LAPD Blog

Congratulations Recruit Class 11-07

Recruit class 11-07 podcast, listen here

This morning, the Los Angeles Police Department welcomed its latest graduating recruits – Class 11-07.   Heralded in by the Los Angeles Police Department Concert Band, the newly minted officers held their heads high as they marched into the Academy Gymnasium, their uniforms and weapons gleaming in preparation for uniform inspection, which everyone passed.

Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger and Recruit Training Captain Michelle Veenstra presided over the prestigious event.  Class President Officer James Jeppson inspired the audience and his fellow classmates with his recruit class speech.  Remarking on the colorful make up of Recruit Class 11-07, he noted that the officers greatly ranged in age, religion, and ethnicity, stating, “I bring up these differences because that’s what this City is – a cultural melting pot.  How better to understand diversity than from our family of officers?”

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa commended Officer Jeppson for his insight and thanked the officers for their commitment.  Commissioner Robert Saltzman also congratulated the recruits on behalf of the Los Angeles Police Commission. 
The LAPD wishes our graduates well in their careers and the best of luck in all their future endeavors.

Suspected Gang Member Shot and Killed

Los Angeles: An alleged gang member who pointed a gun at Los Angeles police officers was fatally shot on May 20, 2008.

At about 7:40 p.m., a gang unit was dispatched to a shots fired call near 5th Street and Concord Street, in East Los Angeles.  A citizen directed officers to the location where the armed suspect stood. Officers saw the suspect identified as Frank Alejo, 28, walking on 6th Street towards Grande Vista Avenue.  Officer Roy Reza and his partner exited their police vehicle and ordered Alejo to stop.  He refused and ran.  After a short foot chase, Alejo stopped in the front yard of a nearby resident, pointed a handgun at a group of officers and was shot.

Paramedics pronounced Alejo dead at the scene and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun was recovered.

Officer Reza has been with the department for 12 years and 5 months, Officer Jaime Anchondo for 19 years and 6 months, and Officer Monica Tokoro for 1 year and 5 months.

Force Investigation Division will handle the incident.

Doughnut Shop Robbery Suspects Caught on Surveillance Video

Los Angeles: LAPD detectives are seeking the public’s help in locating two suspects who robbed a Los Angeles area Winchell’s Donuts. Both suspects were captured on the store’s video surveillance system during the incident.

On May 20, 2008, just after 11:30 p.m., two suspects, described as male blacks in their late 20s, entered a Winchell’s Donuts store at 3610 W. Venice Blvd. and proceeded to empty the cash register. The first suspect, who was holding a handgun, jumped over the counter and demanded one of the employees open the register, while the second suspect stood nearby as a lookout. After the first suspect removed cash from the register, both suspects immediately departed.

To see the video of the robbery, click here.

The suspect with the handgun should be considered extremely dangerous, and the LAPD is requesting anyone with additional information regarding this incident to contact Detectives Avila or Wilbur at the Wilshire Community Police Station, 213-922-8205. After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).      

City of Los Angeles Pays Tribute to Its Public Servants

City officials, employees and community members gathered at the top of the steps of City Hall this morning to pay tribute to its fallen public servants who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.  Master of ceremony Councilmember Tom LaBonge announced, from this moment forward, each Thursday preceding Memorial Day, the City will recognize all of its employees who have given their lives in City service.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) General Manager David Nahai noted, DWP workers are also first responders and the perils they face in the course of their duties often goes unrecognized.  Since 1922, 215 DWP workers’ lives have been lost.  Deputy City Engineer Clark Robins also acknowledged civil engineer Rory Shaw who the City lost in a tragic sinkhole accident in 2004.

Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Rick Andrade and Los Angeles Police Department Lieutenant Jerry Rodriguez also spoke at the memorial.  Lt. Rodriguez said, “Our number one goal is to always provide the best quality service that we can.”

The long overdue memorial also reiterated the need to prioritize City employees’ safety to ensure that no more lives are lost.

Man on Shooting Spree in North Hollywood, Arrested

Los Angeles: On Tuesday, May 20, 2008, police arrested Avetis Vartanyan, 24, the man responsible for going on a shooting spree in North Hollywood that left two people dead. 

Just before 7 p.m., police received reports of a shooting in the 12000 block of Oxnard Street.  When they arrived, they found the body of Artak Karamyan, 28, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his chest.  Moments later, another patrol unit was dispatched to a second related shooting call near Vanowen Street and Coldwater Canyon Boulevard where they discovered another victim identified as Paylak Harutyunyan, 29, fatally shot. 

After the shooting, Vartanyan was seen fleeing from the scene.  Officers and a police dog searched the area and later took him into custody.

A dispute that involved both victims and a group of men was believed to be the motive for the shooting, a detective said.

Police searched the area for the murder weapon and recovered a pistol that Vartanyan had hidden in the yard of a home.  A second handgun was also found inside a vehicle abandoned at the crime scene.

Vartanyan was charged with murder.  His bail was set at $1,000,000.

On May 21, 2008, investigators served search warrants at three different locations throughout the San Fernando Valley. They confiscated three SKS assault rifles, two shotguns, one bolt-action rifle, three handguns, one bulletproof vest, and a large quantity of ammunition. The investigation is continuing and additional leads are being followed in an effort to identify and locate outstanding suspects involved in these two murders.

Anyone with additional information regarding this shooting is urged to call North Hollywood Area Homicide Detectives Martin Pinner or Jose Calzadillas at 818-623-4075. During off-hours, or on weekends, calls may be directed to the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics May 03, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**            2007**      % Chg

Homicide                             156                 141          +10.6%
Rape                                    294                 314            -6.4%
Robbery                              4700               5021            -6.4%
Agg Assaults **                    4489               4711            -4.7%
Total Violent Crimes          9639            10187            -5.4%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                              7032               7377            -4.7%
BTFV                                 11012             12047            -8.6%
Personal/Other Theft           9609             10326            -6.9%
Auto Theft                          8195               8961            -8.5%
Total Property Crimes    35,848           38,711            -7.4%
Total Part I Crimes         45,487           48,898            -7.0%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                              7032               7377            -4.7%
BTFV                                 11012             12047            -8.6%
Personal/Other Theft           9609             10326            -6.9%
Auto Theft                          8195               8961            -8.5%
Total Property Crimes    35,848           38,711            -7.4%
Total Part I Crimes         45,487           48,898            -7.0%

Armed Pedestrian Arrested after Foot Pursuit

Los Angeles: On May 9, 2008, at about 11 p.m., a man crossing a street pulled a gun on Los Angeles Police Department officers who had attempted to cite him for jaywalking.

LAPD Hollenbeck Division Patrol Officers Gabriel Gaxiola, nine years, seven months with the Department, and Carlos De La Cruz, 10 years, six months with the Department, attempted to cite a jaywalking suspect on Huntington Drive. However, as soon as the officers stopped their car to approach the suspect, he began running down the street.

Officer Gaxiola exited the patrol car and pursued the suspect, Rudy Doria, on foot while Officer De La Cruz followed them in the car. During the pursuit, Doria removed a semiautomatic pistol from his waistband, but lost control of the pistol when he tripped and fell to the pavement.  His weapon landed nearby on the roadway.  As Officer Gaxiola approached he used a kicking technique to prevent Doria from rearming himself.  Doria was promptly taken into custody without further incident. Officers also recovered the suspect’s pistol, which was fully loaded.

No officers were injured during the incident and the suspect was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. Force Investigation Personnel have responded to this incident and are investigating it as a Categorical Use of Force involving a head strike.

Armed Robbery Suspect Injured while Attempting to Flee

Los Angeles: An armed robbery suspect was injured as he was trying to elude capture early Sunday morning.

On Sunday May 18, 2008, at 2:10 a.m., Hollenbeck officers were responding to the area of East Avenue 26 and Pasadena Avenue for a radio call of an armed robbery that had just occurred.   Officers saw a man matching the suspect’s description run into a residence in the 170 block of West Avenue 26.

Additional police resources were summoned to assist in containing the location.  Suddenly the suspect, Salvadore Cervantez, 25 years of age, bolted from a rear door of the house. 

Officer Jorge Alfaro, a 13 year veteran of the LAPD, and his partner, Officer Pavel Gomez, also a 13 year veteran of the Department, confronted the suspect in an attempt to take him into custody.  Cervantez refused to comply with the Officer’s orders and was tackled to the ground to prevent his escape.  Cervantez hit his head on the cement driveway, temporarily incapacitating him.

Los Angeles City Paramedics responded and transported Cervantez to a local hospital where he was admitted and treated for his injuries.  He was listed in stable condition.  Neither Officer was injured during the arrest.

A subsequent search of the residence that Cervantez had entered yielded a handgun and items of property taken during the robbery.  He was subsequently arrested for robbery and is being held without bail. 

Force Investigation Division is investigating this incident due to the Law Enforcement Related injury.   

For any additional information, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3565.

NOTES FOR THE May 20, 2025 POLICE COMMISSION WEEKLY MEETING

•    Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco and Commissioner Robert Saltzman attended South Bureau’s Commanding Officers meeting.

•    Commissioner Andrea Ordin continues to work with Commission staff on various issues.

•    Commissioner Alan Skobin participated in a meeting with taxi industry leaders in relation to the City’s Bandit Taxi ordinances.  He also attended meetings with the Chinatown Public Safety Association and West Valley Station.

•    Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco and Commissioner Alan Skobin attended the LAPD Celebrity Golf Tournament on May 17, 2008.  All proceeds from the event benefited the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation.

•    Assistant Chief Sharon Papa reported although academy classes are slightly below anticipated at a little over 50 candidates per class, next year’s budget will allow for 60 recruits per class.

•    Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco requested clarification on instances where discipline was imposed upon an officer and the officer was able to utilize insurance coverage to recoup any salary loss.  He asked that a report be provided detailing how the insurance coverage works and the possibility of revising the disciplinary process.   

•    The Department’s report, dated May 14, 2008, relative to an update of the Internal Affairs Group investigative protocols for Racial Profiling investigations as presented by Commander Richard Webb was approved.  Commander Webb reported since the Internal Affairs Group’s (IAG) last presentation to the Commission in November 2007, IAG’s Review and Evaluation Section has closed 76 racial profiling investigations and 100% of the cases have been in compliance with application of Racial Profiling Investigation Protocols.  He noted several management strategies have been implemented by IAG since November 2007, including: providing each IAG investigator a copy of the racial profiling protocols, as well as posting the protocols on the IAG intranet site for ease of access for all Department personnel; conducting Internal Investigations Courses which include a four-hour block of instruction on investigating racial profiling allegations; and, designating an auditor within the Review and Evaluation Section as the coordinator for reviewing racial profiling cases, including an additional review by the Criminal Investigation Division Commanding Officer.  As requested by Commander Webb, Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco directed the Inspector General’s office to coordinate an additional review of IAG’s efforts.  Executive Director Richard Tefank stated two additional reports would be presented to the Commission after July 1.  One report will include the Department’s analysis and the other will include Commission staff’s analysis of other law enforcement agencies relative to racial profiling investigations.   

Police Officers Encounter Armed Juvenile

Los Angeles: Officers responding to a man with a gun radio call become involved in Officer Involved Shooting (OIS).

On Saturday May 17, 2008, at 7:20 p.m., Newton Area officers responded to a radio call of a “415 man with a gun” in the 100 block of West 45th Street. 

Upon arrival, officers saw a suspect with a gun situated in his front waistband standing in front of 128 West 45th Street.  After exiting the police vehicle, officer’s repeatedly ordered the suspect to place “his hands above his head.”  Ignoring the officers’ commands, the suspect removed the gun from his waistband, which led to the officer involved shooting. 

The suspect, a 17 year-old juvenile, sustained multiple gun shot wounds to his upper torso, and was transported to California Hospital where he died from his wounds. 

Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the Officer Involved Shooting.  The suspect’s weapon, a toy replica of a semiautomatic handgun, was recovered on scene by investigators. 

Officer Isaac Moreno, 7 years with the Department and Officer Abel Cepeida, 1 year with the Department were not injured.   

For any additional information, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3565.