Boyle Heights Shooting Leaves 1 Dead; At Least 8 Shell Casings Found At Scene, LAPD Says

An early morning shooting in Boyle Heights on Friday left one person dead and the shooter remained at large, authorities said. Few details were immediately available about the shooting, which Los Angeles police believe occurred sometime between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics summoned police to the scene at 6:15 a.m. after responding to the intersection of Marengo Street and Evergreen Avenue, an LAPD spokesperson said. The unidentified person was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering multiple gunshot wounds, according to police. Investigators found at least eight shell casings at the location. A description of the shooter was not available.

ABC 7

Hit-and-Run Suspect Leaves Driver In Critical Condition In San Fernando Valley

Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who left a victim in critical condition in Canoga Park. The crash happened on Aug. 3 on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, just north of Parthenia Street at around 1 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Dashcam video of the incident showed the suspect driving a white Acura four-door sedan. As the Acura speeds ahead, it sideswipes a gray BMW sedan, causing the driver to lose control and crash into a pole. The suspect driver continues speeding away without stopping to check on the victim. Parademics responded to the scene and transported the BMW driver to the hospital with severe injuries. Surveillance cameras in the area captured the suspect driving away. It appears at least two people were inside the car at the time. A reward of up to $25,000 is available to anyone who provides information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has additional information is asked to call Valley Traffic Division Investigator Reyes at 818-644-8114 or Investigator Santos at 818-644-8024.

KTLA 5

Metro Bus Driver Choked By Passenger In San Pedro, LAPD Says

A Metro bus became a crime scene after a passenger grabbed the driver by the neck and choked her, according to the police. Investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department said the driver activated the silent alarm to alert police. She was able to close the bus doors to keep the attacker out. Officers said she sustained neck injuries. They tracked the suspect down and arrested him about four blocks away from the bus. "I was walking here and I saw this guy trying to get on the bus," witness David Fitch recalled. "The next thing I know, there was a paramedic, and then they took off. And then I hear the helicopters." A Metro spokesperson said the transportation agency was "outraged" about the attack. "Metro is outraged to learn about the senseless act of violence against our operator and is grateful for all our operators who deal with societal issues while transporting riders across our system," the spokesperson wrote.

CBS 2

Teenager Runs Into Grocery Store After Being Shot In Granada Hills

A 17-year-old was hospitalized after being shot in Granada Hills Thursday night. Police were dispatched to a call at 9:15 p.m. about a person running into a Ralph’s grocery store screaming they had been shot. The teenager was in stable condition, according to police.

NBC 4

Stolen Cars Used To Ram Into, Burglarize Stores In San Fernando Valley

Police say a burglary crew used stolen vehicles to smash into businesses in Chatsworth and North Hollywood. At around 12:30 a.m., a truck slammed into the front door of Smoke City on the 21000 block of Devonshire Street in Chatsworth. Five to six suspects then proceeded to burglarize the business. They took anything they could carry and fled the scene. Surveillance video shows the group of suspects waiting in the parking lot, while the driver plowed into the store. Police say the truck, which was left at the scene, was reported stolen. "For small family-owned businesses, when you get broken into once, twice, three times, I mean how much can you handle as a small family-owned business. It's getting out of control," said Smoke City owner George. According to LAPD, a similar burglary occurred just hours later in North Hollywood at Swish Cannabis on Burbank Blvd. In this incident, the suspects used a GMC SUV to attempt to shatter the front door. However, they were unsuccessful, as the car's tire jammed on a concrete pillar. The suspects then fled in a dark-colored SUV. Police say the GMC SUV was stolen three days ago in Panorama City.

FOX 11

West Hollywood Bike Shop Targeted By Thieves 3 Times In As Many Weeks

A West Hollywood bike shop owner is shoring up his security after his store was targeted by thieves three times in as many weeks. The first two times, the thieves were unsuccessful, but the third time was the charm, and on Tuesday, criminals were able to make off with thousands of dollars worth of stolen bikes. Bikes and Hikes has been in business on Santa Monica Boulevard for 15 years. Owner Danny Roman said his store has been the victim of theft over the years, but nothing like what they've seen recently. Surveillance video showed how the thieves were able to get into his store on Tuesday. A pair of masked, hooded criminals were able to unlock the door, looking around for onlookers before they went inside. "[They were] here for over an hour, breaking in, coming into my store, taking bikes, bringing them out, coming back in, taking more back, coming back out," Roman said. "Fully masked. On one of the busiest streets in LA." Roman is still tallying the losses, but says the missing bikes could be worth more than $25,000. Among the stolen bicycles include several getting tune ups before the group sets out for Burning Man.

FOX 11

Santa Monica Woman Arrested Allegedly Trying To Kidnap 8-Year-Old Girl

Santa Monica police arrested a woman after she allegedly tried to kidnap an 8-year-old girl while posing as a Russian police officer on Wednesday. The suspect, 39-year-old Courtney Perrone, has multiple arrests in different states for resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, trespassing, assault, and battery, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department arrested Perrone for assault with a deadly weapon, but she was released because of insufficient evidence. Investigators said she has outstanding warrants from New Hampshire for forgery and intimidation. She's currently out on probation for a 2024 assault with a deadly weapon conviction in Nevada. Now, Perrone faces charges of attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment, both of which are felonies. Prosecutors also charged her with a misdemeanor of brandishing, according to SMPD. Investigators claim the attempted kidnapping happened while the 8-year-old girl was helping her neighbor put several pets into a car. Perrone allegedly approached the pair, claiming to be Russian police and that she was taking the child away. 

CBS 2

Illinois Officer Injured, K-9 Killed In Shooting

An Alton police officer is recovering at home from injuries he suffered early Thursday in a shooting that left a suspect and the officer’s police dog dead. Police Officer First Class Allen Averbeck is the officer who was injured, according to the city of Alton. K-9 Odin also was injured in the shooting and died after being taken to an animal hospital. The name of the suspect has not been released. Alton Mayor David Goins gave an update on Averbeck’s condition in a late afternoon news conference. “He is resting well at home and thanks everyone for their concern,” Goins said. Goins said Odin’s death is “a very tough loss.” “They develop a bond that is unbreakable and unshakeable,” Goins said of the relationship between officers such as Averbeck and the dogs they oversee. “They also develop a bond with the family because this canine goes home with this officer every day and really becomes part of that officer’s family,” he said. “K-9 Odin served our community with exceptional bravery, and his sacrifice will always be remembered,” the city said in a Facebook posting.

Belleville News-Democrat

Video: Woman Bites Michigan Trooper, Slips Out Of Handcuffs, Steals Cruiser

Michigan State Police have released body camera and dash cam footage of an incident involving a woman who allegedly bit a state trooper, escaped from handcuffs and stole a patrol vehicle, WZZM reported. The incident began when Michigan State Police responded to a domestic call on Aug. 3, according to the report. Footage shows a woman sitting on a road as the trooper approached. The trooper spoke to the woman for several minutes, during which time the woman admitted to assaulting someone. The redacted video removes the context of the assault. The trooper then began working to take the woman into custody. When the trooper informed the woman that she could not bring her purse to jail, she became agitated, leading to a struggle during which she allegedly threatened to sue the trooper. The trooper attempted to handcuff the woman, but she bit the officer during the encounter. Additional troopers arrived, handcuffed the woman, and placed her in a patrol vehicle. However, she managed to slip out of the handcuffs, move to the driver’s seat and flee in the vehicle. The video concludes by showing her leading troopers on a high-speed pursuit.

PoliceOne

Chilean Man Groomed 13-Year-Old Girl On Roblox Before Flying To U.S. To Meet Her, Police Say

A 21-year-old Chilean man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday after officials say he developed an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl he met virtually on Roblox and flew to the U.S. to meet her. Daniel Aravena Oliva “spent several months manipulating and grooming” the 13-year-old victim through online platforms before he was arrested on suspicion of child exploitation and the production of child pornography, the Glendora Police Department said in a Facebook post. Lt. Matt Fenner, a spokesperson for the agency, said Oliva is now also facing federal charges in the case. Oliva initially contacted the girl through Roblox, the extremely popular online game platform, Fenner said. “He coaxed her off of that to somewhere he could speak more freely,” Fenner said. They eventually communicated on Zoom as well as other online platforms, he said. On Wednesday morning, Oliva arrived at LAX “with the intent of exploiting a minor,” police said. He had booked an Airbnb close to the child’s home and had arranged to meet her in person, officials said. Glendora police detectives worked with Homeland Security Investigations on the case.

Los Angeles Times

L.A. Hospital Seeks Help Identifying Injured Woman Found On Street

A local hospital needs the public’s help to identify a patient who was found injured in Los Angeles. The female patient has been hospitalized since Aug. 16 at the Los Angeles General Medical Center. She was found lying on the ground on East Chavez Street. Officials believe her injuries were likely caused by a vehicle striking her. She is around 35 years old, stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 127 pounds. She has dark brown hair, brown eyes and a slim build, hospital staff said. The woman does not have any personal belongings to help workers identify her. Anyone who recognizes the patient or has additional information is asked to call weekend supervisors Melissa De Ramos or Teresa Ejanda-Sano at 323-840-8816.

KTLA 5

Los Angeles Metro Bus Crash Leaves Several People Injured In Studio City

Authorities said eight people were injured after a crash involving a Metro bus in Studio City Friday morning. The crash happened around 4:30 a.m. in the 3900 block of Lankershim Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Six of the passengers on the bus were taken to a local hospital with nonlife threatening injuries and the bus driver was treated at the scene, Metro officials said in a statement. "Metro extends well wishes for a speedy recovery to all involved," said Metro officials. The Los Angeles Police Department is conducting this investigation. Anyone with additional information on this accident is asked to call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-TIPS or 800-222-8477.  

CBS 2

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 8,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.