LAPD Blog

Security Guard Gunned Down at Medical Marijuana Facility

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police have arrested two men suspected of killing a security guard at a medical marijuana facility yesterday in Mid-Wilshire area.

At around 3:45 p.m., three men walked into the La Brea Collective located at 812 South La Brea Avenue.  With the intent to rob the dispensary, the men confronted a security guard identified as Noe Campos Gonzalez, 25.  A fight broke out and during the fight, one of the men pulled out a handgun and brutally shot Gonzalez.  The victim was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital where he died a short time later.

The suspects fled on foot; responding officers set up a perimeter in an attempt to contain the suspects.  Two suspects were found and taken into custody.  The remaining suspect is still at large.  He is described as a male African American , 5 feet 7 inches tall, 160 pounds, with a slim build in his 20s.  His hair is styled in corn rows and he was last seen wearing a white tank top, beige shorts and white sneakers.

The two suspects arrested have been identified as Leon Banks, 31 and Lovie Matthew, 30.  Both men are charged with murder and are being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Anyone who has information about this murder is urged to call Wilshire Division homicide detectives at 213-473-0446.   After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit a web tip on our website at www.lapdonline.org.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics September 27, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**             2007**          % Chg

Homicide                             271*                298             -9.1%
Rape                                    587                 678           -13.4%
Robbery                              9669               9977             -3.1%
Agg Assaults **                    9141               9705             -5.8%
Total Violent Crimes       19,668           20,658            -4.8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             13993              14692            -4.8%
BTFV                                 21757              22728            -4.3%
Personal/Other Theft         19930              20311            -1.9%
Auto Theft                         16442              17488            -6.0%
Total Property Crimes    72,122            75,219           -4.1%
Total Part I Crimes         91,790            95,877           -4.3%

* 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

Crime Statistics September 27, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**             2007**          % Chg

Homicide                             271*                298             -9.1%
Rape                                    587                 678           -13.4%
Robbery                              9669               9977             -3.1%
Agg Assaults **                    9141               9705             -5.8%
Total Violent Crimes       19,668           20,658            -4.8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             13993              14692            -4.8%
BTFV                                 21757              22728            -4.3%
Personal/Other Theft         19930              20311            -1.9%
Auto Theft                         16442              17488            -6.0%
Total Property Crimes    72,122            75,219           -4.1%
Total Part I Crimes         91,790            95,877           -4.3%

* 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                             271*                298             -9.1%
Rape                                    587                 678           -13.4%
Robbery                              9669               9977             -3.1%
Agg Assaults **                    9141               9705             -5.8%
Total Violent Crimes       19,668           20,658            -4.8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             13993              14692            -4.8%
BTFV                                 21757              22728            -4.3%
Personal/Other Theft         19930              20311            -1.9%
Auto Theft                         16442              17488            -6.0%
Total Property Crimes    72,122            75,219           -4.1%
Total Part I Crimes         91,790            95,877           -4.3%

* 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

Surveillance Video Shows Man Assaulting Teenager at McDonald’s

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying and capturing a man who allegedly punched a teenage girl several times in the face on Sunday, September 14, 2008, in South Los Angeles.

At around10:15 a.m., two young girls stood at the counter waiting to place an order at a McDonalds restaurant located at 7123 Crenshaw Boulevard.  A man between 35-40 years of age walked up to the same counter and cut in front of them.  The man confronted one of the girls who was standing in line first.  A 16-year-old teenager who was a relative of the two girls,  was standing about eight feet from the commotion and walked up to intervene.  An argument erupted between the teen and the man.  When the teen cursed at the man, he balled his fist and repeatedly punched the girl in the face, knocking her down to the floor.  Afterwards, the suspect, accompanied by two young boys, left the restaurant and fled in a red Dodge pickup with no license plates.   

The victim suffered a minor cut to her lip and bruises to her face. She was taken to a local hospital where she was treated and released.

The suspect is described as a male Black, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a tan hat, glasses, blue polo shirt, blue jeans and white shoes.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call 77th Division detectives at 213-473-4861.  After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to the 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Notes for the September 30, 2024 Police Commission Weekly Meeting

• Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger announced there continues to be declines in all Part I Crime categories.  He added this weekend’s recruitment fair was a great success and there was a very good turnout.
• The Department’s report, dated September 26, 2008, relative to the Report to Public Safety Committee on a Gun-Shot Location System Known as “Shotspotter,” was approved and transmitted to the City Council’s Public Safety Committee.
• The Department’s report, dated September 16, 2008, relative to the Warrant Application and Supporting Affidavits Audit, Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2007/08, AD No. C07-002, as presented by Captain Kevin McClure was received and filed.  Captain McClure informed the Commission the Department has developed a new tactical plan for search warrants and added court orders into the DCTS tracking system.
• The Department’s report, dated September 22, 2008, relative to the Home-Garaging Authorities – Fiscal Year 2007/08 and Fiscal Year 2008/09, was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated September 8, 2008, relative to the Request for Employment Authority and Exemption of a Police Administrator II Position for COMPSTAT Group, as presented by Deputy Chief Charlie Beck was approved and transmitted to the Mayor’s Office.  Deputy Chief Beck noted also among Chief Bratton’s priorities was the budgeting of 361 civilian positions.
• The Department’s report, dated September 16, 2008, relative to the Correspondence to the Public Safety Committee Regarding the Zine – Rosendahl Motion Relative to DNA Grants, as presented by Police Administrator Laura Filatoff was approved and transmitted to the City Council’s Public Safety Committee.  Ms. Filatoff stated the Department has begun soliciting funding for its DNA projects and has had a great deal of success with its fundraising efforts in the past.
• The Department’s report, dated September 18, 2008, relative to the Transmittal of the Grant Application for the 2008 Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.
• The Department’s report, dated September 11, 2008, relative to the Incidents Involving Persons Suspected of Suffering from Mental Illness Field Notebook Divider, Form 18.47.00 – Activated, as presented by Captain Ann Young was approved.  Captain Young outlined specific steps on how to work with the mentally ill and said the Department has developed manuals that will be posted on the Department LAN and distributed at roll calls.
• The Department’s report, dated September 24, 2008, relative to the Request for Approval of First Amendment to Contract Number C-114389 with International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor’s Office.
• The Department’s report, dated September 24, 2008, relative to the Request for Approval of First Amendment to Contract Number C-114343 with CAAS, LLC, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor’s Office.
• The Department’s report, dated September 26, 2008, relative to the Request for Proposals for the Valley Bureau Wireless Camera Surveillance System, as presented by Gloria Grube, Assistant Commanding Officer of Information and Communications Services Bureau, was approved.  Ms. Grube stated 4 Valley Bureau area divisions will share 46 cameras and will each have monitoring rooms.  She added funding has been earmarked and the project has received the community’s support.
• The Department’s report, dated September 23, 2008, relative to the Follow-up Report to Hunter-LaLey Fiscal Year 2007-08 Fourth Quarter Report, was continued.   

Gunman Robs Subway Restaurant and Rite Aid Store

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man whose image was captured on surveillance tape robbing two Subway sandwich restaurants and a Rite Aid store in the Los Angeles area.

The first incident occurred on August 31, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. at a Subway restaurant in the 500 block of East Florence Avenue.  A man wearing a white double-breasted chef jacket and dark pants walked into the front entrance of the restaurant posing as a job applicant.  The man approached the counter and asked a female clerk for a job application.  Once he received the application, the man looked at the overhead menu as if he was going to place an order and suddenly made his way behind the counter.  He walked up to the employee, displayed a small handgun and demanded money from the cash register.

Both the second and third incidents happened on September 1, 2008. During the second incident, the suspect walked into another Subway restaurant around 7:15 a.m. in the 10400 block of Venice Boulevard, wearing a blue shirt, black tie and tan pants.  At gunpoint, he ordered a male and female employee to a back office and demanded money. Fifteen minutes later, the suspect walked into a Rite Aid store in the 9800 block of National Boulevard, wearing the same business attire. Again, he ordered a male clerk at gunpoint to turn over money from a safe and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. 

None of the store employees were injured.

The suspect is described as a clean-cut African American with a light-complexion in his 20's.  He has a goatee, stands 6 feet tall and weighs between 150-180 pounds.

"We're hoping someone out there will recognize this suspect and call police," said Detective Tracey Benjamin.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone who knows the identity of this robber is urged to call Robbery Homicide Detectives Jason De La Cova or Tracey Benjamin at 213-485-2511.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit a web tip on our website at www.lapdonline.org.

Sidewalk Shooting in Venice

Los Angeles: LAPD detectives are asking for the public’s help in finding the person(s) responsible for the shooting death of 31-year-old, Adam Pacheco who was fatally shot in the Venice area.

On September 28 2008, at around 9:30 p.m., the victim, Adam Pacheco was standing in front of the “Otheroom” located in the 1400 block of Abbot Kinney Boulevard when the suspect walked up to him and shot him multiple times.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later died of his injuries.

An additional victim was also struck by the gunfire.  She was also transported to a local hospital where she was treated for her injuries and released. 

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic 17-18 years of age. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Pacific homicide detectives at 310-482-6316.  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.  When using a cell phone always begin the message with “LAPD.”

Identical Twin Brothers Killed in Collision

Los Angeles: An early morning traffic collision has taken the lives of identical twin brothers.

On Monday, September 29, 2024 at about 2:30 a.m., Jesse Brackett was driving a 1996 Acura Integra northbound on Beachwood Drive, near Glen Oak Street.  Brackett lost control of the vehicle and travelled across Beachwood Drive into the southbound lanes and collided with a U-Haul Truck parked at the curb.  The impact forced the U-Haul backwards into a 1990 Cadillac Seville parked behind it.  Brackett was killed upon impact. 

Brackett’s twin brother, David Brackett, was a front seat passenger in the vehicle and also sustained major injuries.  He died less than an hour later at a local hospital.  The brothers were 23-years old, both, residents of Los Angeles.

West Traffic Division Detective Michael Dickson is conducting the investigation.  Anyone with information can call him at 213-473-0234. 

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., and can remain anonymous.

Murder Suspect Quickly Apprehended for Shooting and Killing a Man After a Dispute

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives investigate the shooting death of Vahe Soghayan.

On September 27, 2024 at about 6:15 p.m., North Hollywood Area officers responded to a radio call of a “shooting with a victim down” at the scene in an industrial center in the 7200 block of Bellaire Avenue. Upon arrival officers found evidence of numerous rounds being fired from multiple firearms.

When the officers arrived, their investigation revealed that the victim had been transported by a private party to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead as a result of a gunshot wound. 

Subsequent investigation by North Hollywood Area detectives revealed that the victim had been shot after a dispute of an unknown nature. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Vahe Soghayan, a Sherman Oaks resident.   

The man responsible in the shooting of Soghayan was identified as 28-year-old Garik Mikayelyan, a North Hollywood resident.  He was arrested and booked at Van Nuys jail for murder and bail is set at $1,017,500.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detectives Louie Calzadillas or Richard Wheeler, North Hollywood Homicide, 818-623-4075. 

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 and may remain anonymous.

20 Year Marriage Ends in Murder

Los Angeles: A Los Angeles man is under arrest for the murder of his wife of nearly 20 years.

On Sunday, September 28, 2024 at about 7:00 a.m., Rampart Area Patrol Officers were called to investigate a stabbing in the 300 block of south Commonwealth Avenue.  When they arrived they saw the suspect, Ronald Berg, 72-years-old, walking out of the apartment that they were called to, and immediately detained him.

After entering the apartment officers found Berg’s wife, 69-year old Rhodora Monleon-Berg, lying on the floor suffering from multiple stab wounds.  Paramedics responded to assist the victim, but Mrs. Berg was pronounced dead at scene.

Investigators believe that Berg stabbed his wife after learning that she was planning to leave him.  Berg was booked for murder and is being held on one million dollars bail.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Rampart Homicide Detectives G. Lee or L. Velasco at 213-484-3650. 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., and can remain anonymous.

Pico Rivera Man Killed By Hit and Run Driver

*UPDATE*

On September 28, 2008, at around 6:45 p.m., Tavion Tyree Singelton, 19 years of age and a resident of Inglewood, turned himself into Central Traffic Detectives for the Hit and Run death of Mr. Silva.  He was booked for Felony Hit and Run and is being held on $50,000 bail.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a hit and run driver who struck and fatally injured 48-year-old Jose Francisco Silva.

On Saturday, September 27, 2024 at around 10:15 p.m., Silva was walking eastbound in a marked crosswalk at Bishop Road and North Broadway when a speeding car described as a white or tan Chevy Suburban or Jeep Cherokee headed southbound on North Broadway struck him.  The impact’s force threw Mr. Silva on the hood of the car.  He hit the windshield, slid off and was run over by the driver.  The driver then sped away without stopping to render aid to Silva.

Silva was transported to a local hospital where he subsequently died of the extensive blunt force injuries he had sustained as the result of the hit and run.

Because of the force of impact, detectives believe the vehicle would have sustained noticeable damage to the front end of the car and a possible cracked windshield.   

Anyone with information is urged to contact Central Traffic Detective Michael Kaden at 213-972-1825.  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., and can remain anonymous.