LAPD Blog

Police Looking for Cash Tray Serial Robber…5 Businesses Hit

Los Angeles:  A serial robber is on the loose, and police are asking for the public’s help tracking the suspect down.

The bandit is believed to be responsible for at least five robberies over the past two months in the Mid-City Wilshire and Hollywood area. The robberies occurred at various times of day, and the man pointed a handgun at the clerk each time.

The suspect is described as a White male 25-30 years of age with brown hair.  He stands between five feet seven and five feet nine inches tall. {click here to see video.}

•    April, 29, 2008 - At 10:20 p.m., a man wearing a camouflage cap and a grey hooded sweatshirt, walked into the Ardmore Liquor store located at 3rd Street and Ardmore Avenue, picked up a pack of gum and took it to the counter.  When the cashier opened the register, the man removed a gun from his waistband, grabbed the entire cash drawer and fled in a burgundy 80’s Toyota Camry.
•    May 1, 2025 - At 2:50 a.m., the suspect entered a Denny’s restaurant located at Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue, where he pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money.  The suspect grabbed the entire cash register drawer and ran.
•    May 3, 2025 - At 3:20 a.m., the suspect walked into the same Denny’s restaurant, this time wearing a black wavy shoulder length wig with a hat.  He pulled out a handgun, demanded the employee to turn over the money and again took off on foot with the cash register tray.
•    May 31, 2025 - At 11 p.m., the suspect walked up to a parking lot attendant near the Beverly Center at La Cienega Boulevard and 3rd Street and robbed the employee at gunpoint once again, the suspect got away with the entire cash register tray.
•    June 2, 2025 - At 2:45 p.m., the bandit entered the Chinatown Express restaurant at 252 South Western Avenue.  As before, the suspect pulled out a handgun, ordered the clerk to hand over the money and fled with the cash register tray.

Video footage of the liquor Store robbery only is available through Media Relations Section.

Anyone with information about these robberies is urged to call Wilshire Robbery Detective Luis Corona at 213-922-8266.  On off hours, weekends, and holidays calls may be directed to the toll free number 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Local Teacher Arrested for Child Porn

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police have arrested a music teacher from Foshay Learning Center for possession of child pornography.

On June 4, 2008, at 7 p.m., detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Internet Crimes against Children Unit and the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) arrested 27-year-old Lief Albaugh at an apartment complex in the 1200 block of West 37th Drive in South Los Angeles after they discovered child pornography on his laptop computer. 

A search warrant was executed at Albaugh’s home and his computer was seized, authorities said.

On June 5, 2008, investigators presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing.  Albaugh was charged with one count of possession of child pornography and his bail was set at $20,000.  He will be arraigned on June 26, 2008.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Juvenile Division Detective Moses Castillo at 213-847-5358.  On weekends or during off-hours, calls may be directed to the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

LAPD Announces Digital In-Car Camera Technology

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today joined Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton at the Los Angeles Police Academy to unveil the Digital In-Car Camera System.

“We have successfully used technology to improve the overall quality of policing and public safety in the City of Los Angeles,” said Chief William Bratton. “The Digital In-Car Camera System is another tool that can improve Officer Safety, Accountability, Enhance Training, and Improve Prosecution of Criminal Cases.”

“We support efforts to put cameras in all LAPD patrol cars. We believe the cameras will serve to protect police officers from frivolous and unwarranted complaints," said Tim Sands, President, Los Angeles Police Protective League.

The Los Angeles Police Department has partnered with IBM to equip 300 Black and White police vehicles with “Digital In-Car Video Systems.” Some of its features include a forward-facing camera and second wide-angle camera installed to capture activity in the back seat. These cameras can provide color images and have the ability to zoom and auto-focus. Officers will also be issued wireless microphones to capture audio.

A Coban Digital Video Management System provides automatic wireless upload capability from the police vehicle to the housing unit maintained at the Community Police Station. This system requires no human intervention offering the highest level of security.

Operations South-Bureau is scheduled to begin receiving the camera equipped vehicles in July. Funding for the project was provided through the “City Efficiency Grant” and City General Fund with each fund contributing 2.5 million dollars.

“With a comprehensive digital video management system, the LAPD can find a precise clip from thousands of hours of video within seconds, thus eliminating the time-consuming and costly searches that were once performed manually with VHS tapes,” said Wirt Cook, IBM Vice President, Americas Sales West. The LAPD’s security solution will provide several benefits to police officers and citizens including real-time video monitoring for urban security and protection.

Any questions may be directed to Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

Vandals Deface Synagogue and Police Car $20,000 Reward Offered

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police are seeking the public's help in identifying a pair of vandals whose images were caught on surveillance tape spray-painting anti-Semitic graffiti on a wall of a Jewish synagogue and a police vehicle.  In addition, the Los Angeles City Council will offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for this hate crime incident.

The hate crime incidents occurred in November 2007.  The first incident was discovered by a secretary of the synagogue who reported an anti-Semitic picture of a devil with horns spray-painted on the outside cement wall of the Beth Israel Temple located at 8056 Beverly Boulevard.  In the second incident, two members who opened the synagogue doors for services, reported suspects spray-painted symbols of a peace and anarchist sign on the rear passenger window and door of a police car parked in front of the synagogue.  Three months ago, the synagogue was vandalized and the police car was used as a decoy to deter further graffiti, detectives said.

Both suspects are described as White males 18-25 years of age.

Anyone with information regarding this vandalism incident is asked to contact Wilshire Hate Crime Detective Ron Cade at 213-922-8228.  On weekends or during off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

2008 Medal of Valor Recipients

To be awarded the Medal of Valor, an officer shall have performed an act displaying extreme courage while consciously facing imminent peril.

It is awarded by the Police Commissioners and is presented by the Chief of Police, in the name of the Los Angeles Police Department at the annual Medal of Valor awards ceremony.

Officer Carlos Quintero - Attempted to put out vehicle fire and pull victim to safety.

Officer Ivan Vintamilla - Attempted to pull victim to safety after motor home caught fire.

Officer Thomas Appleby - Used outstanding tactics and communication during a vehicle stop which turned into a foot pursuit with an armed suspect.

Officer Isaac Moreno - Used outstanding tactics and communication during a vehicle stop which turned into a foot pursuit with an armed suspect.

Officer Humberto Franco - Used outstanding tactics and communication during a vehicle stop which turned into a foot pursuit with an armed suspect.

Officer Jesus Parra - Pulled an unconscious victim out to safety from a burning vehicle.

Officer Jesse Cardenas - Pulled an unconscious victim out to safety from a burning vehicle.

Officer Joel Flores – Pulled a teenager from a burning vehicle after the juvenile driver crashed his parent’s vehicle into a power poll.

Officer Steve Chung – Pulled a teenager from a burning vehicle after the juvenile driver crashed his parent’s vehicle into a power poll.

Officer Scott Burkett – Responded to the scene of a shooting involving an automatic weapon, directly resulting in the sparing of a female’s life.

Sergeant Gregory Hoskins - Displayed tremendous leadership and judgment in the apprehension of a suspect in a hostage situation at an area casino.

Officer Matthew Murray - Was involved in a vehicle pursuit which led to a hostage situation at an area casino. The suspect was apprehended with no bystanders injured.

Officer Brent Riederich - Was involved in a vehicle pursuit which led to a hostage situation at an area casino. The suspect was apprehended with no bystanders injured.

Detective Kyle Remolino – Involved in the third largest shoot out in the Department’s history which led to the apprehension of one suspect and no injuries to the officers involved.

Officer Nicholas Rothemich - Involved in the third largest shoot out in the Department’s history which led to the apprehension of one suspect and no injuries to the officers involved.

Officer Robert Canizales - Involved in the third largest shoot out in the Department’s history which led to the apprehension of one suspect and no injuries to the officers involved.

Officer Adam Niebergall - Involved in the third largest shoot out in the Department’s history which led to the apprehension of one suspect and no injuries to the officers involved.

Officer Christian Urbina - Involved in the third largest shoot out in the Department’s history which led to the apprehension of one suspect and no injuries to the officers involved.

Officer Osbaldo Ramos - Involved in the third largest shoot out in the Department’s history which led to the apprehension of one suspect and no injuries to the officers involved.

Officer Trevor Jackson - Involved in the third largest shoot out in the Department’s history which led to the apprehension of one suspect and no injuries to the officers involved.

Officer Richard Ramos - Involved in the third largest shoot out in the Department’s history which led to the apprehension of one suspect and no injuries to the officers involved.           

Officers Attempt to Subdue Man with Mental Illness

Los Angeles: A man with mental illness charged two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers and in the subsequent struggle lost consciousness and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. 

On June 3, 2025 at approximately 3:50 a.m., LAPD Newton Patrol Division Patrol Officer Matthew Swan, 11 years and 9 months with the Department, and his partner Officer Daniel Navarro, 1 year and 2 months with the Department, attempted to stop a male Hispanic matching the description of a man with mental illness radio call at Wall Street and Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.

The man charged at the police officers.  The officers struggled with the man, attempted to gain control of him and requested a back-up unit.

A group of uniformed Newton Division officers arrived at the scene to assist Officers Swan and Navarro.  The officers struggled to control the man, who was thrashing his body, yelling profanities and attempted to spit on them.  As the officers attempted to gain control of the suspect, he lost consciousness.

The suspect was transported by a Los Angeles City Fire Department Ambulance to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

No officers were injured during the incident.

Force Investigation Division Personnel are investigating this incident.

Suspect Found Dead In Jail Cell

Los Angeles: A woman arrested for narcotics violations was discovered unconscious.

On May 20, 2025 at about 8:35 p.m., 52-year-old Christine Wright was booked at 77th Jail for a narcotics charge.  On May 22, 2025 at about 1:55 a.m., during a routine medical check, Wright was discovered unconscious on her cell bed.  Jail Division medical personnel rendered aid but she did not respond to treatment.  Wright was pronounced dead by medical personnel.

There was no force used by officers or custody personnel at the time of Wright’s arrest or during her stay in the jail facility.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.

New Air Operations, Air Support and Helicopter Maintenance Facility

(May 31, 2025)
In a ceremony held at the Van Nuys Airport, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and members from the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Department of General Services, Los Angeles World Airports and the Department of Water and Power ushered in the new Air Operations, Air Support and Helicopter Maintenance Facility.  This new facility will serve as the primary maintenance facility for these five city department’s airships.

Built with the bond money from the voter approved Proposition F in November of 2000, this new state-of-the-art facility boasts a 40,000 square foot indoor aircraft hanger, capable of handling up to six large helicopters.  It also houses a working fire station and will provide a wide range of emergency services to the visitors, operators, aircraft, and pilots/passengers that use the Van Nuys Airport as their base of operation.

The ceremony included static displays of both old and new airships from the Department and the LAFD, a four ship fly-by and a LAFD Water Drop and crash scenario.  Free food, facility tours, music and children’s activities made this a true family event.

30th Annual Memorial Relay Race

(May 31, 2025)
This weekend the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club hosted the 30th Annual Memorial Relay Race.  Held at the Elysian Park Police Academy, the race featured over 1,100 runners comprised of Police Officers, family members of fallen officers, children and civilians.  The purpose of the race is to commemorate the fallen officers that have served the Los Angeles Police Department.

The event consisted of three races: the One Mile Fun Run, the 5K Individual Run and the 25K Platoon Formation Run.  Members of the LAPD command staff including Police Chief Bratton, First Assistant Chief McDonnell and others, all took part.  A special group of runners consisting of the late Officer Randall Simmons’ family members ran in his name while his partner, Officer James Veenstra sounded the gun to officially begin the race. 
After runners completed the race they assembled on the athletic field for a brief memorial ceremony.  There they were greeted by the LAPD Color Guard and Concert Band performing a stirring rendition of the Start Spangled Banner.  Chief Bratton spoke on the importance of never forgetting those Officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and offered his support for the families of the fallen.  At the completion of the ceremony, the LAPD Air Support Division performed a four helicopter fly over which added to the pomp and circumstance of the morning.

With other activities such as face painting, rock wall climbing, bouncers and music, there was something for the entire family to enjoy.  This event is the culmination of an entire month of events to memorialize our fallen heroes.

NOTES FOR THE June 3, 2025 POLICE COMMISSION WEEKLY MEETING

• Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco, Police Commission Vice President John Mack, Commissioner Andrea Ordin, and Commissioner Alan Skobin joined the Department in recognizing the 2008 Medal of Valor award recipients on May 28, 2008.  The Commission extended its gratitude and appreciation to the Los Angeles Police Foundation for their efforts in coordinating such a successful event.
• Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco also met with Deputy Chief Mark Perez and Commander Richard Webb to discuss the Department’s disciplinary system.  He noted the process was a delicate balance which requires a great deal of thought and planning.
• Police Commission Vice President John Mack participated in Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s advisory round table with members from the Latino and African American communities.
• Police Commission Vice President John Mack also joined Chief William Bratton at a gathering in San Francisco of Police Commissioners and Chiefs of Police organized by Police Executive Research Forum Director Chuck Wexler.  Participants included the police commissions of San Francisco, St. Louis and Kansas City.
• Commissioner Robert Saltzman congratulated the recruits on behalf of the Police Commission at the May 23rd Academy Graduation.
• Commissioner Alan Skobin attended the Sixth annual Z Awards for Excellence, hosted by Councilmember Dennis Zine on May 29, 2008.  Commissioner Skobin also participated in a LaLey Foundation meeting to promote scholarships for the LAPD Explorers Program, the Hollenbeck Police Activities League Dinner, and a fundraiser for the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association.
• Chief William Bratton took part in Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s announcement of the City’s gang initiatives.  He reported the plan focuses on prevention, intervention, re-entry and suppression, and includes a multi-jurisdictional cooperative which will assist the Department in getting gang members in all their environments – on the street, in their car and at home.  Not only is the Department able to seize gang members’ vehicles, the City is now able to evict them from City-funded housing as well. 
• Chief Bratton further informed the Commission that the Department is committed to another 5% crime reduction for the next fiscal year and announced the promotion of Commander Sandy Jo MacArthur to Deputy Chief.  On June 1st, Deputy Chief MacArthur will take over command of the Incident Management and Training Bureau, replacing Deputy Chief Michael Hillmann.
• Executive Director Richard Tefank announced the Community Police Advisory Board Annual Summit will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at the Ahmanson Recruit Training Center.    
• The Department’s report, dated May 15, 2008, relative to the Discipline Report, First Quarter, 2008, completed by the Internal Affairs Group, to meet the requirement of Consent Decree Paragraph 88, was received and Office of the Inspector General was directed to submit an analysis of this report along with any appropriate recommendations to the Board.
• The Department’s report, dated May 19, 2008, relative to the Proposed Additions to Council-Approved Records Retention Schedules for Original/Official Records for Central Traffic Division, South Traffic Division and West Traffic Division was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.
• The Department’s report, dated May 22, 2008, relative to the Proposed Addition to Council-Approved Records Retention Schedule for Original/Official Records for Personnel Division was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.
• The Department’s report, dated May 15, 2008, relative to the Transmittal of the Modification and Extension Request for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)  Making  Officer  Redeployment  Effective  (MORE)  1998  Grant was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.
• The Department’s report, dated May 6, 2008, relative to the Bulletproof Vest Partnership  Program  Grant  Application  for  Fiscal  Year  2008-09 was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council concurrently.
• The Department’s report, dated May 21, 2008, relative to the Hunter-La Ley Third Quarter Report - Covering Deployment Periods 1-3, Fiscal Year 2007-08, as presented by Captain Kevin McClure was accepted.  Captain McClure reported the Department is working diligently with the employee associations to increase diversity at the upper levels.  He stated one of the biggest challenges is getting officers to take exams, most notably at the Sergeant level.  To motivate officers and make data more accessible, the Department is partnering with the Police Protective League to provide training materials and post seminars on the League’s website. Chief William Bratton added the Department is constantly seeking additional ways to encourage movement in the ranks and to develop a Department more reflective of the people it serves.  Commissioner Skobin further remarked the emphasis must also be on the quality of the candidates and the importance of giving them the skills to promote.  Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco concluded it is the Department’s goal to further diversity in an accountable and transparent way.      

• The Department’s report, dated May 28, 2008, relative to the Replacement of the City’s Burglar Alarm and Permit Management System was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.