LAPD Blog

Serial Burglar Sought

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) North Hollywood and Van Nuys Area Burglary detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a burglary suspect identified as 45-year-old Brian Keith Bakke.  

On July 19, 2024 at 9:20 p.m., Bakke entered a Blockbuster video store at 4821 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood with a black duffel bag.  Bakke then filled the bag with numerous DVDs from the store and left without paying.

On August 1, 2010, at 12:55 p.m. Bakke entered a Target Store at 5711 Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys carrying a laundry basket. Again, he filled the basket with numerous DVDs and left without paying.  He returned to that same store on August 6, 2010, at 12:30 p.m., with a garbage bag and once more filled the bag with numerous DVDs and left without paying.  On both occasions, Bakke was seen driving away from the location in a four-door, silver, 1994 Lincoln Town Car with Minnesota plates, 205EAK.  The vehicle has been located and is currently in police custody.

On August 16, 2010, at 5 p.m., Bakke entered a 7-11 Store located at 11666 Burbank Boulevard in North Hollywood.  He opened a box of trash bags, removed a bag from the box and used that bag to steal numerous DVDs from the store.

Bakke is described as a 45-year-old White male with brown hair and brown eyes.  He stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs around 250 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call North Hollywood Detective Hoover at 818-623-4081 or Van Nuys Detective O’Connor at 818-374-0024.  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.

51-Year-old Missing Woman

Los Angeles:  The family of Donna Jones and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are asking for the public’s help to locate Ms. Jones who was last seen July 30, 2010.

Ms. Jones was last seen driving away from her home in the 3000 block of Cimarron Street, in Los Angeles.  She is described as a 51-year-old female Black with black hair and brown eyes.  She stands 5’7” tall and weighs approximately170 pounds.  

Ms. Jones was last seen driving a 1994 GMC black Suburban with unknown California plates.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Donna Jones, please call Detective Merrill from the LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit at 213-996-1800.

L.A. County Sheriff's Officers Arrest Two Suspected Graffiti Vandals

By Johannes Boie, Los Angeles Times
August 25, 2024

They're searching for a third man suspected in tagging that caused nearly $340,000 in property damage.
Officers with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Transit Bureau arrested two suspected graffiti vandals and are searching for a third suspect after serving search warrants Tuesday at their homes in Whittier and El Monte.

The three men are members of a tagging group called PCN, which stands for Painting City Nightly or Painters Causing Nightmares, deputies said. They are accused of causing $338,000 in damage to freeway bridges and L.A. County properties.  They started tagging about 1 1/2 years ago, officials said.

German Lara, 21, was arrested without incident early Tuesday at his home in the 1200 block of Danbrook Drive in Whittier. "This is a message to all taggers," said Lt. Vincent Carter. "If you don't stop tagging, we come to your houses at 7 in the morning, break down your door, wake you up and take you to jail."

Lara's mother opened the front door when deputies arrived and was cooperative. Later, she sat crying on the sidewalk. Lara was smiling as deputies arrested him. Three siblings also were home when deputies arrived.

Lara, who uses the tagging moniker Move, is responsible for $109,000, including $12,000 in damage to a railroad bridge owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, deputies said. His brother described him as the family's "black sheep," and one sister said he had refused to attend school, choosing instead to "hang out all night," deputies said.

Deputies seized several spray cans and a computer at Lara's house. Deputies said the computer contained pictures showing his alleged graffiti. They searched a second building in the backyard but found nothing.

Hours later and a few blocks away, Andrew Pineda, 20, of Whittier, who uses the tagger name Bogus, was arrested at his workplace. He is accused of causing about $109,000 in damage, including $30,000 to MTA property and about $79,000 to properties owned by the state of California and Union Pacific.

The third suspect, James Matthew Rivera, 20, whose tagger name is Supa or Supah, was not at his El Monte home when deputies arrived. He is accused of causing $120,000 in damage.

His grandmother, Amelia Reyes, 72, who lives at the house on Fruitvale Avenue with at least three of her 11 children and two other grandchildren, told deputies she did not know about Rivera's alleged tagging activities. His aunts said Rivera was a calm person who did not talk much.

Deputies seized a laptop from the Reyes home.

johannes.boie@latimes.com 

Notes from the August 24, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Chief Charlie Beck informed the Board there were no homicides this past weekend and added the overall homicide rate as compared to last year is down 4.9%.  He added overall Part 1 crime is down across the board and said the Department is in a position to do very well heading into the end of the year. Chief Beck also said there are currently 9,910 sworn officers on the force and 2,889 civilian employees.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 13, 2010, relative to City Council Motion regarding the feasibility of developing a new Stepped Up Citation Program for littering (City Council Motion No. 55), was approved and transmitted to City Council.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 11, 2010, relative to Amendment to the Annual Audit and Inspection Plan Fiscal Year (FY) 2010/2011, was received and filed.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 6, 2010, relative to Department’s response to the Witness Protection Program System Audit, Fourth Quarter, (IAID No. 09-013), dated June 28, 2010, was received and filed.

•    The Department’s report, dated August 9, 2010, relative to Rampart Area Gang Enforcement Detail Command Accountability Performance Audit (IAID No. 10-051), as given by Captain Steve Ruiz, was approved.  Captain Ruiz stated this was the 3rd CAPA audit conducted on Rampart Area Gang Units in the last five years.  Five objectives where evaluated in the audit which include the evaluation of work product, supervisory rolls, gang intelligence information, criminal complaint process and case categorization. Three of the five objectives received 100% compliance, one received 98% compliance and the last received an 83% compliance rate.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics August 21, 2024


VIOLENT CRIMES                  2010**           2009**          % Chg

Homicide                              196*                206            -4.9%
Rape                                     475                 550          -13.6%
Robbery                               7097               7887           -10.0%
Agg Assaults **                     6085               7101          -14.3%
Total Violent Crimes           13853             15744         -12.0%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                10642            11550          -7.9%
BTFV                                    17931            18380          -2.4%
Personal/Other Theft            16603            17892          -7.2%
Auto Theft                            10765            11717          -8.1%
Total Property Crimes       55,941         59,539          -6.0%
Total Part I Crimes            69,794         75,283          -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

Police looking for good Samaritans

Although police typically find themselves scanning witness videos for bad guys, on Monday they put out an alert for a couple of heroes. Officers hope to find the good Samaritans who were captured on amateur video as they rescued a 69-year-old man from a burning car after a collision Sunday in Sherman Oaks. The duo was joined by another man armed with a fire extinguisher and a fourth who used a crowbar to try and break the car's windows. "It could have been much worse if it wasn't for them," said Officer Jose Garcia of the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division.

Los Angeles Daily News

 
 

Robbery Turns to Attempt Murder

Clear Photographs of the Suspect Released by West Valley Detectives

Los Angeles:  Early morning robbery in the San Fernando Valley leaves a man with a gunshot wound to his head.  Detectives need the public’s help to identify the suspect wanted for such a vicious crime.

On  July 11, 2010, at around 2:00 in the morning, the victim was walking down the street in the  7500 block of Woodley Avenue, when a suspect armed with a handgun, walked up to the victim, demanded money and took his wallet. After taking the victim’s property, the suspect shot the victim in the head.  The suspect then drove away from the location in a burgundy colored full-size pickup truck with “Rydell” paper plates.

The suspect, described as a male, Hispanic stood 5’-6” tall, and appeared to weigh 130 lbs.  As seen in one of the photographs, he has a tattoo of a woman on the back of his neck and a large unknown tattoo on the right side of his neck.  

Detectives are asking that the public view the attached photographs of the suspect and call Lieutenant Edward Pape, or Detective John Dunlop, West Valley Detectives at 818-374-7758, with any information about this case.  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.

Burglary Suspects Caught on Tape

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) West Los Angeles Area auto detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in providing information that would lead to the arrest of two burglars caught on surveillance camera in the West Los Angeles area.  

Detectives say that On Monday, August 9, 2024 at around 4:30 a.m., two suspects broke into a business in the 2300 block of South Centinela Avenue by prying open the front door.  Once inside, they removed electronic equipment from the location and left in a car described as a newer gold Dodge pick-up truck with chrome rims.

The first suspect is described as an African-American male. He stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 170 pounds.  He was wearing a baseball cap with an “LA” logo on the front and a jacket with “Los Angeles” written on the back in cursive writing.

The second suspect is described as a White or Hispanic male.  He stands at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 170 pounds and has a shaved head.  He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, shorts, and white socks.    

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 Robert Guervara at 310-444-1523 or 310-444.1522.  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.

Home Invasion and Sexual Assault Suspect Sought

UPDATE

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Long Beach Police Departments (LBPD) joined resources to capture a suspect who sexually assaulted a woman as she entered her home on 120th and San Pedro Streets.  On August 20, 2010, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the crime information and suspect description was released to the public and by 6:00 p.m., the suspect was detained as he exited an apartment complex in the 5400 block of Paramount Boulevard in Long Beach.

Detectives assigned to the LAPD, Special Assault Section, Robbery-Homicide Division, Southeast Area Detectives and Gang Officers utilized Department resources and worked throughout the day to conduct follow-ups on investigative leads.  One lead revealed the suspect could be in the City of Long Beach.  Detectives contacted LBPD for help in attempting to locate the man who matched the suspect description wanted for the home invasion and sexual assault. 

As the Southeast Gang Officers were canvassing the 5400 block of Paramount Boulevard they noticed a man resembling the wanted suspect.  The suspect walked out of the apartment complex.  He was immediately detained without incident.

The Robbery-Homicide Division Detectives’ subsequent investigation led them to place the suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Dedrick Brown, under arrest for Penal Code (PC) Section 261 with special circumstances under 667.61 PC- felony sex offenses specified.  Brown was booked at 77th Regional Jail with a $1 million dollar bail.

Due to the sensitivity of the on-going investigation, detectives are unable to reveal the resources utilized that led them to the City of Long Beach or any further details of the investigation at this time.

Robbery-Homicide Division would like to thank all of those involved for their assistance in helping to capture this violent suspect before the close of business.

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Special Assault Section, Robbery-Homicide Division detectives are investigating a home invasion and sexual assault of a woman in the South Los Angeles area.

Today, at around 8:30 this morning, on 120th Street and San Pedro Street, a woman was returning to her home after checking her mailbox when a man suddenly appeared from behind and forced the woman into her residence.  While inside, the suspect hit the victim several times with a hard object.  The two struggled and the suspect then sexually assaulted the victim.  He then locked her in a closet and robbed her of her personal belongings.  It is unknown if he left on foot, or a vehicle or what direction he went.

The suspect is described as a male Black, 30 years old with a bald head, goatee, multiple tattoos and heavy build.  He stands between 5 feet 6 inches tall and 5 feet 8 inches tall.   

The victim was treated and released at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries sustained as a result of the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jesse Alvarado, Robbery-Homicide Division, at 213-486-6910.   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.

12-Year-Old Boy Missing

Update

On August 21, 2010, at 9 p.m., 12-year-old Armhan Parish was found on a commuter train in the area of Compton Boulevard and Imperial Highway in the city of Compton.  Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the child after receiving the initial alert from the Los Angeles Police Department.   Parish was returned home to his family and he is in good health.


Los Angeles:  A local family and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are asking for the public’s help in finding a 12-year-old missing boy from the LAPD’s Wilshire Division area.

Today, at around 11:50 a.m., Armhan Parish was last seen near his home in the 1100 block of Norton Avenue.   It is believed he may have wandered off after taking out the trash.  Parish is autistic but he is in good health.  His family is extremely concerned about his welfare.

Parish is described as an African American male with brown hair, brown eyes.  He stands about five feet two inches tall and weighs about 110 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a red shirt and brown checkered shorts.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Parish is asked to call LAPD Wilshire Division Juvenile Detectives at 213-473-0476.  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.