More LAPD Patrols Added To San Fernando Valley Areas Amid Spike In Burglaries

As residents and businesses in the San Fernando Valley neighbors are fearful whether their home or business would be next amid the spike in burglaries, the Los Angeles Police Department has deployed more resources and patrols to the area, Interim Chief Dominic Choi said. “These are crews that are doing multiple burglaries in a particular area,” Choi said. “They are hitting not just LA – but multiple cities.” His comments come as a Canoga Park shoe store became another victim of burglary early Tuesday morning. One of the suspects was arrested after ransacking the business. LAPD investigators believe the recent burglary may be connected to others in the area, including the break-ins of a computer shop and a Tobacco store in Arleta. Choi admitted that there has been a significant increase in burglaries in the area including Encino, Tarzana and Woodland Hills. The LAPD is working with community volunteer patrols to help address the uptick in crimes, Choi said. Last week, the LAPD hosted a safety meeting with those who live and work in the Valley. “We take these crimes seriously – we need to know about them, so please report them be our eyes and ears,” Choi said. 

NBC 4

First Arrest In Brutal Killing Of 27-Year-Old Karla Terron Made In San Fernando

More than a year after she was found dead, the first arrest in the brutal killing of 27-year-old Karla Terron was made Wednesday morning in the city of San Fernando, authorities said. Deputies arrested Juan Figueroa, 30, as a person believed to have been involved in the homicide, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. They served a search warrant at a home in the 1500 block of Knox Street and took him into custody shortly after 5 a.m. before booking him into the San Fernando Police Station. Investigators said they are working on making more arrests in Terron's death. The arrest comes a year and eight months after Terron's body was found on the side of a freeway in Bakersfield. On Dec. 17, 2022, her body was discovered engulfed in flames on southbound State Route 99, near the off-ramp for Hosking Avenue. In early July, homicide detectives pleaded for the public's help in solving the killing. "We hope people will have the courage to come forward and help investigators identify the information they are looking for," LA County Sheriff's Lt. Michael Modica said at the time.

CBS 2

Multiple People Charged In Death Of Matthew Perry, Sources Say

Federal authorities have made an arrest in connection with the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry, law enforcement sources told The Times on Thursday. Few details were available, and officials have scheduled a news conference for later in the morning. Sources told The Times that several search warrants were served on targets of the investigation and evidence was seized. Federal charges have been filed against multiple people, at least one of whom holds a medical license, according to the sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Details on the charges will be revealed by the U.S. attorney’s office. Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his swimming pool at his Pacific Palisades home on Oct. 28. Trace amounts of ketamine — which is sometimes used to treat depression — were found in his stomach, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner. But the level found in his blood was about the same as would be used during general anesthesia, his autopsy showed. The Times reported in June that investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Service had linked several people to procurement of the ketamine.

Los Angeles Times

Arrests made in actor Johnny Wactor’s downtown LA death, according to reports

Los Angeles police were tight-lipped early Thursday on reports that arrests were being made in connection with the death of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor, who was shot after encountering three people trying to steal the catalytic converter from his parked car downtown.

Los Angeles Daily News

Thieves Targeted South Bay Pharmacy For Codeine, Owner Says; Beverly Hills Pharmacy Also Hit 

Four pharmacy burglaries were reported across the L.A. area in a 48-hour period, including at one location that was targeted just over a month ago. The owner of LAX Pharmacy, which lies in the 4000 block of Lennox Boulevard in Lennox, told KTLA on Wednesday that his store had last been hit around 40 days ago, which was around when they got their last shipment of codeine cough suppressant. He said that six suspects bypassed his recently installed security measures around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday and broke into the store to steal more codeine. Police were not able to confirm what, if anything, was stolen. The Lennox burglary occurred shortly before another pharmacy in Beverly Hills was hit by multiple thieves. That incident took place at Pharmacy 90210 on Wilshire Boulevard around 2:45 a.m. and involved a group of four to five suspects, Beverly Hills Police Department officials said in a statement issued Wednesday morning. Those suspects then fled in a Dodge Durango Hellcat that was later determined to be stolen, BHPD said. Officers initiated a pursuit that they briefly lost but found again on the 10 Freeway with the help of an assisting Los Angeles Police Department air unit.

KTLA 5

South Gate Man Pleads Not Guilty To Sexually Abusing Two Boys

A South Gate man with a work history at dozens of schools and child-care centers pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he sexually abused two boys who were between the ages of 4 and 9. Andrew Louie Sandoval, 27, is charged with seven counts of lewd act on a child under age 14, two counts of oral copulation with a child 10 years or younger and one count each of sodomy with a child 10 years old or younger and possession of more than 600 images of child or youth pornography, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The crimes allegedly occurred in Los Angeles County between November 2015 and this year, and investigators are searching for other potential alleged victims, according to the District Attorney’s Office. “The abhorrent nature of these crimes against children and the defendant’s employment in schools and childcare settings is of tremendous concern, and we are asking for anyone who may have additional information to come forward,” District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement last week announcing the charges. “We’re committed to seeking justice, and the courage to come forward can ensure justice for those who have been harmed.”

MyNewsLA

Authorities Search For Missing Southern California Woman

Loved ones and authorities are searching for a missing Southern California woman. Mychelle Dias Hespanhol, 26, was last seen on Aug. 11 near 4th Street and Broadway in Santa Monica. Her family said she may not be familiar with the area where she was last spotted, which is located near the Third Street Promenade shopping district and the Santa Monica Pier area. Hespanhol is described as a woman around 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 128 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes. It’s unknown what type of clothing she was wearing when she disappeared, Santa Monica police noted. Authorities said the woman may have schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Anyone who has seen Hespanhol or has information on her whereabouts is asked to call Santa Monica police at 310-458-8491.

KTLA 5

Man Sentenced To 17 Years In Prison After Pleading Guilty To Causing Crash That Killed Georgia Trooper

A motorcyclist who caused a crash that killed a state trooper pleaded guilty Wednesday, according to the Gwinnett County district attorney. Gerson Danilo Ayala-Rodriguez, 21, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the January crash that killed Trooper Jimmy Cenescar. In addition to the felony charge, Ayala-Rodriguez also was convicted on misdemeanor charges of reckless driving, speeding, two counts each of driving without a license, operating a vehicle without insurance and operating an unregistered vehicle. Ayala-Rodriguez was then sentenced to 20 years, including 17 to serve in prison, the Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office said. “We tragically lost a young state trooper as a result of the defendant’s reckless driving,” Gwinnett DA Patsy Austin-Gatson said in a statement. “Ultimately, the defendant accepted responsibility for his actions in this, although it cannot bring back Trooper Cenescar. We hope this serves as a message to drivers and motorcyclists to drive within the safe bounds of the law.” Ayala-Rodriguez was arrested five days after the crash and was indicted in May on a murder charge. With the negotiated plea deal, he avoided a trial.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Man Convicted Of Stabbing Colorado Officer 12 Times

A man has been convicted of trying to kill a Wheat Ridge Police Department officer after stabbing him 12 times in 2022, 9News reported. A jury on Aug. 15 found Andre Jones, 31, guilty following a six-day trial, according to the report. The jury deliberated for four hours before convicting Jones of multiple charges, including second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault by threatening a peace officer with a deadly weapon, first-degree assault by intentionally causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon, first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft and resisting arrest. Officer Allan Fischer was stabbed 12 times by Jones – 10 times in the neck, once in the chest and once in the back, according to the report. The stabbing took place on April 13, 2022, in Wheat Ridge. According to the district attorney for Gilpin and Jefferson counties, Fischer and another officer were responding to a report of a U-Haul truck that had crashed into a fence. The arrest affidavit stated that Jones refused to identify himself or exit the truck. When Fischer attempted to escort him out of the vehicle, Jones resisted and then attacked Fischer, stabbing him multiple times, according to the report.

PoliceOne

City Council Unanimously Votes To Curb RV Encampments Near Neighborhoods, Schools, Sensitive Areas

The Los Angeles City Council moved Wednesday to restrict RV encampments near residential zones, parks, and commercial areas. The initiative, championed by Councilwoman Traci Park, addresses the escalating number of RV dwellings throughout the city. Councilwoman Park emphasized the urgency of addressing the public health and safety concerns linked to these encampments. "Angelenos are demanding swift action to control the spread of RVs that are compromising our public spaces," Park stated. The approved motion directs the Chief Legislative Analyst, City Administrative Officer, and relevant departments to craft a citywide strategy. The plan will identify designated streets for oversized vehicle dwellings and suggest amendments to the Los Angeles Municipal Code to support the implementation of this strategy. Despite the council's consensus on Park's motion, an amendment proposed by Councilwoman Eunisis Hernandez, which called for a task force to explore holistic solutions to the RV crisis, was rejected in a 4-10 vote. Supporters of the amendment, including Council members Hugo Soto-Martinez, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and Heather Hutt, argued for a more comprehensive approach to the issue, while Councilwoman Nithya Raman was absent.

Westside Current

LA City To Unveil Bike Lane On Hollywood Boulevard As Part Of Ongoing Project

A new bike lane will officially open Thursday as part the first half of what is known as the “Access to Hollywood” plan, which are measures intended to improve pedestrian safety and mobility options for the area. Los Angeles City Council members Hugo Soto-Martinez and Nithya Raman, who represent the 13th and 4th Districts, respectively, encompassing areas of Hollywood, will celebrate the opening of the protected bike lanes on Hollywood Boulevard from Virgil Avenue to Gower Street at a news conference. City leaders are expected to be joined by Laura Rubio-Cornejo, general manager of the L.A. Department of Transportation; and Michael Schneider, founder of Streets for All and a leader of the Yes on Measure HLA campaign. Council members announced the Access to Hollywood plan in March. The project will add new bike lanes, bus lanes, wider sidewalks and other safety improvements such as crosswalks on 2.1 miles of Hollywood Boulevard — with a completion date of early 2025. The plan will add bike lanes from La Brea Avenue on the border of West Hollywood to Fountain Avenue in Silver Lake. Bus lanes are expected to be placed from Orange Drive to Gower Street, with the aim of increasing public transit efficiency, reliability and giving Angelenos more travel options.

MyNewsLA

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.