LAPD Blog

Man Dies in Police Custody

Los Angeles:  A 39-year-old man died while he was in police custody after a Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) security sergeant found him seriously injured and walking in the street.

On January 15, 2010, at about 3:52 a.m., an MTA security sergeant noticed a man walking in a westerly direction on Cesar Chavez Boulevard from Broadway.  The man was wearing only boxer shorts, a T-shirt and one shoe.  He was bleeding badly from an apparent head wound and was staggering in his attempt to walk.  The MTA security sergeant requested assistance, which resulted in the response of Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers assigned to Central Patrol Division and paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

The responding officers attempted to communicate with the man, but found him to be unresponsive.  As the LAFD Paramedics arrived, the man was still unresponsive and unrestrained.  To prevent any additional injuries, a traffic hazard, and to facilitate medical treatment, the officers decided to place the man on the ground and handcuff him.  Paramedics transported the man to the University of Southern California Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators discovered evidence that the man had suffered some traumatic injury about two blocks from where the MTA security sergeant had first encountered him.  At this time, it has not been determined whether the man was the victim of a hit-and-run traffic collision, or if he was the victim of an assault or accident at that location or elsewhere.   Investigators hope that an autopsy will provide clues about the exact cause and manner of the man’s death.  For now, his identity is being withheld until his family members are notified.

Because the man was in the custody of the LAPD when he died, Force Investigation Division has assumed primary responsibility for the investigation and will work closely with detectives assigned to Central Traffic Division.  

Anyone who may have seen this victim on January 15, 2010, or who has information about this crime or incident is urged to call Central Traffic Division detectives at 213-972-1825.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 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.

Kingdom Day in Los Angeles

Although it was raining and cold it did not stop thousands of community members from coming out to watch the Martin Luther King Jr. parade.  On Monday January 18, 2010, Chief Beck along with other high officials walked the parade route while numerous bands played their school anthems. As he waved to the bystanders he noticed all the positive energy coming from community and knew it was going to be a great year ahead.

On January 16, 2010, Chief Beck attended the Martin Luther King Breakfast Celebration with several dignitaries.  This was the second annual event to celebrate the life, legacy and vision of the civil rights leader.  Over the past seven years, the LAPD has committed in restoring the public’s confidence, building trust and respect between the Los Angeles Police, African American community and the entire City of Los Angeles. The event was held at the University of Southern California.

On Sunday January 17, 2010, ABC aired a documentary, “LAPD-Transforming the Dream” which chronicled the long history of friction between law enforcement, America's ethnic communities, and how a police department with a progressive Chief, in unison with the political/community leadership turned Los Angeles into a healthier, safer city.

Chief Beck was featured, with a strong commitment to continuing the reform, "from the bottom up." Los Angeles' most prominent political, community, and business leaders were featured in the historic television program, which was recently touted in a Los Angeles Times editorial as a powerful documentary by Pierre Bagley.

To view the documentary, click here

Notes from the January 19, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•Police Commission President John Mack said he attended many events honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr over the weekend including the Kingdom Day Parade with Police Chief Charlie Beck.  He said the parade was well attended despite heavy rain. 

•Police Commissioner Alan Skobin attended a reception for all Community Police Advisory Board members with fellow Commissioner Robert Saltzman.  He said the event was well attended. 

•Police Chief Charlie Beck said the Department has been dealing with weather related events.  He added the Department is partnering with 17 different agencies including the Los Angeles Fire Department.

•The Department's verbal presentation and discussion relative to the current status of the Digital In-Car Video Camera system field test and the overall status of the entire Operations South Bureau project was given by Police Administrator Maggie Goodrich.  Ms. Goodrich informed the Board a lot of the problems they are seeing with the system is with integration but they are seeing much improvement with stand alone testing.  She added they will complete the testing in three weeks and give the system to the Senior Lead Officers for continued testing.  She anticipates coming back to the Board in five to six weeks with a plan.

•The Department's verbal presentation and discussion relative to Department strategies to respond to California Prison Reform and resulting release of prisoners was given by Deputy Chief Jim McDonnell.  Chief McDonnell said on January 25, 2010, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) will reduce its population by 18,000 with 5,940 released into Los Angeles County.  The Department has established a Parole Tracking Unit that will concentrate on the Skid Row area and all areas have Parole Outreach meetings which promotes interaction with parolees.  The Department is also working with CDCR to apprehend parole offenders and Real-Time Analysis and Critical Response Division will track parolees who are outfitted with GPS tracking devices.

•The Department's report, dated December 31, 2009, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

•The Department's report, dated January 5, 2010, relative to the First Amendment to Professional Service Agreement Contract No. C-110675 with Huntington Court Reporters & Transcription, Inc., for court reporter services, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor's office.

•The Department's report, dated December 29, 2009, relative to warrant applications and supporting affidavits audit, second quarter, fiscal year 2009/10 (IAID No. 09-006), was approved.

•The Department's report, dated January 5, 2010, in response to the Office of the Controller relative to the audit of the Forensic DNA backlog reduction grant program awards, as given by Police Administrator Yvette Sanchez-Owens, was approved.  Ms. Sanchez-Owens informed the Board there was going to be a re-integration of systems with Robbery-Homicide Division having the sole system to track DNA evidence.  She said there are currently 1,200 cases waiting to be tested.  She also added a considerable amount of money can be saved by not outsourcing the cases for testing but rather testing the cases with department Criminalists by additional funding from the City. 

Detectives Arrest Stun-gun Bandit

Los Angeles.  Los Angeles police detectives arrested Lester Robert Evans, 68, yesterday, January 19, 2010, during a bank robbery investigation.  Evidence found in the robber's apartment helped to tie the parolee to the December boutique robbery, where the suspect was captured on video shocking the young clerk with a stun gun.

"We had a feeling this guy would surface eventually," said Lt. Paul Vernon, who is in charge of detectives in downtown Los Angeles.  "It just turns out he decided to rob a bank where he had his account."

Officers broadcast the robber's description over the radio, which in part was "a White man in his sixties."  Within a few minutes, officers had the name of a local man who was on parole for bank robbery, Lester Robert Evans.

"As I rolled up at the bank, my robbery detective drove by and said, 'What do you think lieutenant?  Stun-gun bandit?' and darned if he wasn't right," added Lt. Vernon. "The description of the bank robber was just too co-incidental."

Detectives verified Evans was on parole for bank robbery and went to his apartment in the 400 block of East 7th Street in Skid Row.  Detectives arrived within minutes of the robbery and found Evans in the company of a woman.  Detectives searched the apartment and seized evidence that linked the parolee to the bank robbery as well as the boutique robbery.

"Two robberies in two months and a convicted bank robber to boot; we'll be looking closely to see if he's responsible for any other robberies," Lt Vernon said. "Downtown businesses should be much safer with him behind bars."
 
Evans was booked for the bank robbery and no bail was set as he is on parole. Detectives will also present the boutique robbery case from December 15, 2009, to prosecutors.

Anyone with information is urged to call Central robbery detective Al Rasch at 213-972-1245.  During non-business hours, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may contact Crimestoppers by texting the 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.

Evacuations Ordered

Los Angeles.  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), in a Unified Command, have ordered evacuations for residences located within Phase 1 and Phase 2 in the foothill area of Southern Tujunga.  These are homes located within the communities of Alpine Village, Seven Hills, Blanchard Canyon Road, Tujunga, and Riverwood.  The evacuations have been ordered to be completed by 9 AM Wednesday morning, January 20, 2010.

With significant rainfall predicted for Wednesday afternoon evacuations have been ordered to ensure the safety of the community and emergency responders.  This storm is predicted to be one of the most significant storms to hit this area in several years.

The below-listed Evacuation Centers have been made available to those affected by the evacuation order:

Sunland Recreation Center    
8651 Foothill Blvd, Sunland CA, 91040  
Available at 8:00 a.m., January 20, 2010  

Evacuated small animals will be held at the Northeast Animal Shelter located at 15321 Brand Blvd, Mission Hills, CA 91345, 818-837-2609 or 818-756-9323.

Evacuated large animals will be held at Pierce College located at 6201 Winnetka Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA, 91371, 818-347-0551. 

For information pertaining to the evacuation order and information about when residents might be allowed to return to their homes, please contact LAPD's Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910 or the LAFD's Public Information Office at 213-485-5162.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics January 016, 2010

VIOLENT CRIMES                  2010**           2009**          % Chg

Homicide                                14*                 14              0.0%
Rape                                       35                  39           -10.3%
Robbery                                 503                606           -17.0%
Agg Assaults **                       399                505          -21.0%
Total Violent Crimes              951              1164          -18.3%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                  743               824            -9.8%
BTFV                                     1157             1436           -19.4%
Personal/Other Theft               921            1245           -26.0%
Auto Theft                              709              827           -14.3%
Total Property Crimes          3530           4332          -18.5%
Total Part I Crimes               4481           5496          -18.5%

* 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

Attempted Robbery at Downtown 711 Caught on Video

Los Angeles.  Los Angeles police detectives are asking for the public's help to solve an attempted robbery that occurred at a downtown 7-11 convenience store just after midnight this morning, January 18, 2010.

One clerk was behind the register when an armed Black man, in his 20's, walked into the store yelling, "Open the register quick. Give me the money." Another employee, who was stocking the drink cooler, heard the commotion.  

"He commanded over and over to open the register with the rifle pointed in the man's face," said Lt. Paul Vernon, who heads-up detectives downtown.  "For whatever reason, the clerk couldn't open the drawer and started calling for his partner to do it. It's a very tense few moments."  

The gunman leads the clerk to the cooler, but when neither employee can open the register, he leaves without taking anything.  Several witnesses saw him running, gun in hand, along 7th Street, then south on Grand Avenue.  Witnesses also described a second man who may have acted as a lookout at the door during the robbery.

"We want everyone to look closely at the video and consider the suspect's clothing description," Vernon said.  "It's distinct enough that it might be familiar to someone who knows this robber.  Just put yourself in this clerk's place and imagine how scary this must have been."

The robber was wearing a black night-watch cap; a brown and white striped shirt; and he had orange long sleeves from a shirt underneath.  He also wore gloves, blue jeans, and a gold watch with a black wrist band.  He was between 20 and 30 years old, 5'10", with a 3 to 4-day growth of beard.  His gun appears to be a .22 caliber rifle.

His lookout was also a Black man, 5'6", in his 20's, dressed in dark clothing.

The 7-11 is located at 500 W. 7th Street. Police spent several hours at the store, searching with police dogs and gathering evidence.

Anyone with information is asked to call Central Robbery Detective John Arredondo at 213-972-1248.  During non-business hours or on weekends calls, calls may also be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 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.

Lt. Vernon is available for interviews between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM at Central Police Station, 251 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles.  The video is available for recording and includes audio.

 

25-Year-Old Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run Collision

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is seeking public assistance to identify and locate a suspect/driver who hit and killed a 25-year-old woman early this morning.

Today at about 4 a.m., a person driving north on Normandie Avenue from 204th Street struck Charmmaine Ouk of Long Beach when she ran into the roadway heading west across Normandie Avenue.  The driver then failed to stop and render aid or provide identification as required by law. According to a witness, the suspect may have been driving a gray or brown minivan, but police need more solid details about the vehicle.                                                                                                                                      

Detectives from LAPD's South Traffic Division are hopeful that witnesses or others with information about the incident will come forward. Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call South Traffic Division Detective Jones at 323-290-6063 between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  After hours, calls may be directed to the South Traffic Division watch commander at 213-485-7336.  During non-business hours or on weekends calls, calls may also be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 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.

29-Year-Old Female Murdered in the San Fernando Area

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has arrested the suspect in the murder of 29-year-old Lupe Fernandez, a resident of San Fernando.

On Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at around 9:30 p.m., a citizen walked in to the Mission Area Community Police Station and reported the body of a possible murder victim who was found inside a Sylmar residence.  Officers were directed to a residence in the 14800 block of Cobalt Street.  During a welfare check of the residence, officers discovered the body of a dead female that was stuffed into a large plastic trash container located inside the garage of the residence.  During the investigation, officer's learned of a possible second crime scene located inside a Tattoo Parlor in the 8900 block of Woodman Avenue in the city of Arleta.

Mission Homicide Detectives responded and conducted the investigation. Detectives identified the murder victim found at the Cobalt address as 29-year-old Lupe Fernandez, a resident of San Fernando.  Detectives are investigating Lupe Fernandez' death as a murder.  Further investigation at the Tattoo Parlor revealed an assault had taken place inside the business sometime between 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2025 and 7:30 a.m. the following day.  Detectives are investigating the possibility of both crime scenes to be connected in the murder of Lupe Fernandez.  The victim's cause of death is believed to be blunt force trauma. 

Mission Homicide detectives identified the victim's current boyfriend, 33-year old Louie Mendoza, as the suspect in the murder.  Mendoza was employed by the tattoo parlor as a tattoo artist.  Mendoza was arrested inside the Cobalt address by SWAT officers after a long stand-off.  Detectives booked Louie Mendoza for the murder of girlfriend, Lupe Fernandez.  Mendoza is being held in lieu of 1 million dollar bail.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call Mission Homicide detectives at 818-838-9810 or 818-838-9800.  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 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.

Attempted Robbery at Downtown 711 Caught on Video

Los Angeles.  Los Angeles police detectives are asking for the public's help to solve an attempted robbery that occurred at a downtown 7-11 convenience store just after midnight this morning, January 18, 2010.

One clerk was behind the register when an armed Black man, in his 20's, walked into the store yelling, "Open the register quick.  Give me the money." Another employee, who was stocking the drink cooler, heard the commotion. 

"He commanded over and over to open the register with the rifle pointed in the man's face," said Lt. Paul Vernon, who heads-up detectives downtown.  "For whatever reason, the clerk couldn't open the drawer and started calling for his partner to do it. It's a very tense few moments." 

The gunman leads the clerk to the cooler, but when neither employee can open the register, he leaves without taking anything.  Several witnesses saw him running, gun in hand, along 7th Street, then south on Grand Avenue.  Witnesses also described a second man who may have acted as a lookout at the door during the robbery.

"We want everyone to look closely at the video and consider the suspect's clothing description," Vernon said.  "It's distinct enough that it might be familiar to someone who knows this robber.  Just put yourself in this clerk's place and imagine how scary this must have been."

The robber was wearing a black night-watch cap; a brown and white striped shirt; and he had orange long sleeves from a shirt underneath.  He also wore gloves, blue jeans, and a gold watch with a black wrist band.  He was between 20 and 30 years old, 5'10", with a 3 to 4-day growth of beard.  His gun appears to be a .22 caliber rifle.

His lookout was also a Black man, 5'6", in his 20's, dressed in dark clothing.

The 7-11 is located at 500 W. 7th Street. Police spent several hours at the store, searching with police dogs and gathering evidence.

Anyone with information is asked to call Central Robbery Detective John Arredondo at 213-972-1248.  During non-business hours or on weekends calls, calls may also be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 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.

Lt. Vernon is available for interviews between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM at Central Police Station, 251 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles.  The video is available for recording and includes audio.