LAPD Blog

Burglary From A Motor Vehicle Suspects Arrested Following Tips From the Victim

Los Angeles: A victim's tip leads Wilshire Area Auto detectives to two suspects wanted in a rash of Burglaries from a Motor Vehicle throughout Wilshire Division.   

On Friday, September 19, 2024 at 9:25 a.m., West Los Angeles patrol officers responded to a radio call of a "Citizen following a burglary suspect" at Robertson Avenue and Cattaragus Street.A few minutes earlier, the victim, had seen the suspects, 22-year-old Ricardo Celio and 19-year-old Adan Bernal break into his car, remove his property and drive away at a high rate of speed.  The victim followed Celio and Bernal as he called 911 on his cell phone and gave the operator a description of the suspect's car.

LAPD Air Support Division responded and tracked the suspect's car as it sped east bound on the 10 freeway with ground units following.  The suspects exited the freeway and stopped at 1420 West 28th Street.  The passenger ran from the car and tried to hide in an unlocked car in a rear yard and was taken into custody without incident.  The driver, continued on 28th Street for a short distance.  He then stopped the car, ran away and hid in a trash can in another rear yard.  He was also taken into custody by officers at scene without incident.  Celio and Bernal are believed to be responsible for approximately 75 vehicles burglaries throughout Wilshire Division.  Detectives believe that certain sport utility vehicles were targeted because of the ease in which the suspects can gain entry.  Celio and Bernal were arrested and booked for Burglary From a Motor Vehicle.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Wilshire Area Auto Detective Robert Palacios at 213-922-8248. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org.  All tips will remain anonymous.

Man Shot and Killed in Alley

Los Angeles: A 22-year old man was shot and killed as he was walking in an alley within the Mar Vista Gardens Housing Project.

On September 23, 2008, at around 1:30 PM, the victim, Braylon Williams, was in the alley rear to 4800 block of Marionwood Drive when he was approached from behind by a gunman.  The gunman fired several shots with a medium caliber pistol and struck Williams multiple times. 

The suspect fled eastbound through the buildings and was last seen running southbound along the flood control fence.

The shooter was described as a 18 to 20 years old Hispanic male with medium height and build, and was wearing a black sweatshirt.

Williams was pronounced dead at the scene.

The motive for this crime appears to be gang related.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect is asked to call Pacific Homicide Detectives at 310-482-6813.  After-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).  Callers may also remain anonymous by texting "CRIMES" with a cell phone or by logging on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.

Vons Market Take-Over Robbery

Los Angeles: LAPD Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating two suspects, who posed as vendors and robbed a Vons Market. 

On September 3, 2024 at about 6 a.m., two suspects, wearing Pepsi vendor shirts, entered the Vons Market located at the 9800 block of National Boulevard in West Los Angeles. The suspects walked to the employee lunch room on the second floor. When a store employee opened the accounting office, the suspects forced the employee into the office and ordered her to lie on the floor. The suspects used handcuffs to secure her hands behind her back. The suspects then removed an undisclosed amount of cash from the safe.

The internal video system captured both suspects walking up the stairs to access the second floor. It provides excellent images of both suspects.

Both suspects are described as males, with black hair, brown eyes, 5'11" tall, 150 pounds, approximately 20 to 25 years of old. Suspect one is a male, Black.

There were no injuries reported during the robbery. 

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call West Los Angeles Robbery Detectives at 310-444-1520. After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855) or texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org. Tips may remain anonymous.

Vons Market Take-Over Robbery Captured on Surveillance Video

Los Angeles: LAPD Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating two suspects, who posed as vendors and robbed a Vons Market. The robbery was captured on the store’s video surveillance system.

On September 3, 2024 at about 6 a.m., two suspects, wearing Pepsi vendor shirts, entered the Vons Market located at the 9800 block of National Boulevard in West Los Angeles. The suspects walked to the employee lunch room on the second floor. When a store employee opened the accounting office, the suspects forced the employee into the office and ordered her to lie on the floor. The suspects used handcuffs to secure her hands behind her back. The suspects then removed an
undisclosed amount of cash from the safe.

The internal video system captured both suspects walking up the stairs to access the second floor. It provides excellent images of both suspects.

Both suspects are described as males, with black hair, brown eyes, 5’11” tall, 150 pounds, approximately 20 to 25 years of old. One suspect is a male Black and the other is a male Hispanic.

There were no injuries reported during the robbery. 

Surveillance video may be viewed at www.LAPDTV.Org

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call West Los Angeles Robbery Detectives at 310-444-1520. After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855) or texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org. Tips may remain anonymous.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics September 20, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**             2007**          % Chg

Homicide                             265*                291             -8.9%
Rape                                    569                 663           -14.2%
Robbery                              9385               9715             -3.4%
Agg Assaults **                    8871               9474             -6.4%
Total Violent Crimes       19,090           20,143            -5.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             13601              14296            -4.9%
BTFV                                 21139              22164            -4.6%
Personal/Other Theft         19372              19773            -2.0%
Auto Theft                         15942              17016            -6.3%
Total Property Crimes    70,054            73,249           -4.4%
Total Part I Crimes         89,144            93,392           -4.5%

* 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

Homicide                             265*                291             -8.9%
Rape                                    569                 663           -14.2%
Robbery                              9385               9715             -3.4%
Agg Assaults **                    8871               9474             -6.4%
Total Violent Crimes       19,090           20,143            -5.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             13601              14296            -4.9%
BTFV                                 21139              22164            -4.6%
Personal/Other Theft         19372              19773            -2.0%
Auto Theft                         15942              17016            -6.3%
Total Property Crimes    70,054            73,249           -4.4%
Total Part I Crimes         89,144            93,392           -4.5%

* 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

Woman Shot and Killed

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are investigating the shooting death of 26-year-old Grace Mattos.

On September 20, 2024 at about 7:40 p.m., Southeast patrol officers responded to a radio call of "Shots Fired" in the area of the 9200 block of East 92nd Street.  Officers found Mattos lying in the alley.  Mattos, apparently had been shot in the upper torso. 

Los Angeles Fire Department medical personnel responded to the scene and transported Mattos to a local hospital where she failed to respond to emergency life saving measures and was pronounced dead.

There was no suspect(s) or vehicle seen leaving the area.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact South Bureau Homicide Detective Sal LaBarbera at 213-485-4341.  After-hours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour, toll-free number, 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855) or texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org.  Tips may remain anonymous.

LAPD Mounted Platoon Open House

On Saturday September 20, 2008, the Mounted Platoon, a part of the Department’s elite Metropolitan Division, opened the barn doors to the Ahmanson Equestrian Facility for its annual open house.  Families enjoyed the afternoon touring the two-acre facility as they got an up close look at the forty horse barn that includes American Quarter horses.

After the posting of the colors, Lieutenant Ann Barrera, gave the welcome address.  In the  Arena, the Mounted Platoon gave an insiders’ perspective as to how they train their horses and simulated field exercises in apprehending suspects.  The K9 Unit was also on hand to demonstrate how they assist in searching and finding suspects, as well as SWAT officers who reenacted a hostage rescue.

Visitors were treated to static displays from the SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, Fire Department, and Department’s Historical Museum.  Children enjoyed petting the horses, rock climbing, and had their identification photo and fingerprints taken.

The Mounted Platoon was established in 1987 as a component of the Metropolitan Division and is currently composed of 35 full-time sworn police personnel, including 1 Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants and 30 Police Officers.  Each Mounted Platoon officer is required to complete a 200-hour equestrian training program prior to being assigned to field duty.  The comprehensive course covers basic and advanced equitation skills, tactics, equine physiology and psychology.

As part of their crowd management duties, the Department’s Mounted Platoon can be seen at public demonstrations working with foot patrol officers in controlling large groups of protestors.  Their presence provides visible security and a sense of assurance at large festivals and parades.  Mounted Platoon also has an active role in high-profile crime suppression in targeted crime areas throughout the City.  Additional Mounted Platoon duties include public park enforcement, public beach enforcement during the summer months, and search and rescue of lost or missing persons in mountainous and dense terrain areas of the City.

Alert Officer Briefly Delays Arrivals at Emmy Awards

Los Angeles: An alert officer working a pre-designated checkpoint for the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards briefly delayed all traffic at the various checkpoints when he discovered a real-looking Airsoft-type rifle in the trunk of a car entering a secure area.

After a brief investigation, it was determined that the driver was a contract worker of a vendor associated with the event.  The rifle was determined to be a common Airsoft-type rifle, available at most sporting goods and discount stores.  The Incident Commander for the Awards event, Commander David Doan stated, “We train for a variety of threats.  The officers responded exactly as expected.  Once the threat was analyzed and dismissed, all of the checkpoints were re-opened.” 

The explanation provided by the driver and his employment status checked out.  He was allowed to continue to his work assignment.   

The checkpoints were closed for only five minutes and the entire incident lasted 20 minutes from 3:56 pm to 4:16 pm.