LAPD Blog

Significant Multi-Agency Effort Culminates in Numerous Arrests Suspects Involved in Wide Array of Felonies

Los Angeles: A multi-agency operation in a four-year robbery/murder investigation has lead to the arrest of multiple suspects.

On July 25, 2008, in the early morning hours, a series of 20 search warrants, 12 arrest warrants, and 1 parole search were served at various locations.  Warrants for an additional five suspects were issued, but at this time these suspects have not been located.   The warrants stemmed from an on-going investigation of a robbery/murder case in March 1, 2004.

On March 1, 2004, at about 10:50 a.m., eight suspects armed with assault-type weapons attacked armored car guard Evelio Suarez as he unloaded money bags from the truck.  Suarez, 61, was shot multiple times and later died at a local hospital.  The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash in a white van with an unknown type logo on the side.

Over the last four years, detectives have connected a local street gang to this armored truck murder/robbery, as well as other murders, robberies, burglaries, narcotics trafficking, and other weapon-related offenses.

Representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the California Department of Corrections, LA Impact, and the Southern California Drug Task Force served the warrants.   

The simultaneous search warrant service resulted in the recovery of 2 firearms, small amounts of narcotics, a large sum of money, and 16 (12 Warrant and 4 miscellaneous) arrests for various offenses.  The cases will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

“Gang violence continues to plague too many of our communities and disturb the peace of too many neighborhoods, and we must do everything in our power to ensure public safety and bring the perpetrators of gang crime to justice,” Mayor Villaraigosa said.  “Thanks to the strong collaboration between the LAPD and our state and federal partners, more gang members are behind bars, LA’s streets are safer and our children and families are more secure.”

“The warrants served this morning are an outstanding example of a collaborative effort to make our cities safe,” said Special Agent in Charge John A. Torres of ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division.  “Violent crimes are ATF’s top priority and we will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, arrest, and prosecute the most violent criminals.”

For additional information contact Robbery Homicide Detective Joe O’Donnell at 213-479-2662.

LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Hillmann Gets New Position as Assistant Sheriff of Orange County

Los Angeles: This afternoon, the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD’s) Deputy Chief Mike Hillmann announced his acceptance of a new position as Assistant Sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD).

LAPD Chief William Bratton supports and congratulates Hillmann on his new job. “Deputy Chief Mike Hillmann is a great credit to the Los Angeles Police Department” said Bratton. “For more than 42 years, Chief Hillmann has served the people of Los Angeles with courage, conviction and distinction. Chief Hillmann is a renowned national and international expert on emergency and incident management, and the Department will greatly miss his expertise.”

Hillmann was on the verge of retirement from LAPD when the OCSD opportunity surfaced. “It’s good news for the professionals in emergency and incident management that Chief Hillmann will continue to lend his considerable talent to the field despite his new position with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department,” continued Bratton. “I spoke with Sandra Hutchens on Monday and fully support Chief Hillmann’s decision to accept a position as Assistant Sheriff. While he officially retired from the LAPD in June 2008, Chief Hillmann’s plan was to pension with the Department utilizing the BOUNCE program, and he had another 10 months left with us.  However, this new position with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is a significant opportunity for Chief Hillmann. I am very happy for him and wish him all the best!”

For a full breakdown of Hillmann’s law enforcement career, his extensive resume is attached.

Man Arrested for Murdering His Brother

Los Angeles:  A 64-year old man was shot to death by his brother on Wednesday after an argument.

On July 16, 2008, at around 5:30 p.m., Wilshire Area officers responded to a Shots Fired call in the 1000 block of south Crenshaw Boulevard.  When the officers arrived, they found the victim, William Kaddis, lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head.  Officers pulled Kaddis out of the line of fire.  He was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his wound.

Investigators learned that the suspect, Edward Kaddis, 61, had shot William through a metal screen door and had barricaded himself inside the home refusing to come out for several hours.

LAPD Special Weapons And Tactics Team responded to the scene and negotiated with Edward to surrender shortly before midnight. 

Edward Kaddis was arrested and booked for murder.  The bail was set at $1,000,000.               

Further questions may be directed to Wilshire Homicide Detective John Shafia at 213-473-0446.  After hours or on weekends, calls may directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

$50,000 Reward Offered for Unsolved Hollenbeck Murder

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) homicide detectives and Councilmember Jose Huizar are asking for the public’s help in finding the persons responsible for the death of    24-year-old Jesus Guevara.

On August 18, 2007, at 3:15 p.m., Guevara was walking from a liquor store at 3327 N. Eastern Ave.  As he was approaching his parked car, the suspect approached in a dark-colored, mid-sized car driving northbound on Eastern Ave.  The driver of the suspect vehicle stopped and yelled, “Hey!” at Guevara and fired several rounds striking the victim one time in the back.  The suspect continued northbound Eastern Ave to eastbound Navarro. 

Guevara was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Guevara served for four years on active duty in the U.S. Navy.  He served overseas in 2005 in Thailand and assisted with the tsunami relief effort.  After being discharged from active-duty, Guevara remained in the Navy reserves as a petty officer.  He was working as a hydraulics engineer at the Shultz Steel Company in South Gate and was a student at East Los Angeles College when his life was cut short.  He is survived by his parents, four sisters and brother, uncles, aunts, cousins and godson.

“Don’t let his death go unsolved, because my family feels that there is no explanation for why he is gone,” said Maria Guevara, who is Jesus’ eldest sister.  “It’s like a wakeup call.  Don’t think it can’t happen to you.  We got to stop the crime on the streets.”    

At a press conference earlier today, 14th District Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar announced his sponsorship of a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect.

“Any murder is tragic, but when you think that Jesus Guevara served his country honorably, came home, enrolled in college, had a job and then was brutally murdered, it is just sickening,” said Councilmember Huizar.  “That’s why I introduced the motion to offer this $50,000 reward.  I’m hoping it will help jar some memories and motivate people to do the right thing and get this murderer off our streets.”

The public’s assistance is requested in solving this murder.  If anyone has information concerning this incident, please contact Hollenbeck Homicide Detective Jake Dugger at 323 526-3142 or Detective Araceli Negrete at 323-526-3091.  Afterhours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour toll free number, 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

Sexual Battery Suspect Arrested

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department officers arrested 21-year-old Jose Sarmiento, who had been involved in a rash of sexual assaults, on Monday, July 21, 2008.

The crimes occurred from August 2007 to April 2008.  Sarmiento was known to walk or ride a bicycle in the area of West Los Angeles and grab adult female’s buttocks and breasts as they walked on the sidewalks in their neighborhoods.  Most of the crimes were committed during the day in the residential area of Santa Monica Boulevard and Barrington Avenue. 

At this time, there are 15 victims where the  Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office filed ten counts of sexual battery, two counts of battery, one count of indecent exposure, and one count of peeping.  Sarmiento is currently being held without bail. 

Investigators believe there may be additional victims or witnesses and are asking for anyone with information to call Officer Justin Malcuit or Officer Tim Shumaker of the Operations West Bureau Sexual Assault Detail at 213-473-0404.  After hours and on weekends, please call the 24-hour Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

The photos of the suspect is available through Media Relations Section.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics July 5, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**            2007**       % Chg

Homicide                              204*                206            -1.0%
Rape                                    415                 482           -13.9%
Robbery                              6860               7405             -7.4%
Agg Assaults **                    6644               7121            -6.7%
Total Violent Crimes       14,123           15,214           -7.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             10223             10764            -5.0%
BTFV                                 16142             17073            -5.5%
Personal/Other Theft         14389             15158            -5.1%
Auto Theft                        12055              13089            -7.9%
Total Property Crimes    52,809            56,084           -5.8%
Total Part I Crimes         66,932            71,298           -6.1%

* Numbers reflects a change in reclassification for Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) guidelines and numbers are adjusted accordingly.

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

Police Arrest Two Paparazzi for Loitering

Los Angeles police arrested two paparazzi for loitering on a fire access road near Britney Spear’s home yesterday evening in Studio City.

At 6:00 p.m., police verbally warned Alexander Passos, 35, and Eduardo Ravalha, 35, for loitering on city owned property near Mulholland Drive and Cold Water Canyon and asked them to leave.  About 45 minutes later, the officers learned the pair had returned to the location and arrested them.

Passos of Canoga Park and Ravalha of Los Angeles were arrested and released at North Hollywood police station.  They were charged with linger or to idle about a public place without lawful business for being present. 

The officers were unable to secure Ravalha’s illegally parked vehicle.  The vehicle had to be impounded due to his arrest.

Two weeks prior, officers responded to a similar call at the same location involving the paparazzi.  A theft report was taken for the removal of a No Trespassing sign from a chain link fence.

Officers Nab Copper Wire Suspects

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers and Department of Water and Power (DWP) Security officers arrested two copper wire suspects in Northridge.

On Monday, July 21, 2024 at about 12:40 a.m., a DWP security officer was monitoring the security camera system at Northridge District Headquarters at 18718 Rayen Street.  Through the monitors, he saw two men identified as Zane Jackman, 41, and Brandon Sewell, 22, throwing tools into the wire spool area. 

Both suspects fled the scene and returned to the location.  Officers observed one of the suspects jump the fence and the other stood as a lookout.  The first suspect used the tools that were thrown over the fence to cut approximately 20 feet of insulated copper wire. 

Los Angeles police officers were dispatched to the location to aid the DWP security officers.  The suspect inside began to throw over the 20 foot wire and tossed additional wire over to the other suspect.  A perimeter was established and the lookout suspect was taken into custody. 

Moments later, authorities were able to find the other suspect, who attempted to hide inside the DWP facility.  He was taken into custody and the property was recovered. 

The suspects will be charged with grand theft and are being held on a $20,000 bail.

For more information regarding this case, call DWP Captain Rick Frias at 213-367-0352 or Devonshire Detective John Guerrero at 818-832-1760. After hours and on weekends, call may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Pedestrian Hit by Truck Sought

Los Angeles: Valley Traffic detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying a pedestrian, who walked away from the scene of a traffic accident in North Hollywood.

On July 22, 2024 at about 4:00 p.m., 21-year-old Mirna Payes-Gonzalez and an unidentified female pedestrian were crossing northbound Beck Avenue on Victory Boulevard in a crosswalk.  Willie Lee Graham, a 45-year-old resident of North Hollywood, was driving north on Beck in his 2008, Chevy Silverado, pickup truck and turned west onto Victory when he hit Gonzalez and the unknown pedestrian. 

Gonzalez suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local area hospital.  She was listed in critical condition.

The unidentified woman stood up after being hit and said she wasn't hurt, according to witnesses at the scene.  She said she didn't know Gonzalez and left the scene without identifying herself.

Graham, the driver, stopped and attempted to aid the two pedestrians.  The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed.

Anyone with information regarding this collision should contact Valley Traffic Division Officer Daniel Menesez at 818-644-8020.  After hours and on weekends, please call the Valley Traffic Division, Watch Commander's Desk at 818-644-8000 of the 24-hour Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Teen Shot in South LA Dies, Suspect Arrested

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers arrested an 18-year-old suspect in the shooting death of Alcus Mallory, 15, of Los Angeles.

The incident unfolded on Thursday, July 17, 2008, at about 9:10 p.m. According to investigators, Mallory was visiting a friend in the 1600 block of west 65th Place.  Mallory and his friends were in the bedroom playing video games.  The suspect, Elijah Larkin, pulled out a handgun and began to play with it.  He fired one shot, and struck Mallory in the head.  Los Angeles Fire Department medical personnel were called to the residence and transported Mallory to a local hospital.

Mallory was treated and placed on life support systems.  On July 22, 2008, he was taken off of life support and was pronounced dead.

On July 18, 2008, Larkin was arrested and is being held on $1,000,000 bail.

For additional information, contact Operations South Bureau Homicide Detectives Bertha Durazo and Bill Ritch at 213-485-1381.  After hours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour toll free number, 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).