LAPD Blog

Class 3A-10 Recruit Graduation

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August 13, 2024 – On the athletic field at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park, the newest members of the Department proudly stood at attention as they were presented with their diploma of graduation.  Twenty-One individuals underwent six months of intense training which culminated with today’s ceremony in front of Department brass, dignitaries and their family and friends.

Chief Beck had invited a special guest - MR. Matthew Cina, an 8th grade student from Saints Felicitas and Perpetua.  Mr. Cina was one of the 10 winners of the LAPD Essay Contest that was held earlier this year. Impressed with his essay, Chief Beck invited him to attend today’s graduation and read his essay to the graduates.  Mr. Cena is the only winner to have won all three times he was eligible to enter in the history of this seven year written competition. 

There is little down time for the newest members of the Department as many of the officers will begin their new assignments on the streets of Los Angeles within the next 36 hours.  For more information on how you can become a Los Angeles Police officer, please visit www.joinlapd.com.

Police Warn: Possible Serial Rapist in Skid Row

Los Angeles:  LAPD detectives are investigating what appears to be a second rape in as many weeks by a middle-aged man driving an Econoline-type van through Skid Row.  Police want to warn the public, especially women staying in Skid Row, to be aware and on the lookout for this suspect.

The first instance occurred Sunday, August 1, when a 37-year-old transient woman accepted a ride from the suspect near 6th Street and Stanford, in Skid Row.  According to the victim, the man bound her with duct tape in the van then raped her repeatedly over the next three days, dropping her off in Koreatown.

“The challenge for us in this case was the victim’s apprehension to cooperate,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, who heads the Central Detective Division.  “It was difficult for officers to get any useful information from her, and since that night we’ve been unable to locate her,”  Lt. Vernon explained.  Despite that, undercover officers and officers assigned to patrol Skid Row have been on the lookout for the van with horizontal stripes.

Late Monday night, August 10, around 10 p.m., two women were walking near 6th Street and Towne Avenue, not far from the prior incident.  A middle-aged, balding man in a brown van drove up and offered the 29-year-old woman a ride to get some food.  The woman accepted the offer.

They drove to the McDonalds restaurant at 7th Street and Alameda.  The man told the woman he wanted her to perform a sex act.  When she refused, he pulled a knife and bound her arms and legs with duct tape, then gagged her with more duct tape.  He drove the van to the 500 block of Palm Avenue, an industrial area of Alhambra, California, where he removed her clothing and raped her.  

The suspect led the frightened victim out of the van and into a parking lot with a trash dumpster.  The suspect picked up the victim, still naked, bound, and gagged, and threw her into the dumpster, then drove away.  The victim was able to make enough noise that a business owner stopped and helped her.  “The man cut the bindings on her hands and gave her a towel to cover herself,” Lt. Vernon said.  Paramedics took the woman to a local hospital for treatment.

“Detectives worked all day Wednesday following up on leads in this case,” Lt. Vernon added.  “These types of stranger rapes and abductions are quite the exception, and we take them very seriously.”  Officers and detectives continue to patrol Skid Row for the van.  Detectives plan to release a composite sketch and possibly video footage in the coming days.

The last series of rapes in Skid Row occurred in 2008.  Eric Lamont Clay, 37, was arrested and charged in the rapes of at least four women, whom he picked up in his taxi cab.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Josh Riggs, Central Sex Unit, at 213-972-1235.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

Notes from the August 10, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Commission President John Mack said he attended the National Night Out event held by the Southeast Division.  He said it was an excellent evening with a good turnout.

•    Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman along with fellow Police Commissioner Alan Skobin attended a meeting with members of the Force Investigation Division to discuss the functions of the division and gain a better understanding of the type of work they do.  He said they had a good exchange of information and thanked the division for taking the time to meet with them.

•    Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger informed the Board crime numbers continue to trend downwards.  He said it was the result of collaboration and partnerships with the community which helped to produce the numbers. Chief Paysinger added the National Night Out events held Citywide last week were a quintessential example of community policing.

•    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 Northeast Area was given by Captain William Murphy and Ms. Edie Ruvieni.  Ms. Ruvieni said she has two primary programs which have been very successful. Their graffiti unit is a full time operation which looks to curtail the incidences of graffiti in the area.  They also have the “11 for 11” program in which they purchase the vehicle theft prevention device, “The Club,” for $11 and sell it to community members for $11.  The program has helped decrease incidences of Grand Theft Auto by 27% year to date. Other programs include the burglary prevention program and neighborhood watch.  Ms. Ruvieni finished by saying the Northeast C-PAB’s main focus is on crime reduction.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 10, 2010, relative to supplemental police account second quarterly report (April through June 2010), was approved and transmitted to the City Council and Office of the City Controller.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 3, 2010, relative to Destruction of Obsolete Duplicate Records, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 29, 2010, relative to Ethics Enforcement Section quarterly report, Second Quarter 2010, was received. The Board directed the Office of the Inspector General to submit an analysis of this report along with any appropriate recommendation to the Board.

•    The Department report, dated August 3, 2010, relative to request for information recapitulation of warrants authored and firearms seized by Gang Impact Teams, Second Quarter 2010, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 21, 2010, and Special Order relative to training requirement for sworn personnel selected for a Gang Enforcement Detail or Community Law Enforcement and Recovery Program Assignment – Established, was continued for one week. 

Wife Stabs Husband to Death

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Harbor Homicide detectives are investigating the stabbing death of a 36-year-old man in the city of Wilmington.

On August 10, 2010, at around 12:40 a.m., a married couple was inside a hotel room in the 800 block of Watson Avenue and became involved in an argument. When the dispute escalated, Angelina Sevilla stabbed Luis Sevilla in the chest several times.  After Luis was stabbed with a knife, he walked out of the hotel, got into his car and drove away from the location. He drove several blocks away when his vehicle collided with a light pole and parked car.  

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene of the traffic collision and discovered Luis suffering from stab wounds.  Paramedics worked on the victim, but he died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim’s 28-year-old wife/suspect was found walking out of another room within the hotel where she was taken into custody and booked for murder.  Detectives have not determined what caused the stabbing.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Harbor Area Homicide Detectives David Alvarez or Isidro Rodriguez at 310-726-7879 or 310-726-7880.  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 "webtips" and follow the prompts.

LAPD Arrests Thief

Detectives Looking for More Victims

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Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Olympic Area officers arrested a suspected car thief with stolen property in his possession.

On July 26, 2024 at about 9 a.m. Olympic patrol officers were in the area of 1st Street and Normandie Avenue, an area plagued with car thefts, when they saw an individual peering into parked cars.  The officers stopped to investigate the suspicious activity when they discovered the individual had stolen property in his possession.  The officers recovered jewelry, several digital cameras, cell phones, DVDs, CDs, MP3 players, video games and a stolen item that traced back to a May 2009 theft of a vehicle.  

The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Carlos Flores of Los Angeles, was arrested for receiving stolen property and was booked into the LAPD’s jail facility in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Olympic Division Property Section detectives want to return the recovered property to rightful owners and ask that any victims of reported burglary or theft in the Mid-City Koreatown area to please come forward.  

Detectives urge citizens to make sure their vehicle doors are always locked and remove all valuables, not leaving anything in plain view.  

**Photos of the recovered property are available at www.lapdonline.org

Anyone with information about this crime or wishes to claim any items are asked to call Detectives Ron Lee or Ana Melara at 213-382-9440.  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.

LAPD Search for Man who Attempted to Kill 9-Year-Old Girl

Los Angeles: A suspect who attempted to shoot to death a young girl playing in her own yard is still at large.  LAPD detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect responsible for this brutal attempt to take a young girl’s life.  

On July 27, 2010, at about 6:45 p.m., the victim was innocently playing in her backyard in the 7800 block of Troost Avenue.  A male Hispanic suspect driving a black sedan drove through the alley and stopped his car near where the girl was playing.  He looked directly at her and fired four to six rounds from a semi-automatic handgun at her.  Though several of the shots came within inches of the child, she was shaken but not injured.  

Today, detectives held a news conference to enlist the public’s help in identifying and locating this armed and dangerous suspect. This crime has outraged the community and detectives alike.  It is hoped that someone in the community who knows about this crime will come forward and provide the information investigators need to make an arrest and provide peace of mind to the victim and her family.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call Foothill Major Assault Crimes Detectives, Detective Hector Guzman at 818-834-3115.  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.

Missing Person Shawn William Tischler

UPDATE:

At 5:00 p.m., Shawn William Tischler was located and reunited with his family.


Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department and the family of Shawn William Tischler are asking for the public’s help to locate him.

Mr. Tischler was last seen on August 2, 2010, at around 1:00 p.m., in the 14000 block of Gager Street in Arleta.  He drove away from the location in his black 2001 Saturn 4-door, License Plate No. 4RQD200.  According to witnesses, he may have been involved in a traffic collision on August 7, 2010, at around 9:30 p.m., in the area of Van Nuys & Ventura Boulevards in the City of Van Nuys.  

Mr. Tischler is a 29-year old male White with brown hair, brown eyes, 5’04” tall and weighs approximately 115 pounds.  He has a thin build and a tattoo on his back.   

The family of Shawn William Tischler is very concerned about his unexplained disappearance and is in need of daily medication and medical assistance.

Anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of Shawn William Tischler is asked to contact Detective Sasso, LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit, at 213-996-1800.   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.

LAPD Searches for Missing Man

Los Angeles: A local family and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are asking for the public’s help in finding a 54-year-old missing man from the Liemert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Thomas Spruill was last seen near his home in the 1700 block of 45th Street. He has not been seen or heard from since August 2, 2010. Spruill’s family told police that he suffers from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, is mentally impaired and does not have any teeth.

Spruill is described as a male Caucasian who is bald with brown eyes. He’s 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt, blue and gray checkered shorts and white tennis shoes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Spruill is asked to call Missing Persons Unit Detective Kristin Merrill at 213-996-1800. 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.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics August 07, 2024


VIOLENT CRIMES                  2010**           2009**          % Chg

Homicide                              185*                193            -4.1%
Rape                                     449                 528          -15.0%
Robbery                               6696               7421            -9.8%
Agg Assaults **                     5738               6705          -14.4%
Total Violent Crimes           13068             14847         -12.0%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                10000            10879          -8.1%
BTFV                                    16958            17269          -1.8%
Personal/Other Theft            15566            16795          -7.3%
Auto Theft                            10156            11049          -8.1%
Total Property Crimes       52,680         55,992          -5.9%
Total Part I Crimes            65,748         70,839          -7.2%

* 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

Man is Killed Driving down the Street

Los Angeles:  A 23-year-old man driving home from work was shot and killed Wednesday night, and the suspect(s) remain outstanding.

On August 4, 2010, at about 8:25 p.m., Saul Carreno-Melchor was driving southbound in the 8100 block of Langdon Avenue.  As Carreno-Melchor drove down the street shots rang out and he was struck by gunfire, causing the white Dodge pick-up truck he was driving to collide with vehicles parked along the curb.  

Los Angeles City Fire personnel responded and pronounced Carreno-Melchor dead at scene.

Investigators believe the motive for the shooting was gang related, but have not determined if Carreno-Melchor was the intended target.

Anyone with information related to this shooting is asked to call Mission Area Homicide Detectives, Detective Armando Acero or Mario Gonzalez at 818-838-9810.  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.