 bail.

Toddler Kidnapped in Skid Row, Rescued

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police officers arrested a 47-year-old man this afternoon after he snatched a 22-month-old boy from a stroller while his mother shopped in a store on Winston Street.

"This young mother owes a debt to the men who stopped this man and held him for police," said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of the detective division at Central Police Station.  "As far as we can tell the suspect had no prior contact with the mother or the child.  We’re looking at his criminal history to see if he has any prior, similar acts."

The 33-year-old mother from Gardena shops at Top Zone, located at 256 Winston Street, about once a week.  It is one of many small stores in the district called Toy Town, in the heart of Skid Row.  The store had a sign posted, prohibiting strollers so the mother left the stroller with her son inside at the door while she went inside around 2:15 PM.

A few minutes later, a man noticed a short Hispanic man, apparently drunk, awkwardly carrying a child under one arm.  As this witness passed the Top Zone, he noticed the empty stroller and stepped inside.  He saw the child’s mother and asked if she had a baby in the stroller.  Looking inside the empty stroller, she ran in the direction the witness last saw the drunk carrying the child.

Unfazed from the screaming mother following him, the drunk man, later identified as Mario Salcedo, walking south on Wall Street.  As he got to the property line of the Union Rescue Mission, a 38-year-old good Samaritan grabbed Salcedo.  The distraught mother pulled the child from the kidnapper’s arms, the good Samaritan forced that suspect to the ground and held him for police.  The child was not injured in the incident.

Mario Salcedo claims to be homeless.  He was booked for kidnapping, and his bail was set at $100,000.

"There are several lessons for all of us here," Lt. Vernon said.  "First, leave the stroller at the door, but take the child with you; second, don’t underestimate the honor of some of the people who find themselves on Skid Row; and finally, remember this incident the next time someone questions why the police cite for illegal behavior like drinking and being drunk in public."

Lieutenant Vernon may be reach at 213-972-1203.