LAPD Blog

LAPD Officer Indicted on Sex Charges

Los Angeles: After victims came forward an LAPD Officer was charged with felony sex crimes committed while the officer was on duty and in uniform.

On October 16, 2008, Police Officer III Russell Mecano, assigned to West Los Angeles Patrol Division, was indicted by the Los Angeles County Grand Jury for sex crimes committed or initiated while on duty and in uniform.  After the indictment, Mecano, who is 40-years old, was immediately arrested and booked at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Jail.  He has been released on bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on December 12, 2008.  Mecano has been relieved of his police powers and assigned to home, pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative processes.

The investigation began when the incident was reported to officers at a local police station.  Mecano allegedly told an 18-year old female he would not arrest her for possession of a marijuana pipe if she would have sex with him.  He allegedly sexually assaulted her near the Palisades Branch Library and told her to meet him sometime later at a motel.  The young woman reported the incident to officers at the West Los Angeles police station.  

Because persons coming forward may be asked to identify a photograph of Mecano in a process known as a “photo line up,” no photograph of Mecano will be released publicly at this time.  

Mecano was indicted on the following four charges:

• PC 647(b) Solicitation of Prostitution
• PC 243.4(a) Sexual Battery by Unlawful Restraint
• PC 289(g) Penetration by a foreign object by a public official
• PC 289(a) Penetration by a foreign object under duress

Victims or anyone with information should call Internal Affairs investigators toll free at 1-800-339-6868.  Caller may also use the 24 hour tip line at 1-877 LAPD 24-7 (1-877 527-3247). 

Those wishing to remain anonymous may use their cell phone and text to “CRIMES” or by log on to lapdonline.org and click on “webtips.”  When using a cell phone, callers should always begin the text portion of the message with the letters LAPD.  Texting or internet tips provided in this manner are anonymous.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics November 01, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**             2007**          % Chg

Homicide                             312*                342             -8.8%
Rape                                    671                779            -13.9%
Robbery                            11034             11300             -2.4%
Agg Assaults **                  10225             11044             -7.4%
Total Violent Crimes      22,242           23,465            -5.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             15865              16575           -4.3%
BTFV                                  24725              25492          -3.0%
Personal/Other Theft         22576              23044          -2.0%
Auto Theft                        18585              19689           -5.6%
Total Property Crimes    81,751            84,800          -3.6%
Total Part I Crimes        103,993          108,265         -3.9%

* 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

Two Men Found Buried in Backyard

Los Angeles:  Grim discovery made in the rear yard of a Rampart Area apartment complex.

At about 9:00 a.m.  yesterday , a 911 call summoned Rampart Patrol officers to an apartment located  in the 2800 block of London Street in Rampart Area.  The female caller reported that she had discovered household items from the residence, soaked in apparent blood, and suspiciously discarded in the rear yard.

Responding officers discovered splatters of apparent blood on the walls and floors of the apartment known to be the residence of, Ronald Samuel Mendez, 21 years of age, Donald Antonio Mendez, 53 years of age and father of Ronald, and Douglas Mendez, 55 years of age.  The bodies of Donald Antonio Mendez and Douglas Mendez were discovered in a shallow grave in the rear yard.  Both men died from apparent blunt force injuries. 

Investigators are looking for Ronald  Mendez as a person of interest.  Ronald Mendez is believed to be the son and nephew of the deceased.  He is known to drive a 1986 4-door tan or gold Mercedes Benz with the California license plate number 5DJW317.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ronald Mendez, is asked to contact Rampart Homicide Detectives Julian Pere or George Lee at 213-484-3650.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 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.

Woman Arrested for Murder

Los Angeles: Foothill Area Homicide Detectives are investigating a murder which occurred at a home in Sun Valley.

On Monday, November 3, 2008, at around 4:10 p.m., paramedics responded to a residence in the area of Wentworth Street and Sheldon Street.  They located 46-year old Gail Wardle injured and unable to speak.  Ms. Wardle was transported to a local hospital where it was determined that she had been shot with a small caliber weapon.  

Detectives responded to the home and began conducting a shooting investigation.  A search of the location and interview with witnesses resulted in the arrest of 43-year old Juliette Minjarez who also resides at the same home.

Ms. Wardle died from her injuries on November 4th.

The motive for the shooting is under investigation and the murder weapon is outstanding.

Minjarez was booked for Murder and is being held without bail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Foothill Area Homicide Detectives Martinez or Gahry.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 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.

Media Availability with Chief William J. Bratton

Chiefs_media_availability_podcast.MP3

Listen in on Police Chief William J. Bratton's Media Availability held today at the Metropolitan Dispatch Center.  Chief Bratton provided an update on current crime statistics, spoke on issues affecting the City of Los Angeles, introduced the Department's new toll-free anonymous crime reporting tip line - (877) LAPD 24/7 and requested the public's assistance with a recent homicide in the Rampart Area.

Northeast Area Open House

On October 11, 2008, Northeast held their annual Open House.  Visitors were treated to tours of the police station, and static displays from specialized units such as Bomb Squad, K-9 Unit, LAPD Dispatch Communications, and Air Support.  This event was a success with the support of local businesses and community resources.   Community members received an insider’s look at the Northeast station, had the opportunity to meet the men and women who serve their neighborhoods.

   

           

Notes for the November 4, 2024 Police Commission Weekly Meeting

•    Police Commissioner Andrea Ordin said that she attended the LAPD Women’s Leadership Conference at the Universal City Hilton.  She was impressed with the outpouring of excitement and energy and said next year the Department would attempt to open up the conference to outside agencies.

•    Police Chief William J. Bratton said there was an uptake in violence over the weekend in the south bureau region and additional resources have been deployed to the area to curtail the sudden spike.  The Chief also announced recruitment is meeting its goals to date.

•    The Departments report, dated October 28, 2008, relative to unlawful Search Investigations, was approved.  Commander Richard Webb of Internal Affairs said his division pulled 51 cases of unlawful search and found 11 of them to have concerns.  The cases were re-evaluated and given to the Inspector General for his review.  Commander Webb added the command staff under his direction is now going through quarterly training.  The commission directed him to report back in 90 days.

•    The Department’s report, dated October 23, 2008, relative to Racial Profiling Quarterly Report, Regular Meeting, was continued to December 9, 2008.  Commander Richard Webb said the report was the inaugural issue and found it to be beneficial.  He added mediation of Racial Profiling cases would be very difficult for the Department to implement due to the high volume of cases the Department receives and the cost to employ such a tactic.  Also, cases of Racial Profiling will now be called Bias Policing and is awaiting approval from Planning and Research Division in order to commence the change.

•    The Department’s report, dated October 30, 2008, relative to the Policy Against Discrimination in Employment Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Gender Expression, was continued.

•    The Department’s report, dated November 3, 2008, relative to the Department Preventable Traffic Collision Policy – Revised, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated November 5, 2008, relative to the Request to Withdraw Approved Special Order – Non-Categorical Use of Force Reporting – Revised, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 14, 2008, and Office of Inspector General’s report dated, October 24, 2008, relative to the Department’s Discipline Report for the Second Quarter of 2008, as approved.  Commander Richard Webb said 9 of 1591 cases from that quarter fell out of statue.  He also added Internal Affairs staff will be performing quarterly training in 2009 at all area divisions with regards to the complaint process.  Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman had concerns over the lack of Categorical Use of Force cases being entered into the TEAMS II system.  Commander Webb advised him that his division is not responsible for entering that information into the system so Commissioner Saltzman advised the Executive Director of the Commission, Mr. Richard Tefank, to have the division responsible division prepare a report to present to the board to ensure TEAMS II is updated as it pertains to Categorical Use of Force.

Fight for Life Weigh-In

Los Angeles:  November 3, 2024 – As part of the 16th Annual Fight for Life Boxing Event, members from both the Los Angeles Police Department Boxing Team and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Boxing Team participated in the official weigh-in on the campus of the City of Hope.  With their opponents looking on, each participant jumped on the scale, flexed some muscle, and talked a little trash.  Enthusiasm was high and the competitive spirit of both Departments’ was immense.

 After the weigh-in, the officers and deputies heard a few words from the City of Hope staff and Department command staff.  Then they heard from cancer survivor, Detective Craig Miller from the Los Angeles Police Department.  He offered his account of the trials and tribulations he encountered in his fight against cancer.  His story of hope was fitting, giving the environment.

Once the speakers were complete, the officers and deputies headed into the  pediatric cancer portion of the hospital.  Dressed in their respective Department’s uniforms, they went room to room, giving out toys, t-shirts and other gifts to the children who are receiving treatment for cancer.  Side by side, officers and deputy’s talked to the children and their parents, offering words of encouragement. 

The Fight for Life Boxing Event was started in 1992 by the Los Angeles County  Sheriff’s Department.  To date, this event has raised nearly $1 million for the City of Hope Cancer Research Center.  The Fight for Life will be held this Friday, November 7, 2008, at Quiet Cannon in Montebello. For tickets, please contact the Los Angeles Police Protective League at 213-251-4554 or the Sheriff’s Relief Association of Los Angeles County at 562-946-7081.

USC Student Shot and Wounded

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the shooting of 19-year-old Bryson Nellum.  

On Friday, October 31, 2024 at about 2 a.m., Southwest patrol officers responded to a radio call of a shooting that occurred in the 1400 block of 29th Street.  Officers discovered a victim with multiple gunshot wounds.    

Nellum was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries.

The suspects approached Nellum as he was trying to get into his car.  They then fired at Nellum, hitting him in the legs.

The motive for the shooting is unknown.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Southwest Detectives John Flores 213-485-2417.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 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 to Death at His Front Door

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating two murder suspects who shot and killed a man when he opened his front door.

On Monday, November 3, 2008, at about 3:00 a.m., 40-year-old Darren Turner was inside his residence in the 1000 block of South Western Avenue.  Turner answered the front door and was confronted by two male Black suspects.  One suspect was armed with a gun and fired one round at Turner.  Both suspects then left the residence on foot.

Turner was transported to a local hospital where he subsequently died of his injuries.

Anyone with information about the shooting urged to contact South Bureau Homicide Detectives Chris Barling or Lyman Doster at 310-482-6316 or 310-482-6349.   After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.  When using a cell phone, messages should always begin with “LAPD.” All calls and contacts are anonymous.