LAPD Blog

Unidentified Woman Dies After Being Hit by Train

North Hollywood:   On Friday, September 12, 2014, around 7:45 a.m., a fatal traffic collision occurred near Tujunga Avenue south of Sherman Way Boulevard.

The preliminary investigation revealed that an unidentified female ran onto the Metrolink train tracks as the train traveled northwest.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the victim dead at scene.

It is unknown at this moment the reason behind the victim’s actions. Detectives urge anyone who may have any information regarding the victim’s identity to contact them immediately.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Detectives, Officer Takishita at (818) 644-8116 or Detective Bustos at (818)644-8021.  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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Shooting Death of 21-Year-Old Man in Hollenbeck Division

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Hollenbeck Division Homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help to provide any information that might lead them to the suspect involved in the shooting death of 21-year-old Raul Sanchez.

On September 6, 2014, around 12:20 a.m., officers from Hollenbeck area responded to a call of a shooting in the 5300 block of Valley Boulevard. Raul Sanchez was found at the location suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  

The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the location and pronounced the victim dead at scene.

The suspect is only described as male Hispanic.  The suspect was last seen driving a light colored midsize sedan.  

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call Hollenbeck Division Homicide Detectives Barajas or Soria at (323) 342-8957 or (323) 342-8953.  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).  Tipster 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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South L.A. Shooting Leaves One Dead and one Injured

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Criminal Gang Homicide Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for the killing of 17-year-old Patricia Alfaro.  

On Wednesday, September 3, 2014, around 4:50 p.m., Alfaro and her friends were driving southbound on Vermont Avenue near Manchester Boulevard when they became involved in a verbal dispute with a motorist driving a dark colored 4-door sedan.  As both vehicles continued southbound on Vermont Avenue from Manchester Boulevard, they were joined by a third motorist driving a light colored SUV.  According to witnesses, the rear passenger from the light color SUV fired multiple rounds into the victim’s car as it sped away from the scene.  Both Alfaro and her friend were struck by the gunfire.  In an effort to get away from their assailant the victims drove to the 700 block of  77th Street and called 911 for help.        

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported Alfaro and a 24-year-old male victim to a local hospital.  The male victim was treated and released.  

Alfaro remained in the hospital in critical condition, however on September 9, 2014, she died as a result of her injuries.

The motive appears to be gang related.  There is no evidence of road rage.

The suspects are described as male Blacks in their late teens to early twenties.  There is no further information at this time.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Criminal Gang Homicide Division Detectives Dominick Iasparro or Refugio Garza at 213-485-1383.  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.”

Five Month Long Investigation Leads To Two Pimping Convictions

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department, Human Trafficking Unit, in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Innocence Lost Task Force, concluded a 5 month pimping investigation that resulted in two felony convictions.

Robert Stacy Beverly and Juan Carlos Cruz Lopez pled guilty to one count of Pimping.    

In June of 2014, Robert Stacy Beverly, was arraigned on charges of pimping and pandering an 18-year-old female victim by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.  
    
In July of 2014, defendant Juan Carlos Cruz Lopez appeared at the Los Angeles Superior Court and was formally arraigned on the same charges as Robert Stacy Beverly.

Both defendants are currently in custody pending a preliminary hearing.

During the five-month investigation, detectives utilized investigative resources that determined that both defendants employed social media websites to lure the victim into commercial sexual exploitation.  The defendants encouraged, facilitated, and benefitted from the sexual exploitation of the victim in the Los Angeles area and possibly other states.  

Information discovered during the investigation suggests that there may be additional victims that had contact with Beverly and Cruz Lopez through various social media websites for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation.   Beverly and Cruz Lopez may have had contact with potential victims in California, Nevada, Florida, New Jersey, and Hawaii.

Anyone with information on this crime or any other crimes related to Human Trafficking, Pimping, and Pandering are asked to contact Lieutenant Andre Dawson from the LAPD Human Trafficking Unit at (213) 486-0903.  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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9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

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Today, Chief Charlie Beck, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Jaime Moore, various city officials and the public gathered for a 9/11 remembrance ceremony. Event participants honored the importance of never forgetting the tragic destruction of the World Trade Center in which thousands of victims were injured or killed. Along with guest speakers, the event included static displays, helicopter flyovers and the traditional bell-ringing ceremony.

720 Pounds of Marijuana Seized During Warrant Service

Van Nuys:  LAPD Narcotics officers served a search warrant at a warehouse located in an industrial area in Van Nuys.

On Thursday, September 4, 2014, officers from the Van Nuys Division Narcotics Enforcement Detail (NED) conducted a search warrant of 14,000 sq. ft. warehouse that had been converted into a large marijuana cultivation operation.  The warehouse had been divided into as many as 20 rooms containing marijuana plants at different stages of development. During the search officers seized over 3,000 marijuana plants, totaling over 720 pounds of marijuana.  The officers also seized equipment which was being utilized to manufacture hashish.

Officials from the Department of Water and Power and Building and Safety also responded to the location because the warehouse was using dangerous amounts of electricity.  As a safety precaution, all electrical lines attached to the building were removed.  

Investigators believed that this marijuana operation was producing an estimated street value of $3.7 million every 60 days. Four suspects were arrested and more arrests are anticipated.    

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Van Nuys Division NED Detectives, at 818-374-0040.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to1-877-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.

NOTES: September 9, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

Download Commission Mtg 9-9-14

Police Commission President Steve Soboroff opened the meeting by requesting a “moment of silence” to honor Police Officer II Erick Alcaraz, who died Saturday, September 6, in an off-duty traffic collision. Afterward, Commissioner Sandra Figueroa-Villa congratulated one of the commission staff members for receiving a 25-year pin and Los Angeles Police Commission Executive Director Richard Tefank for receiving an award of distinction from the Los Angeles Women Police Officers Association. Commissioner Robert Saltzman also thanked the Department for allowing him to be one of the guest speakers at the recruit graduation ceremony for class 3-14 last Friday, September 5.

The meeting continued with the Report of the Chief of Police. Chief Charlie Beck began his report by acknowledging great sadness at the passing of Police Officer Erick Alcaraz and his concern over the loss of six officers so far this year in traffic collisions. He went on to announce that a new class of 40 recruits has just started and then completed his comments by reviewing current crime statistics

Consent Agenda Items proceeded with approval of all items. Commissioner Soboroff also thanked all of the individuals and organizations for various donations to the Department as outlined in Items F through M.

Regular Agenda Items then ensued with six items, three of which, Items A, B and C, were verbal presentations.

Item D, the Executive Director’s Report, dated September 2, 2014, relative to the recommendation of a qualified vendor to provide official police garage towing and storage services for the Central Bureau was approved.

Item E, the Department’s Report, dated August 26, 2014, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for Valley Traffic Division was approved.

Regular Agenda Item presentations commenced with Item A, which was a presentation headed by Southeast Area Captain Phillip Tingerides, along with Officer Dawson Hill and the Southeast Area Community Police Advisory Board President, Theresa Martinez. All three discussed community initiated problem solving, crime strategies and other highly effective programs, goals and related results within the Southeast Area.

Dr. Luann Pannell, Director of Police Training and Education, gave the next presentation (Item B on the agenda). It consisted primarily of a PowerPoint presentation about the recent Autism Symposium. The one-day event, which is part of a series of similar symposiums, featured workshops for officers to raise awareness about autism and interact with autistic individuals of all ages. The event also paired autistic children with officers for one-on-one contact.

Item C, the third presentation, concerned the status of the latent fingerprint backlog. Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese was the primary speaker and gave an overview of the Scientific Investigation Division’s Latent Print Unit that included how it functions, staffing, work load capacity, intake and turnaround time, hit ratios, backlog and the unit’s partnership with the Area Latent Print Officer Program through the Department’s Office of Operations.

Item F, the Department’s Report, dated September 4, 2014, relative to the Biased Policing Update- 2nd Quarter Report 2014, was pulled for discussion. Internal Affairs Group Commanding Officer Stuart Maislin represented the Department before the commission and was engaged in a lengthy discussion of explanations, comments and answering detailed questions from the commissioners. Chief Beck also helped answer some of the commissioners’ questions and concerns. After the discussion and some related public comments, the Biased Policing Update- 2nd Quarter Report 2014 was approved.

Officer-Involved Shooting in 77th Division

Los Angeles:  On Monday, September 8, 2014, around 2:00 a.m., 77th Street Division Patrol Officers responded to a “Domestic Violence” radio call at a residence in the 1100 block of West 81st Place.  The 911 operator advised responding officers that gunshots were heard in the background. When officers arrived at the location, they were confronted by a 50-year-old male Black suspect, firing a handgun.  An Officer Involved Shooting occurred. Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and provided medical treatment to the suspect, however he died from his injuries at scene. No officers were injured, and a handgun was recovered at scene. Officers discovered a female victim inside the residence who had been shot in the shoulder by the suspect.  The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 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.

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Burglary Suspects Caught on Video During Residential Burglary

UPDATE

September 12, 2024

Video surveillance captured two females door knocking several homes in the West Los Angeles area posing as maids seeking work. If the homes were unoccupied the female suspects would then contact the male suspects who enter the resident. The suspects are the same suspects responsible for the residential burglary that occurred in the 15000 block of Hamner Drive.

The suspects are responsible for several burglaries in the West Los Angeles Area and surrounding Westside neighboring communities.

The suspect’s vehicle is described as a 4-door white newer model Buick Enclave. 

 

 

Bel Air: Detectives from West Los Angeles Division have released a video showing multiple suspects committing a residential burglary and the suspects getaway vehicle.

On Friday, August 29, 2014, around 3:00 p.m., multiple suspects entered the residence located in the 15000 block of Hamner Drive by smashing the rear master bedroom window.  The suspects were captured by surveillance video inside the residence.

The property taken includes US Currency, electronic equipment, and US passports.

Detectives believe the suspects are responsible for several other burglaries in the area.

Suspect #1 is described as a male Hispanic.  He stands approximately 5'10" tall and weighs around 170 pounds and has a dark mustache. He was  wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark shorts with two large Aztec male images on the front, red and black sneakers and wearing black and tan gloves
 
Suspect #2 is described as a male Hispanic. He stands approximately 5'10" tall and weighs around 170 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, blue sneakers, red and white gloves.

Suspect #3 is described as a male Hispanic.  He stands approximately 5'10" tall and weighs around 170 pounds.  He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, gray/blue sneakers and black gloves.

Suspect #4 is described as a female Hispanic. She stands approximately 5'04" tall and weighs around 200 pounds, heavy set with long black hair.  She was wearing a gray Nike t-shirt, black stretch pants, black sneakers.

Suspect #5 is described as a female Hispanic. She stands approximately 5'02" tall and weighs around 120 pound with long black hair She was  wearing a burgundy/pink striped long sleeve shirt, black stretch pants and black sneakers.

The vehicle used is described as a white sports utility Buick Enclave.



Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call West Los Angeles Burglary Detective Chavarria at (310)444-1538.  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 www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

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Unidentified Man Killed in Van Nuys

Van Nuys:  Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Homicide Detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for the killing of an unidentified Hispanic male. On September 7, 2014, around 4:40 a.m., Valley Traffic Division officers were flagged down by a citizen reporting a man down near the intersection of Erwin Street and Van Nuys Boulevard.  When the officers arrived they found the victim lying on the sidewalk of Erwin Street. The victim had sustained what appeared to be multiple stab wounds to his torso. Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced the victim dead at scene. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call Van Nuys Division Homicide Detectives at (818) 374-1999.  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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