LAPD Blog

Young Child is the Victim of Hit & Run

Los Angeles: A 4-year-old boy was struck and killed by a hit and run driver Wednesday afternoon. 

On April 30, 2008, at about 3:30 p.m., Jaylynn Watts, 4-years of age, was in an unmarked crosswalk walking southbound at Clyde Street and Jefferson Boulevard, along with other members of his family.  A driver in a 1998 Toyota Corolla driving eastbound on Jefferson Boulevard struck Watts and then fled the scene, failing to stop to render aid or identify himself, as required by law. 

Watts was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.  Shortly after the accident the driver of the vehicle, a 17-year-old juvenile from Los Angeles turned himself into police and was booked for vehicular manslaughter.  His name is being withheld due to his age.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact South Traffic Detective Rodney Jones at 213-485-7336.  During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFUL (1-877-529-3855).

26-Year-Old Woman is Missing

Los Angeles: The family of Frances Flores and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help in finding Flores, who has been missing since April 14, 2008, when she was last seen at her husband’s residence.

Flores is described as a 26-year-old Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes. She is five feet, three inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds. Her family describes her as being in good mental and physical health. A description of her clothing when she was last seen is not available.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Flores may contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at 213-485-5381. During off-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Sexual Predator on the Loose, Two Victims Assaulted

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department have released a sketch of a man who attempted to sexually assault two young girls in separate incidents.

The first assault occurred on April 30, 2008, at around 7:30 a.m., when a Latino man approached an 8-year-old girl walking in the 600 block of Burlington Avenue. The man lured the girl into a secluded area of an apartment building located at 625 South Burlington Avenue and attempted to sexually assault her.

On February 29, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., the same suspect approached a 9-year-old girl walking near James M. Wood Boulevard and Hoover Street. The suspect initiated a conversation with the girl and pulled her into an apartment building where he attempted to sexually assault her.

The suspect is described as Hispanic, 25-30 years of age with black spiked hair. He's about 5 feet six inches tall and weigh 170 pounds. He was last seen driving a blue unknown make and model vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to call Rampart Sexual Assault Detective Sofie Toledo at 213-207-2031 or Robbery Homicide Detective John Wong at 213-485-2921. After hours and on weekends, please call the 24-hour Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

Hot Prowl Burglaries in Lincoln Heights

Los Angeles:  On April 26, 2008, between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., a series of burglaries occurred in the Lincoln Heights area.

In each of these incidents, known as “hot prowl” burglaries, because the break-ins occurred while victims were home, the suspect entered the property by removing window screens. Fortunately, no items were stolen because the victims awoke, which startled the suspect and caused him to run away.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic with short, black “buzz-cut” hair. He is 19 to 25 years old and weighs 100 to 150 pounds. He is short to medium in height and was seen wearing a gray sweatshirt with dark pants.

Residents are reminded to be very cautious when leaving windows open and accessible to outside entry, even in hot weather.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Hollenbeck Area detectives at 323-526-3000. During off-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

NOTES FOR THE APRIL 29, 2025 POLICE COMMISSION WEEKLY MEETING

•    Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco joined the LAPD Mental Evaluation Unit and Autism Society of America on April 28, 2008, in providing Metropolitan Division officers training on how to recognize and work productively with individuals with Autism.  This training is part of the LAPD Autism Awareness Program, a collaborative project with the Autism Society of America – Los Angeles.

•    Commissioner Robert Saltzman attended a West Bureau Compstat meeting with Deputy Chief Charlie Beck and Deputy Chief Terry Hara, and was impressed with the detail and the clarity of the information provided.

•    Commissioner Alan Skobin attended the Explorer Academy graduation ceremony.

•    Commissioner Andrea Ordin attended the LAPD Academy Graduation on April 25, 2008.

•    Chief Bratton informed the Commission that the Department is in good shape heading into the May 1st demonstrations and he anticipates a good day for all involved.

•    The verbal presentation and update from the City Domestic Violence Task Force, relative to their current and future activities as discussed by Commander Patrick Gannon, was accepted.

•    The verbal presentation and update from the Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) regarding community initiated problem solving, crime strategies, and other programs and goals within the North Hollywood Area was continued.

•    The verbal presentation by the Office of the Mayor and the Department, relative to the Mayor’s proposed fiscal year 2008-2009 budget for the Department as presented by Deputy Mayor Arif Alikhan was received and clearly reflects the City’s commitment to public safety.  The budget calls for the hiring of 780 new police officers each year, as well as maintaining the class sizes of new recruits.  In addition, 400,000 hours of overtime, which Deputy Mayor Alikhan stated was critical to combating crime, has been added to the 2008-2009 fiscal year budget, as well as the much-needed installation of in-car video equipment.      

•    The Department’s report dated April 14, 2008, in response to a Board query, relative to the Photo Red Light Program, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 23, 2008, in response to Board query, relative to the 2007 K-9 Platoon Annual Summary Report, was approved.

•    The Department’s report dated April 17, 2008, relative to the Annual Complaint Report for 2007 in accordance with Paragraph 130 of the Consent Decree, as provided by Commander Richard Webb was approved.  Commander Webb reported an investigation of 320 complaints was conducted and no incidents of racial profiling were confirmed.  Commissioner Mack and Commissioner Saltzman questioned the report’s findings.  In order to confirm the report’s accuracy, Chief Bratton stated that his office would conduct a survey on complaint findings from the 10 largest police departments in the nation to use as comparison. Chief Bratton believes the numbers are not much different around the country.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 3, 2008, relative to compliance with Audit Division’s recommendations for the Warrant Applications and Supporting Affidavits Audit, Third Quarter, Fiscal Year 2003/2004 - Recommendation Item No. 2, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 4, 2008, relative to compliance with Audit Division’s recommendations for the Arrest, Booking, and Charging Reports Audit - Recommendation Item No. AD 01, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 3, 2008, relative to compliance with Audit Division’s recommendations for the Non-Categorical Use of Force Investigations Audit Report, 4th Quarter, 2006/07 - Recommendation Item No. AD 01, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 3, 2008, relative to compliance with Inspector General’s recommendations for the Inspector General’s Complaint Investigations Audit, - Recommendations 1, 2-A, B and D, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 9, 2008, relative to compliance with Audit Division’s recommendations for the Non-Categorical Use of Force Reports Audit - Recommendation Item No. 01, was received.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 9, 2008, relative to compliance with the Inspector General’s recommendations for the Discipline Report, Second Quarter, 2005 - Recommendation Item No. IG-01, was pulled.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 11, 2008, in response to Board query, relative to personal purchase of Department approved tasers, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated April 17, 2008, relative to a request for information: Recapitulation of Warrants Authored and Firearms Seized by the Gang Impact Teams, First Quarter 2008, was accepted.

•    The Department’s report, dated February 8, 2008, and Office of the Inspector General’s report dated April 25, 2008, relative to the Quarterly Discipline Report, Fourth Quarter 2007, pursuant to the Annual Audit Plan, was approved.

Missing Person -- Roxana Romero

Los Angeles: Family members and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the publics help in locating a woman missing for over a week.

Detectives said that Roxana Romero left from work at California Hospital on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at around 7:00 p.m. She phoned her relatives to tell them that she had to work the next day, but would be in touch with them on Sunday.

Romero’s boyfriend of eight years told investigators that Romero returned to their home in the 700 block of North Edgemont Street in Los Angeles, after getting off work Saturday night, April 19, 2008. Romero left that same evening at around 9:00 p.m., saying she was going to a club with some of her co-workers. Romero did not leave in her car and it is unknown who she may have left with.

Romero is described as a twenty-eight-year-old female Hispanic, 5’02”, 130 lbs., with blond hair and brown eyes. Romero’s family said the she was in good mental and physical condition.

Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD Missing Persons Unit, Detectives Bruce Kuehl or Ralph Bassett at 213-485-5381. During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics April 26, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                  2008**            2007**       % Chg

Homicide                              132                 119           10.9%
Rape                                    231                 265          -12.8%
Robbery                              3986               4255            -6.3%
Agg Assaults **                      3794               3861            -1.7%
Total Violent Crimes            8143             8500            -4.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  5932               6173          -3.9%
BTFV                                      9413              10208          -7.8%
Personal/Other Theft               8058               8684          -7.2%
Auto Theft                              6880               7638          -9.9%
Total Property Crimes          30,283             32703         -7.4%
Total Part I Crimes               38,426            41,203         -6.7%

Shooting Kills Two, Injuring Three Onlookers in the Process

Los Angeles:  A gunman shot and killed two people as they sat in their car Sunday night, and shot and wounded three others who were sitting on a nearby porch.

On April 27, 2008, at about 10:45 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a “shots fired” radio call at 48th Street and Wall Street. When the officers arrived at the location they found three female victims suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. 

Officers were directed to a car parked at the curb a short distance away.   There they discovered two additional gunshot victims inside.  Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics pronounced Brenda Aguilera, 21-years of age, dead at scene.  Jonathan Plascencia, 20-years-old, was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.

Detectives believe that the shooter walked up to the car that Aguilera and Plascencia were seated in and shot both of them.  As the suspect was running from the scene he began firing rounds at the three victims sitting nearby.  Witnesses told police that the suspect, described only as a male Hispanic, left the area in a green van.

It is unknown if the shooting was gang related, and there is no known motive at this time.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Newton Area Detectives Julio Benavides or Johnny Villa at 323-846-5363.  On weekends, holidays, and after hours, please call the toll free, 24-hour detective desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Man Found Dead Hours After Shots Heard

Los Angeles:  A 39-year-old man was found shot to death in front of an apartment complex early Sunday morning.

On April 27, 2008, at around 8:45 a.m. a resident from the apartment complex located in the 7800 block of South Figueroa Street, came out of his apartment and discovered Gouram Wallace Jr. lying at the bottom of the stairs.  The resident immediately called for paramedics.

LA City Fire Paramedics found that Wallace had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at scene.  During the initial investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department it was discovered that several residents in the area had heard gunshots at around 2:00 a.m., but no one called the police or fire department..

Detectives have not determined a motive for this shooting, and there is no information about the suspect(s).  No murder weapon was found.

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Bureau Homicide Detectives Eric Crosson or Roger Guzman at 213-485-1383.  During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Man Killed in Hollywood amid Gang Violence

Los Angeles: A 21-year-old man walking home with food in his hand was shot to death last night in Hollywood.

At around 11:20 p.m., police were called to investigate a shooting in the area of Melrose Avenue and Hobart Boulevard.  When they got there, they found the lifeless body of Oscar Antonio Escobar, a resident of Hollywood, lying in the street, suffering from a bullet wound.

Paramedics rushed the victim to the University of Southern California Hospital where he died an hour later.

According to investigators, Escobar was on his way home from picking up food for his family at a local restaurant when two men confronted and opened fire on him.  Both suspects drove off in a dark colored unknown type vehicle.

The suspects are only described as Hispanic gang members in their early to mid twenties.

Detectives said Escobar was not a gang member and are unclear what prompt the shooting. 

Escobar was married with three children.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact Hollywood Homicide Detectives Rolando Rodriguez or Larry Cameron at 213-972-2910/2913.  During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL
(529-3855).