LAPD Blog

Los Angeles:  The family of Won Lee and the Los Angeles Police Department are requesting the public’s help in locating Mr. Lee who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

On October 31, 2011, around 10:30 a.m., Mr. Lee walked from his residence located in the 18900 block of Los Alimos Street, possibly headed to the Porter Ranch Pharmacy located at 11167 Tampa Avenue.  Mr. Lee has not been heard from since, and his family is very concerned for his well being.  Lee is unable to speak English.

Lee is described as a 70-year-old male Korean with black hair, and brown eyes.  He stands 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds.  Lee was last seen wearing a dark green wind breaker style jacket, blue shirt, and khaki pants.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Won Lee is asked to contact Sgt Walters, Watch Commander of LAPD Devonshire Division at 818-832-0633.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) South Traffic Division is asking for the public’s help in identifying the motorist of hit and run traffic collision.

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, at around 4:40 a.m., a motorist was travelling northbound on Figueroa Street, in a 2002 tan Nissan Altima.  The motorist collided into the rear of a 1995 green Plymouth Neon, also travelling northbound on Figueroa Street.  The impact of the collision caused the driver of the Plymouth Neon to be fatally injured. The driver of the Nissan Altima, and passenger fled the scene on foot without rendering aid or identifying himself.

The driver of the Plymouth Neon has not been identified.  Detectives are seeking additional witnesses that could provide information on the identity of the hit and run motorist.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact South Traffic Division Detective Section, Investigator Yount at 323-421-2500. 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.

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking the public’s help in providing information about two suspects who robbed an 85-year-old Los Angeles woman at gun point.

On October 14, 2011, around 12:15 p.m., a female suspect approached an elderly woman while she was in a grocery store parking lot in the 900 block of Lincoln Boulevard.  The female befriended the woman and asked her for a ride to a nearby IHOP restaurant. The suspect claimed to have a large sum of money that she wished to donate to a church and directed the woman to park in the IHOP parking lot and the woman obliged. Moments later, a male suspect approached the woman’s car claiming to be the restaurant manager.  Both suspects ultimately gained the woman’s trust and convinced her to drive them to her home for a glass of water. Once inside, the male suspect brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s jewelry and money.  In fear for her life, the victim complied and gave the suspects her life savings. The suspects demanded to be driven, by the victim, to her bank so that she could withdraw more money.  An alert bank teller refused the victim’s withdraw request and the police were later notified.

The first suspect is described as a 50 to 55-year-old female white or Hispanic with brown hair. She stands at 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.  She was last seen wearing a light colored business suit.  She also speaks with a light accent.

A sketch of the second suspect

The second suspect is described as a 35 to 45-year-old male African American with straightened black hair. He stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds.  He was wearing a dark color button-up shirt and dark pants.  

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact LAPD Pacific Area Detectives at 310- 482-6396. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

Los Angeles: Occupy San Fernando Valley or any expressive events held in the Van Nuys Civic Center Complex have to abide by event rules.

The Civic Center Mall and City Hall Steps are opened from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed from7 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. The general property rules are the following: No trespassing during the hours of closure, no injury to public property, no writing, no painting, no affixing signs or projections on to public property or other materials to trees or other landscaping. There shall be no stages, generators or other equipment, no tents, no camping, no open flames, no cooking, no blocking pathways, no blocking fire lanes, no blocking ingress or egress to buildings, no sunshades affixed to or into the ground or stakes. Also no canopies/ umbrellas used for shade purposes must be open on all sides. No events may extend into tree or landscaped areas including lawn, no dumping and violate no law.

An event organizer scheduling an event must know the following event rules:  All community events and any expressive event with attendance of more than 100 people must be scheduled through City of Los Angeles, General Services Department at 213-928-9589. No event may interfere with a pre-scheduled event and organizers must follow the Reservation Procedure for Community and Expressive events and agree to abide by GSD property rules.  Event organizers must contact the following offices: General Services Department, Office of Public Safety at 213-473-9726, Los Angeles Fire Department Public Assemblage Unit at 818-374-1110 and Los Angeles Police Department Special Events Unit (If use of street) at 213-486-0640.  Event organizers may be required to move to alternate sites at the Civic Center to accommodate prescheduled events.

Areas that may be used during an expressive event are the north and south steps, Van Nuys city Hall building.  If there are more than 300 people they can use the north and south steps to Van Nuys Civic Center Mall.  For general community events they can use Van Nuys Civic Center mall. No event may interfere with maintenance of buildings, monuments, stairs, and hardscape.  Also no event may interfere with landscaping and maintenance of green space.

Any attendee at an event who fails to abide by these rules will be subject to removal from the property and any event that fails to abide by these rules will be canceled and attendees will be subject to removal from the property.

For further information contact, Media Relations at 213-486-5910. 
                                                                        

Los Angeles:  The family of Michael Bell and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help in finding Bell who has been missing for more than a month.

On September 17, 2011, at about 3 a.m., Bell was last seen at the Chevron Gas station in the 46300 block of West Panoche Road in Firebaugh, California.  Bell was transported to the gas station by the CHP (California Highway Patrol) unit after his car ran out of gas on the Interstate 5 Freeway in Fresno County area.  The Bell’s family filed a missing person’s report on September 22, 2024 after Bell failed to meet them in Ohio.  Bell has not been seen or heard from since.

Bell is described as a male Black with brown hair and brown eyes.  He stands about 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 190 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a white shirt, black pants and white tennis shoes. Bell was also carrying a dark colored backpack.

Bell’s photograph is attached to the second page of this news release.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Bell is asked to contact LAPD Missing Persons Unit Detective D. Baca 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 Crime Stoppers at 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 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.

• Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger informed the Board Part I crime continues to fall and is projected by the end of the year to decrease by 5% as compared to 2010.

• The Police Commission Distinguished Service Medal was presented to Renee Greif for her outstanding work in developing SARS and the iWatch program for Los Angeles.

• The verbal presentation and update from the Commanding Officer and Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) representative regarding community initiated problem solving, crime strategies, and other programs and goals within the Rampart Area was given by Captain Steven Ruiz and Ms. Bertha Woolridge. Captain Ruiz said the goals of the C-PAB are to build relationships with stakeholders, begin a neighborhood watch, expand partnerships with the community and to increase the membership of the youth C-PAB.  Ms. Woolridge added the Rampart C-PAB currently has 25 members with a crime, traffic, youth and membership committee.  She finished by saying Rampart Area is going to hold their annual Open House on Saturday November 5, 2024 from 10 am to 2 pm.

• The Inspector General’s report, dated September 29, 2011, complaint management system date verification audit, was approved.

• The Inspector General’s report, dated September 28, 2011, relative to the Skid Row complaint investigation audit, fiscal year 2010/2011, as given by Assistant Inspector General Django Sibley, was approved.  Mr. Sibley stated the audit looked at the last six months of 2010 and focused on six objectives.  The audit conducted 21 compliance tests and 18 of those scored 100% and the remaining three scored 97%. The report was found to be complete and accurate.

• The Department’s report, dated October 5, 2011, relative to the transmittal for approval to reprogram funds for the 2009 Solving Cold Cases with DNA program from the National Institute of Justice, United States Department of Justice, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor.

• The Department’s report, dated September 28, 2011, relative to the confidential informant control package inspection (IAID No. 11-092), was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated October 6, 2011, relative to the vice check-in procedures inspection (IAID No. 11-067), was approved.  The Board advised the Department to report back in 60 days with amendments.

• The Department’s report, dated October 4, 2011, regarding the first quarter photo red light program cost analysis, as given by Commander Blake Chow, was approved.  Commander Chow informed the Board there are two kinds of revenue generated from the program: court trial revenue and non-trial revenue.  During the month of July, the final month of the program, the cost to pay the contractor exceeded the revenue generated.  During the month of August, $103,000 was generated in revenue and in September revenue generated was $145,000.  The Board asked the Department to return at a later date and include the personnel costs associated with the program.

• The Department’s report, dated October 5, 2011, relative to the preventable and non-preventable traffic collision inspection – first quarter FY 2011/2012, was approved.  The Board instructed the Department to return in 60 days with an update.

• The Department’s report, dated October 7, 2011, relative to the arrest, booking, and charging reports audit – first quarter FY 2011/2012, (IAID No. 11-0405), was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated October 19, 2011, relative to the transmittal of the grant application for the fiscal year 2011-2012 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated October 18, 2011, relative to the workplace investigation update quarterly report, 3rd quarter 2011, was continued until next week.

• The Department’s report, dated October 18, 2011, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles area homeowner’s are being warned of bogus letters that may be delivered advising them that their home is set to be inspected by Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) personnel.

On Wednesday, October 26, 2011, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was made aware of a scam in which a Pacoima resident received a letter advising that their home was slated to be inspected for hazardous materials, mold, exit ways, and fire alarm systems by the LAFD.  The letter was on City of Los Angeles black letterhead stationary identifying “James K. Hahn” as the Mayor of Los Angeles and signed by Former Fire Chief “William Bamattre”.  (A redacted copy of the actual letter is attached to this news release).

These are fraudulent letters and homeowners are advised to call 911 if anyone comes to their door presenting themselves as a member of the LAFD and wanting to perform any type of home inspection.  

The LAPD is taking steps to investigate and identify those involved.  These types of scams often target the elderly and the community’s most vulnerable citizens, used as a ruse to get into homes to commit burglaries and other crimes.

Anyone with information about this scam is asked to contact Foothill Area Burglary Detectives at 818-834-3115.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

***UPDATE***

On October 30, 2011, at about 7:30 a.m., security guards at the shopping mall at Owensmouth Avenue and Erwin Street found a duffle bag lying in the parking lot. They looked inside and immediately realized what the items were, and contacted the LAPD. The duffle bag contained many of the items taken during the Burglary from Motor Vehicle that occurred on October 24, 2011, including the box of human remains. The items have been returned to the family.

The investigation is ongoing and detectives are still asking for any with information about this case to contact Topanga Area Watch Commander at 818-756-4800.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

Los Angeles:  Burglary from Motor Vehicle (BFMV) suspect(s) got away with more than personal property Monday night when they also took a beloved family member’s cremated remains.

On October 24, 2011, between 6:45 p.m. and 9:40 p.m., the victim parked their GMC Yukon Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at a shopping center parking lot near Owensmouth Avenue and Erwin Street.  The suspect(s) broke into the SUV and took two pieces of luggage and a carry-on bag.  The carry-on luggage contained a brown box, inside a white plastic bag, which held the ashes of the victim's mother. The victim had been packed for an early morning flight to the East Coast to spread the ashes.

On October 25, 2024 at about 3 p.m. the family of the victim received a call that someone had found the luggage.  Upon retrieving the luggage, it was discovered that items were missing from the suitcases, but the carry-on back was not among the found items. The missing carry-on bag carrying the ashes is described as black canvas bag, with a “St. John” logo on it.  

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Topanga Area Watch Commander at 818-756-4800.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

Los Angeles:  A security surveillance system has captured a male and female burglary team operating in the Palms and Koreatown Areas of Los Angeles.  

On Sunday, September 18, 2011, during the evening hours, surveillance cameras captured both suspects prying open an apartment building’s front door located in the 400 block of South Hoover Street, in Koreatown.   The suspects, believed to be a boyfriend and girlfriend, entered the laundry rooms in a secured apartment complex.  Once inside, the male suspect pried open the coin operated washers and dryers, while the female suspect acted as a lookout. The male emptied the coin trays into the female’s purse then carefully replaced the tray back into the units.  Both suspects have been identified on three similar burglaries in the Palms and Koreatown areas of Los Angeles and believed to be involved in several more.

The male suspect is Hispanic or Armenian descent, 18 to 25 years of age with black hair.  He stands about 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 160 to 170 pounds.  He was wearing a checkered buttoned shirt and dark pants.  The female suspect is described as Hispanic, between 18 to 25 years of age with black hair.  She stands about 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 160 to 170 pounds.  She was last seen wearing a striped grey and black blouse and black pants.   On the same date, both suspects committed a similar burglary in the 10800 block of Palms Boulevard in the Palms area of Los Angeles.  



The suspects took several hundred dollars in quarters from the washer and dryers.  They are believed to be serial burglars responsible for numerous other burglaries and thefts in the last couple of months throughout the west side of Los Angeles area.

Anyone with information about this crime or who can help identify any suspects associated with these crimes is asked to call Rampart Burglary Detective Prieto at (213) 484-3486.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

Los Angeles:  Sergeant Lucien Daigle, an 18-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, assigned to Olympic Area, was arrested on October 23rd, 2011 by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department for violation of Penal Code 459, Residential Burglary.

Daigle was arrested by Deputies assigned to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Yucaipa Station after he was involved in a traffic collision at Greenspot Road and Santa Ana Truck Road.  A subsequent investigation led Deputies to believe Daigle was involved earlier in a residential burglary in the 8900 block of Tres Lagos Drive in Mentone, California.

Daigle was booked into the West Valley Detention Center and is being held in lieu of  $125,000.00 bail.  Daigle was placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of both the criminal and administrative investigations.

Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section, 213-486-5910.