LAPD Blog

City Approves Signing Bonus of up to $10,000 To Help Grow the LAPD. $5,000 for new recruits, $10,000 for lateral officers

LOS ANGELES: With the signature of the Mayor, the LAPD now offers a signing bonus of up to $10,000 for qualified men and women to join the Los Angeles Police Department.

Paid for in part by a $1 million donation from Mercury Insurance, the Signing Bonus is the most recent action in the Mayor's push to put 1,000 new police officers on the streets of Los Angeles by the year 2010.  The LAPD Signing Bonus offers $5,000 to new recruits and $10,000 to returning LAPD officers and current police officers from other jurisdictions who join the Department.

“We at the Personnel Department are very excited to have the appointment bonus to help us in our effort to recruit and hire 780 police officers this fiscal year,” said Personnel Department General Manager Maggie Whelan.  “Working in close partnership with the LAPD, we are well over half way to our recruitment goal for this year and this bonus should help us reach our target.” 

"The Police Signing Bonus is another positive effort by the City to recruit the best and the brightest to become Los Angeles Police Officers,” said Chief of Police William J. Bratton.  “By being creative in our efforts to increase the size of the Department, were are ultimately increasing the number cops who will work hard to continue to reduce crime and make the communities of Los Angeles safe."

“Our ability to recruit and train new officers is the primary reason crime continues to drop in this City,” Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. “Mercury’s generosity will help put more officers on the street at a faster rate and at a time when we need them most.”

For more information on the signing bonus, testing and careers with the LAPD visit www.JOINLAPD.com or call 866-444-LAPD.

Man Selling Illegal Firearms Killed in Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles: A suspect who had just sold an illegal firearm to an undercover officer was shot and killed Monday night by officers who were taking him into custody.  The suspect led officers in a foot pursuit before confronting them in a parking lot where an officer involved shooting occurred.

On January 28, 2008, just before 7:30 p.m., officers from the 77th Street Area Narcotics Unit were conducting an undercover investigation after receiving information that a suspect later identified as 20-year-old Ronald Boone, was selling guns. After arranging a meeting with Boone in the area of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard, Boone and a 17-year-old accomplice arrived and completed an illegal firearm sale. 

Following the transaction, uniformed officers were called in to arrest both suspects. The juvenile suspect was immediately taken into custody, but Boone ran from the officers in an attempt to elude capture.  He led officers in a foot pursuit to a nearby parking lot where he stopped and confronted one of the officers.  The officer believed Boone was attempting to retrieve a handgun and an officer involved shooting occurred. Boone was shot once in the left leg and taken into custody without further incident.

Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel treated Boone at the scene for his gunshot wound before taking him to a local hospital for further treatment where about 9 hours later, he died.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is conducting an investigation into this incident.

Suspect Falls 24 Feet from Freeway Overpass

Los Angeles: On January 29, 2008, at around 11:20 a.m., Harbor Division officers responded to the area of Pacific Coast Highway and the 110 Freeway in response to a radio call of a suspect throwing road flares at cars on the freeway. 

When they arrived, they saw the suspect, Spencer Gogue, a male Black, 37 years old, who was armed with a large sword.  With multiple officers at the scene focused to resolve the incident, Police Officer Arthur Meza, was armed with the Department beanbag shotgun and was designated as the less than lethal cover officer. 

A use of force occurred when Officer Meza fired three beanbag rounds striking the suspect in the upper body.  As Gogue was being struck, he climbed onto the handrail, then fell 24 feet to the concrete sidewalk below.  The suspect sustained multiple fractures as a result of the fall and was treated at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department. Spencer Gogue was transported to a local hospital where he was admitted and treated for his injuries. 

No officers were injured.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.

Making Your Luck Catching a Thief

Los Angeles: Two Los Angeles police officers arrested two men yesterday who are suspected in a spree of burglaries since last August.  The burglars had been breaking into apartments at the Orsini, located at 550 N. Figueroa in China Town.

Senior Lead Officers Ken Lew and Tim Nambu went to the apartments on January 30, 2008, to inspect the security systems there and determine how one or more suspects were getting into the building.

Nine different apartments had been broken into since last August, six in the Orsini I building, and three more in the Orsini II, across the street.  The last burglary had occurred earlier that day, before the officers arrived.

“While we were looking things over, we heard a car crash outside,” said Officer Ken Lew, who is one of two Senior Lead Officers in China Town. “When Tim and I went to help at the accident, we noticed all this furniture in one car.  It looked odd, and resembled the same stuff taken from the apartments.”

Lew and Nambu detained two men, Art Artanesyan, 22, and Joshua Carrillo, 30, at the scene.  The officers verified the furniture had come from the Orsini burglary, then they realized Artanesyan actually lived in the Orsini. Carrillo was his friend and lives in El Monte.

“Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good,” said Lieutenant Paul Vernon, head of the Central Detective Division.  “But in this case, Officers Lew and Nambu made their luck by doing their job and being in the right place at the right time.”

Detectives found dozens of stolen furnishings taken from model apartments in the Orsini.  “Apparently, the suspects were ‘wannabe’ room designers, furnishing their own apartment with other persons’ lamps and sofas,” Vernon said. 

Detectives encourage all property owners to invest in high-resolution security cameras, which are becoming less expensive and higher quality every day.  While the Orsini had several cameras on the exterior, the suspects were able to act unseen because they had legitimate access to the building.

Artanesyan and Carrillo were booked for residential burglary.  Their bail was set at $50,000.  Detectives will work at returning the stolen items to their rightful owners.

Anyone with information related to this burglary spree should call Detective Hyung Cho at 213-972-1230, or call the LAPD Hotline any time at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Photographs of some of the stolen furnishings are available from Media Relations Section.

LAPD Officers Escort Britney Spears to Hospital

Los Angeles: Early this morning, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) North Hollywood Division helped facilitate medical transport of Britney Spears from her Studio City home to UCLA Medical Center in Westwood.

Due to previous, overly aggressive actions of some members of the media and in particular, members of the paparazzi, the Department utilized a number of resources to support the transport by Los Angeles Fire Department rescue ambulance of Ms. Spears in a safe manner that ensured not only her safety but that of the public and the media as well.

The LAPD, recognizing the intense media interest in certain high-profile individuals, will continue to enforce the law by citing those who commit infractions, including traffic violations.

Elderly Man Missing

Update:  Mr. Bayliss has been found and is in good condition.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police and family members of 74-year-old, Robert Bayliss, are requesting the public’s help in finding Bayliss who has been missing since late this afternoon.

Bayliss suffers from anoxic brain damage and was at the KFC located at 1501 West 6th Street around 5: 30 PM, before he disappeared.

Bayliss is described as male, white, brown hair, blue eyes, 5’ 11, and weighs approximately 180 pounds. He has a thin build with a light complexion, and last seen wearing a black “Arizona Diamondback” baseball cap, a gray sweatshirt, navy blue pants, and tan shoes.

If you have seen or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Bayliss, please contact Rampart Division Detectives at 213-207-2000. During off-hours or on weekends call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Officer Kills Dog During Armed Robbery Investigation

Los Angeles: On Monday, January 28, 2008, at approximately 3:30 a.m., an officer shot and killed a pit bull while investigating an armed street robbery.

The incident began earlier in the evening when two suspects, described as male Hispanics, committed an armed street robbery at Sunset Boulevard and Gardner Street around 11 p.m. Using information associated with the suspects' vehicle, officers conducted a follow-up investigation at the South Los Angeles residence of the vehicle's registered owner.

An officer deployed to the backyard of the residence encountered a large pit bull where the dog was killed, and the two suspects from the residence were subsequently arrested and booked for robbery. No officers were injured in the incident.

LAPD Helicopters Used as Targets for Lasers

At a news conference today held atop the Air Support Division’s heliport, Captain Mike Williams, Commanding Officer of Air Support Division, accompanied by Deputy Chief Richard Roupoli, Commanding Officer of Special Operations Bureau, stated to the media the growing problem of people pointing lasers inside the cockpits of LAPD helicopters and commercial airliners.

“This is a problem that affects LAPD helicopters and commercial aviation.  A laser beam shot into a cockpit is illegal, causes temporary blindness to the air crew, causing disorientation and can lead to a possible crash,” said Captain Williams.

On January 19, 2008, while on patrol in Operation Central Bureau, Pilot Sean Malachi experienced severe pain in both eyes when a person on the ground pointed a laser into his cockpit.  “The laser beam shot takes you by surprise,” said Officer Malachi.  He alerted ground units to the location where the laser beam had originated.  Officers were able to locate several suspects while conducting their investigation.  No arrests were made in this instance. “What was most shocking,” said Captain Williams, “was that this was an adult and not a child.” However parents should ensure that their children are not misusing laser pointing devices and pointing them at aircrafts.

On a weekly basis, Air Support Division is asked by LAX and Burbank airport towers to investigate reports of lasers being directed into the cockpits of aircrafts that are landing at those airports.

On at least of two of those instances, suspects have been arrested and successfully prosecuted for felony violations of section 247.5 PC.  Defendants who are found guilty of this offense face imprisonment of up to three years, and or a $2,000 fine.

Between 1990 and 2005, there have been more than 400 incidents of laser directed at aircraft within the United States.

“Air Support Division is experiencing this on a weekly basis.  So far there have been no major reported incidents where the crew was totally incapacitated, but it is a matter of time,” said Captain Williams.

Three Gang Related Murders Occur During a 30-Hour Period

Los Angeles: On Sunday, January 27, 2008, at around 1:00 p.m., 22-year-old Maurio Proctor was standing inside the Jordan Downs Public Housing Development on 101st Street with a friend. An unknown type vehicle drove by and an occupant inside began shooting towards Proctor and his friend. Proctor was struck by the gunfire and collapsed onto the sidewalk.

Proctor was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead as a result of his gunshot wounds. His friend suffered a gunshot wound to his hand. There was no suspect(s) or vehicle description, nor have any witnesses come forward with information. The motive for the shooting appears to be gang related.

Early next morning on January 28, 2008, at around 8:45 a.m., 19-year-old Van Knott was standing on the 700 block of East 97th Street with a friend when an unknown vehicle drove by and one of the occupants opened fire on the pair. Knott was struck several times in the chest. Knott was taken to an area hospital where he died a short time later. His friend was not injured. The motive for the shooting was gang related.

Later in the evening, at 9:30 p.m., an unknown number of suspects approached a clothing store at 9902 South Broadway. The suspects began firing into the store, striking three persons. One of the persons shot was 35-year-old Chontel Johnson, the storeowner. He was mortally wounded. The other two persons in the store were taken to local hospitals where they remain in stable condition as a result of their injuries.

Detectives believe the shootings may be related to a recent on-going gang conflict.

No witnesses have come forward on any of the three shootings. Detectives are seeking the public's assistance in solving these crimes.

Anyone with information is asked to call South Bureau Homicide Detective Sal LaBarbera at 213-485-4341. During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

15 -Year-Old Girl Missing

Los Angeles: A local family is asking for the public's help in locating 15-year-old Wendy Jennifer Lemus who has been missing since January 24, 2008.

On January 24, 2008, Wendy left home to go to school at Johnny Cochran Middle School, 4066 West 17th Street in South Los Angeles. Wendy was supposed to meet her mother at the pick up location after school at around 3 PM, but she failed to show. Wendy was last seen on school campus at approximately 12:45 PM.

Investigators are receiving information that Wendy was possibly sighted in the area of Crenshaw Boulevard and Washington Boulevard or Martin Luther King Boulevard. 

Wendy was last seen wearing a black jacket with an “Apple Bottom” logo on the back, white polo shirts, blue pants, and black shoes.

Wendy's current whereabouts are unknown, but she has been seen in the past with 23-year-old Jonathan Vasquez.  Vasquez is a Hispanic, 5 feet 5 inches tall, and about 160 pounds.  He is being sought as a person of interest.    

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Wendy or Vasquez is asked to contact Southwest Detectives at 213-485-5381. During off-hours or on weekends call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855)