LAPD Blog

LAPD Teams with Make-A-Wish Foundation and a Child’s Dreams Come True

In his eight years of existence, Noah Cohen has endured more surgeries and medical conditions than most people experience in a lifetime due to an inborn, rare condition called VACTERYL association. But on April 23, 2015, Noah temporarily escaped his medical hardships when the LAPD and LAFD partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to make Noah’s dream come true: living the excitement of being a Los Angeles police officer or firefighter.

A limousine provided by the foundation transported Noah to his fun-filled destinations. Included in the festivities was an adventure at the Department’s Davis Training Facility where he enjoyed a wild ride in a patrol car. Also included was a visit to Los Angeles International Airport’s Flight Path Learning Center and the Elysian Park Police Academy for a ride-along in a special weapons and tactics armored vehicle…pretty exciting stuff for just about any youngster. His one-of-a-kind day culminated with a thrilling ride in an LAPD helicopter.

All who came into contact with Noah that day were moved and inspired by his display of jubilance in the face of his life-threatening condition. It’s sure to be an event that will live forever in Noah’s memory and the memories of those who helped make it come true.

A short video featuring Noah's highlights can be viewed here-->  <--.  

 

Officer-Involved Shooting in Newton

Los Angeles: On May 5, 2015, around 11:50 p.m., officers from Metropolitan Division were conducting crime suppression in the area of Slauson Avenue and Broadway when they observed a male look in their direction, reach for his waistband, and run southbound on Broadway.

The suspect, described as a male Hispanic in his 20's, refused to comply with the officers' commands and fled southbound on Broadway toward a mixed residential/ business area. The officers temporarily lost sight of the suspect, but then spotted him on the rooftop of a building in the 5800 block of Broadway. The suspect pointed a handgun at the officers resulting in an officer- involved shooting (OIS). The suspect fled from officers and out of view.

Officers established a perimeter and ordered the suspect to surrender. The suspect complied with the officers' commands and was taken into custody without further incident.

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was listed in critical, but stable condition. No officers were injured during this incident and the suspect's gun was recovered at scene.

Force Investigation Division investigators responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer involved shooting. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Departments 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 OIS.

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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Preliminary Update on Officer- Involved Shooting in Pacific Area

May 19, 2025
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***UPDATE***

Updated: The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Clifford Proctor, Serial No. 39171.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Provides Preliminary Update on Officer- Involved Shooting in Pacific Area

** Please note that the information set forth below is based on a preliminary, ongoing investigation based on the evidence known at this time.**

Los Angeles: On May 5, 2025 at approximately 11:20 pm, a citizen called the LAPD to complain about an individual harassing customers and refusing to leave in the area of 80 Windward Avenue in LAPD's Pacific Area.

Two uniformed LAPD officers driving in a marked police car and assigned to Pacific Area responded to the location and located the possible suspect on the south sidewalk west of Windward Avenue. After briefly speaking with the individual, the suspect walked away in the direction of the boardwalk.

The officers returned to their car and shortly thereafter observed the suspect physically struggling with an individual on the sidewalk west of their initial location. The officers attempted to detain the suspect and an altercation occurred between the two officers and the suspect. During that physical altercation an Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) occurred.

The officers called for a rescue ambulance and began to perform CPR. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived and transported the suspect to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. One of the officers was injured in the altercation and received medical treatment for an injured knee.

Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Departments 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.

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Father Sought in the Abduction of 14-month-old Baby

UPDATE

On May 6, 2015, 14-month-old Raniyah Green was returned to a family member in good health.  The location of the father is still unknown.

 

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department's Southwest Division detectives are requesting the public's help in locating 14-month-old Raniyah Green who was abducted around 4:00 p.m. today

Raniyah's grandmother, Patty Pitchford was babysitting in her residence located in the 3300 block of Stocker Place in the city Los Angeles. The suspect, later identified as Randy Green, Raniyah's biological father took her without the grandmother's permission.

There is a restraining order against Green to stay away from Raniyah and her mother, Ernestine Brass. The Los Angeles Police Department and the family have not been able to locate Brass to notify her of Raniyah's abduction.

Raniyah Green is described as a 14-month-old Black female with black hair and brown eyes, weighing approximately 25 pounds.

Green is described as a 29-year-old Black male with black hair, brown eyes, who stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighs 145 pounds. His last known address is in the 25300 block Alessandro Boulevard in Moreno Valley. He is believed to be driving a black 2004 BMW X5, license plate 7GYU146.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Southwest Division detectives at 213-485-2582. 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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Robbery Suspects Target Lone Females in Panorama City

Panorama City: The Los Angeles Police Department's Mission Area detectives are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a male and female suspected to have committed a series of street robberies.

Two suspects, a male and a female, drive around the area of Panorama City and drive up to victims in a Ford F-150 truck. The male is usually driving and the female gets out of the truck and goes up to victims. The female suspect is armed with different weapons and will demand the victim's property. The female suspect usually takes the victim's purse and gets back in the truck. The two suspects are targeting lone females in the Panorama City Area.

The first suspect is described as a female Hispanic, between 25 and 27 years of age with black hair approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and 140 pounds. The second suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 25 to 27 years of age, bald and approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall. The suspects' vehicle was captured on camera during one of the robberies. The vehicle is a 2001 black Ford F150 4-door "Harley Davidson" Model with the CA license plate 77584D1.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. Tim Kohl, Mission Robbery Detectives, at (818) 838-9896. 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.

NOTES May 5, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

Download Commission Mtg 5-5-15

Commission President Steve Soboroff opened the meeting. After a quorum was established, Commissioner Robert Saltzman made a comment about attending last week’s LGBTQ Forum with Commissioner Paula Madison. Commissioner Saltzman characterized the event as a “very positive discussion.”

The meeting proceeded to the Report of the Chief of Police. Chief Charlie Beck began by recognizing the recent deaths of NYPD Officer Brian Moore, who was shot and killed in the line of duty, and ex-LAPD Policewoman Fanchone Blake, whom Chief Beck said made a “huge impact” in her efforts to enable women to promote to high-level ranks in the Department. He went on to talk about attending the California police memorial events this past weekend in Sacramento. May Day was the next topic, and Chief Beck expressed great satisfaction that there were no major problems or arrests in connection with the many May Day marches and demonstrations. Chief Beck then mentioned attending the Safe Summer Tip-Off event from the previous weekend and the Gun Buyback event for this coming weekend, “one of the many things that keeps L.A. safe,” he said. Finally, he mentioned the importance of the current week being Teacher Appreciation Week. He concluded his report with current crime and traffic statistics, including personnel statistics.

For the Report of the Executive Director, Executive Director Richard Tefank reminded everyone of an upcoming police commission meeting in the community on May 28 at 6:30 p.m. The location will be Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi Street, Porter Ranch.

There was no report from the Inspector General; so the meeting proceeded to the Consent Agenda Items, which were approved, and the meeting proceeded to the Regular Agenda Items.
There were four Regular Agenda Items. There were no presentations, nor were any items pulled for discussion.

• Item 8A, the Executive Director’s Report, dated April 27, 2015, relative to the recommendation of a qualified vendor to provide official police garage and storage services for Service Area 16 (RFP #14-980-010), as set forth, was approved.
• Item 8B, the Executive Director’s Report, dated April 27, 2015, relative to the recommendation of a qualified vendor to provide official police garage and storage services for Service Area 14 (RFP #14-980-011), as set forth, was approved.
• Item 8C, the Department’s Report, dated April 24, 2015, relative to the request for proposals for the Internet Auctioning Services for Unclaimed Personal Property, as set forth, was approved.
• Item 8D, the Department’s Report, dated May 1, 2015, relative to the payment of a reward offer on City Council File #14-0010-S7, as set forth, was approved.

Phone Tip Leads to Body in Closet

Panorama City: Los Angeles Police Department Mission Area front desk officer received a call from a citizen on Monday, May 4, 2015, and told police that she heard of somebody trying to dispose of a body in the 8700 block of Sepulveda Boulevard.

Mission Area Homicide detectives took the call and immediately followed up on the tip. The investigation led detectives to an apartment building, where they discovered the body of a 48-year-old female, deceased in a closet. It appears the female had been there for a few days.

It appears the victim and the male suspect were roommates, and he was in the process of evicting the victim. This caused a number of arguments between the victim and suspect, ultimately resulting in the victim's death.

"The suspect and witnesses in this case, including the citizen who initially called the front desk, are all cooperating with police and providing information" said Lt. Kathleen Burns, Commanding Officer of the Mission Detective Division. "What is interesting about this incident is that it started with a phone call to the front desk and detectives had to put together the pieces of the puzzle to just find the body."

The suspect, Mario Villalobos was arrested and booked for Murder. His bail is set at $1,000,000.00.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to contact Detective Efren Gutierrez, Mission Homicide Detectives at (818) 838-9948. Anonymous tips can be called into Crime Stoppers 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.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month 2015

In recognition of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, we would like to reach out to  motorists and motorcyclists alike, encouraging them to “share the road” in order to reduce motorcycle deaths and injuries. Motorcycles are among the smallest and most vulnerable vehicles on the road, putting riders at greater risk of death and serious injury in a crash.  In fact, according to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 30 times more likely than occupants of cars to die in a crash, and 5 times more likely to be injured.

The latest statistics from NHTSA display this tragedy in stark numbers. Up until 2013, motorcycle deaths increased every year over 16 years, except in 2009, which saw a decline. In 2013, 4,668 motorcyclists died on America’s roads, accounting for 14 percent of total highway deaths despite motorcycle registrations representing only about 3 percent of all vehicles in the country. That’s 4,668 too many deaths that we can help prevent.  Locally, in the San Fernando Valley, there were 361 motorcycle collisions in 2014, while 15 were fatalities.  During 2013 there were 200 motorcycle collisions, while 8 were fatalities.

One way we can decrease the number of fatalities and make the roads safer is if we work together, motorists and motorcyclists alike. Adhering to the following rules could improve highway safety for everyone.

Drivers should:

• Signal all lane changes and turns, and constantly check mirrors and blind spots before proceeding;
• Be fully focused on the task of driving and in control of their vehicles at all times; and
• Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Riders should:

• Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed;
• Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and use reflective tape and gear to be more visible. NHTSA estimates helmets saved the lives of 1,699 motorcyclists in 2012; and
• Never ride while impaired or distracted.

Information on motorcycle safety may be found at www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles or www.lapdonline.org.

Mes De Concientizacion De La Seguridad Al Manejar Motocicletas 2015

En reconocimiento de Mayo como Mes de Concientización de la Seguridad al Manejar Motocicletas, se anima tanto a los automovilistas como a los motociclistas a “compartir el camino” a fin de disminuir muertes y lesiones al manejar motocicletas.  Las motocicletas están entre los vehículos más pequeños y más vulnerables en la carretera, poniendo a los motociclistas en mayor riesgo de muerte y lesiones graves en un choque.  En efecto, de acuerdo a la Administración Nacional de Seguridad del Tráfico en las Carreteras (NHTSA, por sus siglas en ingles), motociclistas son 30 veces más propensos a morir en un choque que los ocupantes de un carro, y 5 veces más propensos a ser lesionados.

Las últimas estadísticas de NHTSA muestran esta tragedia en números espantosos.  Hasta el año 2013, las muertes de motociclistas habían aumentado cada año durante 16 años, excepto en 2009, el cual produjo un descenso. En 2013, 4,668 motociclistas murieron en las carreteras de Estados Unidos, que representan el 14 por ciento del total de muertes viales pese a matriculaciones de motocicletas que representan sólo aproximadamente el 3 por ciento de todos los vehículos en el país. Eso es 4,668 demasiadas muertes que podemos ayudar a prevenir. A nivel local, en el Valle de San Fernando, hubierón 361 choques de motocicletas en 2014, mientras que 15 fueron muertes.

Una manera en la que podemos reducir el número de muertes y hacer nuestras carreteras más seguras es si nosotros trabajamos juntos, automovilistas y motociclistas.  El obedecer las siguientes reglas podría mejorar la seguridad para todos en las carreteras.

Los conductores deben:

•    Estar atentos a los motociclistas todo el tiempo.

•    Señalar todos los cambios de carril y vueltas, y constantemente revisar espejos y puntos ciegos antes de continuar.

•    Concentrarse totalmente en la tarea de manejar y mantenerse en control del vehículo todo el tiempo.

•    Nunca conduzca bajo la influencia del alcohol o drogas.

Los motociclistas deben:

•    Obedecer las leyes de tráfico y tener licencia apropiada.

•    Ponerse un casco que este en conformidad con DOT y hacerse visible llevando colores brillantes y ropa reflectora. NHTSA estima que los cascos salvaron las vidas de 1,699 motociclistas en el 2012, y

•    Nunca maneje con facultades disminuidas o distraído.                             

 

80-Year-Old Missing Male Adult

Los Angeles: The family of Gilbert Durham and the Los Angeles Police Department Missing Persons Unit requests the public's help in locating Mr. Durham.

On May 2nd, 2015, around 11:00 p.m., Mr. Durham was last seen in the 7600 block of Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles. Mr. Durham is driving a light blue Nissan Frontier, CA Lic No. 7V53025. Mr. Durham suffers from Dementia.

He is described as an 80-year-old Black male with gray hair, brown eyes, and stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 165 pounds.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Durham, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Missing Persons Unit, Detective Mercado: (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 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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