LAPD Blog

Class 9-14 Recruit Graduation

February 20, 2025 – A Los Angeles Police Academy graduation ceremony was held this morning at the LAPD Administration Building plaza.

Today’s ceremony featured 39 graduates.  Four will be officers for Los Angeles World Airports.  All recruits have completed 920 hours of training over the course of 24 weeks.  In full uniform and anxiously awaiting receipt of their diplomas, the recruits proudly appeared before Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Chief Charlie Beck and command staff, and hundreds of spectators.

Chief Beck places a high priority on attending recruit graduation ceremonies as an opportunity to thank, inform, and congratulate LAPD’s newest officers. He also thanked the countless family members and friends who have supported the new officers. A special feature of Chief Beck’s speech was the introduction of his personal guest, former LAPD Chief and current Councilmember Bernard C. Parks.  Councilmember Parks was the Department’s chief from 1997 to 2002 and joined the LAPD in 1965, a tumultuous time for the city because of the Watts Riots in August of that year. As part of his speech, Councilmember Parks reminded the recruits that being a part of LAPD is truly a career, and each new officer has an “obligation to make the LAPD better from the day you join than any time in (the Department’s) past.”

Chief Beck resumed his comments by thanking the family and friends of the graduates for shaping the character of each new officer.  Chief Beck said: “Character isn’t just one thing; it’s the only thing.”  Chief Beck also emphasized that legal authority is given to officers by the state, but moral authority is created and bestowed by the people of Los Angeles out of respect, trust, and the belief officers will “do the right thing” by always displaying fairness in how they treat people.  In closing, Chief Beck promised family members, to the best of his ability, he would “protect and serve” the new recruits as their careers develop.

Recruits will be on patrol in their respective LAPD divisions as soon as this coming Sunday, February 22.  As always, at the end of the graduation, the recruits vigorously recited their class chant and ceremoniously tossed their caps high into the air, symbolizing their success at the police academy and the promise of a rewarding career as LAPD police officers.

73-year-old Missing Female

Los Angeles: The family of Betty Richardson and the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Area are requesting the public's assistance in locating Ms. Richardson.

Ms. Richardson was last seen on February 20, 2025 around 8:00 a.m. in the 14000 block of Astoria Street in the City of Sylmar. Ms. Richardson lives in an assisted living home and suffers a medical condition that requires medication. Her family is extremely concerned for her health and safety.

Betty Richardson is described as a 73-year-old Black female, with black hair and brown eyes. She stands 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighs around 125 pounds. Ms. Richardson was last seen wearing a red hooded sweater.

Anyone with information on Betty Richardson's whereabouts is asked to contact the LAPD Mission Area at (818) 838-9800. 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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Two Armed Street Robbery Suspects Arrested

Los Angeles: Olympic & Wilshire Area robbery detectives identified and arrested two armed robbery suspects involved in a robbery crime spree impacting both divisions.

The robbery spree began in January 2015 and ended recently with the arrest of 18-year-old Jose Roberto Junior Marroquin and his crime partner, 20-year-old Alan Arellano, both Los Angeles residents. Detectives connected the pair to at least ten street & attempted robberies.

The pair took turns randomly robbing victims walking at night in residential areas in the Arlington Heights, Country Club Heights, Hancock Park, Melrose, Mid City, and Wilshire Center neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Detectives received a break in the case when a witness saw one of the robberies on February 7, 2015. During this robbery, the victim struggled with the armed suspect and yelled for help, gaining the attention of the witness. The witness was able to take a picture of the suspects' vehicle license plate with his cellphone, which aided detectives in their investigation.

Olympic Area detectives conducted a vehicle license query, which lead to the identification of Jose Roberto Junior Marroquin who resembled one of the robbery suspects. Further queries revealed that Marroquin owned a second vehicle that matched video surveillance footage taken from a Red Box Kiosk. The footage showed Marroquin's vehicle and Marroquin using a stolen credit card taken from one of the robberies.

Olympic and Wilshire Area robbery detectives showed photographic line-ups with Marroquin's image to their respective victims, which resulted in Marroquin being positively identified in the robbery series.

On February 9, 2015, around 12:15 p.m., Olympic detectives and Olympic Parole Compliance Unit (PCU) officers arrested Marroquin at his residence in Southwest Area. A search of his residence resulted in the recovery of an air pistol resembling a Walther PPK pistol, two stolen cellular phones, and narcotics.

Olympic detectives interviewed Marroquin, who confessed to committing 10 armed street robberies using the same air pistol that was recovered. Detectives developed the identity of the second suspect (Alan Arellano) via additional computer queries.

On February 11, 2015, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office filed six counts of 2nd degree robbery against Marroquin with his bail set at $300,000 dollars.

On February 12, 2015, around 10 a.m., Olympic detectives arrested Alan Arrellano in front of Southwest Area Police Station. Arrellano confessed to being involved in three robberies (two as the getaway driver and one as the primary suspect). This case is pending the review of the Office of the District Attorney.

Detectives are asking for the public's help to locate additional robbery victims or witnesses to robberies committed by the above two suspects.

Anyone with information is urged to call Olympic Detectives Sergio Martinez and Anthony Kong, at (213) 382-9460. 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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Stand-in-a-Wall Gang Targeting Food for Less

Panorama City: Detectives released video of three Black men in their thirties who are working as a team to steal cash from store tills while businesses are open. They hit four stores from one chain in a single day and may be targeting other chains.

"When you see it on video, it's quite obvious," said Det. Samer Issa, who is investigating the latest case from a Panorama City Food for Less store. "Two of the suspects form a wall like soccer players to block a clerk's view as their accomplice steals cash."

Video shows one man open the till from a closed check-out stand, while his accomplices stand shoulder to shoulder at an adjacent check-out stand.

"The accomplices bought just enough merchandise to prolong their check-out and give their buddy time to get the cash," Det. Issa explained. "The till tapper got several hundred dollars, and all three walked out together."

According to detectives, this till-tap team hit a total of four Food for Less stores; the others being in Devonshire, North Hollywood, with the first one of the day in Norwalk.

"Businesses can protect themselves from this crew by removing tills from registers when the register is not occupied," Issa said. "But we realize that becomes another issue for customer service when there's a need to open a check-out quickly. With some luck, someone will recognized one of these men and help us catch them."

The video can be shot off a monitor at the LAPD's Mission Police Station at 11121 N. Sepulveda Bl., Mission Hills, by contacting Det. Issa. We are unable to email the video.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. Samer Issa, Mission Burglary detectives, at (818) 838-9977. 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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Hit and Run Driver Arrested

Los Angeles:  Central Traffic Division detectives arrested 22-year-old Enrique Ortiz in connection to a hit and run traffic accident that occurred on February 15, 2025 at around 10:30 p.m. in the intersection of 51st Street and Wall Street.

Ortiz, a Los Angeles resident, was arrested on the morning of February 17th at his residence.

The traffic accident occurred when Ortiz, who was driving a 2012 Kia Optima, failed to stop for a posted stop sign and collided with the left side of the victim’s 2005 Volvo S40, traveling westbound on 51st Street. The violent impact sent both vehicles in a southbound direction and came to rest against two parked vehicles.  

The victim was transported to a local hospital.  At the time of the accident, the victim had four other passengers and they were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries.

Ortiz was booked at Metropolitan Detention Center and charged with hit and run.  Ortiz’ bail was set at $50,000.00.  

Anyone with information is asked to contact the LAPD Central Traffic Division Detectives at (213) 833-3713 or Detective Michael Kaden at (213) 486-0753, or Central Traffic Division Watch Commander at (213) 486-8344.  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 "web-tips" and follow the prompts.

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Notes from the February 17, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Commissioner President Steve Soboroff, Vice President Paula Madison, Commissioner Sandra Figueroa-Villa, Commissioner Kathleen Kim, and Commissioner Robert Saltzman were present at today’s weekly meeting.

•    Police Chief Charlie Beck indicated there are several reasons for the increase in crime categories such as a significant increase of Domestic Violence reporting and a change on how the Department classifies lower level assaults.  Chief Beck further indicated that it was early in the year and the best way to measure these things is over longer periods of time.

•    Commissioner Saltzman pulled Consent Agenda Items H, J, and K to thank the Los Angeles Police Foundation for the donation of the renewal of the contract for Dr. Craig D. Uchida, to provide professional services relative to analyzing the Department’s service to the community, valued at $49,996.55, the donation of 160 body-worn cameras, valued at $250,000, and the donation to fund a centralized Homicide Library, valued at $250,000.  

•    Special Assistant for Constitutional Policing, Arif Alikhan, provided a verbal presentation and update relative to the Risk Management & Harm Reduction Strategy, as set forth (BPC #15-0045), was approved by the Board.

•    The Department’s Report, dated February 6, 2015, relative to the Quarterly Discipline Report, First Quarter, 2014, as set forth (BPC #15-0039), was approved and directed to the Office of the Inspector General for an analysis of the report.

•    The Department’s Report, dated February 13, 2015, relative to the Quarterly Discipline Report, Second Quarter, 2014, as set forth (BPC #15-0040), was approved and directed to the Office of the Inspector General for an analysis of the report.

•    The Department’s Report, dated February 13, 2015, relative to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Emergency Crime Scene Cleanup Services, as set forth (BPC #15-0041), was approved by the Board.

•    The Department’s Report, dated February 13, 2015, relative to the Destruction of Obsolete Duplicate Records for West Valley and Wilshire Areas, as set forth (BPC #15-0042), was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

•    The Department’s Report, dated February 13, 2015, relative to the Destruction of Obsolete Duplicate Records for North Hollywood Area, as set forth (BPC #15-0043), was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

•    The Department’s Report, dated February 13, 2015, relative to the Destruction of Obsolete Duplicate Records for North Hollywood Area, as set forth (BPC #15-0044), was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.