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March 21, 2025

CARE Alert Issued for 6-Month-Old Baby Boy

UPDATE:
As of March 24, 2008, 6-Month-Old Thanh Do, has been located and returned to his family.

Los Angeles:
The Los Angeles Police Department is requesting that the media provide the public with the following information to assist law enforcement efforts in locating an abducted baby.

On March 14, 2008, at around 11:00 PM, the mother of the baby, Thanh Do, was at her in-law’s home, located in the 8400 block of Yolanda Avenue in Reseda.  She was there to pick up her son Minh Chau.  She then left the home with the baby and has not been seen since. 

Ms. Do is despondent over her marriage and has displayed erratic behavior.  Her mental health may be unstable, but she does not take any medication.

Ms. Do is a 24-year old, Vietnamese with black hair and brown eyes.  She stands 5’ 3” tall and weighs about 105 pounds.  She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a white puffy jacket with fur.  She has a sunken tooth on the top left side of her mouth.

The baby is 27 inches tall and weighs approximately 15 pounds.

Ms. Do is from Vietnam and her family is there so it is believed that she may attempt to return to her home country. 

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ms. Do is asked to call Devonshire Area Police Station at 818-832-0633.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

March 20, 2025

Helicopters Become Black and Whites in the Sky

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Air Support Division (ASD) recently unveiled two police helicopters with a new black and white color scheme. The new design represents an effort to develop a closer bond with uniformed police officers on the ground and to underscore the fact that ASD pilots and aircraft are in the air 24/7 as backup.

The ASD motto is: “The Mission is the Same Only the Vehicle Has Changed.” In the spirit of that motto, a number of ASD officers approached their commanding officer in late 2007 with a request to change the paint scheme of Department helicopters to mirror the distinctive black and white patrol vehicles that have traditionally served the City of Los Angeles.

Following several weeks of meetings and discussions, a final decision on the new color scheme was finally made, and the first two black and white helicopters debuted in February 2008 at the Annual Helicopter Association International Convention in Houston, Texas. The new paint job received rave reviews from thousands of convention attendees.

The ASD was established as a unit in 1956 to help control traffic on the City’s congested streets.
The unit was actually a test program and involved the deployment of only a single helicopter. Eventually, the concept of using helicopters to fight crime took hold, and in 1968 the unit was enlarged to a section under the control of the Tactical Operations Group. By 1971, the section was operating eleven helicopters in Air Support to Regular Operations (ASTRO), and in 1974 the section was reorganized as a division.

Currently, ASD’s fleet consists of 17 helicopters and one King Air 200, a turbine-powered airplane. The primary mission of ASD is still ASTRO. However, the division also provides aerial support and transportation to members of the Department’s SWAT platoon, Explosives Section (Bomb Squad), Underwater Dive Unit and Emergency Operations Division. The ASD is staffed by 98 dedicated men and women, both sworn and civilian. Of the total personnel, 24 are Tactical Flight Officers, 37 are command pilots, 10 are sergeants, three are lieutenants and there is one captain. Plus, the commanding officer and all of the sergeants and lieutenants are also command pilots.

March 19, 2025

Notes from the March 18, 2025 Police Commission Meeting

•    Commissioners Ordin, Mack, and Skobin attended the retirement party of Deputy Chief Gary Brennan, a 34-year Department veteran, on March 14, 2008.

•    There are currently 418 recruits in the Academy.

•    The March 24, 2008, meeting of the Public Safety Committee has the issue of the Department’s in-car video cameras on its agenda.

•    The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion by Deputy Chief Charlie Beck and Detective Jeff Godown, relative to the current crime statistics, including the increase in homicides, was accepted.

•    The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion by Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, relative to the status of the “Rampart Revisited” implementation plan and the “Blueprint for 21st Century Policing,” was accepted.

•    The Office of the Inspector General’s verbal presentation and discussion by Andre Birotte, on the status of their review of the MacArthur Park incident investigation, was accepted.

•    The Department’s reports, dated January 25, 2008, and March 12, 2008, in response to Public Safety Committee, relative to the repair and maintenance issues involving Los Angeles Police Department’s Harley-Davidson motorcycles, were accepted as follows: the January 25, 2008, report was received and filed; the March 12, 2008, report was approved and transmitted to the Public Safety Committee.

•    The Department’s report, dated September 26, 2007, and the Office of the Inspector General’s report, dated March 6, 2008, relative to the Gang Enforcement Detail Work Product Assessment Summary, Fiscal Year 2007/2008, pursuant to the Annual Audit Plan, were both approved.

March 18, 2025

Chief of Police to speak at 2008 National Fusion Center Conference

 NOTE: click here for Chief Bratton’s speech before the 2008 National Fusion Center Conference, March 19, 2008.    

Los Angeles:
Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton has been invited to speak before the 2008 National Fusion Center Conference, San Francisco, California, on March 19, 2008.

The Second Annual National Fusion Center Conference, held in partnership with the United States (US) Department of Homeland Security Office and Department of Justice, is designed to support fusion centers as they continue to build their capabilities, understand their roles and responsibilities, and gain an awareness of the President’s National Strategy for Information Sharing.

Chief Bratton will focus on US law enforcement’s role in preventing crime, including terrorism, emphasizing the importance of Fusion Centers, where intelligence is analyzed, shared and ultimately disseminated to the first responder and the private sector.

“Creating these centers of gravity, with participation by all levels of government, will maximize the chance that we will connect the dots, thus providing opportunities to prevent both traditional crime and terrorism,” said Chief William Bratton.

Over eight hundred senior leadership law enforcement professionals responsible for the management of operational fusion centers are expected to attend.

For additional information please contact Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.

Robberies on College Campus

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police and USC-Public Safety officials are working in partnership to address student safety.

There have been two recent armed robbery incidents that have occurred on the USC Campus.  The first incident occurred on March 14, 2025 at around 11:00 p.m.  The second incident occurred during the daytime on March 16, 2025 at around 1:00 p.m.  In both robberies, the suspect targeted lone students who were studying in unoccupied classrooms during the spring break, where pedestrian traffic was minimal.

LAPD and USC Public Safety security patrols have been increased, and there is a joint effort to educate student on safety precautions. Classes that are unused during the school break have been secured, and students are encouraged to study in groups in places more visible to the public.

Additionally, the following student education measures have been taken.

  1. Approximately 50,000 E-mails crime alerts were immediately disseminated to the student body and faculty population.
  2. Buildings and classrooms have been posted with safety notices.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call Southwest Detectives at 213-485-6571.  On weekends and during off-hours call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics March 15, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2008**            2007**       % Chg
Homicide                               88                   65            35.4%
Rape                                    145                 167           -13.2%
Robbery                              2508                2714           -7.6%
Agg Assaults **                    2387                2430           -1.8%
Total Violent Crimes          5128               5376           -4.6%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               3740                4045          -7.5%
BTFV                                    5966                6740        -11.5%
Personal/Other Theft            5010                5517         -9.2%
Auto Theft                           4326                4998        -13.4%
Total Property Crimes     19,042            21,300       -10.6%
Total Part I Crimes          24,170            26,676
         -9.4%

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

Dog Charges at Officers

Los Angeles: Officer shot at a charging dog while conducting an investigation.

On Saturday, March 15, 2008, at around 9:00 p.m., Gang enforcement officers assigned to 77th Division responded to a call of a group that was disturbing the peace in the 700 block of east 75th Street. While conducting their investigation, a dog charged at the officers. Officer Alvaro Navarro, 8 years 11 months with the Department fired two rounds, striking the dog.

No officers or bystanders were injured during this incident.

77th Division is handling the investigation.

Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested

Los Angeles: On February 27, 2008, following an extensive investigation, North Hollywood Area sexual assault detectives arrested 36-year-old Jose "Sonny" Baltazar, a Filipino male, for the crime of sexual battery.

Baltazar had been working as a phlebotomist for CCL Laboratories of Arcadia. He is currently being accused of sexually battering a female who resides in a North Hollywood-area convalescent home.

The detectives' investigation showed that Baltazar would visit 20 to 30 patients a day in private homes, board and care facilities and convalescent hospitals throughout Los Angeles City and County.

Detectives believe there could be other outstanding victims and are making the suspect's booking photograph available for circulation. Potential victims and anyone with information is asked to contact North Hollywood Detectives Makarenko or Kimrey at 818-623-4090. On weekends or during off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Officers on Crime Scene Shot At

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Officers conducting an investigation of an officer involved shooting are fired upon by suspect.

On Thursday, March 13, 2008, at around 11:45 p.m., officers from Harbor patrol and the Gang Enforcement Detail in uniform responded to the area of L Street and Watson Avenue in Wilmington, to assist with the crime scene of an officer involved shooting.  While officers were maintaining their positions, suspect Frank Vasquez, 49, exited a residence in the 1200 block of Drumm Avenue and approached officers from the sidewalk. Suddenly, and without warning, Vasquez began firing at the officers. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect. 

Vasquez was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

The gun used to fire on officers, a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene.

No officers were injured during this incident.

Suspect Fights then Shoots at Officers

Los Angeles: A suspect engages officers in a fight then fires a handgun at them.

On Thursday, March 13, 2008, at about 8:55 p.m., Gang Enforcement Officers assigned to Operations-South Bureau observed a bicyclist commit a traffic violation. Officers conducted a traffic stop at Watson Avenue and L Street. The suspect, Marco Ernesto Macias, 36, dropped his bicycle and became involved in a fight with the officers. During the struggle, Macias fired several rounds from a weapon that had been concealed in his pocket. Both officers fired their duty weapons, striking the suspect.

Macias was transported to a local hospital where he died.

One officer sustained minor injuries and was treated and released.

The weapon fired by Macias, a blue steel .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene.   

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.

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  • Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this weblog until the author has approved them. We encourage you to express your opinions about current events through respectful and insightful discussion. The Department reserves the right to refuse to post those comments that contain inappropriate language and/or material. Additionally, hyper-links or E-mail addresses will not be posted. To report or help us solve a crime go to lapdonline.org. To commend an officer or report police officer misconduct - click here.

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