LAPD Blog

13-Year-Old Critical Missing Female

Los Angeles: The family of Aaliyah Lopez and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public's help in locating her.

Aaliyah was last seen on July 30, 2015, around 9:55 p.m., leaving her group home at 7130 Burnet Ave, Van Nuys 91401. She currently suffers from depression and takes medication for the aforementioned issue.

Aaliyah is described as a 13-year-old female Hispanic with black hair, brown eyes. She stands 5 feet tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds. Aaliyah was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and black "Nike" shoes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Aaliyah Lopez is asked to contact LAPD Missing Persons Unit, 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 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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Beware of “Porch Pirates”

Reseda: Detectives have released a picture of a woman stealing packages from residential porches in the San Fernando Valley.

"We refer to them as Porch Pirates," said Capt. Paul Vernon, who heads up the West Valley Patrol Division. "In the age of online shopping, it's a growing, common trend."

The 20-something year old woman pictured was captured on a security camera taking home-delivered pet medicine from a porch in the 7800 block of Lasaine Avenue around 4:30 p.m. on July 12, 2015.

Detectives point out the woman's distinct patterned purse with a purple strap as a way someone might identify her.

"We share the public's frustration about this type of crime," Capt. Vernon explained. "The good news is, thanks to public tips, we have made several arrests recently of persons involved in these thefts, but we'll have to remain persistent and focused as porch pirating isn't going away."

Detectives offer the following tips to protect residents from Porch Pirates:

• Have packages delivered to locations where a person is home

• Have packages delivered to the vendor's local store for pick up

• Have packages held by the delivery company for personal pick up

• Ask for notification when package is delivered so you can have a trusted neighbor pick up for you

• Add delivery instructions like, requiring a signature upon delivery, or where to place parcels

Detectives warn that most porch pirating occurs during the day when residents are away, and the thieves are often involved in identify theft in addition to taking parcels.

Captain Vernon stressed, "Neighbors working together can harden the target against Porch Pirates."

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. William Dunn, West Valley Burglary detectives, at (818) 374-7674. 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.

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Officer Steps in to Relieve Choking Woman

In the early evening on June 2, 2015, Hollenbeck Area Police Officer Chris Gonzalez was taking a break from his patrol duties with two other officers at an El Pollo Loco restaurant in Boyle Heights.

But what started as a routine meal stop became a potentially life-threatening experience for a patron who suddenly began choking. Family members at choking woman’s table desperately tried to relieve her distress.  Hoping to dislodge her blockage, they began thumping her on the back, at first lightly and then with greater force, but she continued to choke.

It was at this critical moment that Officer Gonzalez quickly sprang into action and performed the Heimlich Maneuver, a first-aid procedure commonly used to treat upper airway obstructions from foreign objects. Within seconds, whatever was causing the blockage cleared. “I could see the color had drained from her face,” said Officer Gonzalez, “but it started to return almost as soon as I began the maneuver.” In fact, she responded so completely it wasn’t necessary to summon help from paramedics.

Needless to say, the woman and her family were extremely grateful for Officer Gonzalez’ actions. There was no doubt his first-aid training and the speed of his response avoided a potential tragedy.

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