LAPD Blog

Notes from the August 14, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

Police Commission President Andrea Ordin said she attended the National Night Out event at West Bureau and enjoyed it very much.  She said that particular event has grown since the last time she was there three years ago.

Police Commission Vice President John Mack said he attended the National Night Out event held in 77th Division area.  He said it was a great time and wonderful to see the many children and families in attendance.

Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman commended the Department for their successful efforts in policing the Art Walk held last week.  He said the success was attributed to the effective planning by the Department with local community leaders.

Assistant Chief Michel Moore informed the Board the Department had a productive and successful National Night Out and contributed it to the collective efforts of the City.  He added by saying today was the first day of school for LAUSD students and the Department had been working with the school district to add extra patrol at local middle schools and high schools.  Chief Moore completed his report by saying the Department has been working closely with the Emergency Management Department during the ongoing heat wave and reminded parents to never leave children unattended in their car as it could prove deadly.

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 West LA area was continued.

The Department’s report, dated July 26, 2012, relative to the follow-up of the Property Division performance audit-original audit, IAID No. 10-171, follow-up audit, IAID No. 12-004, as given by Lieutenant Bert Mora and Police Administrator Terry Carter, was approved.  Ms. Carter informed the Board nine of the geographic areas were still on the old system which required a physical key to enter the property rooms. The Department has since found funding to replace the antiquated system with new electronic keys which will allow for better tracking of when and who is accessing the rooms. Ms. Carter said the new system should be in place and operable by the end of the month.

The Inspector General’s report, dated July 24, 2012, relative to the review of the Department’s Property Division performance audit, dated August 26, 2012, was approved.  

The Department’s report, dated August 10, 2012, relative to the standards based assessment and civilian performance evaluation inspection (IAID No. 12-064), was approved.

Man Kills 13-Year-old Boy with Heroin Overdose

***UPDATE***
August 10, 2024

Earlier today, the District Attorney’s Office charged 23-year-old Brett Cronin with murder, furnishing or administering heroin to a minor and child abuse in connection with the heroin injection death of a 13-year-old boy. Topanga Homicide Detectives have determined that Cronin purchased heroin and injected himself, then injected his younger brother’s 13-year-old friend at a sleepover. 

 ***UPDATE***

Topanga Area Detectives have released a photograph of the suspect and it is attached below.  Detectives said the victim went to his 13-year-old friend’s house to spend the night; Cronin is the older brother of the friend.  It appears the victim voluntarily injected the heroin but had a life threatening reaction.  By the time paramedics were called, the victim’s reaction proved to be fatal.  The exact cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner.

 

Los Angeles.  LAPD Topanga Area Detectives have determined that a teenager who died under suspicious circumstances was administered a fatal dose of heroin.

Yesterday about 9:10 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) summoned LAPD Topanga Area patrol officers to a Woodland Hills residence in the 5300 block of Manton Avenue.  When they arrived, LAFD personnel told officers about a deceased 13-year-old male inside the residence with no visible signs for cause of death.  

A short time later, homicide detectives conducted an investigation and determined that a resident at the location, 23-year-old Brett Cronin, had administered the fatal dose of heroin to the victim. Cronin’s motive is unclear and still under investigation.

Cronin was arrested and booked for murder at LAPD’s Van Nuys jail facility.  His bail has been set at $1 million.  

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call Topanga Area Homicide Detectives at 818-756-4869.  After hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to 818-756-4800.  Anonymous tips can also be called into Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) 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.

85-Year-Old Critical Missing Woman in Sun Valley

UPDATE
08-12-12

 Mrs.  Hernandez was located late last night and is safe.

Los Angeles:   The family of Gregoria Gonzalez Hernandez and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Foothill Division are asking for the public’s help to locate Hernandez.

On August 11, 2024 around 12 p.m., Mrs. Hernandez left home in the 12000 block of Neenach Street in Sun Valley, and has not been heard from since.  Mrs. Hernandez is a Hispanic Female, she is 5'-02" and weighs about 120 lbs.  She has gray hair and brown eyes.  She was last seen wearing a brown dress with a floral print and black shoes.  Mrs. Hernandez speaks Spanish and suffers from Alzheimer's.

Anyone with information on Hernandez’ whereabouts is asked to contact the LAPD Foothill  Division at 818-756-8861.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-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.

City of Los Angeles Enjoys Peaceful Art Walk

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department would like to compliment the public on a safe, successful and peaceful Downtown Art Walk last night.  Once again we demonstrated that Los Angeles is a world class City where people with diverse backgrounds and ideologies can enjoy a peaceful evening together.

On Thursday, August 9, 2012, the Los Angeles Downtown Art District hosted the Art Walk as it has for the past eight years in the downtown corridor.  The public travelled from all parts of regions as well as hundreds of visitors from foreign countries who strolled through the galleries, eateries and shops along the four blocks of Spring Street.  For those who attended, they saw a friendly presence of Los Angeles Police Officers strolling among them and staged at intersections to ensure public safety as pedestrians and vehicles moved along from block to block along the heavily congested Art Walk.

The interaction between the public and the police was pleasant, and there seemed to be a common thread of enjoyment by all in attendance.  There were numerous comments from the public that even the officers, who were clad in their blue uniforms displayed a sense of enjoyment among the throngs who gathered.  Whether walking a foot-beat, riding atop horseback or perched over the seat of a bicycle, it was an evening that was interactive, public friendly and fitting of this monthly downtown event.

“The motto of the Los Angeles Police Department is “to Protect and to Serve” and last night was truly a hallmark example of just how well the men and women of this fine Department embody that motto” said Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger.  “The Los Angeles Police Department is a leader in protecting not only the public safety but also the rights of ALL person’s as long as those rights are expressed in a lawful manner”.  Chief Paysinger added, “last night was a success because the public made the event a success.  Those who participated in the Art Walk as well as those who participated in other activities including those that occurred in Pershing Square, were able to coexist in exemplary fashion.”  The six-hour event resulted in no arrests and no reportable incidents, a truly successful event in downtown Los Angeles.

Police Need the Public’s Help to Locate the Driver Wanted for a Felony Hit & Run on Pacific Coast Highway

Los Angeles:  On August 11, 2012, at 12:40 a.m., a car suspected of traveling southbound on Pacific Coast Highway near Temescal Canyon Road struck a 25-year-old woman.  The driver of the unknown vehicle failed to stop and render aid as required by law.

Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the pedestrian to a local hospital for medical treatment.  The extent of her injuries are not known.

West Traffic Division Officers Kordis and Antoine are conducting the Felony Hit & Run traffic investigation.  Anyone with information is asked to call them at (213) 473-0234. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-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.

Landlord/Tenant Dispute Turns to Murder/Suicide

Los Angeles:  Officers from West Los Angeles Police Station found two men dead in the 2400 block of Colby Avenue.  After a thorough investigation, detectives determined that the men died as a result of a murder/suicide.

On Saturday, August 11, 2012, at 12:10 a.m., officers responded to an “Ambulance Shooting Call.” When they arrived, they saw 80-year-old Alphonse Bernardin Jr. inside the home seated in a chair with two gunshot wounds to his chest.  He was pronounced dead at the scene by personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Officers also found a 56-year-old man lying on the ground just outside the rear door of the residence.  He was pronounced dead from an apparent single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.  A 9mm semi-automatic pistol was found next to the suspect.

According to West Bureau Homicide detectives, the suspect was renting a converted detached garage located to the rear of the residence.  Detectives learned that over the past few weeks, the suspect and victim have been involved in an ongoing landlord/tenant dispute.

For reference, the suspect’s name is being withheld pending notifications to next-of-kin.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact West Bureau Homicide detectives at 213-382-9470. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-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.