LAPD Blog

Two North Hollywood Girls Missing

UPDATE
08-24-12

North Hollywood Area authorities have announced the two missing children have been found and are safe.

Los Angeles:   The family of half-sisters Michelle Herrera and Bianey Lagunas, along with the Los Angeles Police Department, are asking for the public’s help in locating the two children who appeared to have run away from home.

They were last seen at Sun Valley Middle School yesterday around 8 a.m.  When the children did not return home after school, their mother contacted friends but was not able to locate them. She then contacted LAPD and reported the children missing.  The children were despondent over house rules implemented by their mother.

Michelle Herrera is 10 years old.  She is 4 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 83 pounds, with a dark complexion and thin build.  She was last seen wearing her school uniform: a white shirt, blue pants and black shoes.  Bianey Lagunas is 13 years old.  She is 4 feet 6 inches tall with a medium build and weighs 128 pounds. She has a light complexion and was last seen wearing the same school uniform as her half-sister. 
  
Anyone who has seen or has information regarding the whereabouts of the children is asked to contact the LAPD North Hollywood Division at (818) 623-4031.  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.

Woman Driving Motorbike Killed in Traffic Collision

Police Still Trying to Identify Victim

Los Angeles: Yesterday about 7:30 p.m., a woman driving a motorized bike heading east on Sarah Street in North Hollywood was involved in a fatal traffic accident.

The victim was attempting to make a left turn onto Tujunga Avenue when two motorists going south on Tujunga Avenue, one in a BMW and the other in a Saturn SUV, ran into her motorbike.  The two drivers didn’t incur any serious injuries; however the woman on the motorbike was rushed to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Detectives are still trying to identify the motorbike driver and clarify details as to why the collision occurred.  Anyone who may have known the victim or have information about the incident is urged to contact LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8021.  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 (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 www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Webtips” and follow the prompts.

Victim Killed After Parking His Vehicle

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department West Bureau homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who killed 26-year-old Mario Castro.

On Aug. 23, 2012, around 4:40 p.m., Olympic Area officers responded to an assault-related shooting call in the 1800 block of South Ardmore Avenue.  When officers arrived, they found Castro lying on the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso.  Los Angeles Fire Department personnel were summoned and took him to a local hospital where he died a short time later from his injuries.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Castro had just parked and exited his vehicle when a white SUV drove by northbound on Ardmore Avenue from Washington Boulevard stopped in the roadway next to him. There were four or five Hispanic males inside the SUV, and words were exchanged between Castro and the suspects.  Multiple gunshots were then fired from the suspects’ vehicle, striking the victim multiple times, after which the suspects continued heading north on Ardmore Avenue.

It is believed that the incident is gang related. There are no suspect(s) descriptions and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact West Bureau Homicide Detective J. Freund at (213) 382-9470.  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 (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 www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”

Two Killed and Several Injured by Electrocution Traffic Collision Damages Fire Hydrant and Power Lines

UPDATE
08-24-12

The driver of the car in the solo crash is identified as 19-year-old Arman Samsonian of Glendale.

 

UPDATE
08-24-12

 
Los Angeles: LAPD Valley Traffic Detectives have located the out-of-state family of the second “good Samaritan” who died attempting to assist a 19-year-old Glendale man who was involved in a dramatic solo traffic collision this past Wednesday at the intersection of Magnolia Boulevard and Ben Avenue in Valley Village.  The decedent is 39-year-old Stacey Schreiber, also of Valley Village. 

The traffic collision investigation is continuing in an expeditious but thorough manner.  At this point in the investigation, no criminal charges have been brought forth against any of the involved persons in the investigation.  LAPD is conferring with the Office of the Los Angeles District Attorney as part of the investigative process.

At the conclusion of this case, once all the evidence has been collected and analyzed and all the witnesses have been interviewed, a decision will be made if any charges will be brought forth.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Detectives, Officer Fuentes, at (818) 644-8022.  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.

Los Angeles: Last night, around 8:25 p.m., a single traffic collision occurred on the corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Ben Avenue.  The driver of the vehicle was traveling westbound on Magnolia Boulevard attempting to negotiate a right turn from the left lane.  The driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a fire hydrant and a light pole.

As a result of the collision, water emerged from the fire hydrant and came into contact with downed power lines from the light pole.  Two females who witnessed the collision approached the vehicle in an attempt to help the driver but died from injuries they sustained after making contact with the power lines and water.

Approximately eight other people attempted to help the women but were also injured by electrical charges.  All injured parties were transported to local hospitals.  One of the deceased has been identified as 40-year-old Irma Zamora from the city of Burbank.  The identity of the other deceased women is not being released until family members are notified.

Anyone with information or may have witnessed the traffic collision is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Detectives, Officer Fuentes at 818-644-8022.  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 (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 www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Webtips” and follow the prompts.

The Anatomy of a Copper Theft

Los Angeles: Detectives arrested 28-year-old Edward Curtis Menhaffy after DNA tests on clothing, left behind at a North Hills copper theft, pointed to Menhaffy.

“Menhaffy’s story is the classic tale of drug addict who steals to maintain his habit,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  “A decade ago, burglars like Menhaffy were rarely caught unless they left fingerprints behind.”

The home owner, who was refurbishing an unoccupied house in the 9500 block of Langdon Avenue, discovered new copper pipes cut away from the crawl space of the house in January of this year.  Detectives seized clothing left behind and placed it in the queue for DNA analysis.

“While property crimes understandably have a lower priority to violent crimes, detectives still submit certain cases for DNA analysis,” Lt. Vernon explained.  “The answer takes a little longer sometimes, but when it comes, we often have our suspect.”

Detectives have solved burglaries on DNA from items as small as a cigarette butt left at the scene.

The vast majority of property crimes go unsolved because they are the crimes where victims rarely see or know suspects.  “Property crimes are the real whodunits, but DNA is like having a genetic digital photograph after the fact,” Lt. Vernon added.  “We all leave a little bit of ourselves behind everywhere we go.  That’s especially true for criminals, even the careful ones.”

Menhaffy’s August-16 arrest at his home in Panorama City, less than 2 miles from the scene of the crime, presents the full anatomy of this copper theft:  drug addicted suspect, capering in close proximity to his home, on the hunt for an easy victim, entering an apparent unoccupied home, looking for a prize that can easily be resold for cash.  Detectives found more copper piping at Menhaffy’s home when he was arrested.  “Burglars never stop on one house and never get caught their first time,” Lt. Vernon said.

Menhaffy was charged with Grand Theft and his bail was set at $20,000.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Tim Kohl, Mission Burglary Unit, at 818-838-9977.  During weekends and off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAPD24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 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.

Notes from the August 21, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

Police Commission President Andrea Ordin said she attended the Asian Pacific Forum with Commissioner Richard Drooyan.  She said it was well attended with a significant panel discussion and excellent questions from the community.

Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger said there was a Use of Force incident that took place in the Pacific Division area over the weekend which garnered significant media attention.  He said the Department will investigate the incident in a diligent and comprehensive manner and present its findings to the Commission at a later date.  Chief Paysinger also expressed his condolences to the family and colleagues of KABC photographer Artie Williams III who passed away suddenly over the weekend.  He completed his report by expressing his gratitude and friendship towards Deputy Chief Patrick Gannon who is set to retire from the Department in two weeks.

The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion relative to the Community Partnership in Policing with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, was given by Captain Phillip Tingirides.  Captain Tingirides informed the Board the purpose of the project was to reduce violent crime in housing projects.  The project included housing developments in Jordan Downs, Nickerson Gardens, Ramona Gardens and Imperial Courts.  Captain Tingirides said as a result of the program violent crime was down 65% in Jordan Downs, 41% in Nickerson Gardens, 40% in Imperial Courts and 32% in the Watts area as a whole.  He stressed to the Commission this was accomplished by going into these communities, creating relationships with residents and getting people to trust and talk to the police.

The Department’s report, dated August 14, 2012, relative to the transmittal of the grant application award for the 2012 Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Grant, was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

The Department’s report, dated August 17, 2012, relative to the transmittal of the grant application for the 2012 Forensic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Backlog Reduction Program, was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

The Department’s report, dated August 14, 2012, relative to the transmittal of the Los Angeles County fiscal year 2012-13, Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Program Grant, as given by Lieutenant Mathew St. Pierre, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.  Lt. St. Pierre stated the section works on cases involving real estate fraud, loan modification fraud and other real estate related crimes and averages 150-200 cases a year. He said almost all cases are felony filings.

The Department’s report, dated August 10, 2012, relative to the Ethics Enforcement Section quarterly report, second quarter, 2012, was received.  The Board directed the Office of the Inspector General to submit an analysis of this report along with any appropriate recommendations to the Board.

The Department’s report, dated August 14, 2012, relative to the Operations West Bureau Narcotics Enforcement Detail Command Accountability Performance Audit (IAID No. 12-058), was approved.

The Department’s report, dated August 14, 2012, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records for Pacific and Wilshire Areas, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

The Department’s report, dated August 14, 2012, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for Motor Transport Division, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer. 

Suspicious Death Investigation Results in Murder Arrest Suspect Apprehended in New York City

Los Angeles: A suspicious death investigation has resulted in the arrest of a woman in New York City for murdering her husband this past April.

On April 17, 2012, LAPD Topanga Area patrol officers were summoned by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to a Woodland Hills residence in the 20000 block of Oxnard Street where 80-year-old Alan Frederick Goodman was pronounced dead.  Officers conducting the preliminary death investigation ruled Goodman’s circumstances as suspicious, because they couldn’t determine if foul play was involved.

Eventually, as a full homicide investigation ensued, detectives worked closely with Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office personnel for several months and determined on August 2 that Goodman was murdered at his home, and his 70-year-old wife, Lois Goodman, was the prime suspect.

Last week on August 14, detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and filed a murder arrest warrant for Goodman.  At the time, it was discovered she was officiating U.S. open tennis matches in New York City and would probably remain there for several weeks.

Today, LAPD homicide detectives conducting a follow-up investigation in New York City, with the assistance of the New York City Police Department, arrested Goodman.  For now, she will be lodged at a Manhattan jail until her court appearance, after which her extradition back to Los Angeles will be pending.     

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call Topanga Area Homicide Detective Dave Peteque at (818) 756-4869.  During weekends and off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAPD24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 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.

Death Investigation in Pacoima

Los Angeles: On August 20, 2012, around 2:15 a.m., the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to an anonymous call of a victim with breathing problems.  Paramedics responded and found a female victim in her 20’s deceased, with no clothing.  She was lying on the sidewalk next to a communal dumpster in the 13100 block of Carl Street, in Pacoima.  LAFD personnel notified LAPD Foothill Homicide detectives.

When the detectives arrived, they established a crime scene and began collecting evidence.  As this time the cause of death is undetermined and there is no apparent homicide.  The Los Angeles County coroner has taken custody of the decedent.  The cause of death will not be determined until autopsy.  Foothill Homicide Unit is treating this case as a homicide until other evidence develops.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call Foothill Area Detectives Byers and Santana at 818-834-3115.  During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAPD24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 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.

Two, 17-year-old Young Men Shot While Standing on the Porch of an Apartment Building

Los Angeles:  Homicide detectives ask for the public to help identify the suspects responsible for killing one young man and injuring another.

On Friday, August 17, 2012, around 9:00 p.m., Olympic Area officers responded to an “ADW Shots Fired” radio call in the 2800 block of Leeward Avenue in Los Angeles.  When they arrived they saw two male victims of gunshot wounds on the front porch of an apartment complex.  Both 17-year-old victims were transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department ambulance, however, one victim was pronounced dead upon arrival. The surviving victim received a gunshot wound to the leg and is expected to recover.

During the investigation, detectives have learned that two or three male Hispanics walked up to the victims and open fire.  The motive for the shooting appears to be gang related.  

For more information, or to provide the West Bureau Homicide detectives with any additional information that might identify and locate the suspects wanted for shootings, please call (213) 382-9470.  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.

Multiple Victims Shot with One Dead in South Central

Los Angeles:  On Sunday, August 19, 2012, around 12:40 a.m., LAPD Southeast Homicide Detectives responded to investigate a shooting at an apartment complex in the 600 block of Caliburn Drive. Detectives’ investigation revealed that three people were shot.  Two people, a 31-year-old male Hispanic and a 9-year-old male Hispanic suffered from gunshot wounds and ended up in a local hospital.  The third male described as a male 37-year-old African American was apparently taken to a local hospital by family members and later was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot wounds.  The 9-year-old was treated for a grazing wound to his upper torso and released from the hospital.   The other male refused treatment at the hospital for a grazing wound to his upper torso.  A fourth man identified as a suspect was also found at a local hospital being treated for a gunshot wound to his lower extremities.   

Detectives gathered that the slain victim, De Edmond Brown, was socializing with friends when a male, later identified as an African American male and another male African American approached the group.  One of the men pulled out a gun and started firing into the group.  The victims ran in separate direction to escape the gunfire.  Brown ran inside of the apartment complex where he was tracked down in a hallway by the suspects.  The suspects shot Brown multiple times in the upper torso then ran away from the scene.  Detectives found and detained one of the suspects at the hospital.  After a thorough investigation, detectives arrested and booked him for murder.  The name of the suspect arrested at the hospital is being withheld pending further investigation. The second suspect is still outstanding.  The investigation appears to be gang related and is on-going.    

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Southeast Homicide Detectives at (213) 485-6571.  During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAPD24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 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.