LAPD Blog

Two Suspects Arrested for Assaulting Police

Los Angeles: Two Los Angeles Police Department undercover narcotic officers were injured in an incident which escalated to an officer involved shooting in the Hollywood area. 

The incident unfolded on February 4, 2009, shortly before 8:30 p.m.   The officers were patrolling for narcotic-related activity in the area of Serrano Place near Lemon Grove Avenue when a 17-year-old juvenile suspect threw a full beer can through the window of an unmarked police vehicle and struck both officers in the jaw.  The officers stopped their vehicle and immediately took the juvenile into custody.

While the juvenile was in custody, a group of gang members confronted the officers and demanded the release of the juvenile suspect. The officers believed that one of the gang members was armed and feared for his safety.  The officer drew his handgun and ordered the angry group to back away.  A suspect identified as 27-year-old Jesse Mejia, blatantly punched the male officer in the face and attempted to wrest his gun from his hand.  The officer protected himself from immediate threat of death, firing multiple shots at Mejia.  Mejia suffered gunshot wounds to his chest and hand.  He was taken to Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.

Both officers suffered bruises and were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released.

The investigation is still ongoing.  Charges against Mejia and the juvenile are pending.
        
Force Investigation Division will handle the shooting investigation.

Medcat-LAPD’s One-of-a-Kind Rescue Vehicle

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department unveiled one of its newest pieces of equipment at a News Conference Friday morning.

On February 5, 2009, just after 11:00 a.m., Police Chief William J. Bratton along with members of the LAPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, (SWAT), Department Command Staff and members from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) showcased the Department’s latest acquisition, the Medcat Rescue Vehicle.  It is the first tactical “medi-vac” vehicle in the United States.

The Medcat is a unique and versatile vehicle that was custom designed in a collaborative effort between members of the LAPD SWAT Unit-Emergency Medical Technician Cadre, the LAFD, LAPD Reserve Officer Dr. Albert Phillips and a company that manufactures armored vehicles for the United States Military and Domestic Law Enforcement agencies.  

What makes this vehicle so unique is that while it looks like any other armored vehicle, the inside is configured to resemble a rescue ambulance, complete with a full array of medical supplies and radios that allow paramedics to communicate directly with trauma centers and hospitals.

The Medcat will be used for potentially dangerous and critical rescues that will allow medical first responders to quickly and safely get into an active crime scene or crisis location to administer life saving medical support to seriously injured citizens and police personnel.  It will also save precious time that was previously needed to transport a victim out of a crisis area in an armored vehicle and transferring them into a rescue ambulance before they could be transported to a hospital.

For additional information, please call Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

Counterterrorism - podcasts

COP
Deputy Chief Downing
Dep. Chief MacArthur

Beware On-Line Scam

Los Angeles: The purpose of this notification is to alert the public of the latest widespread computer on-line scam circulating throughout the city:

Individuals are searching computer websites, particularly “Craig’s List”, seeking employment.  Once the unsuspecting individual submits their resume` to what appears to be a legitimate company, they receive a congratulation notification which purports to hire them immediately.  Later, they receive an official package through the U.S. Mail or other private express shipping companies containing printed counterfeit checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks with a note that the enclosed monies is payment for services paid up front.  

They are also told to deposit the checks into their personal account and keep a percentage for their services.  The individual is instructed to wire a specific dollar amount by Western Union services to various locations.  In all cases, the alleged companies are out of the country; however, the addresses on the printed checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks are located in the United States.  

Anyone attempting to cash counterfeit checks, money orders, or cashier’s check, are subject to arrest and prosecution.  

Some recipients have admitted that they were not given a specific job description and were aware that most employers do not pay you before services are rendered.  

Detectives are asking the public to use caution and due diligence when applying for employment on-line.  Ask specific questions regarding the job duties and wages.  Anyone with information on this scam or receiving suspicious on-line employment should call Detective Yvonne H. Parker at Commercial Crimes Division of the LAPD, at 213-485-4131.  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.

Robbery Suspect Caught on Tape, Assaulting Elderly Man

Los Angeles: An elderly business owner was robbed at gunpoint and assaulted by a violent robber.

On December 28, 2008, at around 8:20 a.m., at a small business located near the 7000 block of South Broadway, the elderly store owner and his caretaker were opening the front door of the business.  A robbery suspect ambushed them, armed with a handgun.  The suspect threatened to kill the victims if they did not cooperate with his demands.  The victim, still recovering from a recent stroke, was forced around the business for nearly fifteen minutes before the bandit finally left with several hundred dollars in cash.

The incident was captured on video and the robber’s face can be clearly seen.  At one point the suspect tried to conceal his face with a bandana, but surveillance cameras had already captured his appearance.  Detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify and locate this violent offender.

He is described as a male Black, 6’02” tall, with an average build, in his early twenties.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newton Area Robbery Detectives Christopher Marsden or Nelly Nava at 323-846-6572.  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.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics January 31, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                2009**             2008**          % Chg

Homicide                               34*                38             -10.5%
Rape                                      69                 61              13.1%
Robbery                               1186             1091               8.7%
Agg Assaults **                     942               928                1.5%
Total Violent Crimes           2231            2118              5.3%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             1505              1621              -7.2%
BTFV                                  2607             2651               -1.7%
Personal/Other Theft          2014             2245             -10.3%
Auto Theft                         1552              1886             -17.7%
Total Property Crimes       7678            8403              -8.6%
Total Part I Crimes            9909          10521              -5.8%

* 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

Notes for the February 3, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• The Board of Police Commissioners offered words of encouragement to Officer Tony Razo and wished him a speedy recovery.
• Police Chief William Bratton reported thus far this year, property crime is down and violent crime has gone up a little.  However, with the implementation of new initiatives, he expects violent crime to trend downward over the course of the year.  Other areas of focus for the Department in 2009 are to achieve a 15% reduction in gang crime and reduce the number of traffic fatalities.  Chief Bratton also informed the Commission he and Deputy Chief Michael Downing recently returned from a Jordanian government sponsored trip to Jordan where they participated in a counter-terrorist forum.  The Jordanian government is believed to have some of the best counter-terrorism practices in the world and Chief Bratton will be sending a delegation of counter-terrorism officers to Jordan sometime later this year for additional training.
• The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the Department’s 2008 Officer Involved Shootings as presented by Captain Kris Pitcher was received.  Captain Pitcher reported while the number of Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) occurrences remained fairly steady over the past few years, due to improved officer training, there was a 17% increase in hit ratio since 2005 which is a 7% increase from last year.  He noted due to its complexity, OIS investigations comprise over 50% of the work load for the Force Investigation Division.  In comparison with other law enforcement agencies, the Los Angeles Police Department conducts one of the most thorough and comprehensive investigations, counting every single round involved in an OIS incident and taking the number of rounds in consideration when calculating the hit ratio.  Captain Pitcher also noted there was a 500% increase in off-duty shootings due in part to several officers being caught in off-duty situations where the public’s safety was in danger. Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco commended the Department for leading the way in investigating officer involved shootings. 
• The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to sworn officers performing functions of vacant civilian positions within the Department as presented by Police Administrator Sue Gordon was received.  Given the city’s financial situation and hiring freeze, she warned there may be a need to have sworn officers man civilian positions.  As sworn are unable to fill specialized positions as those in Scientific Investigation and Motor Transport Divisions, most of the positions they would be assisting with are administrative and clerical in nature. 
• The Department’s report, dated January 23, 2009, in response to City Council Motion (CF No. 08-0033), relative to Ingress and Egress Procedures for Evacuations, was approved and transmitted to the City Council.
• The Department’s report, dated January 23, 2009, in response to City Council Motion (CF No. 08-3128), relative to LAPD Direct Access to Developing Increased Safety Through Arms Recovery Management (DISARM) Program, was approved and transmitted to the City Council.
• The Department’s report, dated January 12, 2009, relative to the Annual Review of Intelligence Investigations, was approved.  

Woman Doused with Flammable Liquid, Set Ablaze

***UPDATE***

Combined law enforcement efforts paid off late today when a police dragnet captured the two individuals suspected of inflicting critical burns on an exotic dancer on February 5, 2025 around 1:30 A.M. outside the "Babes N' Beer" sports bar, located at 18454 Oxnard Blvd.

Arrested for the attempted murder of Roberta Dos Santo Busby, a dancer and mother of two small children are 22-year old Nathaniel Pertrillo and 27-year old Rianne Theriault-Odom.   Both Petrillo and Theriault were arrested at 5 P.M. at a motel on Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood by members of the United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, which includes LAPD personnel.  

The two suspects had been the focus of intense police efforts to take them into custody since the day of the crime.  Detectives assigned to LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD) had been given primary responsibility for this investigation.  The Robbery-Homicide detectives were joined in their efforts by personnel assigned to Operations-Valley Bureau (OVB), Gang-Narcotics Division (GND) and the United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force.  Investigators say tips from cooperative witnesses helped lead police to Petrillo and Odom-Theriault.

Following their arrest, Petrillo and Odom-Theriault were transported to Parker Center for processing and booking.  The case will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for the filing of criminal charges against both arrestees.

The 27-year old victim remains in critical condition at the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks.  She had been inside the bar counting tips about one half hour prior to closing.  The suspects called her outside, where she was doused with an unknown accelerant and set aflame.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding a man and a woman who doused a female dancer with a flammable liquid and set her ablaze early this morning at a sports bar in Tarzana.

The suspects, identified as 22-year-old Nathaniel Petrillo and 27-year-old Rianne Therialut-Odom are being sought for attempted murder.

The incident occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. when the unidentified victim was nearing the end of her shift at the Babes Sports bar located at 18454 Oxnard Boulevard. According to investigators, the victim was summoned outside of the bar to meet with two acquaintances. Once outside, her attackers poured a combustible liquid on her and set her ablaze. The victim ran back inside the bar where other patrons came to her aid.

The unidentified woman was taken to a local hospital where she is listed in grave condition. She suffered severe burns over 60 percent of her body.

The suspects took off in a metallic gold in color newer model four door sedan, police said. The motive for the attempted murder remains unclear.

       

 Anyone with information is asked to call Robbery Homicide detectives at 213-485-2531. 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.

Security Guard Murder Suspect Captured

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police officers have arrested Nesta Wellington for the murder of a bank security.

On Thursday, August 28, 2024 at about 10:00 a.m., Isaias Quinones, 40, and a resident of Maywood, California was working as a private security guard.  Mr. Quinones was posted in the parking lot of the Bank of America, located in the 2900 block of South Crenshaw Boulevard.  Two suspects walked towards the front of the bank to possibly commit a robbery.  Quinones was shot several times by at least one of the suspects.  The two suspects fled from the scene on foot. 

Quinones was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.

Robbery-Homicide Division detectives conducted the investigation, which lead to the arrest of Wellington, an 18-year-old gang associate.  He was arrested without incident in the early morning hours of January 30, 2025 at his home in Los Angeles.  Wellington resided within one mile of the location of the crime.

Wellington was booked for murder.  His bail was set at $1,000,000.  Although the suspect was 17 at the time the crime was committed, the case is being handled by the Adult Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Hardcore Gang Unit. 

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Robbery-Homicide Detectives Michael Oppelt or Ismael Aldaz at 213-485-2531.  On weekends and during off-hours, calls may be directed to the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (520-3855).

Off Duty LAPD Sergeant Credited with Arrest of Robbery Suspect

Los Angeles: The keen observation skills of an off duty Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant led to the arrest of a dangerous robbery suspect.

On Tuesday, February 2, 2009, at about 4:15 a.m., a North Hollywood patrol sergeant had just left work when he spotted a vehicle that he recognized as one used by two suspects who were wanted in connection with a string of robberies that began a little over twelve hours earlier.

The Sergeant, with nearly thirteen years of service with the Department, saw the older model Toyota, northbound near the 6500 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard.  The Sergeant immediately contacted the North Hollywood Division Watch Commander who dispatched patrol units to the Sergeant’s location.  The patrol units conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and took the suspect, Jose Manuel Vargas, a 22-year-old man from Winnetka, into custody.

The crime spree began on February 1, 2025 at around 4:20 p.m. when two male Hispanics armed with handguns robbed an gas station located in the 13200 block of Sherman Way.  Over the next twelve hours the same two suspects committed an additional ten armed robberies in the areas of North Hollywood, West Valley, Van Nuys, Topanga, Mission and Devonshire Divisions in addition to two robberies in the City of Burbank.  During the crime spree the suspects changed vehicles numerous times, but witnesses were able to write down the license plate numbers in most of the robberies.  Victims and witnesses from the robberies were able to positively identify Vargas as one of the robbers.  The second suspect is still at large.

Vargas was booked for Robbery and is being held on $400,000.00 bail. 

Anyone with information is asked to call North Hollywood Robbery Detectives Jennifer Hammer or Noah Stone at 818-623-4061.  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.

Police Dog Finds Disabled Missing Girl

Los Angeles: A severely disabled 16-year-old girl who was missing from her home for over three hours was located in Van Nuys and returned safely to her family.

On Jan. 31, 2009, at around 11:30 p.m., officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) Mission Division arrived at the residence of the missing girl.  By 1:15 a.m., Officer Jason Schwab and his three-year-old bloodhound Sage, of the LAPD Metropolitan Division's K-9 Unit, joined the search.  Using the missing girl's shoes and a shirt as reference, Sage immediately began trailing the scent of the missing girl for about an hour on a path that extended for nearly one mile.

At about 3 a.m., the girl was found unharmed, crying and huddling in a storefront doorway at the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Parthenia Avenue.  She was immediately transported back to her anxiously awaiting family members who were greatly relieved.

The winning outcome of the search, already the second successful search for the canines this year, is due to the efforts of the LAPD's Tracking and Trailing Program.  Canine members of the program consist of two bloodhounds and one German shepherd, and the program has become an outstanding resource for critical missing persons and crime scene investigations since its inception in 2003.

Questions regarding the LAPD Metropolitan Division K-9 Unit may be directed to Lieutenant Robert Arcos or Sergeant Gerry Sola at 213-847-6148.