LAPD Blog

42-year-old man Missing

Los Angeles:  The family of  Ismael Garcia Morales and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s assistance in locating him. Mr. Morales was last seen on December 7, 2012, at approx. 6:20 a.m. in the 7600 block of Balboa Boulevard, in the West Valley Area.  His family is very concerned about his welfare and safety. Ismael Garcia Morales is described as a 42-year-old male Hispanic, brown hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds.  He was wearing a blue jacket, blue jeans, and red/white tennis shoes. If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Ismael Garcia Morales, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit, Detective Carlton at 213-996-1800. 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

LAPD Releases Statement on School Safety

Los Angeles: The entire Los Angeles Police Department is greatly saddened by the tragic school shooting that occurred earlier today in Connecticut.  At this time there does not appear to be any connection with Los Angeles, and it appears to be an isolated incident in Newtown, Connecticut. Chief Beck Podcast LAPD personnel have been working closely with our partners at the Los Angeles Unified School District Police Department LAUSDPD to ensure that all students in all our schools are safe. Immediately after the shooting, we contacted the LAUSDPD and began coordinating our school safety efforts.  All LAPD patrol divisions throughout the City of Los Angeles were directed to make contact with their local school principal or administrator to ensure there were no issues or concerns at any of our schools.  In addition, LAPD officers were directed to provide additional patrols to all of our schools for the remainder of the day.  Those patrols will continue when our students return from the holiday break on January 7, 2013. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families in Connecticut and all who are affected by this unspeakable act.” said LAPD Chief  Charlie Beck.  “The LAPD is totally committed to work with our LAUSD and private school partners to ensure that our students and staff are safe.” LAUSDPD Chief Steve Zipperman will join LAPD Commander Andrew Smith at a joint press conference at LAPD Headquarters this afternoon at 2 p.m.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Missing Woman and Her Infant Child

Los Angeles:  The family of  Carolina Castellanos and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s assistance in locating her and her child. Ms. Castellanos was last seen on December 13, 2012, in the 700 block of Westlake Avenue in the Rampart Area.  Her family is very concerned that she has not returned home and there has been no contact with her since. Ms. Castellanos is described as a 24-year-old female Hispanic, brown hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 125 pounds. Ms. Castellanos was on foot when she left her residence and it isn't known what she was wearing.  She was pushing a red and black stroller.  Ms. Castellanos is with her 2 month old child. If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Carolina Castellanos, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit, Detective Saiza at 213-996-1800. 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Sketch Released: Ear Gauge Stalker

Los Angeles:  Detectives released a forensic sketch of the Ear Gauge Stalker who assaulted two women December 9, 2012, at a Sylmar apartment complex. “The suspect’s bold behavior speaks to someone who is impulsive and probably compulsive,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of the Mission Detective Division.  “I would expect he’s been arrested, if not convicted, for similar behavior.” The suspect is Black and in his mid-twenties.  Both women described him as wearing large gauges in both earlobes, making for a distinct appearance.  He had a medium build, 5’8” tall, 160 pounds, either wearing a hoodie or a baseball cap. In the first case, the Ear Gauge Stalker approached a woman in her 30s who was pushing a baby in a stroller around 2:40 AM.  He started with small talk, then reached under her dress and groped her.  When she screamed, he ran away.  About an hour later, the same man approached another woman, also walking back to her apartment, and engaged her in small talk.  He grabbed her and dragged her into a secluded area, trying to disrobe her, before two passersby confronted him and scared him off. Detectives have canvased the apartment complex since the incident, warning residents.  They have distributed crime alerts to nearby Sylmar High School and LA Mission College. The suspect has not hit again since Sunday, and police have no information that puts the schools at risk.   Detectives distributed flyers at the schools to alert a wider population of people who might recognize the suspect. Police have received several tips on possible suspects, but stress now that tipsters pay attention to other features of the suspect, like his age, thin face, and race, before attributing suspicion to anyone wearing ear gauges.  “We have to run down every tip eventually because once we have an arrest, the defendant will try to claim that any ignored tip biased him,” Lt. Vernon explained.  “Wild tips can cost investigations many hours of work.” Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. Luz Montero, Mission Area Sexual Assault Unit, at 818-838-9975. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Santa Claus in a Mini Presidential Motorcade To Hand Out Gifts To Over 1100 Kids

Los Angeles:  On December 11, 2012, The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the United States Secret Service (USSS) have teamed up to provide Christmas gifts to over 1100 needy children. Today, Santa Claus will emerge from a limousine in a Presidential Style motorcade and give gifts to needy children. The presidential motorcade consisting of a CHP motor escort, Secret Service limousines and LAPD's Metropolitan Division will transport Santa, Mrs. Claus and a contingent of elves to various schools and family centers in the Los Angeles area.  All gifts were collected by the officers involved. Upon arrival at each site, Santa, who will be riding in a Secret Service Presidential limousine, will be lead onto each location by LAPD Officers with an escort from Secret Service agents and CHP Officers who will meet with the children and assist Santa in handing out gifts.  As the children are in line waiting to see Santa, a Grinch (a USSS Agent in costume) will attempt to cause problems, but members of LAPD's elite Metropolitan “B” Platoon will quickly put an end to his “scrooge like ways” and lead him away. Below are the three stops for Santa tomorrow: The first site is sponsored by LAPD Metropolitan Division at Leo Politi Elementary School. Santa's motorcade arrives at 10:10 am and will be greeted by 700 kids.  An LAPD helicopter will fly over and LAPD horses will greet the CHP led motorcade as it arrives with lights and sirens.  The second site is sponsored by CHP at Magnolia Place Family Center. Santa's motorcade arrives at noon and will be greeted by 250 kids.  The third site sponsored by USSS at Good Shepard Family Center.  Santa's motorcade arrives at 2:00 pm and will be greeted by 200 kids. For more information about this event contact LAPD Metro Divisions’ Officer Russ Vincent at 213-321-8732.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) in Southwest

Los Angeles:  On December 11, 2012, around 7 p.m., LAPD Southwest Area officers responded to a domestic violence radio call in the 7100 block of Don Ricardo Drive. When the officers arrived, they were met outside of the location by a female victim.  She told officers she was battered by a man described as a 28-year-old African-American male inside the location.  When officers entered the house, the suspect barricaded himself in a room with two children, ages three and six. The suspect threatened to have a weapon. Officers tried to talk him out of the room but were unsuccessful.  SWAT was then called out to the scene.  After hours of negotiation with the suspect, officers made the decision to enter the location because they believed the children were in imminent danger.  They encountered the suspect who was armed with a knife and an OIS occurred.  LAFD Rescue personnel responded and pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.  The children are safe and currently with their mother.  The Crisis Response Team is also working with the family.  No officers were injured. This is the second Los Angeles Police Department OIS involving suspects armed with a knife threatening other individuals in recent weeks.  On December 1, 2012, Van Nuys Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Suspect with a Knife” at Saticoy Street & Tobias Avenue.  They encountered the suspect who was holding his girlfriend with a knife to her neck, and an OIS occurred. As of December 12, 2012, OISs involving LAPD officers and suspects are down 38% when compared with the same date in 2011. Both of the above listed shootings are under investigation by the Department’s Force Investigation Division (FID).  The investigations will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and The Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Job Application Bandit

Los Angeles: LAPD Robbery Homicide Division detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect involved in a series of robberies that have occurred in the West Valley, Topanga and Devonshire Areas. LAPD’s Robbery Special Section is currently investigating a robbery series which has been dubbed the "Job App Bandit." The suspect is believed responsible for nine robberies which have occurred between September 2, 2024 and November 10, 2012.  Four of the robberies have occurred at different Starbucks Coffee Shops, four have occurred at different Subway Restaurants and one has occurred at a Coffee Bean Coffee Shop.  There has also been one robbery in the City of Ventura and one in the City of Burbank. The suspect approaches these businesses when they are in the process of closing.  The suspect asks for a job application or a glass of water and upon receiving the item, commits a robbery.  The suspect simulates a handgun or brandishes it to the clerk, takes money from the registers and demands access to the safe.  The suspect then flees the location on foot. The suspect is described as a 20-to 30-year-old Black male wearing a hooded sweatshirt, black "Raiders" beanie, large dark-frame glasses and a dark-colored backpack.  He stands 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 140 to 160 pounds. Anyone with information regarding these robberies or the suspect is urged to contact Robbery Homicide Division, Detective Tom Thornton at 213-486-6840.  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.”

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Felony Hit and Run Traffic Collision LAPD Motor Officer involved

Los Angeles:   Valley Traffic Division Detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing information regarding a hit and run traffic collision that occurred Thursday evening at the 15500 block of Rinaldi Street injuring a LAPD Motor Officer. On Thursday, December 6, 2012, around 7:15 P.M., a 4-door/dark color sedan/ possibly a Dodge Charger traveling east on Rinaldi Street in the #1 lane veered right and hit an LAPD motor officer who was also traveling eastbound Rinaldi Street in the #2 lane.  The collision caused the motor officer to lose control of his bike and collide with a tree before landing on the roadway. The motorcycle continued in a southeast direction and collided with a building. The other motorist failed to stop and render aid to the officer and was last seen driving through the parking lot of Presidente restaurant located at 11451 Sepulveda Boulevard then southbound Sepulveda Boulevard.  The motor officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment. 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

BOLO: The Ear Gauge Stalker NR12564pv

Los Angeles:  Detectives are warning Sylmar residents near 12900 Dronfield Avenue to be on the alert for a male Black who sexually assaulted two women in the early morning hours of December 9, 2012.  The suspect was wearing distinct earlobe gauges and may frequent the apartment complex. “The good news is, neither woman was physically harmed in either case,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of the Mission Detective Division.  “But these were two bold, public encounters within the same complex and within one hour’s time.” The suspect is in his mid-twenties.  Both women described him as wearing large gauges in both earlobes, making for a distinct appearance.  The man had a medium build, 5’8” tall, 160 pounds, either wearing a hoodie or a baseball cap. In the first case, the Ear Gauge Stalker approached a woman in her 30s who was pushing a baby in a stroller around 2:40 AM.  He started with small talk, then reached under her dress and groped her.  When she screamed, he ran away.  About an hour later, the same man approached another woman, also walking back to her apartment, and engaged her in small talk. “This time, the stalker was even bolder,” Lt. Vernon explained.  “He grabbed her and through a combination of carrying and dragging, he moved her 60 feet to a dark, secluded area, and started to remove her clothing.” Two passersby heard the woman’s screaming and intervened.  The suspect ran away and police were called.  Detectives did not learn of the earlier assault until a day later.  Both women are Hispanic, 30 to 40 years old, and lived in the complex, but separately. Detectives have scheduled the victims to meet with a sketch artist, but in the meantime, detectives and officers have visited the complex to warn residents and canvas the area. “We’ve already received one tip that the man with the ear gauges visits someone in the complex regularly,” Lt. Vernon said.  “We’ll be distributing the composite as soon as the victims are available, and we’re poring over sex offender roles for the area to see if any registrants fit the suspect’s description.” Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. Luz Montero, Mission Area Sexual Assault Unit, at 818-838-9975. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers 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.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn

Notes from the December 11, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission President Andrea Ordin said she attended the Office of the Inspector General’s Holiday party.  She said it was an informal event but very nice.

• Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman said he attended the holiday party for the Gay Police Officers Association.  He said he was happy to see the turnout from the LAPD there.

• Police Chief Charlie Beck said he attended the Magnet School graduation at the Manchester Police Academy.  He said it was a magnificent event and he was very impressed.  Chief Beck also informed the Board the Police Cadet Graduation is scheduled for December 16 at the Galen Center.

• 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 Southwest Area as given by Captain Paul Snell and C-PAB co-chair Mr. Johnny Raines.  Mr. Raines informed the Board the C-PAB was able to negotiate the number of trees replaced in the area during the movement of the Space Shuttle Endeavor.  He added their Teen C-PAB currently has 31 members at 8 schools.  Mr. Raines completed his comments by stating their C-PAB has 48 kids in their Boot Camp program and has nine new programs in the works for 2013. 

• The Department’s report, dated November 30, 2012, relative to the proposed modified procedures for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests, as given by Assistant Chief Michel Moore, was approved.  Chief Moore informed the Board the proposed modifications come from the Secure Communities initiative which will put the focus on low level, petty offenses.  He said the Department would honor the ICE hold depending on what the individual was arrested for, the arrestee’s criminal history, and whether or not the arrestee is a documented gang member.  Chief Moore added ICE would be notified when a request for immigration hold would not be honored.  The Board approved the Department’s report and asked the Department to report back with the status of implementation in six months.     

• The Department’s report, dated December 7, 2012, relative to the Department Risk Manager’s report: goals & strategies for calendar years 2013-2017, as given by Risk Manager Beth Corriea, was approved.  Ms. Corriea stated there are five areas the Department will focus on to reduce liabilities.  They include employment, traffic collisions, workers compensation, use of force, and fair labor and standards act issues.  The Board said the report was a good starting point but added the Department should set a 15% reduction yearly goal as opposed to the less ambitious goals detailed in the report.  

• The Department’s report, dated December 5, 2012, relative to the transmittal of the grant application for the 2012-2013 bulletproof vest partnership program grant, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated November 28, 2012, relative to the supplemental police account third quarterly report (July 2012 through September 2012), was approved and transmitted to the City Council and Office of the City Controller.

• The Department’s report, dated December 7, 2012, relative to the DNA monthly report for October 2012, was approved and transmitted to City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated December 3, 2012, relative to the vehicle pursuit inspection (IAID No. 12-035), was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated December 5, 2012, relative to the crime classification inspection (IAID No. 12-097), was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated December 5, 2012, relative to the responses to Operations-South Bureau Gang Enforcement Detail command accountability performance audit, IAID No. 11-144, was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated December 7, 2012, relative to the foreign language and telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) status report, as given by Commander Regina Scott, was approved.  Commander Scott said as of October 9, all area police stations have new TDD devices with trained personnel.  She added there is now a standardized greeting in several languages which is in place in 12 divisions.