LAPD Blog

Double Homicide Saddens Hollywood

UPDATE

On Feb. 24, 2009, a press conference was held at Parker Center to announce a reward of up to $75,000 offered through District 13 Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti's Office for information leading to the arrest of the suspects responsible for the murders of Lusine Safaryan and Khachik Safaryan as described below in the original press release about the murders dated Dec. 12, 2008.

Los Angeles:   Los Angeles detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating suspect(s) or providing any information related to a double homicide in the Hollywood area.

On December 11, 2008, Officers responded to 1200 block of Tamarind Ave at approximately 3:15 pm to a double homicide.  The victims have been identified as 8-year-old Lusine Safaryan and her father, Khachik Safaryan, age 43-years-old.  A 15-year-old family member discovered the bodies and contacted 911.  

The victims were located inside the family residence. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced both victims dead at scene as a result of single gunshot wounds.  

The incident is believed to have occurred on December 11, 2008, between the hours of 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM.  No suspect information is available at this time.  

Anyone with information is asked to call Hollywood Homicide Detectives at 213-972-1203 during normal business hours.  After hours and 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 onto 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 Driving Bentley Shot on the 101 Freeway

**UPDATE**

 The victim of this shooting has been identified as Jose Luis Macias.  The hospital where he was being treated has advised that Macias died on Sunday, December 14, 2024 at 1:40 p.m.

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles detectives are asking the public’s help in providing any information related to a shooting of a 25-year-old man who was driving on the 101 Freeway this morning, December 12, 2008.  The man, who is from Los Angeles, is in critical condition and not expected to survive.

“We have not seen a freeway shooting in quite some time,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division.  “And this case really stands out in the number of rounds fired at the victim’s car and the kind of car the victim was driving.”

Around 3:20 AM, persons began reporting shots heard in the area of the 101 Freeway and Alameda Street.  CHP officers then came upon a silver Bentley Continental GT stopped along the median of 101 Freeway transition to the 10 Freeway east.  The passenger side of the car had several bullet holes and the driver was unresponsive.  CHP officers broke the window and opened the door to find the victim shot several times.

Detectives located several bullet casings along the freeway, near the Mission Road exit.  There were no witnesses to the shooting itself, but motorists did stop to aid the driver after he collided with the median, thinking he was a drunk driver.

“This is a real whodunit,” said Lt. Vernon.   “We’ll have to look into a number of things like the owner of the car and who the driver was to better understand what happened.  What we really need is for someone to come forward with information.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Central Area Detectives at 213-972-1203 during normal business hours.  After hours and 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.

Injuries Occurred While Officers Tackle Fleeing Suspect

Los Angeles: Officers had to tackle a fleeing car thief after a lengthy pursuit.

On December 9, 2008, at around 4:20 p.m., Pacific Area patrol officers Michael Flemmings, and Luqman Watkins, both with 2 years 6 months with the Department were in the area of Culver Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue, monitoring, a California Highway Patrol officers’ vehicular pursuit of a stolen white Ford pick-up truck.   The officers eventually joined the pursuit as the primary unit.  

The vehicle, driven by 42-year old suspect Patrick Adams, was pursued for approximately 2 hours, in and out of the City limits and at times involved outside agency police units.  The pursuit ended at 5:35 p.m., when Adams crashed with several unoccupied parked vehicles in the 11800 Virginia Avenue, in the City of Lynwood.   Adams ran from the stolen truck on foot as Officers Flemmings and Luqman chase after him.  Adams was tackled and taken to the ground by both officers.  The force used by the officers resulted in Adams being transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Upon examination Adams was hospitalized for injuries possibly received during the use of force.

Adams was arrested for Grand Theft Auto.  

Force Investigation Division investigators are conducting the investigation.

Homeless Man Shot and Killed

***UPDATE***

On Friday, December 12, 2008, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant (Warrant #LAXSA069801), for Noe Rodriguez, a 21-year-old man, with no known address.  Rodriguez has numerous aka’s and is a federal deportee.  Rodriguez is wanted for the shooting death of the 50-year-old homeless man, whose identity is being withheld until his family can be located and notified. 

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the murder of a 50-year-old homeless man in Pacific Division.

On December 8, 2008, at around 7:40 p.m., the victim was in an alley behind 1600 Lincoln Boulevard, when an unidentified male suspect approached the victim and shot him with a large caliber handgun.  The suspect then rode away on a bicycle northbound towards the corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Palms Avenue.  The suspect is described only as a male.

The motive for the shooting is unknown at this time. The victim’s identity is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or may have information regarding it, is asked to call LAPD Pacific Division Homicide Detectives at 310-482-6316.  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).  Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click Web Tips.  All contacts are anonymous.

Sexual Assault Suspect on the Loose

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect who was responsible for two sexual assaults.

On November 7, 2008, at approximately 10:00 a.m. on the 6400 block of West Sunset Boulevard, the suspect followed a 13-year-old juvenile female victim into a stairwell and sexually battered her.  The suspect left the scene on foot.

On November 11, 2008, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on the 500 block of South Hobart Boulevard, the suspect followed a 19-year-old woman into her apartment building.  After confronting her and taking her money, the suspect forced the victim into a stairwell and sexually battered her.

In both attacks, the suspect was described as a 25-30 years old, male Hispanic, approximately 5’09” tall, and heavy build.  

Anyone with information is asked to contact Operations West Bureau Sex Crimes Detective Roger Klohr at 213-473-0421.  After-hours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour, toll-free number, 1-877-LAPD24-7 (527-3247) 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.

LAPD Officer Goes On Patrol in Islington

On Thursday 4th December 2008, a police officer from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) spent the day on patrol with a 999 emergency response team from Islington Police.

Sergeant Tim Kalkus, aged 42, has been an officer with the LAPD for 14 years. He is currently participating in the Fullbright Scholarship - an academic exchange programme which gives US officers the opportunity to spend time with police in the UK to exchange learning and ideas, and vice versa.

Tim, who is working with the LAPD Counter Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau, has been with the Met for the past three months. During this time he has been looking at how officers are trained to manage large-scale critical incidents and major crime investigations such as rape and murder using a syndicate based command simulation system called Hydra.

In Islington, Tim spent a late shift with PC Adam Peace and PC Laura Cockman in an emergency response vehicle, as well as spending time with duty officer Inspector John Griffin.

Prior to his shift in Islington, Sgt. Tim Kalkus said;

“I am looking forward to spending some time with one of Islington’s response teams as this is my first time out on Borough and Islington is a busy and vibrant area. I am interested to see the interaction between constables and citizens.”

From his experience with the Metropolitan Police Service so far, Sgt. Kalkus said;

“There is not actually that much difference between police in the UK and the US outside of the fact that we’re armed and face more gun violence. But, when it comes to investigations and interacting with the local community we’re actually very similar.” 

18-Year-Old Shot and Killed in South L.A.

Los Angeles: Detectives are asking the public's help in identifying the persons responsible for the murder of 18-year-old Heriberto Mecina, a resident of Los Angeles.

On Monday, December 8, 2024 at about 6:45 p.m., Mecina was in the street, playing soccer with a friend in the 2800 block of 3rd Avenue.  The suspects, who are described as two male and three female Hispanics, approached Mecina and started a verbal argument.  One of the suspects pulled out a handgun and began firing at Mecina. 

Mecina was shot in the chest and was transported to a local hospital where he died of his injuries. 

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) South Bureau homicide detectives ask that any witnesses or others with information about the incident contact Detectives Vince Carreon and Tyler Lee at 213-485-1383.  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, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  All calls and contacts are anonymous.

Joint Task Force to Combat Residential Burglaries in South Los Angeles

Los Angeles: Probation searches at forty locations result in seven arrests ranging from possession for sales of narcotics to possession of deadly weapons.  

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 9, 2008, personnel from 77th Street Community Police Station and the South Bureau Gang Unit joined forces with the Los Angeles County Probation Department for a joint task force. 

Part of a larger project to combat residential burglaries during this holiday season, this search was the first of several to follow during the month of December.  Other aspects of this project include mobile surveillance units, use of electronic surveillance equipment, undercover operations and liaisons with the Parole and Probation Departments. 

77th Detectives will also conduct follow up investigations on numerous violations probation leads.

For additional information, please contact Detective Victoria Lim, 77th Street Burglary Detectives at 213-485-4175, or Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

Top 25 Most Influential People in the Security Industry

#6: William Bratton, Chief of Police, Los Angeles

Chief Bratton oversees the third largest police department in the United States, managing just over 9,700 sworn officers, nearly 3,300 civilian employees and an annual budget of well over $1 billion. The Department has also developed one of the most comprehensive and effective counter-terrorism operations in the country. 

Click here to view

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics December 06, 2008

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**             2007**          % Chg

Homicide                             346*               379              -8.7%
Rape                                    745                866             -14.0%
Robbery                             12357            12588             -1.8%
Agg Assaults **                  11245             12106              -7.1%
Total Violent Crimes       24,693          25,939             -4.8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                            17945              18301           -1.9%
BTFV                                 27746              28335           -2.1%
Personal/Other Theft         25284              25643          -1.4%
Auto Theft                        20790              21749           -4.4%
Total Property Crimes    91,765           94,028           -2.4%
Total Part I Crimes       116,458         119,967           -2.9%

* 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

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**             2007**          % Chg

Homicide                             346*               379              -8.7%
Rape                                    745                866             -14.0%
Robbery                             12357            12588             -1.8%
Agg Assaults **                  11245             12106              -7.1%
Total Violent Crimes       24,693          25,939             -4.8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                            17945              18301           -1.9%
BTFV                                 27746              28335           -2.1%
Personal/Other Theft         25284              25643          -1.4%
Auto Theft                        20790              21749           -4.4%
Total Property Crimes    91,765           94,028           -2.4%
Total Part I Crimes       116,458         119,967           -2.9%

* 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