LAPD Blog

One Dead and Several Injured in Three-Car Collision

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division (VTD) detectives are investigating a serious traffic collision in which one driver was killed and several other people were injured. This morning, about 1:25 a.m., a gray 2001 Nissan Pathfinder and a blue 2005 Mercedes Kompressor were traveling eastbound on Roscoe Boulevard when a burgundy 1997 Pontiac Bonneville pulled out from the south curb of Roscoe Boulevard and turned into traffic.   To avoid the Pontiac, the Mercedes swerved and collided with the Pathfinder, causing it to overturn. The Mercedes then continued eastbound and collided with the left side of the Pontiac. The driver, front passenger, and child in the Pontiac were seriously injured and taken to a local hospital where the driver, a Granada Hills resident, was pronounced dead.  His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of family members. The Pathfinder driver, a Winnetka resident, suffered minor injuries, but the Reseda resident driving the Mercedes was seriously hurt. Both were transported to local hospitals. Anyone who has or needs more information about this incident is asked to call VTD Officer Fredo at (818) 644-8037. During non-business hours or on the 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

20-Year-Old Missing Woman from Los Angeles

Los Angeles: The family of Shantell Patricia Chavez-Hardy and the Los Angeles Police Department requests the public’s assistance in locating Hardy Hardy was last seen on May 1, 2013, around midnight, at her home in the 22300 block of Welby Way, in Topanga.  She has not been seen or heard from since.  The family of Hardy is concerned for her heath due to mental challenges.  Hardy is said to have the mental capacity of a 10-year-old. Hardy is described as a 20-year-old African-American female with brown hair and hazel eyes.  She stands at 5 feet 1 inches and weighs about 120 pounds.  She was last seen wearing lime-green pajamas and a white t-shirt.   If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Hardy, please contact the LAPD, Missing Persons Unit, Detective Cletus Carlton: (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

Notes from the May 7, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission Vice President John Mack said he attended the Los Angeles Police Foundation’s True Blue fundraising event held last week.  He said it was a very successful event which raised significant funds for the foundation.  Vice President Mack added that he was interested in hearing more about the incident that happened just off the USC campus this past weekend.

• Police Commissioner Rafael Bernardino said he attended the Police Memorial Ceremony held at the Police Administration Building last week.  He called it a moving ceremony and a moving experience.

• Police Chief Charlie Beck thanked the Commissioners who attended the True Blue Gala which he said raised $1.5 million that goes towards filling gaps in the Department’s budget that are not funded by the City.  Chief Beck then gave the Board an overview of the incident regarding a citizen complaint of a disturbance near the campus of USC.  Chief Beck said the Department was holding Town Hall meetings with students about the perceived issues and hopes to continue to improve communication with students.  He added the Department will investigate all allegations relating to the incident and will report back to the Board at a later date.

• A 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 Harbor Area was given by Captain Nancy Lauer.  Captain Lauer informed the Board three of the area’s biggest accomplishments include the San Pedro Project which brought new legislation outlawing the dangerous practice of bombing; the Harbor Gateway Project which brought the addition of “pocket parks” in an effort to reduce the amount of sex offenders in the area; and the Wilmington Project which organized weekly peace marches aimed at reducing the amount of homicides in the area. Captain Lauer said the three main focuses moving forward are emergency preparedness training, growing the Cyber Block Captain project and increasing their presence on social media. 

• The Department’s verbal report and discussion relative to the impact to the Department of the Los Angeles County Superior Court eliminating certain court rooms and services was given by Captain Kelly Muldorfer.  Captain Muldorfer informed the Board the courtrooms are not closing but rather redistributing the case load.  West Los Angeles traffic and non-traffic cases will go to Beverly Hills, San Pedro cases will go to Long Beach and Central cases will go to East Los Angeles.   Captain Muldorfer completed her comments by stating they expect delays in the process due to the redistribution.

• The Department’s report, dated May 2, 2013, relative to the request to negotiate an agreement with ASSI Security, Inc., for Los Angeles Police Department Security Services, was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated May 2, 2013, relative to the schedule of training fees for outside agencies, was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated April 19, 2013, relative to council file number 12-1885 – vehicle blocking intersection creating traffic congestion and gridlock, was approved and transmitted to the Transportation Committee.

• The Department’s report, dated May 2, 2013, relative to council motion, council file no. 12-1753 – Los Angeles Police Department’s Communications Division staffing levels, was approved and transmitted to the City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated May 2, 2013, relative to the Operations – Central Bureau Vice Command Accountability performance audit (IAID No. 12-098), was approved.

• The Department’s report , dated May 2, 2013, relative to Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) monthly report – March 2013, as given by Captain William Hayes, was approved and transmitted to City Council.  Captain Hayes stated there was no back log listed for this period and the outsourcing of testing has decreased with more being done internally.  The Board then informed the Department it will not have to prepare additional reports unless the backlog increases to more than 5%.

• The Department’s report, dated April 19, 2013, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records for Newton and Foothill Areas, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

Officer-Involved Shooting in Topanga

Los Angeles: On May 5, 2013, around 5:35 a.m., uniforms officers from Topanga Patrol Division responded to a call for service of a prowler in the 7100 block of Woodlake Avenue. The officers observed the suspect pounding on the apartment door on the third floor landing.  The officers made contact with the suspect.  The suspect, later identified as Corey Frisch, turned suddenly and fired one round from a handgun at the officers.  An Officer Involved Shooting occurred when the officers returned fire and struck Frisch.  Frisch fell to the ground and was taken into custody.  A .357 Magnum revolver was recovered from the scene. The Los Angeles Fire Department ambulance responded and transported Frisch for medical treatment.  The involved officers were not injured. Force Investigation Division detectives responded and are investigating the OIS. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, 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

Armed and Barricaded Suspect Refuses to Surrender

Los Angeles:  LAPD Hollywood Area officers responded to a radio call of a man causing a disturbance and threatening residents with a machete. On May 7, 2013, around 10 p.m., officers were called to a residence in the 1700 block of North Fuller Avenue where they discovered a man holding a machete threatening to kill several people in an apartment building.  When officers arrived the suspect barricaded himself inside his fifth-floor apartment. After several unheeded requests by the officers asking the suspect, 28-year-old Oliviero Bozzi, to surrender peacefully, the LAPD SWAT Team was summoned, and several apartments near Bozzi’s unit were evacuated. SWAT officers served a search warrant at that location and Bozzi was finally taken into custody.  A search of his apartment resulted in the discovery of several weapons, and he was booked for criminal threats. Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Hollywood detectives at (213) 972-2967. 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

Police Looking for Child Molest Suspect

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department 77th Area officers are looking for a man they believe has engaged in a number of illicit sexual acts with under-aged females.

The suspect is described as 27-year-old Melvin Ramos. He is a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes.  He stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds.  He also has a scar on his left eyebrow.

Police advise that anyone who may have seen Ramos should not approach him, but instead call 9-1-1 immediately.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD 77th Division sexual assault detectives at 213-473-4807.  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.

GUN BUYBACK PROGRAM HAS TAKEN OVER 11,000 FIREARMS OFF CITY STREETS DURING VILLARAIGOSA ADMINISTRATION

click to download podcast

"Over 1,000 Firearms Removed from Streets this Weekend"

LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and Councilmembers Joe Busciano and Mitch Englander today announced that 1,172 firearms were collected during the 2013 Gun Buyback, bringing the total number of firearms removed from City streets during the Villaraigosa administration to 11,151.

In total, 516 handguns, 381 rifles, 226 shotguns, and 49 assault weapons were collected this weekend from the four Gun Buyback locations citywide.

"Like all of you, I was disappointed by Congress' inability to pass commonsense gun legislation, but we will not let inaction in Washington stop us from taking action here in Los Angeles to get guns off of our streets,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “Thanks to my Gang Reduction and Youth Development Office, LAPD, and our community partners over 1,000 guns were removed from our streets this weekend alone. And thanks to the support our friends on City Council, the Gun Buyback program will continue beyond my term as Mayor.”

An initiative of the Mayor's Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) Office that began in 2009, the Gun Buyback program rewards the voluntary surrender of firearms while engaging the community towards a common goal of reducing gun violence.

“The Department is grateful for and encouraged by the ongoing support of this program from the Mayor’s Office and the people of Los Angeles who continue to turn in firearms at our collection events,” Chief Beck said. “Although the total scope of today’s success cannot be measured, the guns displayed here will never be used to harm innocent people. And for those who have lost their lives to gun violence, let this be a solemn remembrance that their sacrifices were not in vain and will never be forgotten.”
The 2013 Gun Buyback was made possible thanks to a council motion introduced by Councilmember Joe Busciano and seconded by Councilmember Mitch Englander, Chair of the Public Safety Committee. The motion funded the Gun Buyback program for the first time using General Fund dollars, rather than private donations as is typically the case. In total, $250,000 was contributed to the program toward the purchase of pre-paid gift cards.
In exchange for surrendering weapons, participants in the Gun Buyback receive a Ralphs pre-paid card. The cost per firearm is dependent on its type, up to $200 for assault weapons as specified by the State of California and up to $100 for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. The LAPD Gun Unit determines the type and classification of the firearm surrendered.

“As a former LAPD officer, I am aware of the importance of the Gun Buyback program,” Councilmember Busciano said. “Since the program was launched in 2009, the number of people shot has decreased by 33 percent. Any way we can reduce gun violence is important to the City of Los Angeles.”

“Since the Gun Buyback program began, over 11,000 firearms have been taken off the street, that’s 11,000 less opportunities for these dangerous firearms to fall into the wrong hands,” Councilmember Englander added.
The annual Citywide Gun Buyback includes a grassroots outreach campaign that works with gang prevention and intervention agencies, community and religious leaders, and the Los Angeles Police Department. The comprehensive outreach effort serves not only to encourage participation in neighborhoods suffering from high levels of gun violence, but also to educate communities about the risks and dangers of gun and gang violence.

The Gun Buyback is the beginning of the Summer Violence Reduction strategy which leads into the Summer Night Lights (SNL) program.

LAPD MEMORIAL CEREMONY - May 2, 2025

click here for podcast of Memorial Ceremony

Thursday May 2 – In a ceremony befitting a hero, the Los Angeles Police Department held its annual Memorial Ceremony in the Ronald F. Deaton Auditorium at the Police Administration Building in Downtown Los Angeles.  In attendance were many of the surviving family members of some of the more recent officers to be killed in the line of duty along with Department command staff, rank and file officers, and members of the media.

The ceremony itself featured a video tribute to the 204 Los Angeles police officers to be killed in the line of duty or who were killed while serving on active duty in the United States military.  Police Chief Charlie Beck also added his somber remarks as to what their sacrifice has meant to him and took the opportunity to remind current officers to look out for each other while out performing their duties.  An End of Watch broadcast completed the first portion of the ceremony.

The congregation then moved outside to the Memorial Wall located on the east side of the building.  Uniformed personnel, including Chief Beck and other command staff, lined up in platoon formation and saluted as a memorial wreath was placed at the wall.  Four airships then flew overhead and performed a “Missing Man” maneuver which brought the ceremony to an end.  Family members then had the opportunity to place a red rose on the name plate of their fallen loved one.

The month of May serves as Police Memorial Month which is observed throughout the entire country.  Memorial services are held throughout the month to honor those who gave all while proudly serving their communities.  Ceremonies such as the one held today are a way in which the Department can keep the memories and legacies of our fallen heroes alive and well.