LAPD Blog

Suspects Posing as Cable Installers in South Los Angeles

Los Angeles:  LAPD 77th officer arrest a suspect who posed as cable worker in South Los Angeles his accomplice is still at large. On May 28, 2013, in the 700 block of East 85th Street, a victim received a knock on his door from a suspect claiming to be a cable installer.  The suspect had been at the victim’s house two months prior so the victim did not think twice in letting the suspect in.  Unbeknownst to the victim the suspect who legitimately worked for a cable company had been fired due to reports of thefts from customers. The suspect entered the home and removed valuables from the victim’s residence. The suspect continued his criminal activity alone and then included another former cable installer who was also fired for the same suspected reasons. On June 13, 2013, the suspects, posing as cable installers, went to another victim’s home in the 1500 block of West 51st Street claiming they needed to fix her cable connections in her home.  The victim had not had any cable issues, nor called for service and did not know the two males.  After letting them into her home she observed jewelry missing as they exited the house.  The victim contacted the police and reported the incident.  One of the suspects returned to the victim’s home because he had forgotten some of his tools.  Officers were able to take him into custody and he was booked for two counts of burglary.  The suspect was identified as Armando Guerrero. The second suspect, identified as Leonardo Vasquez was not apprehended.  He is wanted on six counts of burglary and one count of possession of a machine gun.  Vasquez should be considered armed and dangerous.  He is described as a 29-year-old Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes.  He stands 5 feet 7 inches and weighs around 180 pounds.  He has a tattoo of a playboy bunny on his right hand and a tattoo of lips on the left side of his neck. Based on detective’s investigation they were able to identify a total of six victims within South Los Angeles and surrounding Los Angeles communities. Anyone with information on this incident or may have been a victim at the hands of these suspects is urged to call LAPD Burglary Detective L. Hoffman at (213) 485-4177.  Anyone who sees Vasquez is urged to also call 911.  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.

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Store Owner Shot to Death in Apparent Robbery

Store Owner Shot to Death in Apparent Robbery NR133231pv UPDATE Do You Recognize this Shooter? Los Angeles:  Detectives have released an image of the shooter who killed Nester Hernandez as he closed up his business on Woodman Avenue last Monday night. “It’s apparent the shooter appears suddenly from the victim’s right,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  “There’s no real confrontation, just an immediate assault.  It’s deliberate, premeditated and tends to show it’s a grudge.” The 34-year-old store owner was shot four times and died at the scene. The suspect was wearing an over-sized white jersey and a white baseball cap with a dark brim.  Witnesses said he appeared to be Hispanic and in his thirties.  The video clearly shows him firing a shotgun. Police did not release the video out of respect to the victim’s family.  “Suffice to say, the shooting is graphic and disturbing.  This is the best image we have of the suspect,” Lt. Vernon explained.  Police hope that anyone who knows this suspect personally will recognize him from the image. Detectives also released a second image of a woman seen entering the tattoo shop immediately following the shooting.  They believe she is the nearest eyewitness to the shooting and would like to talk to her.   Los Angeles:  Detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of the 34-year-old owner of a wireless phone store on Woodman Avenue.  Around 8:40 PM, July 8, witnesses reported seeing a heavy-set man confronting the victim on the sidewalk in front of the store front. “Another bystander flagged a passing fire truck to help a man who was apparently shot,” explained Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  “9-1-1 received several other calls of witnesses reporting the shooting in the 8900 block of Woodman Avenue..” Firefighters and police found the victim shot multiple times, lying on the sidewalk, just feet from his business.  It appeared he was closing the business when the confrontation that led to his death occurred.  The man died at the scene, and a woman later arrived, who claimed to be his wife, and confirmed him as the store owner since February. “We’re asking anyone with information to come forward to help us solve this case quickly,” Lt. Vernon said.  “Right now, this appears to be a robbery, but we’ll have to look deeper to know for sure.  What we can count on, though, is people talk, and we need anyone with information to step up so we can solve this for this man’s wife.” Witnesses described the suspect as a heavy-set Hispanic man, wearing a white shirt and carrying a gun.  Detectives recovered several cartridges from the gun at the crime scene.  The suspect was last seen running south on Woodman Avenue for quite a distance. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Efren Gutierrez, Mission Homicide Unit, at (818) 838-9948.  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.

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Kidnap – Sexual Assault

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD) Special Assault Section is asking for the public’s help to identify a kidnap – sexual assault suspect that occurred in the Topanga area. On July 4, 2013, around 5:30 p.m., a 19-year-old female victim was leaving her job at the Westfield Topanga Mall.  The victim was standing near her car, in the parking lot, when she was approached by an unknown suspect. The suspect was described as an early twenty-year-old male, African American.  He stands around 5 feet and 6 inches to 5 feet and 8 inches tall, and weighs around 140 to 160 pounds and is of a fit build. The suspect, armed with a knife, forced the victim into her car at knifepoint and held her hostage for about three hours.  During this time, the suspect directed her to drive him around to multiple locations in the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles areas. The suspect stole property from the victim and also gained access to her bank account through her ATM card.  During the time that she was held, she was also sexually assaulted by the suspect. Anyone with information concerning this crime is urged to contact, 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. Tips may also be emailed at RHD-SAS@LAPD.LACITY.ORG.

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