LAPD Blog

Purse Snatcher Injures 86-Year-Old Victim

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Pacific Area detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who robbed an 86- year-old woman.

On July 28, 2010, at around 3 p.m., the suspect followed the victim to her residence in the Westchester area of Los Angeles.  As she exited her car parked in the garage of her residence, the suspect pulled her purse off her arm, causing injury.  The suspect then ran from the garage to a waiting getaway car and sped away.  

The suspect is described as a Black male, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing 175-190 pounds and about 20-24 years old.  The suspect has tattoos on the left side of his neck,  left wrist and hand.  He was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt, black jeans and blue and black tennis shoes.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Pacific Area Robbery Detective John Armando at (310) 482-6396.  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.

Pharmacy Robbery Suspects Sought

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Pacific Area detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying suspects who robbed a pharmacy at gunpoint.

On August 8, 2010, at around 2:10 a.m., a female suspect entered the Walgreens pharmacy located in the 4000 block of Lincoln Boulevard in LAPD’s Pacific Area.  She lingered for about 40 minutes until three male suspects entered the store, one wielding a handgun.  The suspects forced the store’s unarmed security guard to lead them to the safe and then forced a store employee to open it and give them the money inside.  The suspects then left the store with over $4,500.  A witness reported seeing the suspects drive off in a late-model, silver, four-door Pontiac Grand Prix.

Suspect #1 is described as a Black female with reddish-pink hair, approximately 5 feet tall, weighing 110-120 pounds and about 20 years old.  She had a large distinctive tattoo covering the front of her chest and was last seen wearing a black shirt with pink trim, gray hooded sweatshirt with a fur collar and blue jeans.

Suspect #2 is described as a Black male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds and about 20 years old.  The suspect was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.  He was armed with a blue steel, semi-automatic handgun.

The other two suspects were described as Black males, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 160-180 pounds and about 20 years old.  They were also last seen wearing hooded sweatshirts.  

*Images of the suspects were captured by surveillance cameras within the store and are attached to this release.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Pacific Area Robbery Detective John Armando at 310-482-6396.  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.

Notes from the August 17, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Chief Charlie Beck attended the Western States Police and Fire Games in Reno, Nevada where hundreds of Department personnel competed in various sporting and athletic events.  Chief Beck added Part 1 crime continues to decline and he expects that trend to continue through the end of the year.

•    The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the status report on Digital In-Car Video System in Operation’s South Bureau was given by Police Administrator Maggie Goodrich.  Ms. Goodrich informed the Board all four areas in South Bureau were up and running with Harbor Area becoming the last division in the Bureau to receive the system.  Police Commission President John Mack expressed his pleasure with the implementation of the system throughout the Bureau and said he hoped to secure the funding through City Hall to take the system Department wide.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 5, 2010, relative to City Council Motion- Gang Trends, as given by Captain Kevin McCarthy, was approved and transmitted to the Public Safety Committee.  Captain McCarthy stated the Public Safety Committee wanted to know such things as how the Department classifies a crime as gang related, what criteria was involved, if there was a system in place to notify Department personnel of gang crime and who is responsible for the classification of gang related crime.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 11, 2010, relative to Amendment of Contract No. 00112360 to present the Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation Courses – Fiscal Year 2010/2011, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

•    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, were approved.

Licensed Attorney Arrested During Internet Child-Sex Sting

Los Angeles:  A 39-year-old North Hollywood man, and Licensed Attorney with the State of California, Bar Association, has been arrested for the Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.  The arrest came during a sting conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department’s, Juvenile Division, Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC), with the help of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Child Exploitation Group.

On Tuesday, August 17, 2010, Eduardo Leaton was arrested after exchanging sexually explicit emails with an undercover police detective posing as a 16-year-old minor from Georgia, whom Leaton had been corresponding with since the victim was 13-years of age.  During the exchange of emails with the undercover detective, who he thought was the 16-year-old victim, Leaton coordinated a meeting for the purpose of having sex with the minor.  When Leaton arrived at the meeting location he was taken into custody without incident.  

Immediately after Leaton’s arrest, detectives armed with a search warrant, searched Leaton’s North Hollywood home were they recovered numerous items of evidence.  A search of Leaton’s computer also showed supporting evidence that he was actively engaged in Internet chats and emails with hundreds of “friends” who are believed to be under-aged females.

The ICAC Unit wants to remind parents and caregivers to be vigilant in monitoring the computer use of children in their care.  There are those in society who will use every means available to prey on the youth and innocence of children.  Social networking websites have become popular among school-age children and predators alike.  We must all strive to keep our children safe.

This is an ongoing investigation.  Anyone with information regarding this crime or information regarding possible additional victims is asked to contact the LAPD’s ICAC Unit Officer in Charge, Lieutenant Andrea Grossman, at 562-624-4028.  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.

Two, 11-Year-Old Girls Missing

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Foothill Area is asking for the public’s help in locating two, 11-year-old girls missing from the Pacoima area.

On Thursday, August 19, 2010, at around 9:00 p.m., 11-year-old, Anna Lopez and Ruby Zapata left to go to Pacoima Park without their parents’ permission and did not return home.  They were last seen in the 13000 block of Carl Street.  They were subsequently reported missing to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Division early this morning.

Both girls are Hispanic.  Anna Lopez stands about 5’1”, weighs around 100 pounds, has brown hair, brown eyes and was wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans and blue/black shoes.  Ruby Zapata stands about 4 feet, weighs around 100 pounds, black hair, green eyes, and was wearing a grey tank top, black “skinny” jeans and white converse shoes.

Photos of the missing girls are available at Foothill Division now.  Shortly they will be available through LAPD Media Relations Office, for further information contact Media Relations at 213-486-5910.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these two young girls is asked to contact Foothill Police Station at 818-756-8861, or LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit,   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.

Suspects Sought in Grand Theft Auto and ID Theft

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) West Los Angeles Area auto detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying two grand theft auto suspects.  

On Sunday, July 26, 2024 at around 9:45 a.m., a man walked outside of his residence in the 800 block of South Bedford Street and discovered his car was stolen.  He immediately notified the LAPD and filed a report. He advised that he parked and secured his car the night before around 9 p.m.  He informed police there were credit cards and other personal items of his that were left in the car.  He also advised police he called and cancelled his credit card accounts. Later, his car was recovered in LAPD’s Wilshire Division, but no arrests were made.

A few hours later, around 3 p.m., a woman also walked outside her home in the 800 block of South Leddux Road and discovered her car was stolen.  She also called the police to report the incident and told them she last parked her car the day before around 2 p.m.

Detectives believe that between the hours of 9 p.m. on July 25 and 9 a.m. on July 26, a suspect(s) broke into the victim’s car on Bedford Street and stole a 2002 silver Honda Accord.  Between the hours of 2 p.m. on July 25 and 3 p.m. July 26, they believe the same suspect(s) stole the other victim’s 2005 Buick Lacross on Leddux Road.  

On the morning of July 26, 2010, at around 8:39 a.m. a man entered a Home Depot in the 5600 block of Sunset Boulevard in the Hollywood area with a woman and was caught on surveillance camera purchasing items using a credit card that belonged to the owner of the Honda.

Later at 9:45 a.m., the two drove to a Radio Shack in the 5700 block of Melrose Avenue in the Wilshire area.  They were driving a dark-colored GNC Yukon or Chevy Tahoe.  Detectives say the woman stayed in the car as the man entered the store.  When the man tried to purchase items with the credit card he used at Home Depot, it came back declined, and the suspect was caught on surveillance camera leaving the store empty handed.  

Detectives believe the man and woman involved with the store purchases are also responsible for the stolen cars.

The first suspect is described as a 20- to 25-year-old white male. He stands at 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs between 160 and 170 pounds.  He has brown hair with a light-brown mustache.  He was wearing a blue “LA” Dodgers baseball cap, blue long-sleeve shirt and white shorts.

The second suspect is described as a white female in her mid-20s.  She stands between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches and has long blonde hair with dark-brown roots.  She was wearing a grey sweat jacket and grey jeans.    

Surveillance video of the suspects is available by going to www.lapdonline.com and clicking “newsroom.”    

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call West LA detective Turner at 310-444-1506.  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.

92-Year-Old Missing Woman

UPDATE

August 19, 2024

Yesterday evening about 7 p.m., West Valley officers responded to a call from a citizen who advised police that he/she had picked up Jaramillo in the vicinity of Van Nuys Boulevard and Nordhoff Street. Initially, police weren’t certain of Jaramillo’s identity, so they took her to Olive View Hospital where her identity was confirmed. It is expected that Jaramillo’s family members will pick her up at the hospital today.

Los Angeles:  The family of Martina Jaramillo and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help in finding Martina, who was last seen in very early Wednesday morning.

Martina’s daughter saw her sleeping in her bed at around 1:00 a.m., August 18, 2010, at her residence in the 14200 block of Terra Bella Street.  Since that time, she has not returned home and has not been in contact with her family. The family is especially concerned for Martina’s welfare because of her frail condition and because she suffers from dementia and may not be able to find her way home. Martina is a resident of Panorama City and previously wandered off and was found in the 9100 block of Van Nuys Boulevard.
 
Martina is described as a female Hispanic with white hair and brown eyes.  She stands about 4 feet tall and weighs approximately 92 pounds.  She was last seen wearing light blue pajamas and a brown scarf with flowers.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Martina is urged to contact LAPD Mission Division at 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 crime stoppers 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 LAPD online.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Multi-Million-Dollar Marijuana Cultivation Setup Found in Remote Area of City Park

Los Angeles: Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Narcotics Enforcement Detail from Devonshire Area Police Station have uncovered an illicit marijuana cultivation site in popular O’Melveny Park in the San Fernando Valley. One person has been arrested in connection with the operation.

On Thursday, August 12, 2010, 49-year-old West Hills resident Natale Gabriele was arrested after a 10- month investigation that began in November 2009. At that time, detectives contacted the California Air National Guard Condor Squadron for their help locating and photographing rural areas where they believed there were illegal marijuana grow operations. The squadron is equipped with a C-130 aircraft and outfitted with sophisticated photographic equipment.

In April of this year, detectives were told it was possible that a large marijuana grow operation had been discovered. After photographs of the area had been taken, it took a few months for the photographs to be analyzed and verified. In July, detectives hiked into the area and found over a hundred large marijuana plants growing, some towering over ten feet high. The plants were discovered about a mile and a half north of the O’Melveny Park parking lot and approximately 300 yards off of the main hiking trail, making them well hidden from view.

After further investigation, nearly 3,000 additional plants were discovered in the area in various stages of growth. Detectives believe the marijuana had been growing there for at least two years. Those growing the marijuana had created a sophisticated watering system by building a dam to block a stream that ran through the hillside and using irrigation tubing, a battery powered pump and a timer to water the plants. The street value of the plants is estimated at well over $24 million.

Working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Marijuana Task Force, which specializes in
these types of investigations, a surveillance team began monitoring the location to identify the growers.
On Thursday, August 12, 2010, Gabriele was arrested for possession of marijuana for sale and released
the next day after posting $100,000 bail. Detectives are continuing their investigation, and they expect
more arrests will be made.

Anyone who can provide detectives with information about the marijuana growing operation is asked to contact LAPD Narcotics Enforcement Detectives Eric Bixler, James Williams, or Robert Holcomb at 818-832-1164. 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 www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Man Shot and Killed

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 77th Area Criminal Gang & Homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect(s) responsible for the shooting death of 48- year-old Terrence Leeuwen Butler.

On Wednesday, August 18, 2024 at around 2:19 a.m., Butler was found shot adjacent to an alley located in the 1800 block of West 67th Street. An unknown suspect(s) walked up to Butler and shot him for no apparent reason. The suspect(s) then ran from the location in an unknown direction.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced Butler dead.

Detectives believe this incident is gang related.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Criminal Gang / Homicide Division.  Detectives Dave Ross or Eric Crosson at 213-485-1383. 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.

Shooting at Child’s Party Injures Six

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday evening during a child’s birthday party.  Detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspects.

On Saturday, August 14, 2010, at around 9:15 p.m., a birthday party was being held in the 14800 block of Polk Street.  During the party, some of those attending were standing in front of the location when two suspects in a red, 4-door compact car drove up.  Two male Hispanic’s with shaved heads stopped in front of the residence momentarily and opened fire in the direction of the home, hitting six victims.  Three of the victims were young children, just 11 and 12 years old.  

None of the injuries were life threatening, with most suffering superficial wounds from shotgun pellets.  

Missing person, 13-year-old Karina Valencia, was last seen at this party, a couple of hours before the shooting took place.  At this point in the investigation Detectives do not believe there is any connection between Karina’s disappearance and the shooting incident.

Detectives have few leads and are asking anyone with information about this shooting to contact them.  They would also like to remind the public that tips can be provided with complete anonymity by utilizing one of the methods listed below.

Anyone with information is urged to contact LAPD Mission Gang Detectives, Detectives Ryan Verna or Joe Preciado at 818-838-9922.  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.