LAPD Blog

UPDATE: Wanted Murderer Nabbed in Las Vegas

Los Angeles: The City of Los Angeles had announced a reward offer of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of murder suspect Adam Quintana.

On November 17, 2008, at around 2:00 a.m., in the 200 block of Breed Street, Adam Quintana bludgeoned his friend, Fernando Garcia to death with a hammer.  Quintana then callously dumped the victim’s body in a trash bin and left the area.  

UPDATE:

Quintana was taken into custody on November 28, 2008, by Las Vegas Police investigators within 48 hours of holding a news conference seeking the public’s help.  He was staying with an acquaintance in an attempt to avoid arrest in Los Angeles.  A witness found out Quintana being wanted for murder in Los Angeles as well as the fact that a reward had been posted for his arrest, subsequently notified the Las Vegas Police Department.  

Hollenbeck Area Homicide detectives returned Quintana to Los Angeles on December 3, 2008, and he was booked for murder.

“The media coverage and reward played a role in helping us find Quintana so quickly.  The combination of the two increased the public awareness, which allowed our witness to notify the Las Vegas Police.  I believe the swiftness in which the reward was approved by Councilmember Huizars’ Office helped us.  We now have a dangerous murderer off the street,” said Captain Blake Chow.

“Every time I put forth a reward motion after a brutal crime such as this, I am hoping and praying it’ll lead to an arrest, and fortunately this time it did,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “And while the accused will have his day in court, for the sake of Fernando Garcia’s family, I am somberly pleased that they will have a chance for closure.”

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to call Detectives Negrete or Dugger, Hollenbeck Area Homicide Unit at 323-526-3142.  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.  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Department’s Real Estate Fraud Unit Encourages At-Risk Homeowners to Attend Foreclosure Prevention Fair

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Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Real Estate Fraud Unit (REFU), which is part of the Commercial Crimes Division and investigates real estate crime throughout the city, is encouraging all those facing mortgage issues as a result of taking out unaffordable loans from unscrupulous lenders to attend a county-sponsored counseling fair.

The impending crimes associated with the subprime mortgage debacle currently sweeping the country have placed an extraordinary burden on many homeowners.  Many consumer agencies within Los Angeles County have recognized the need to assist these homeowners, and a Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Fair this coming Saturday, Dec. 6, will offer reliable sources of information on a variety of assistance options that are available.  The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crenshaw Christian Center, 7901 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.

Since October 2007, nearly $800 million of adjustable rate mortgages will reset, resulting in default and foreclosure because lenders shouldn’t have made these loans initially.  Though not all foreclosures involve fraud, LAPD REFU detectives believe even a small percentage of the millions of loans and dollars at stake could cause an onslaught of fraud cases.

Remedies for these types of fraud/crimes are in place, but the time required to look into them may limit the number of cases detectives can handle and allow increased opportunities for criminals to prey on foreclosed homeowners.

Several organizations will be represented at the Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Fair, and HUD-certified counselors will be on-hand to provide assistance with loss mitigation, fraud identification and prevention, credit recovery, budgeting and more. Homeowners are advised to come prepared by bringing any mortgage statements/documents and personal budget information/requirements.  More information is available by calling 888-895-2647.

In Custody Death Investigation

Los Angeles:   Police are investigating the death of a suspect arrested on a narcotics charge found dead in his jail cell.

On December 2, 2008, at approximately 4:35 p.m., Central Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail arrested Richard Gharibians, 33, for a narcotics charge.  He was booked at Jail Division, Metropolitan Jail Section and housed in a medical segregation cell due to a stated medical condition. 

On December 3, 2008, at approximately 1:40 pm, the suspect was observed hanging by a mattress cover used as a ligature attached to a bunk bed.  Jail Division personnel immediately removed the ligature and Jail dispensary medical personnel began resuscitative efforts.  The suspect did not respond. 

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced Gharibians dead. 

No force was used at the time of the suspect’s arrest or subsequent custody.

A thorough investigation of this in custody death is being conducted by the LAPD Force Investigation Division.  That investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Inspector General and the Los Angeles Police Commission, which has final review authority.  The County Coroner’s office will also conduct an investigation as to the cause of death and the office of the Los Angeles County District Attorney will have access to all investigations relative to this incident.

Prolific Credit Card Fraud Suspect Has Been Arrested

Los Angeles:  A suspect who had acquired hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise over the past two years through a fraudulent credit card operation has finally been caught and is now under arrest.

On Dec. 1, 2008, Los Angeles Police Department officers arrested 44-year-old William Hart at an apartment in the Santa Clarita area. Hart, who has used various aliases, has been booked on felony fraud charges and is being held without bail.

Detectives at the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division were alerted to Hart’s activities by the security staff of Costco Wholesale stores where he was suspected of opening various memberships throughout California and using stolen credit cards to purchase large amounts of merchandise, mostly in Van Nuys and Los Angeles area stores. Estimates of his activity at Costco over the past two years indicate over $80,000 in purchases with stolen credit cards.

During the past month, Hart apparently expanded his operation to include fraudulent purchases at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores, also in the Santa Clarita area.  Loss estimates by store security ran as high as $60,000.  

Through a search warrant detectives obtained for Hart’s apartment, thousands of evidentiary items were recovered, including up to 1,000 credit cards in various names, blank cards without embossed names and card numbers from American Express, Discover and several banks, including Citibank, Washington Mutual, Chase, Capital One, Wells Fargo and Bank One.  Additional items seized at the apartment consisted of hundreds of rental applications from potential victims, receipts for items fraudulently purchased with the cards, two credit card embossers capable of making credit cards from blank plastic, card readers, card encoders that can re-encode cards and their magnetic strips, devices for retaining and transmitting account information over phone lines, blank/counterfeit birth certificates to obtain fraudulent California Identification Cards, computers and computer disks containing names of existing and potential victims.

On the morning of Dec. 2, 2008, officers located Hart’s storage locker in the San Fernando Valley where they served another search warrant and discovered even more material similar to the evidence recovered at his apartment.

“This was the most significant arrest and seizure of evidence with the potential to cause the largest losses we’ve seen in over 15 years,” said senior San Fernando Valley LAPD detectives regarding their efforts.  ” The potential for financial loss was incalculable.”

Chief Bratton in studio with Ryan Seacrest

Tuesday, December 2, 2024 - Chief Bratton was an in studio guest with Ryan Seacrest on his radio morning show, “On-Air with Ryan Seacrest” on KIIS-102.7FM.  During the 30 minute interview, Chief Bratton encouraged women to attend the Women’s Job Fair and Recruitment Seminar taking placed this weekend.  He talked about the need for the LAPD to have more female police officers, and the many career choices available to a female police officer. Chief Bratton said he is looking for women applicants who are “smart, tough and committed” and “being a LAPD officer is an extraordinary job offer.”

Mr. Seacrest congratulated the Chief on his success in keeping crime down in the City and asked him to describe what a typical day is like for him.  Mr. Seacrest also asked the Chief where he stands on the paparazzi and celebrities, pet peeves, and his reaction to the Mumbai terrorist events.

The Women’s Job Fair and Recruitment Seminar 2008 will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008, at the Ahmanson Recruit Training Center, 5651 West Manchester Blvd, Los Angeles, 90045 (near LAX) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The LAPD entrance examination will be given at 11 a.m.

Demonstrations will feature physical fitness performance requirements, a Self-Defense demonstration and LAPD programs provided by the Candidate Assistance Program (CAP). 

The Women’s Job Fair and Recruitment Seminar provides community members an opportunity to meet with members of the Police Department and learn about the challenges and rewards of working in law enforcement. 

For more information on a career with the LAPD visit www.JOINLAPD.com or call 866-444-LAPD.

Detectives Looking for Stolen Wheelchair and Wheelchair Accessories

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a stolen wheelchair belonging to an individual with cerebral palsy, as well as stolen wheelchair wheels belonging to an additional victim who is paralyzed.  

On Nov. 22, 2008, a vehicle containing a custom-made wheelchair for a cerebral palsy patient was stolen.  The vehicle belonged to the mother of the patient.  Though detectives recovered the vehicle in central Los Angeles three days later on Nov. 25, the wheelchair, which is crucial to the mobility of the patient, was missing.  The patient’s mother cares for her daughter, who is in her twenties, has had cerebral palsy since birth and is completely immobile without wheelchair assistance.  

On Nov. 29, 2008, a second victim’s vehicle containing spare wheelchair wheels and tires was stolen.  Similar to the previous case, on Dec. 1, 2008, detectives located the victim’s vehicle in central Los Angeles and again discovered that the wheelchair accessories had been removed.  The victim, who was paralyzed when a robbery suspect shot him during an attempt to steal his vehicle, needs the use of his wheelchair on a daily basis.  As a result, his tires wear out often and require replacement.  

Insurance will not cover the loss of the victims’ stolen property and they cannot afford to replace it.

Anyone with information regarding these thefts is asked to call Detectives Zavala or Woods at LAPD Commercial Crimes Division, 213-485-2509.  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.

Man With a Gun Results in Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles: An armed 27-year-old man struggled with officers was shot in South Los Angeles.    

On November 29, 2024 at about 9:30 p.m., Southeast Area Gang Enforcement Detail Officers saw the suspect, Marlon Hunt and several other individuals, consuming alcohol in public in front of a liquor store on the 9800 block of Main Street.  The officers stopped to issue citations for the violations but Hunt and others quickly entered the liquor store to elude them.  

The officers followed the suspects and detained them inside of the store.  During the process of conducting a pat down search, Hunt resisted and struggled with the officers.  Hunt attempted to arm himself with a gun which he had concealed on his waistband.   At which time an officer involved shooting occurred.  

The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment.  His condition is described as stable.  The officers were not injured.

Hunt’s loaded 45 caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene.

The involved officers are Officer Jose Carias, 4 years with the Department, and Ivan McMillan, 6 years and 6 months with the Department.

Force Investigation Division is conducting the investigation.

Homeless Man Dies after being Hit by Car

Los Angeles:  Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a hit and run driver who struck and fatally injured a 38-year-old homeless man.

On December 2, 2024 at about 8:30 p.m., a green sports utility vehicle (possibly a 1999 to 2002 Nissan Pathfinder), traveling northbound on Pacific Coast Highway north of Sunset Boulevard, hit the pedestrian while he was in the roadway.  The driver of the vehicle is described as a male, white.  

The Los Angeles Fire Department personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene.  His name is being withheld until his family has been notified.  

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call West Traffic Division Detective Nelson Hernandez at 213-473-0232.  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.

The Los Angeles Police Department Launches 8th Annual Angels Community Book & Toy Drive

Podcast of Toy Drive

Los Angeles: Surrounded by students from Para Los Niños School, Chief William Bratton kicked off the LAPD’s Annual Angels Community Book & Toy Drive at his monthly Media Availability News Conference on Wednesday morning.

At the news conference, Chief Bratton announced the beginning of the 8th Annual “LAPD Angels Community Book & Toy Drive.”  He encouraged members of our community to donate unwrapped toys or gently used books at any of the Department’s 19 community police stations.  “I ask people donating books to write an inspirational message on the inside cover, wishing the child a happy and prosperous New Year,” said Chief Bratton.  

Chief Bratton and female members of the Los Angeles Police Department passed out books provided by Jim Wiatt, CEO of the William Morris Agency and toys provided by JAKKS Pacific Inc. to students from Para Los Niños Charter School.  

Para Los Niños is a non-profit organization whose core services include child development and education, a Charter School, after-school enrichment, youth diversion and delinquency prevention, and youth workforce services. In addition, Para Los Niños offers support to at-risk families, including child abuse prevention and intervention, mental health services and comprehensive family support.

Additionally, several female LAPD officers were present to invite and encourage women to attend the LAPD’s Women’s Recruitment Seminar taking place Saturday, December 6, 2008, at the Ahmanson Recruit Training Center.  Attendees interested in taking the written entrance exam will have the opportunity to attend an information filled orientation where they can meet with female LAPD officers to ask questions about their career choices and personal experiences as a law enforcement officer.

Chief Bratton also talked about the various community holiday events held within the City of Los Angeles.  On Sunday, December 7th, Central Traffic Division will hold the annual Cops for Tots Car and Motorcycle Show which benefits the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of the Los Angeles Children's Hospital.

On Saturday, December 13th the LAPD Concert Band and Jim Starr, “The Singing Cop,” will host a holiday concert at the Shrine Auditorium and on Sunday, December 14th, the LAPD Baseball Team and the men and women of Mission Area will hold one of the largest toy giveaways and holiday events in the City, at the
San Fernando Valley Toy Giveaway.  Like last year, more than 10,000 kids and families will be treated to a free lunch, live entertainment, and of course toys provided by our friends at JAKKS Pacific Inc., who over the past five years has donated more than 30,000 toys to kids in need.

For more information on holiday events hosted by the Los Angeles Police Department, please call Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586 or visit www.LAPDOnline.org.

Detectives Investigate Death of North Hollywood Resident

Los Angeles: Detectives are asking the public’s help in providing information regarding the death of a North Hollywood resident.

On Monday, December 1, 2024 at about 5:30 p.m., North Hollywood Division patrol officers responded to a radio call of a death investigation at the 6700 block of Vantage Avenue.  

Initially, officers were unable to enter the residence due to large amounts of debris and refuse blocking the doorway.  Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the location and assisted officers entering blocked areas of the residence.  

Once inside, officers searched the residence and discovered a body of an adult of an unidentifiable age and gender.  The cause of death is still under investigation.  

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detectives Mark O’Donnell and Jose Calzadillas at 818-623-4045.  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 may remain anonymous.