LAPD Blog

11-Year-Old Boy Killed by Hit & Run Driver

*UPDATE*

LAPD South Traffic Detectives have obtained video footage which shows the suspect’s car traveling eastbound 76th street approaching Hoover Street.  The car continues, off screen, northbound onto Hoover Street killing Garcia.

The video footage can be viewed at LAPD Media Relations Section. Please call 213-486-5910.

Los Angeles:  A child was struck and killed by a hit and run driver as he crossed a busy street in South Los Angeles.

On Thursday, July 15, 2010, at about 2:30 p.m., Natanael Garcia was walking in a marked crosswalk at 76th Street and Hoover Street.  A driver travelling eastbound 76th Street made a left turn, to northbound Hoover Street, and hit Garcia.  The driver stopped momentarily, but quickly drove off northbound Hoover Street, failing to render aid or identify herself as is required by law.

The driver is described as a female, Hispanic, with a long pony tail.  She was driving a black or dark blue, large sports utility vehicle, with tan trim around the bottom, and stock wheels.  

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact South Traffic Division Detectives at 323-290-6063.   During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Sun Valley Vehicle Pursuit Results in Officer-Involved Shooting

Los Angeles:  An officer-involved shooting (OIS) occurred after a suspect who led officers on a short vehicle pursuit exited his vehicle armed with a handgun and immediately shot at officers.
 
On July 10, 2010, two uniformed Los Angeles Police Officers were driving a black and white police vehicle in the area of Lankershim Boulevard and Cantara Street.  At around 6 p.m., officers went in pursuit of a possible DUI driver who was later identified as Javier Rueda.

Rueda fled from police and drove to the area of Penrose Street and Claybeck Avenue in Sun Valley.  The car chase ended suddenly when he stopped his vehicle and exited with a handgun.  Rueda immediately began shooting at the officers, at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred.  One officer suffered a gunshot wound and is in stable condition.  The second officer suffered a fracture and is also listed in stable condition.  Rueda also suffered gunshot wounds and was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Shortly after Rueda was paroled from a state prison, he was transferred into the Non-Revocable Parole program that was developed for low-level, nonviolent offenders.  He was on active parole and is a documented gang member.

Force Investigation Division (FID) detectives responded and are handling the officer involved shooting.  The FID Criminal Apprehension Team is investigating the crime against the officers.  Due to the potential threat to the involved officers, their names have been withheld.

Chief of Police, Submits Letter of Concern to State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Los Angeles: Chief of Police Charlie Beck writes letter to State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation regarding early release of parolee who shot at officers.

On July 14, 2010, Los Angeles, Chief of Police Charlie Beck submitted a letter of concern to the State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary, Matthew Cate, with concerns about the suspect who attempted to kill officers this past weekend during a shooting in the San Fernando Valley.  The letter outlines concerns about why Javier Rueda, the suspect who shot at officers on Saturday July 10, 2010, had been paroled early from a ten year conviction for violent crimes and then transferred into the Non-Revocable Parole program after serving only two years of his sentence. Click here to view attached letter .

LAPD Launches the In Car Video System in 77th Division

Chief Beck podcast on In Car Video

Mayor Villaraigoza podcast

Los Angeles: On July 13, 2010, during a news conference at 77th Street Community Police Station, Chief Charlie Beck, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Police Commissioner John Mack and LAPD Command Staff announced the Department will equip 300 patrol cars with the In Car Video System (ICVS) in South Bureau.

 
ICVS records video through the use of multiple cameras located inside of the patrol cars. The digital information is then downloaded to local police stations, and it can be accessed and reviewed by LAPD Command Staff throughout the City. ICVS has been incorporated in Southeast Division for some time now, and so far has captured more than 12,000 incidents.

ICVS provides digital, audio, and video recording of interactions with individuals who are stopped or arrested.  In reference to the ICVS Mayor Villaraigosa commented, “It does not only protect the brave men and women in blue it also protects all Angelenos. This technology aids in ensuring that officers and citizens are given the respect and protection they deserve.” 

According to Chief Beck ICVS serves not only as mechanism for transparency and for gathering evidence in criminal cases, but it also “builds public trust within the Department. In Car Video System helps build partnerships with our communities and it shows the dangerous and difficult job performed everyday by the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department.”

ICVS will next be implemented in 77th Division, followed by Southwest and Harbor Divisions. It is expected that by the end of summer all of LAPD’s South Bureau Divisions will be equipped with this new technology.

Notes from the July 13, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•Police Commission President John Mack recognized Chief Charlie Beck and the Department for what he called their outstanding and historic work on the capture of the Grim Sleeper murder suspect. He commended the Detectives and the many personnel who worked on the case and said the Department was the finest and most innovative in America.

•Police Chief Charlie Beck commented on his Department’s unwavering commitmentto success in the Grim Sleeper case. He also informed the Board of the launch of the 77th Street Division in-car video system taking place later in the day. Chief Beck added he had a Cadet shadowing him all day as part of Cadet Leadership Day.

•The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the status report on Digital In-Car Video System in operation at South Bureau was given by Police Administrator Maggie Goodrich. Ms. Goodrich informed the Board 77th is the second division to receive the video system behind Southeast Division which went up and running at the end of April. She added Southwest, South Traffic, and Harbor Divisions
should all have the system by the end of August.

•The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the status report of the implementation of recommendations included in the Office of the Inspector General’s Training Evaluation and Management System Audit dated April 26, 2010, was given by Police Administrator Maggie Goodrich. Ms. Goodrich said as a result of the audit the Department is creating two new dispositions including “further action not required.” The Inspector General recommended the Department further define “at-risk behavior.” The Department is currently working on definitions with Employee Relations Group and has scheduled upcoming meetings.

•The verbal presentation and update from the Commanding Officer and Community Advisory Board (C-PAB) representative regarding community initiated problem solving, crime strategies, and other programs and goals within the Foothill Area was given by Captain Joseph Hiltner and Ms. Vicky Burch. Ms. Burch, who is the Foothill Area co-chair, said their membership has shrunk over the past few years but remains strong. She said they meet monthly and assign members tasks such as dispersing information at neighborhood watch meetings, and organizing community walks to educate on crime prevention. Ms. Burch added they have a Junior C-PAB and a Cadet program as well.

•The Department’s report, dated June 30, 2010, relative to the transmittal of the grant application and standard agreement for the 2010-2011 Operation ABC Grand Award from the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

•The Department’s report, dated July 2, 2010, relative to the proposed Bureau of Street Services Special Event Staffing Procedures (City Council Motion 09-0600-S46) , as given by Commander Mike Williams, was approved. Commander Williams informed the Board the Department protocol will be not to price lower income people and organizations out. He said the Area Commanding Officer will make the decision to staff the event provided Area staffing levels are sufficient enough to have regular deployment in the field. If staffing levels can’t be met, then the request will be kicked up to the Area Bureau Commanding Officer for consideration.

•The Department’s report, dated July 16, 2010, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

•The Department’s report, dated June 30, 2010, relative to Complaint Form 1.28, Investigations Audit – Phase II (IAID No. 09-003), as given by Commander Richard Webb, was approved. Commander Webb informed the Board the annual audit revealed a 95%-100% compliance rate with improved performance in nine objectives. However, two objectives did not receive a passing grade.

•The Department’s report, dated June 28, 2010, relative to Standard-Based Assessment – Lieutenants and below inspection (IAID No. 09-025), was continued.

Teacher Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

Police Seek Children Who May Have Been Victims of Improper Contact or Communication

Los Angeles:  Sexual assault investigators of the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Operations West Bureau (OWB) have arrested a local teacher for possession of child pornography.  Investigators believe there might be children who have had inappropriate contact or communication with the arrestee and are hoping they will come forward.

On July 9, 2010, 58-year-old Barry Klein, a middle-school teacher in the Hollywood area since 2001, was arrested without incident for possession of child pornography when he turned himself in to the LAPD.  In addition to having the pornography, investigators are also concerned about the possibility that he was communicating with minors online via Yahoo Messenger for sexual purposes. Klein, a long-time resident of the San Fernando Valley, used the screen name “mrredheadbear.”

Anyone with information about the case, especially if it’s helpful in locating minors who have had any type of inappropriate contact with Klein are encouraged to get in touch with OWB Sexual Assault Detail Officer Justin Malcuit at 213-473-0404 or by email at 36275@lapd.lacity.org.  During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800)-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most key pads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.

Officer-Involved Shooting Occurs During Traffic Stop

Los Angeles: Last Saturday evening an officer-involved shooting occurred in the 1300 block of East 42nd Street.  

On July 10, 2010, at around 10:05 p.m., LAPD Newton Area Police Officer II Jorge Munoz (5 years and 7 months with the Los Angeles Police Department) and Police Officer II Mauricio Ruiz (5 years and 2 months with the Los Angeles Police Department) observed a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop in the 1300 block of East 42nd Street.  The driver immediately exited through the driver’s door and became uncooperative with the officers.  The passenger also exited the car and approached Officer Ruiz.  Suddenly, the driver turned and ran away west on 42nd Street with Officer Munoz running after him.  Officer Ruiz quickly handcuffed the passenger and joined his partner running after the driver.

The suspect turned southbound climbing over a wall and fence then pointed a handgun toward the officers, at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred.  The suspect dropped the handgun and continued to run southbound through the alley.  A perimeter was established and a K-9 unit responded to conduct a search for the suspect.  The suspect was located to the rear of 1324 East 42nd Place where a K-9 contact occurred.

The handgun was recovered, and Officer Munoz received minor injuries while climbing the block wall.  Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Force Investigation Division Detectives responded and are investigating the officer involved shooting.  The FID Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT) is investigating the crimes committed against the officers.

Medical Marijuana Armed Robbery Suspects Sought Images Caught on Tape

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying two men who robbed a medical marijuana store at gunpoint in the Van Nuys Area.

On April 27, 2025 around 1:45 p.m., two men walked into a shop located at the 13600 block of Vanowen Street.  The men posed as customers when one of them pulled a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and pointed it at an employee, demanding money and property.  Both suspects took the employee to the rear of the store.  One suspect held the victim at gunpoint, while the other gathered property from the store.  As the men were trying to leave the store, they found themselves stuck between two locked doors.  In order to make their escape the suspects shot through a glass barrier and ran out of the store.  Once outside they drove away in a 2000 model Burgundy Escalade.  

The gunmen are described as male African Americans.  The first suspect stands about 6 feet tall and weighs around 185 pounds, wearing prescription glasses, a blue long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and dark-colored shoes.  The second suspect is slightly shorter weighing 170 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a long brown and white long sleeve-shirt, dark pants, and brown and white shoes.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call Van Nuys Division robbery Detectives Oshea and Flores at 818-374-0074.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics July 10, 2025


VIOLENT CRIMES                  2010**           2009**          % Chg

Homicide                              160*                158             1.3%
Rape                                     381                 451          -15.5%
Robbery                               5802               6373            -9.0%
Agg Assaults **                     4957               5829          -15.0%
Total Violent Crimes           11300             12811         -11.8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                 8708             9540           -8.7%
BTFV                                    14847           15153            -2.0%
Personal/Other Theft           13420           14524            -7.6%
Auto Theft                             8848             9583            -7.7%
Total Property Crimes       45,823         48,800           -6.1%
Total Part I Crimes            57,123         61,611           -7.3%

* 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

Parent Stabs Daughter to Death and Attempts to Kill Herself

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Juvenile Division’s Abused Child Section detectives are asking for the public’s help with providing information that would assist them in the investigation of a mother who apparently murdered her 10-year-old daughter and then tried to take her own life.  

On July 09, 2025 at approximately 2:30 .a.m., Department of Defense Police Officers, and LAPD Harbor Area Officers responded to an Attempt Murder/Suicide radio call at the Fort MacArthur Air Force Base.  Once the officers arrived at the scene they observed the young girl and the mother suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Los Angeles City Fire Department and ambulance personnel responded to the scene and transported the mother and daughter to a local hospital.  The mother was in stable condition but the daughter died from her wounds several hours later.   

A preliminary investigation by LAPD detectives suggests that the 10-year old victim was in bed when her mother, Bong Sook Chavez, stabbed her multiple times and then tried to harm herself.  

LAPD Harbor Area Homicide detectives partnered with Juvenile Division detectives and the coroner’s office to process the crime scene and conduct the investigation.  Juvenile Division’s Abused Child Section detectives have assumed responsibility for this case.  

Investigators established probable cause to believe that Chavez was responsible for the killing of her daughter.  Chavez was booked for murder under Penal Code Section 187(A) but remains hospitalized.  The LAPD has partnered with the District Attorney’s Office to review the merits of the case for filing considerations.   

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact LAPD Juvenile Division Detectives at the LAPD 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.