LAPD increases downtown patrols after recent street takeover
LAPD increases downtown patrols after recent street takeover
The Los Angeles Police Department will increase its patrols in downtown LA after a street takeover spilled into a luxury apartment complex last weekend. LAPD's elevated presence in downtown includes patrol cars, horse patrols, foot patrols and undercover units. "This weekend's incident in the Figueroa and LA Live corridor was extremely disturbing, and the concerns raised by residents, businesses, and visitors are absolutely justified," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. "Our message today is simple: the Los Angeles Police Department is fully committed to maintaining safety and stability in this vital part of our City." Street takeovers have become a fixture of LA County over recent years, with crowds gathering in the middle of intersections as cars perform donuts or other tricks. Hundreds of people often show up at the sideshows, with dozens scattering around the area once police break it up. In some instances, crowds of people who get away from the police loot nearby businesses. After LAPD broke up the recent downtown incident, a large crowd stormed the Circa LA Apartments, with a handful of employees trying to stop them.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz charged with attempted murder for shooting outside Rihanna’s LA home
New details have emerged about 35-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, the woman accused of firing shots outside Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s Los Angeles home in the Beverly Crest neighborhood. On Tuesday, Ortiz was charged with attempted murder and multiple firearms-related offenses. In addition to the count of attempted murder, she also faces 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling and one count of shooting at an inhabited vehicle, according to the criminal complaint. If convicted as charged, Ortiz faces life in state prison, LA County DA Nathan Hochman said during a press conference. The judge issued a protective order for Rihanna and A$AP Rocky. The protective order means Ortiz must stay away from the couple, their neighbors, the property, and any work addresses associated with Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.
Investigation underway after Maserati driver shot at in Panorama City
An investigation is underway after someone fired at the driver of a Maserati in Panorama City. The incident happened shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The driver lost control and ended up on the sidewalk near Ventura Canyon Avenue and Cantara Street after being shot at multiple times. The car was left with shattered windows and bullet holes on the door. The victim, only described as a man, self-transported to the hospital and was said to be in stable condition. Officers were later seen searching an apartment complex not far from the shooting scene, but it's unclear if the two scenes were connected.
1 person severely injured in West LA hit-and-run crash
Police are asking for help in finding the suspect in a hit-and-run crash in West Los Angeles that left a man severely injured. The collision happened on Jan. 19, at around 12:34 a.m., when a black Toyota Prius that was driving south on Bringham Avenue ran over a man who was sitting in the road, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The suspect did not stop and dragged the man several yards before continuing toward San Vicente Boulevard. Investigators released a video in which a witness told the victim to get out of the road because a car was coming, as another vehicle honked. The witness shouted at the driver to stop seconds before the Toyota Prius ran the victim over. LAPD said its investigation is ongoing and urged drivers to remain at the scene after a collision. Detectives urged anyone with information on the case to contact West Traffic Division detectives at (213) 473-0234 or 1(877) 527-3247. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact the LA Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477 or through their website: lacrimestoppers.org.
Woman Dies in Crash After Running Red Light in DTLA
A 23-year-old woman who was killed after she ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle in downtown Los Angeles was identified by county authorities Wednesday. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office identified the victim as Jessica Szarvath. The crash was reported at 9:34 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Flower Street, according to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman. A man was driving southbound in the No. 1 lane of Flower when Szarvath’s vehicle allegedly ran a red light, crashed into him and rolled over, the police spokesman said. Video from the scene showed firefighters performing CPR on Szarvath near the mangled wreckage of her gray vehicle before rushing her to a hospital. She was pronounced dead at the hospital, the spokesman said. It was unclear if the other driver was injured but a videographer said he was transported by firefighters with moderate injuries.
LAPD Arrests Several Alleged Gamblers Outside Possible Illegal Gambling Room in Westlake
Several people were taken into custody Wednesday outside what police say is an illegal gambling room in Westlake. Los Angeles Police Department officers from the department’s Rampart Division responded at 1 a.m. Wednesday to Eighth and Bonnie Brae streets regarding an assault with a deadly weapon call, an LAPD spokesman told City News Service. Additional officers were called to assist with the suspects who were arrested, police said. The Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the location regarding a possible overdose, according to reports from the scene.
Los Angeles County child missing since 2020 found in North Carolina
A child who was reported missing from their home in Duarte in 2020 has been found in North Carolina, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. On July 1, 2020, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received a report of a missing child. At the time, DCFS was conducting an investigation involving the child. The child's mother, who had custody, allegedly stopped communicating with authorities and was believed to have taken the child, the LASD said. On March 6, detectives from the Temple Station received information suggesting the child might be in Washington County, North Carolina. Detectives contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and a follow-up investigation was conducted, the LASD said. Deputies located the child enrolled at a school. They were safely recovered and are now in protective custody.
Loved ones search for missing 55-year-old Southern California man
Loved ones are searching for a Southern California man who has been missing for days. Rodney Darcelle Malveaux, 55, was reported missing on March 5, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Malveaux, who is considered at-risk, was last seen on the 18700 block of Corby Avenue in Artesia around 7 p.m. He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has brown eyes and is bald with a full beard. He was last seen wearing a tan sweater, gray shorts and blue/white-colored “Jordan” sneakers. It’s unclear where he may have been heading when he disappeared. His family noted that he has a “diminished mental capacity” and suffers from mental health issues. They have not heard from him since and are very concerned for his well-being. Anyone who may know Malveaux’s whereabouts or has information on the case can call LASD’s Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500.
California correctional officer stabbed by inmate with history of fatal attacks on law enforcement
An attempted homicide investigation is underway at California State Prison, Sacramento following a brutal attack on a correctional by a high-security inmate with a long history of violence against law enforcement. The attack happened on March 9 around 10:15 a.m., according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Officials said Jon C. Blaylock, 56, attacked the correctional officer with an improvised weapon, which was later recovered at the scene. Staff used physical force to stop the attack. The officer sustained multiple stab wounds and was taken to an outside hospital for treatment. The officer was later discharged after being reported in good condition, according to officials. Blaylock, who was already serving life without parole for a 2023 in-prison murder of a peace officer, has since been moved to restricted housing.
Trial begins for suspect in 2024 fatal shooting of NYPD cop
An accused cop killer came face-to-face with the victim’s widow Tuesday in a Queens courtroom where prosecutors urged jurors to convict the suspect they say could have killed another officer if his weapon hadn’t jammed. Ex-con Guy Rivera, 35, faces murder, attempted murder and weapon possession charges nearly two years after the shooting death of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, a Long Island husband and father protecting residents and merchants on his beat in Far Rockaway. Dozens of uniformed police officers crowded Queens Supreme Court, where lawyers for both sides began their opening statements on the first day of the highly anticipated trial. Diller’s widow, Stephanie Diller, appeared overwhelmed with emotion as she sat in the gallery listening. Rivera, who had more than 20 prior arrests before the shooting, faces life in prison for the single-shot death of Diller, 31, who had only been on the force for three years. “Jonathan Diller was a talented person who could have succeeded at any profession that he would have chosen,” Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said outside the courthouse. “But he knew he had a mission in life — to help people and save lives. And he did that every day as a New York City police officer. Unfortunately, his family is going to have to relive this nightmare for the next three weeks.”
BWC: Florida officer shot during confrontation with homicide suspect before OIS
A Pasco County sheriff’s deputy was shot Monday after a man suspected of shooting two people — one fatally — pointed a gun at him, Sheriff Chris Nocco said. The suspect was shot by other deputies. Both the deputy, who is expected to be OK, and the suspect were taken to the hospital. The chain of events began around noon at the intersection of Davista Avenue and Sawtell Street in New Port Richey, Nocco said at a news conference Monday afternoon. A man and woman, who have not yet been identified by the sheriff’s office, were using tools to clear a lot of land when the suspect, Aaron Rodriguez, 32, “got irate and upset and started yelling at the victims,” Nocco said. The sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post that preliminary information suggests the dispute was about property use. Rodriguez shot the man, who then collapsed at the intersection, Nocco said. The woman was also shot and started running away from Rodriguez, Nocco said. Fire rescue arrived and took her to the hospital. The man who was shot died at the scene. When deputies arrived, they found Rodriguez inside the garage of a house across from the lot of land, Nocco said.
Local Government News
LA Council Approves $177M Contract for Eviction Defense Program
The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved the distribution of $177 million to four organizations for homeless prevention and eviction defense services after delaying the vote twice amid opposition from the City Attorney’s Office. In a 12-1 vote, the City Council authorized the Los Angeles Housing Department to enter contracts with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Liberty Hill Foundation, Strategic Action For A Just Economy and Southern California Housing Rights Center — that are part of the Stay Housed LA program. Councilman John Lee opposed the matter. Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez was absent during the vote and Councilman Curren Price recused himself as he is a landlord. “The eviction defense program is a City program and is in zero jeopardy. What is in question is a $177 million blank check to LAFLA and its partners without the reports and invoice review that is required by law. That is an amount that exceeds the budget of numerous City departments,” Karen Richardson, a spokewoman for the City Attorney’s Office, said in a statement.
