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January 18, 2025

LAPD Statement Regarding Public Safety

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is committed to serving our communities while protecting the rights of all persons, recognizing the fundamental right of a free press to keep the public informed. 

On occasion, the actions of some involved in covering “high profile persons” has created challenges for those responsible for policing and those whose job it is to provide media coverage.  While the Department is committed to working with the media, police officers will protect the public by enforcing any and all laws.

The Los Angeles Police Department will respond to public complaints and criminal behavior in order to protect public safety.  Despite recent media reports, the LAPD is not “targeting” specific individuals or groups of individuals involved in covering “high profile persons.”

If you have any questions, please contact Lieutenant Ruben De La Torre, Officer-In-Charge LAPD Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.   

Man Robs Subway Restaurant at Gunpoint

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department needs help finding a man who robbed a Wilshire area Subway restaurant at gunpoint on January 14, 2008.

At around 2:45 a.m., surveillance video shows a man wearing a tan baseball cap and metal frame eyeglasses walk into the restaurant at 4206 Beverly Boulevard, talking on his cell phone. After the man hung up his cell phone, he posed as a customer and ordered a sandwich. Upon completing the order, the female clerk looked down ward to place napkins inside a plastic sandwich bag. The man pulled out a handgun and demanded money, authorities said. The clerk fearing for her life handed over the money without incident.

The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

There were two employees working at the time of the incident, neither one was injured. 

Detectives believe the same suspect is responsible for another robbery that occurred on January 4, 2008, at TM Wireless store located at 3580 Wilshire Boulevard.

In both cases, police described the suspect as a male Black, in his mid 20’s or 30’s. He has black hair and brown eyes, stands between 5 feet 8 and 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighs between 145 and 170 pounds.

Surveillance footage of the robbery is available by clicking here.

Police want the public to be aware that the suspect is armed and dangerous. Anyone, who sees a suspect matching the description of this robber, is asked to call Wilshire Robbery Detectives Fernando Avila or Heather Wilbur at 213-922-8205. During off-hours or on weekends call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

January 17, 2025

Police Investigate Vandalism as Hate Crime

Los Angeles: Four walls vandalized in an Encino neighborhood is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

On January 17, 2008, at around 8:10 a.m., several people reported to police that vandals spray painted anti-Semitic images on a wall that expands over a two mile area of Wells Drive between Tampa and Louise Avenue.

“We have just begun our investigation into this hate crime incident and believe that someone who may have seen the suspect or suspects, may have the information needed to make an arrest and solve this case”, said Lieutenant Steve Sambar.

Photographs have been taken of the damage and investigators are in the process of interviewing victims and witnesses to help develop leads. 

Anyone with information regarding this hate crime incident, is asked to contact West Valley Detectives Foster Rains or Andrew Purdy at 818-374-7730.  During off-hours or on weekends call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Autistic Man Missing

**Update:  Ernesto Robles has been located and has been re-united with his family. **


Los Angeles:
Los Angeles Police detectives are requesting the public's help in finding a missing 20-year-old Autistic man.

Ernesto Robles, 20-year-old, was last seen on Friday, January 11, 2025 at around 5:20 p.m., Robles suffers from Autism and is mildly mentally retarded. He was last seen in the area of Vanowen Street and Woodman Avenue in Van Nuys.

Robles is described as Latino, 5'10" tall, weighs 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes and has a thin build. Robles has a scar on the right side of his head and was wearing a gray T-shirt and blue jeans.

Robles is Spanish speaking only.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Anna Mullins, Missing Persons Unit at 213-485-3581. During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Man Arrested for Animal Cruelty Charges

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles City Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACTF) served a dog fighting search warrant in the 6600 block of South 4th Avenue. On January 16, 2008, the ACTF arrested Jerome Woods, 55, of Los Angeles for 597.5(a)(1) PC, Animal Cruelty.

The ACTF seized eleven Staffordshire Bull Terriers (commonly referred to as pit bulls) that exhibited scarring from possible dog fighting. Exercise equipment, medicine, bloody towels, and bloodstained fighting pits were also seized. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for review and felony filing. If convicted, Woods could face a state prison sentence.

The 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.

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

January 16, 2025

Rape Suspect Arrested

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police have ended their manhunt for a parolee at large being sought for a sexual assault that took place in a woman’s home in the Wilshire area on January 1, 2008. 

On January 15, 2008, detectives staked out a home in the 2500 block of South Bronson Avenue, after they received information that convicted sex offender, Damicii Deandre Brown, 35, would occasionally stop by to visit family members. Brown was a transient and had been living on the streets, authorities said.  Several hours later, investigators saw Brown pull up in a stolen Toyota Solara and immediately took him into custody.

The actual sexual assault incident occurred around 1:40 p.m., when Brown vehemently knocked on the woman’s front door. When the woman refused to open the door, he entered the home through an open window and committed the sexual assault, detectives said.

The victim was able to identify Brown from a police line up.

In 2007, Brown was released on parole after he served a 14 year prison sentence for a 1993 kidnap and rape. 

Investigators believe Brown may be linked to other sexual assaults in nearby areas and are asking additional victims and witnesses to come forth and call police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Operations-West-Bureau Sexual Assault Detectives Alma Mercado or Roger Klohr at 213-473-0447. During off-hours or on weekends call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Woman Arrested for Murder

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police detectives arrested Delilah Acevedo, 26 years of age for the shooting death of 31-year-old Alejandro Palacio.

On January 15, 2008, just before 2:00 a.m., Rampart Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of “Shots Fired” in the 3600 block of West Bellevue Avenue.  When officers entered the apartment they found Palacio unconscious and bleeding from his head.

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced Palacio dead at the scene.

The investigation revealed that Palacio was visiting his estranged wife.  An argument and physical altercation ensued between them. The suspect removed a handgun and fired once striking the victim.

Officers detained Acevedo, and transported her to Rampart Detectives and questioned her. She was then placed under arrest for Murder.

Anyone with information can contact Rampart Homicide at Detectives 213-207-2000.  During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Woman Found Dead in Alley

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police detectives are investigating the death of a 35 year-old woman.

On January 13, 2008, just before 7:00 AM, the body of the woman was found in an alley to the rear of 1500 block of West Florence Avenue in South Los Angeles.  Although there were no visible signs of trauma, it appeared the woman had been strangled to death by an unknown assailant.

The woman has been identified as Rosa Elida Garcia, a resident of Los Angeles.  Motive is unknown.

Detectives request the public's help, and ask that anyone with information contact South Bureau Homicide Detectives John Skaggs, Bill Ritch or Corey Farrel at 213-485-1383.  During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

January 15, 2025

Notes from the January 15, 2025 Police Commission Meeting

  • The Department’s hiring goal is 70 candidates per month.  The Department is currently exceeding that goal.
  • The future agenda item pertaining to in-car digital video cameras is still in the Mayor’s office.  This agenda item will be updated weekly.
  • City Councilperson Janice Hahn of the 15th District presented a certificate of appreciation to the members of the Watts Gang Task Force for their success in reducing gang violence- including homicides- in their community since the group’s inception in January 2006.  The Task Force is a dedicated group of individuals committed to restoring peace and order to the Watts community.  Since the group’s inception, gang violence in Watts has declined dramatically.
  • A verbal update from Captain Steve Zipperman and Ms. Jeannette Capaldi of the West Valley Area Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) regarding community initiated problem solving, crime strategies, and other programs was presented to the Board of Police Commissioners.
  • The Department’s report, dated December 11, 2007, in response to Budget and Finance Committee’s request, relative to the Unappropriated Balance for Reserve Police Officer Recruitment, and discussion of Reserve Recruitment efforts, was approved and transmitted to Budget and Finance Committee.
  • The Department’s report, dated December 20, 2007, in response to City Council request (Council File No. 07-1608), relative to a status report on efforts being made to address the backlog of firearms related cases, was approved and transmitted to the Personnel Committee.
  • The Department’s report, dated January 7, 2008, relative to the proposed revisions to the Council-approved records retention schedule for original/official records for Administrative and Technical Services Bureau, was approved and transmitted to the Office of the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.
  • The Department, dated January 7, 2008, relative to the 2008-2009 Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) Program Grant application in the amount of $150,000.00 between the Department and the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.
  • The Department’s report, dated January 4, 2008, relative to the Third Quarter Supplemental Police Account Report - (July through September 2007), was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Controller.
  • The Department’s report, dated January 9, 2008, relative to Criminal Case Filing Rates of Individuals Arrested Fourth Quarter Report - (October 1 through December 31, 2024), was approved.
  • The Department’s report, made by Office of Operations Commander Kirk Albanese and dated January 2, 2008, relative to an overview of Departmental training and resources utilized in “suicide by cop” incidents, was approved.  Commissioner Skobin requested that an additional report be generated addressing the suicides of police officers.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics January 12, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2008*            2007*         % Chg

Homicide                              14                 12               16.7%
Rape                                    20                  25             -20.0%
Robbery                               409                446             -8.3%
Agg Assaults **                     322               403             -20.1%
Total Violent Crimes            765              886            -13.7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               569             679              -16.2%
Auto Theft                           655             806              -18.7%
BTFV                                   852            1161              -26.6%
Personal/Other Theft           658             841               -21.8%
Total Property Crimes        2734          3487             -21.6%
Total Part I Crimes            3499          4373
              -20.0%

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

Man Shot and Killed during Attempt Robbery

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police arrested a man who during an attempt robbery, fatally shot a 60-year-old man yesterday afternoon in South Los Angeles.

The incident happened around 7:30 a.m., when victim Justino Montiel Torres was walking to church in the 11800 block of South Figueroa Street.

Torres tried to ward off the suspect who attempted to rob him. The suspect pulled out a handgun and shot Torres one time.  The suspect left the location.

Torres was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died.

South Bureau Homicide Detectives later located and arrested 22-year-old Oscar Blanco for murder.  His bail is set at $1,000,000.00.

Anyone with additional information regarding this shooting is asked to contact South Bureau Homicide at 213-485-4341.  During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

LAPD Disclaimer

  • 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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March 2008

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