Los Angeles police, FBI increase reward as search continues for fugitive accused of 2019 murder
Law Enforcement News
Los Angeles police, FBI increase reward as search continues for fugitive accused of 2019 murder
The Los Angeles Police Department and FBI on Tuesday announced an increase in the reward for information leading to the arrest of a murder suspect who is believed to have fled to Mexico. Omar Alexander Cardenas, now 30, is believed to have shot and killed 46-year-old Jabali Dumas on Aug. 15, 2019, in a large shopping center in Sylmar. According to the LAPD, Cardenas fired several rounds from a semi-automatic handgun, leaving Dumas with fatal gunshot wounds to the head. The search for a suspect lasted several months, leading to an arrest warrant being issued for Cardenas in April 2020 through the local court system. A federal warrant was issued in September 2021 after he illegally boarded a flight, according to the FBI. According to the LAPD, Cardenas had known gang connections and a search of his home found evidence linking him to Dumas' killing. He was formally charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon. In a news conference, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell asked for the public's help in locating Cardenas, whom he called a fugitive. Cardenas is listed between five-foot-6 and 5-foot-7, weighs between 240 and 300 pounds and is Hispanic with brown eyes. He oftentimes has a beard and wears prescription glasses.
Argument over loud music leads to officer-involved shooting in Mid City
An argument over loud music turned into an officer-involved shooting in Mid City Tuesday morning. The incident started around 6:40 a.m. on Alsace Avenue when a suspect brandished a weapon at a person who asked him to turn down his music, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. When officers arrived on scene, the situation escalated into a shooting. It's unclear who opened fire, or if anybody was hurt. AIR7 was over the scene where a handgun could be seen on the ground.
Woman accused of attempted murder in shooting at Rihanna’s mansion: What we know
Authorities say a Florida woman opened fire on the home of pop star Rihanna on Sunday. Ivanna Ortiz was arrested Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder, according to Los Angeles police. She was booked Monday and her bail set at $10.2 million, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s inmate information center. It was just after 1 p.m. Sunday when gunfire rang out at Rihanna’s home. Neighbors said the shots echoed through the canyon near Beverly Hills, leaving them on edge. Authorities allege that Ortiz, firing from a Tesla, hit the front gate and a nearby RV at the music legend’s mansion. Ortiz was arrested soon after in Sherman Oaks. She could not be reached for comment. The LAPD radio dispatch for the incident said that at least 10 shots were fired at the residence from a vehicle across the street from the property’s gate. The vehicle, a white Tesla, fled south on Coldwater Canyon Drive, according to the police dispatch audio.
Bicyclist opens fire on man sitting in car in Los Angeles
A man was rushed to the hospital after being shot while sitting in his car in Los Angeles Monday night. Police were called to the area of Washington Boulevard and Santee Street around 10:30 p.m. for reports of a shooting. Investigators learned that a 36-year-old man was inside his vehicle when a man on a bicycle rode up and opened fire, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson told KTLA. The victim was taken to a local hospital in critical but stable condition, according to police. Video news service KNN reported that the victim had been struck in the head. Officers found multiple bullet casings at the scene, but the shooter remains outstanding, police said. Video from KNN showed a person being detained near the scene, but it was unclear whether the individual had any connection to the shooting.
1 injured, 1 arrested after street takeover in downtown LA
One person was injured and another was taken into custody over the weekend after a street takeover spilled into an apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles. Video circulating online appears to show dozens of people flooding the roadway as drivers performed dangerous stunts in the middle of Figueroa and 12th Streets. People living in the Circa LA apartments were watching from their balconies and said shortly after the street takeover, a large crowd entered their building, broke a glass window and attacked workers in their front lobby. Wooden boards are now covering the broken window at the luxury high-rise apartment complex. Law enforcement was called to the area at about 3:15 a.m. Sunday for the incident. The fire department treated one person at the scene for an undisclosed injury. That individual was then taken to a nearby hospital. Police said one person was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. That individual’s name was not released.
37 teens rescued, 7 people arrested in Southern California human trafficking operation
Federal agents and local law enforcement rescued 37 teens during a human trafficking operation in Southern California. Dubbed "Operation Safe Return," the U.S. Marshals Service said the operation primarily focused on finding critically missing children, who have an elevated risk of abuse, including violence and sexual exploitation. Agents and local law enforcement also arrested seven people during the week-long operation. U.S. Marshals said one of the people arrested is connected to child sex trafficking. The Marshals partnered with the Riverside County Sheriff's Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and other Southern California agencies to identify more than 50 missing teens between 14 and 17 years old. Federal agents said the 37 kids who were located were given victim advocacy services, medical support and resources to help them reunite with their families or guardians.
VIDEO: Group from street takeover storms DTLA apartment building lobby, fights staff
A group of people associated with a street takeover stormed into an upscale apartment building lobby, causing significant damage and fighting with staff. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to KTLA that the incident occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday at the Circa LA Apartments, located at 1200 South Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles. “A group of individuals from a nearby takeover was involved,” an LAPD spokesperson said. “The property sustained exterior damage, including broken glass doors and windows.” Video obtained by KTLA shows one person throwing a projectile at a man in a suit who presumably worked in the building’s front lobby. The man, who was outside at first, then retreated inside, where other staff members had gathered; however, the group stormed their way in while others remained outside damaging the apartment building’s front windows. One angle shows a metal barricade being thrown at the window.
‘Without hesitation’: NYPD sergeant ran toward lit IED as chief tackled suspect
Two NYPD officers who played a critical role in preventing the ISIS-inspired mayhem outside Gracie Mansion Saturday from becoming a potentially deadly terror attack deserved special commendation, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on Monday. Emir Balat, 18, who lobbed an improvised explosive device into a crowd of protesters, was about to throw another handed to him by Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, when NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards jumped over an iron barrier and tackled him to the ground in a scene captured on cellphone video. Sergeant Luis Navarro meanwhile ran towards the second improvised explosive device dropped on the ground by Balat as it was lit and smoking, Tisch said. Mamdani publicly thanked the two officers and others on scene, who “faced a chaotic situation that very quickly could have become far more dangerous.” “That is courage, that is selflessness, and I am deeply grateful to both of them and to every member of the NYPD who works every single day to keep New Yorkers safe,” the mayor said.
FBI: NYC ‘ISIS-inspired terrorists’ that threw IEDs wanted to carry out attack bigger than Boston Marathon bombings
The “ISIS-inspired terrorists” who allegedly tried to bomb a protest in New York City wanted to carry out an attack bigger than the Boston Marathon bombings, according to the FBI. The feds have charged Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi with numerous charges — including a terror charge and using a weapon of mass destruction charge — after the weekend incident outside the mayor’s Gracie Mansion in Manhattan. The attack happened during a protest called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer” and a counter-protest called “Run Nazis Out of New York City.”After the New York City Police Department arrested the pair at the scene, they both made statements referring to ISIS, according to the FBI affidavit. “Balat additionally stated that they wanted to carry out an attack bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing, which Balat noted caused only ‘three deaths,’ ” the FBI affidavit reads. “Law enforcement officers later asked Balat if he was familiar with the Boston Marathon bombing, and if that was what Balat had hoped to accomplish. Balat responded: ‘No, even bigger. It was only three deaths.’ ”
Public Safety News
Firefighter hurt battling house fire in Hollywood Hills
A firefighter was injured Monday battling a structure fire at a home in the Hollywood Hills, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. The fire was reported at about 6:10 p.m. on the 1200 block of Hilldale Avenue, officials said. There, a thick cloud of black smoke could be seen coming from the building as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. NewChopper4 was over the scene, where roughly 100 firefighters worked together to knock down the fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Crews were able to put out the blaze in under an hour. The firefighter who was injured suffered a small burn and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. LAFD described the firefighter as being in stable condition. It’s unclear what started the blaze, but LAFD said arson investigators are looking into the cause.
2 dogs killed after fire from vacant property spreads to family home in Larchmont neighborhood
Two pet dogs were killed when a fire broke out at a vacant home and then spread to a neighboring home in the Larchmont area of Los Angeles over the weekend. The incident happened Sunday afternoon on St. Andrews Place, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. It took more than 100 firefighters about an hour to get the fire under control. The occupied home that burned belonged to the Galicia family, who say they've lived there since 2008. They're now grieving the loss of their home and two dogs who did not survive. Crews searched the vacant structure where the flames started but found no people inside. However, the Galicia family says they've been warning authorities for more than a year about people breaking into the empty home, saying they would often see people inside smoking.
