LAPD Blog

K-9 Assists in Catching a Robbery Suspect

Los Angeles:  A Los Angeles Police K-9 helped capture a robbery suspect who hid from police by hiding under a parked vehicle.

On April 14, 2025 at about 11:30 PM, Newton Area officers set up a perimeter on the 140 block of 53rd Street, and requested the help of a K-9 to look for a robbery suspect.  During the search, the K-9 found 17-year-old male suspect, who refused to surrender to officers.  The K-9 bit the robbery suspect who was then taken into custody and transported to a local hospital where he was admitted and treated for his injuries.

The juvenile was booked for robbery. No Officers were injured during the search.  

Force Investigation Division will handle the dog bite investigation and Newton Area Detectives are investigating the robbery.

Sexual Assault at Fraternity Party

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying sexual predator(s) that attacked a 19-year-old woman.

On April 14, 2009, at around 10 p.m., the victim, a University of Southern California student, attended a social event at a fraternity house located in the 700 block of West 28th Street where she consumed punch which possibly contained an unknown intoxicant.  She became unconscious and when she awoke several hours later, she discovered she was partially unclothed and believed she had been sexually assaulted.  The victim sought medical treatment and notified law enforcement.

Based on a lengthy investigation, detectives believe that there might be additional victims and witnesses. 

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Robbery-Homicide Division, Special Assault Section, Detective Monica Cross at 213-485-2921.  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 are anonymous.

Family Hoping for Clue to Find Missing Mother

Los Angeles: A missing person’s family and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for help from the public, in finding 41-year-old Channa Kingcade, who has been missing for over two weeks.

Channa was last seen on April 1, 2009, at around 1:30 p.m. at Century Boulevard and Beach Street in the Southeast Area of Los Angeles.  Channa is the mother of a 14-year-old daughter and the family is very concerned for her well being, because it is completely out of character for her to leave for this length of time without making contact with someone in the family.

Channa is described as a 41-year-old Black woman, black hair, brown eyes, 5 ft. 11 in. tall, and 140 lbs.  She was last seen wearing a cream colored sweatshirt and pants with a black cap on her head.  Channa also has “#1 Mom” tattooed on her wrist.

If you have seen or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Channa, please contact LAPD’s Missing Person’s Unit, Detective Kristin Merrill at 213-485-5381. 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.  

Photo attached.

Woman in Wheelchair Fatally Stabs Teen

Los Angeles:  A wheelchair-bound woman fatally stabbed a teenager yesterday evening in South Los Angeles over a dispute about a man.

At around 4:30 p.m., 16-year-old Yolanda Kennard and her mother were standing on a sidewalk talking with a group of family members near Santa Rosalia Drive and Buckingham Road.  Kennard walked up to a woman in a wheelchair identified as 30-year-old Treauna Turner and was engaged in a conversation.  Turner became angry, pulled out a knife and brutally stabbed Kennard in the chest.  She attempted to stab the teen a second time and missed, detectives said.  When Kennard’s mother rushed to her aid, another woman who police identified as 54-year-old Pamela Johnson emerged from the group and stabbed her in the head.  Several bystanders intervened and held Turner until the police arrived.  

Paramedics rushed Kennard to UCLA Medical Center where she later died.  Kennard’s mother was treated and released at a local hospital.

Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody at the scene.  Turner was booked for murder and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.  Johnson was booked for attempted murder.  Her bail amount is set at $500,000.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Southwest Homicide Detectives at 213-485-1383.  During off-hours, 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.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Family Needs Help Finding Missing Person

Update

April 20, 2025

Deeann Haas was found dead on April 18, 2009.  Haas is not a victim of a crime and detectives ruled the death as a suicide.

Los Angeles: A missing person’s family member and the Los Angeles Police Department requests the public’s assistance in locating 52-year-old Deeann HAAS who has been missing since the evening of April 9, 2009.

The family member described HAAS as having a diminished mental capacity and is also diagnosed as bipolar. She was last seen around 11:30 p.m., wearing a hospital gown and an arm bracelet at California Hospital in downtown Los Angeles.  Her family is concerned since HAAS is relatively new to the area and may be lost.  She is able to remember her name, but may not disclose that information to others.      

HAAS is a White female.  She stands about 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 120-135 pounds.  She has dark brown hair and brown eyes.    

If you have seen or have any information regarding the whereabouts of HAAS, please contact LAPD’s Missing Person’s Unit at 213-485-5381. 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.  

A photograph of Deeann HAAS is available through LAPD Media Relations.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics April 15, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                2009**           2008**          % Chg

Homicide                             85*                112           -24.1%
Rape                                  203                 223             -9.0%
Robbery                            3510               3472              1.1%
Agg Assaults **                  2992               3322             -9.9%
Total Violent Crimes      6,790             7,129            -4.8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               4947              5248            -5.7%
BTFV                                   8205              8426            -2.6%
Personal/Other Theft          7198               7594            -5.2%
Auto Theft                         4938               6085           -18.8%
Total Property Crimes     25,288          27,353           -7.5%
Total Part I Crimes          32,078          34,482           -7.0%

* 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

19-Year-Old Missing for Days, Public’s Help Needed

Los Angeles:  The family of Jenny Dorfman and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help in locating her.

Jenny was last seen on April 11, 2025 at approximately 3:45 p.m. at her friend’s house in the 18500 block of Prairie Street, Northridge (LAPD Devonshire Area).  Jenny left with an unknown male whom she had recently met online.  The Dorfman Family is extremely concerned for Jenny’s welfare as she has a medical condition that requires medication.  

Jenny is a 19-year-old, White woman, 5’02”, 118 lbs, with blonde hair and blue eyes.  She has a tattoo of a heart on the back of her neck.  She also wears braces on both upper and lower teeth, and wears a diabetic medical alert bracelet.   Jenny did not take her identification or any of her medication with her.  

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jenny Dorfman,  please contact LAPD’s Missing Person’s Unit at (213) 485-5381.  During off-hours, 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.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Note for the April 14, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman commented on the Department’s planning efforts for the pending California Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 8.  He commended the Department for reaching out and working with community groups to ensure the protection of their 1st and 4th Amendment rights as citizens.
• Police Chief William Bratton informed the Commission that generally economic downturns result in a rise in property crime but stated that hasn’t been the case in the City.  In categories such as burglary and domestic violence, which tend to trend higher, the numbers are down.  He attributed the declining numbers to the officers in uniform and community involvement.  Chief Bratton also announced he will be attending a conference at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Boston regarding gang crime. 
• The Department’s verbal presentation on the status of Autism training was given by Captain Ann Young.  She informed the Commission 1,196 Department employees have been trained so far.  This number includes police officers, dispatchers, jailers, and reserves.  She added the Department works with the Autism Society of America to provide the training and added that April is Autism Awareness Month. 
• The Department’s verbal report and discussion relative to City Council Motion (CF #09-0546) regarding the naming of the new Police Administration Building was given by Assistant Chief Sharon Papa.  She said the City Council proposed the name “Parker Center” in honor of Police Chief William Parker who ran the Department from 1950 until his death in 1966.  Chief Papa added the motion was going ahead to the full City Council for a vote.  Commission President Anthony Pacheco said the Commission and community should have input into the naming of the new building. 
• The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to an update on the Department’s revised disciplinary process was given by Deputy Chief Mark Perez.  He stated there is no dramatic change to procedures to the Department manual as it pertains to discipline but noted there is a new way in which the Department deals with Official Reprimands (OR).  The Department is now going to be more involved in working with employees who receive OR’s by developing personnel through increased training.  The goal is to create more discourse among command staff to change the way employees think and behave.  He added there will be a lot more rigors in determining punishments and trainings.    
• The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the status of pending disciplinary actions as a result of the May Day 2007 incidents was given by Deputy Chief Mark Perez.  He said of the four remaining cases, three are pending and one is complete. Of the three pending cases, one opted for a Board of Rights (BOR) after receiving a suspension from the Chief of Police.  The completed case went to a BOR where the employee was found Not-Guilty on a count of False Statements and found Guilty of a count of Unauthorized Force.  Chief Perez said he would come back in June to inform the Commission on the findings of the last three cases.
• The Department’s verbal presentation relative to the Work Environment Liaison Division (WELD) was given by Captain Jerilyn Weinstein.  She said WELD was formally known as the OMBUDS office and was created in 1997.  After careful consideration the name was formally changed to WELD due to definition discrepancies.  Two of the main areas of emphasis to the division were to assist with honesty and to change the Department’s perception on problem solving.  She added the division has since been fielding many phone calls from Department personnel who want direction on how to handle workplace conflict.
• The Department’s report, dated March 20, 2009, relative to the effectiveness of the Lateral Officer Hiring Signing Bonus, as given by Captain Joseph Mariani, was approved and transmitted to the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee.  Captain Mariani informed the Commission since the ordinance was enacted on January 16, 2025 the Department has hired 739 recruits, four of which were laterals.  Based on the success of the Department’s recruitment process, he recommended the program be discontinued.
• The Executive Director’s report, dated April 2, 2009, relative to the Attorney-Client Advice Letter to the board confirming lien processing fees should have been included in the official police garages’ 7% gross receipts fees, was approved and transmitted to the Office of the City Controller. 
• The Department’s report, dated March 27, 2009, relative to the Gang Awareness Training Audit (AD No. 08-024), was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated March 17, 2009, relative to the Quarterly Status Report, Third Quarter, Fiscal Year 2008/09, was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated March 25, 2009, relative to the Southeast Area Gang Enforcement Detail Command Accountability Performance Audit (IAID No. 08-118), was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated March 27, 2009, relative to Complaint Form 1.28, Investigations Audit – Phase II (AD No. C08-010), was received and the Office of the Inspector General was directed to submit an analysis of the report along with any appropriate recommendations to the Board.
• The Department’s report, dated March 27, 2009, relative to the Gang Enforcement Detail Selection Criteria Audit (AD No. C08-011), was received and the Office of the Inspector General was directed to submit an analysis of the report along with any appropriate recommendations to the Board.
• The Department’s report, dated March 18, 2009, relative to the Management’s Response to the recommendation of the supervisor and Field Training Officer Training Audit, Second Quarter (AD No. 07-018), was received and filed.
• The Office of the Inspector General’s report, dated April 2, 2009, relative to the Department’s Complaint Form 1.28, Investigations Phase I Audit, Fiscal Year 2008-2009, as given by Inspector General Andre Birotte, was approved.  Mr. Birotte informed the Commission the audit was well done and thought it was a significant improvement over the last report with regards to complaints.  He recommended to Commander Richard Webb that complaint investigations be completed within 150 days.
• The Office of the Inspector General’s report, dated April 2, 2009, relative to the Department’s Warrant Applications and Supporting Affidavits Audit, Fiscal Year 2008-2009, was approved.

Assault Suspect Takes His Own Life

Los Angeles:  A suspect who had threatened to kill his girlfriend and himself, hours later followed through with one of those threats and was discovered dead from a self inflicted gunshot wound.

On April 13, 2009, at around 12:30 a.m., Northeast Officers were called to the 5400 block of Baltimore Street to investigate a domestic violence incident.  The victim, a 24-year-old woman, told Officer’s that her estranged boyfriend and father of her two children had held her against her will at his residence in the 6100 block of Strickland Avenue for nearly two hours.  He was identified as Joaquin Salgado, 28 years of age.

Salgado had lured the victim to the Strickland Avenue address by telling her she could pick up their children there.  When she arrived she discovered the two children were at a different location.  Salgado would not allow the woman to leave, physically assaulted her and pointed a gun at her head, threatening to kill them both.

The victim was able to persuade Salgado to take her to his parent’s home in the 6100 block of Mesa Avenue to retrieve the children.  Once there, the victim told Salgado’s parent’s that Salgado had a gun.  As the parent's tried to talk to Salgado, the victim was able to escape in her vehicle and return home where she called police.

At around 2:40 a.m. Officers found Salgado’s car parked at his residence on Strickland Avenue, leading the Officer's to believe he was inside.  Because of the fact that Salgado was armed, the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) responded.  After repeated and unsuccessful attempts to make contact with Salgado, the SWAT team made entry into the residence at around 9:30 a.m. and found Salgado dead in one of the bedrooms from a self inflicted gunshot wound.

The victim was treated and released for injuries she sustained during her ordeal.

Salgado was found to be an employee of the City of Los Angeles who worked as a custodian at LAPD's Olympic Area Station.

Northeast Area Homicide Detectives are conducting the investigation.  Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Johnneen Jones at 213-847-5454.  During off-hours, 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."  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

West Traffic Detectives Investigates the Death of a 2-Year-old Child

Los Angeles:  A child was killed on Saturday, when the driver of a Yukon GMC truck struck him in a car wash parking lot.

On April 11, 2009, at around 1:00 p.m., 2-year-old Luis Rojas, and his 24-year-old brother, were standing near their car at carwash parking lot located at 5th Street and Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles. 

Young Rojas ran around the passenger side of the vehicle towards the back of the car when he was hit by a 2003 GMC Yukon driven by a 28-year-old resident of Los Angeles.

Rojas was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles City Fire Paramedics where he died shortly after his arrival.

There have been no arrests, and no arrests are anticipated, in this case.  It is being investigated as a tragic accident.

Los Angeles Police Department West Traffic Division is handling the investigation.  Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact West Traffic Detective J. Acosta at 213-473-0234.  During off-hours, 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."  Tipsters may remain anonymous