Law Enforcement News
Prosecutor Who Alleged Retaliation From DA Gascón Poised To Get $800,000 Settlement
A former high-ranking prosecutor who alleges Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón retaliated against him for refusing to drop charges against three anti-police protesters accused of attempting to wreck a train in Compton is poised to receive an $800,000 settlement. The Los Angeles County Claims Board agreed this week to recommend that the county Board of Supervisors issue the payout to Richard Doyle, a former head deputy district attorney in the Compton office who has since retired. The Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on the recommendation next month. Doyle could not be reached for comment Friday and his attorney, Alan Jackson, declined to discuss the terms of the settlement. The District Attorney’s Office did not comment. Eric Siddall, vice president of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, which represents about 900 Los Angeles County prosecutors, said the pending settlement could have been avoided. “Unfortunately, this is not the first time that the taxpayer has foot the bill for George Gascón’s retaliatory behavior,” he said. “San Francisco taxpayers paid $400,000 due to retaliation against a whistleblower concerned about Gascón violating federal law by carrying a gun on a plane. Now Los Angeles will pay $800,000 because of this case. How many more times will the taxpayers have to pay for Gascón’s calculated indiscretions?” Doyle had a clean 34-year work history until December 2020, when Gascón — who had been in office for less than a week — deemed him insubordinate.
Los Angeles Daily News
Man, 30, Shot To Death At His Motorhome In Winnetka
A 30-year-old man was fatally wounded after answering a knock at the door of his motorhome in Winnetka, authorities said Saturday. The shooting victim was identified as James Keith Brooks, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. Brooks was shot at about 11:15 p.m. Friday while answering a knock at the door of his motorhome, parked near the intersection of Gault Street and Winnetka Avenue. Paramedics rushed him to an area hospital, where he later died. No motive or suspect description was available. The LAPD’s Valley Bureau Homicide unit urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to call them at 818-374-9550 or Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-8477.
CBS 2
Police Seek Help In Identifying Driver Involved In Fatal Hit-and-Run In Chesterfield Square
A 51-year-old man is dead after he was struck by a pair of cars, one of which fled the scene after the collision, in the Chesterfield Square area of South Los Angeles on Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The man has been identified and his family was notified, but police did not release his name. Police said the first car to hit the victim struck him as he tried to cross Western Avenue just north of 65th Street at about 5 a.m. The driver of that car, believed to be a white, medium-sized sedan with tinted windows, fled the scene, but a second car struck the man as he was in the roadway on Western Avenue. The driver of the second car called for help, as the man was “lodged under the vehicle,” police said. The Los Angeles Fire Department declared the man dead at the scene. There is no available description of the driver of the first car, but anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Lopez Del Haro or Detective Moreno at 323-421-2500 during regular business hours. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).
KTLA 5
Man Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Perfume From Northridge Macy’s, Slashing Guard In The Face
A man who allegedly stole a perfume bottle from a Macy’s in Northridge before slashing a security guard late last month has been arrested, officials said. The incident occurred about 9 p.m. Oct. 29 at the store located at 9200 Shirley Ave., Los Angeles Police Department officials said in a community alert. The man allegedly stole the perfume and was approached by a loss prevention officer. That’s when the suspect allegedly took out a knife and cut the guard on the face, “barely missing his eyes,” police said. Authorities provided a photo of the suspect after the incident. Police on Friday said the man was in custody, but he has not been identified. No further details about the incident or the arrest have been released.
KTLA 5
One Injured In Crash Involving Los Angeles Police Department Officers
One person was injured Friday evening in a vehicle collision involving Los Angeles Police Department officers in the Hyde Park area. The crash was reported at 8:55 p.m. in the area of West 54th Street and Arlington Avenue, not far from Chesterfield Square Park, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Nicholas Prange. One person was taken to a hospital in unknown condition, though it was not immediately known if they were a citizen or an LAPD officer. The cause of the crash was under investigation.
MyNewsLA.com
hildren Abducted In Sylmar; Mother Sought
Authorities Friday were searching for two girls who were allegedly abducted by their mother in the Sylmar area. Angela Doroteo, 42, and an unknown male suspect allegedly took the 4year-old and 7-year-old by force from their foster mother as she was taking them to a doctor's appointment at Olive View Medical Center, at 14445 Olive View Drive, about 5:25 p.m. Thursday, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Deputy Alejandra Parra. Doroteo and the male suspect allegedly pushed the foster mother to the ground, pulled the children out of her vehicle and placed them in a dark gray Chevrolet Malibu that fled the scene. The car was recovered a short time later not far from Olive View Medical Center, though the children and the suspect were not found. Doroteo, who previously lost her parental rights, was believed to be heading to Mexico, Parra said. She is Hispanic, 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information the childrens' or suspects' whereabouts was asked to contact the LASD Major Crimes Bureau Hotline at 562-946-7893. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.
NBC 4
Ex-LAPD officer gets probation after detective accuses him of assault and blackmail
A former LAPD officer accused of sexually assaulting and beating a female detective with whom he was having an affair will avoid jail time under the terms of a plea deal reached this week, officials confirmed Friday. Danny Reedy pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor injury of a spouse or girlfriend and was sentenced to three years’ probation on Wednesday, shortly before he was set to face a preliminary hearing on charges of extortion, domestic violence and violating a restraining order, said Greg Risling, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Los Angeles Times
Man, 66, Missing In Palms Area
Los Angeles police were searching Saturday for a 66-year-old man considered at-risk and last seen in the Palms area. Edmund Ocquayeshalek was last seen about 7 a.m. around Overland Avenue and Palms Boulevard, according to a Silver Alert issued by the California Highway Patrol on behalf of the LAPD. Ocquayeshalek is described a Black, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 137 pounds, bald with brown eyes, believed to be wearing black pants, a gray sweatshirt and white shoes. The bulletin did not provide information about why he is described as at-risk. Anyone with information on his whereabouts was asked to call 911.
MyNewsLA.com
Brazen Burglar Seen On Camera Stealing From LA Israeli Restaurant
A brazen burglar is apparently targeting restaurants in the Pico-Robertson area. The owners of Holy Grill say the man somehow managed to open a locked door, and then went into the office where he took off with receipts, a laptop and more. Restaurant owners Adiel and Ella Nahmia say they are shaken up by the events that happened. On Monday Adiel was getting ready to leave the restaurant for the night. He says he left is office for a few seconds to say goodbye to his staff, and that’s when the suspect entered and took off with his money bag and backpack. The suspect was in and out within 30 seconds. Adiel says the money bag held about three weeks of the restaurant’s receipts... about $27,000 worth of cash. Surveillance video from outside the business shows the man walking around his car, talking on his cellphone... however the camera did not catch his license plate. The suspect tried the same tactic two other times that night, but was unsuccessful. Police say recently thieves are hitting restaurants more often. Anyone with information is urged to contact the LAPD.
FOX 11
West Hollywood Stabbing: Man Accused Of Attacking Random Shopper Outside A Whole Foods In Custody
A man accused of stabbing a random shopper outside a Whole Foods in West Hollywood is in custody after a days-long search for the suspect. Back on November 15, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to a call of a stabbing at the Whole Foods in the 7800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard. Upon arrival, a shopper was spotted bleeding from his neck and arms. LASD was told the shopper had just picked up his groceries and was on his way home when the stabbing suspect – later identified as 44-year-old David Cook – began attacking him outside the Whole Foods. The shopper told LASD he didn't know Cook and that the attack was unprovoked. The shopper was rushed to the hospital that Monday night, but has since been released and is recovering at home, LASD said. On Sunday, LASD announced Cook was detained near the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Martel Avenue after Los Angeles (City) Police Department officers responded to a call of Cook being spotted in that area. Cook is being charged with attempted murder and is being held on a $1 million bond.
FOX 11
2 Teenage Brothers Arrested In Connection With Willowbrook Metro Station Shooting
Two teenage brothers were arrested in connection with a September shooting that left four people injured at the Rosa Parks Metro Station in Willowbrook, authorities announced Saturday. The shooting at the C Line Station was first reported around 7:20 p.m. on Sept. 24, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Transit Services Bureau said in a news release. Responding deputies found four persons suffering from gunshot wounds, LASD said. Paramedics transported all four victims to local hospitals, where they survived their injuries, authorities said. Deputies obtained preliminary descriptions of the suspects but were unable to locate them immediately, the Sheriff’s Department said. On Nov. 2, detectives with LASD’s Transit Services Bureau served a search warrant at a home in the 10500 block of Towne Avenue in Los Angeles, where they found one of the suspects, authorities said. Authorities said after the first suspect was taken into custody, his brother — who was also identified as a suspect in the shooting — was later brought into the Sheriff’s station by their mother to surrender. The boys were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and potentially face additional charges, LASD said. Meanwhile, detectives are looking for a third suspect believed to have been involved with the shooting. Authorities are urging him to turn himself in.
KTLA 5
13-Year-Old Boy Killed In Bedroom By Stray Bullet In Pasadena
A 13-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet while playing video games in his bedroom on Saturday night, further alarming a community that has been pushing for an end to gun violence. The shooting occurred at 6:12 p.m. in the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue, near Mountain Street, when the bullet was shot through a window, said Pasadena Lt. Bill Grisafe. The boy was in a first-floor room facing Raymond Street playing video games when three to five shots were fired nearby, at least one of which hit him, Grisafe said. The child, Iran Moreno-Balvaneda, walked out of his room and collapsed in the living room, said Maria Balvaneda, a family member and neighbor. His siblings saw him and fetched their parents. The boy’s father took the wounded and bleeding youngster into his arms. “It’s an absolute tragedy for our community,” Pasadena Police Chief John Perez said. “This 13-year-old was innocent. He was doing what 13-year-olds do, playing video games in his house.” The target of the shooting was unknown, but it did not appear to be the boy, he said. Investigators had no information on any suspect as of Sunday afternoon.
Los Angeles Daily News
Bay Area Hit With Spate Of Large-Scale Smash-and-Grab Robberies
Police are looking for dozens of suspects after a series of brazen thefts Friday and Saturday in the Bay Area that targeted high-end retailers in large-scale smash-and-grab robberies. Walnut Creek police said Sunday that three people were arrested, including one who was in possession of a firearm, after an organized theft involving approximately 80 people at a Nordstrom store in the city’s downtown area shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday. Police said Nordstrom employees began calling 911 when dozens of people entered the store and immediately stole merchandise. Two employees were assaulted and one was pepper-sprayed, according to police. Police said in a news release that they are reviewing surveillance video to identify additional suspects. Videos posted to social media showed some of the suspects fleeing the scene in cars parked outside the store. Other Bay Area cities have also been targeted in what police said were coordinated group thefts, including at numerous high-end stores in San Francisco on Friday and at the Iceberg Diamonds jewelry store inside the Sun Valley Mall in Concord on Nov. 15. “We will do what we need to do to put an end to this madness,” San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said at a news conference Saturday.
Los Angeles Times
5 Dead, 40 Injured After SUV Drives Through Crowd At Wisconsin Christmas Parade
A joyous scene of marching bands and children dancing in Santa hats and waving pompoms turned deadly in an instant, as an SUV sped through barricades and into a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee, killing at least five people and injuring more than 40 others. One video showed a woman screaming, “Oh my God!” repeatedly as a group of young dancers was struck Sunday. A father talked of going “from one crumpled body to the other” in search of his daughter. Members of a “Dancing Grannies” club were among those hit. The city of Waukesha posted on its social media accounts late Sunday that it could confirm at least five died and more than 40 were injured, while noting that it was still collecting information. The city's statement also noted that many people took themselves to hospitals. The city did not release any additional information about those who died. A “person of interest” was in custody, Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said, but he gave no details about the person or any possible motive. The investigation was ongoing, with assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Associated Press
Kentucky Officer Shot In Face During Traffic Control, Construction Worker Killed
A shooting early Friday in Louisville left an officer wounded and a construction worker dead. The suspect was also wounded when the officer returned fire, reported WLKY. According to police, the officer was working traffic control at a construction site when a man walked up and killed one of the construction workers. The man then walked over to the patrol car and shot the officer in the face, police said. The suspect’s motive is unclear. Despite being shot, the officer managed to pursue the suspect and shoot him several times, according to the report. Both the officer and the suspect are expected to survive, police said. The investigation is ongoing.
PoliceOne
Public Safety News
LA County Reports 1,876 New Cases Of Coronavirus, 26 More Deaths
Los Angeles County reported 1,876 new cases of COVID-19 and 26 additional deaths associated with the virus Saturday. The latest figures brought the county’s cumulative totals to 1,518,732 cases and 26,999 fatalities since the pandemic began, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus patients in Los Angeles County hospitals dropped by another 11 people to 573, one day after tumbling below the 600 mark. Of those patients, 149 were in intensive care, up from 144 on Friday, according to state figures. The rolling average daily rate of people testing positive for the virus was 0.9% as of Friday. Health officials locally and nationally continue to fear a spike in cases with the upcoming winter holidays, and with colder weather leading to more indoor gatherings. On Thursday, county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer noted that the county appears to have avoided any spike in cases following Halloween, attributing that success to higher numbers of vaccinated residents and other precautions.
CBS 2
Los Angeles County Health Officials Reveal Top COVID-19 Hot Spots
Communities such as Lancaster, Palmdale, Studio City and Santa Clarita were among the 10 Los Angeles County areas that had the highest rates of new COVID-19 infections during a two-week period that ended Nov. 6, even though most of the areas that made the list have above-average vaccination rates, the county's health director said Friday. Of the 10 communities that had the highest rate of new cases, seven had vaccination rates that exceed the countywide rate, according to numbers presented by the Department of Public Health. Health Director Barbara Ferrer said officials are studying the data to determine what is driving higher case rates in the communities, but she insisted the numbers don't mean vaccines aren't effective. "If you're not vaccinated, you've got a much higher risk of ending up infected, ending up in the hospital and tragically passing away. That's crystal clear and it hasn't really changed for months now," Ferrer said during a media briefing.
FOX 11
L.A., Ventura Counties Under Red Flag Warning As Powerful Winds, Low Humidity Increase Fire Danger
A red flag warning went into effect over much of the Los Angeles area Sunday morning as gusty winds and low humidity across the Southland increased fire danger. The warning, which covers most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, went into effect at 9 a.m. and will be in place through 3 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Peak wind activity is expected Sunday morning and afternoon. “Gusty Santa Ana winds are expected to continue into Monday morning, however, wind speeds are expected to be 10 to 15 mph less than Sunday,” according to the NWS. “Humidities are expected to fall to around 15 to 20 percent by mid-morning Sunday, potentially lowering to between 8 and 15 percent by Sunday afternoon and evening, and again on Monday.” Wind gusts are expected to taper off heading into Monday, about 10 to 15 mph less than Sunday, forecasters said. Humidity throughout most of SoCal will dip to the single digits in some parts of the basin, including Anaheim, San Bernardino, Riverside and Lake Elsinore due to strong winds.
KTLA 5
Local Government News
LA City Council To Consider Ballot Measure For Encampment Ban
The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday will consider a motion from Councilman Joe Buscaino to initiate a ballot measure process for a law that would require the city to prioritize emergency temporary shelter production over permanent housing and would prohibit encampments across the city if enough shelter is available and offered. The City Council has previously rejected proposals from Buscaino to prohibit camping by people who have been offered shelter. The motion, which was seconded by Councilman John Lee, would instruct the City Attorney prepare necessary documents to place a measure on the June 2022 primary election ballot that would: Create a citywide ordinance to prohibit camping in all public areas if shelter is available and offered; Require the city to prioritize immediate emergency shelter over other options, like permanent supportive housing; and provide the mayor with the authority to cut red tape and urgently build emergency homeless housing. The ballot measure would be on the ballot at the same time as Councilman Joe Buscaino, who is running for mayor of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Daily News
