Nordstrom Rack and Macy's stores are ransacked by groups of thieves who made off with thousands of dollars worth of designer purses in California

A Nordstrom Rack in Riverside has been ransacked by a band of six thieves who made off with thousands of dollars worth of designer handbags. The department store on Canyon Springs Parkway was hit first on July 10 and again just weeks later in a separate incident on August 14. The brazen group loaded their arms and hands with as much as they could carry before running out of the building and driving away from the scene. A month later two men were seen on surveillance footage leaving the same store with a bag allegedly full of stolen merchandise. The men appear to walk out of the store calmly and without resistance from security or shop staff. A matter of days later a similar flash robbery took place at Macy's in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Daily Mail

Police seek hit-and-run driver who injured motorcyclist in South Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Police Department is looking for the driver of a Honda who crashed into a motorcyclist in the Historic South-Central neighborhood of South Los Angeles and fled the scene. Around 11:20 a.m. on June 26, two 2021-22 silver Honda Accords were headed south on Grand Avenue near 37th Street when one of them attempted a U-turn, the LAPD said in a news release. While turning around, the Honda hit a motorcyclist who was headed north on Grand Avenue, then lost control and crashed into another car, the LAPD said. The Accord, which sustained visible front-end and right-side damage, then fled north on Grand Avenue, east on Jefferson Boulevard and south on Hill Street, the LAPD said. The biker was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police have released footage of the vehicle suspected of fleeing the scene of the crash. Anyone with information regarding the vehicle or the driver is urged to contact Detective Juan Campos at 213-833-3713 or email him at 31480@LAPD.

KTLA 5

Officers chase Rolls-Royce driver in downtown LA

Officers chased a Rolls-Royce driver at high speed Wednesday afternoon in the Los Angeles area. The chase was Pasadena and Arcadia area earlier Wednesday morning before entering downtown Los Angeles around midday. Officers appeared to back off the chase. The pursuit came to an end after the driver entered a parking garage. Details about what led to the pursuit were not immediately available. There were no reports of an arrest.

NBC 4

Beverly Hills man accused of stealing $1.8M worth of jewelry from hotel, selling items in Florida

A Beverly Hills man is facing federal charges after allegedly stealing more than $1.8 million worth of jewelry and other items from guests at a luxury hotel, and then selling the goods in Florida, officials said. Jobson Marangoni De Castro, 37, was arrested at LAX on Monday and was charged with interstate transportation of stolen property, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. On May 10, De Castro took an Uber to the luxury hotel in Beverly Hills and allegedly tricked an employee into giving him a key to the victims’ room while they were having dinner. He then allegedly stole six suitcases containing jewelry, clothing and accessories worth more than $1.8 million. The victims, who were visiting from Brazil to attend a fashion event the previous day, returned to find their suitcases missing. The hotel staff notified authorities. Federal prosecutors say De Castro traveled to Miami and messaged a buyer for the stolen goods on Instagram. The defendant allegedly told the buyer that he wanted to sell a diamond necklace and luxury watch, but that he didn’t have the papers for the items because he found them in a box belonging to his late mother, officials said.

KTLA 5

Police Arrest Teen in Connection with Stabbing in Culver City

On August 23, 2023, at approximately 3:18 p.m., Culver City Police Officers responded to a call of a stabbing in the 3800 Block of Prospect Ave. Officers arrived on scene and detained three juveniles. Two of the juveniles had stab wounds in the abdomen area and were bleeding. Culver City Fire Personnel arrived on scene and took the juveniles to a nearby hospital in serious condition where they are expected to survive. The third juvenile (suspect) was taken into custody without incident and transported to CCPD. There are no current threats to the public as a result of this incident. CCPD Detectives and Forensics were called to the scene to further investigate. Anyone with any information regarding this incident, please contact the Culver City Police Department Public Information Officer, Sergeant Edward Baskaron at 310-253-6316 or the Watch Commander at 310-253-6202.

Westside Current

'Wedding Swindler' allegedly scammed vendors of nearly $22,000 In LA County

No one could blame a man for wanting the perfect wedding for his future husband. The groom, Jose Loera, allegedly signed contracts with multiple third-party service companies and musicians. However, FOX 11 spoke with three people who claim the groom swindled out of their money, their time and trust. "He told me, 'Cinthia, I'm super happy with you, thank you so much. Thank you for everything. You were the best,'" Cinthia Huamn of Alan Party Services said. Jose gave Cinthia a check for nearly $2,000. Cinthia was then told the check did not work. The check was missing information and was allegedly more than what the groom owed. Cinthia called the whole process fishy. At least another vendor who FOX 11 spoke with also allegedly ended up with bad checks from the apparent "Wedding Swindler." Javier "DJ Kepler" Martinez worked three days to set up and take down lights, staging and then provided was the DJ for the reception. DJ Kepler had to track Loera down at his home in Covina asking for the $5,000 that was owed to the vendor. But just like the check for Alan Party Services, the check wasn't good.

FOX 11

Cook's Corner: At least 3 killed, 6 hospitalized in shooting at historic biker bar in Orange County

At least three people are dead and six others are hospitalized after a shooter opened fire at a historic biker bar in Trabuco Canyon Wednesday evening. The gunman also died at the scene after being shot by responding sheriff's deputies. The suspected gunman was identified as John Snowling, a retired Ventura County Police Department sergeant, according to spokesperson for the OC District Attorney's office. The DA also confirmed the identity of the shooter and said they have done work on his background. According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, a media briefing regarding the shooting is planned Thursday afternoon, with the time and location expected to be released Thursday morning. "No information will be released until then," the sheriff's department said in a statement posted on social media early Thursday morning. "Thank you for your patience." The shooting occurred at Cook's Corner in the 19000 block of Santiago Canyon Road around 7 p.m. According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, authorities first received calls to 911 at 7:04 p.m. and arrived at the bar two minutes later. Deputies then engaged with the gunman at 7:08 p.m. when he was fatally shot.

CBS 2

Suspect charged with attempted murder after trying to drown Ohio deputy

An Ohio man is accused of attempted murder after deputies say he tried to drown a sheriff’s deputy. Richard Turner, 28, was arrested early in the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 22, in Scioto County. According to a press release from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called around 5:45 p.m. Monday to check on a home after the homeowner had concerns there may be squatters there. When the first deputy arrived, he noticed one man near a pond. When the deputy went inside the home, he found a woman and a man, later identified as Turner, in a bedroom, the release states. It goes on to state that Turner, who officials say “appeared to be under the influence,” took off running, wearing just underwear. The deputy chased after him and Turner reportedly ran into a pond and yelled out, “You can’t tase me now, I’m in water.” Once the deputy was able to grab ahold of him, Turner is accused of pulling the deputy into the pond before a struggle ensued. The release states that Turner grabbed the deputy’s radio, holding it away so he couldn’t call for help. Then, he put the deputy in a headlock and dragged him underwater, causing him to black out and almost drown, the release states. Turner then took off, according to the sheriff’s office, leaving the deputy behind in need of medical assistance.

Charlotte Observer

Video: Officer dragged by getaway vehicle following foot pursuit

An officer with the Cleveland Police Department was dragged by a vehicle as he held onto a suspect who got into a getaway vehicle following a foot pursuit, WOIO reports. According to police, two officers conducted a traffic stop because the vehicle didn't have a visible license plate. Surveillance video nearby shows the driver and passenger got out of the vehicle before officers approached the car. “Stop walking away. Come here. Hands out of your pocket,” an officer can be heard on body camera video saying to the man before he ran away, leading both officers on a minute-long pursuit. Bodycam video shows the suspect run around a corner and get into a vehicle car that was waiting for him. As the suspect got into the back seat, his upper body stuck out from the vehicle as an officer held on. The driver of the vehicle drove off, dragging the officer around 10 feet before he let go of the suspect. The suspects have not been caught.  

PoliceOne

Tree trimmer dies while working in Agoura Hills

A tree trimmer working on a residential tree in Agoura Hills was trapped about 40 feet up when the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded. Crews pronounced the man dead at the scene around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 4000 block of Lewis Road. Information on the exact cause of death is not available at this time. 

CBS 2

Crews rescue woman who fell off cliff in Palos Verdes Estates

A woman was rescued after falling off a cliff in Palos Verdes Estates on Wednesday. The incident was reported around 11:50 a.m. near Paseo Del Mar and Palos Verdes Drive, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The victim apparently fell 40 to 50 feet off a cliff. Aerial video from Sky5 showed the victim being hoisted and flown into a helicopter to safety. No further details about the incident have been released.

KTLA 5

COVID cases continue to climb in LA County; health officials warn of possible 'tripledemic'

With many schools in full swing, health officials are tracking an increase in COVID cases. Health officials are warning at-risk people to take precautions. We're already seeing some places taking some precautions in light of the active outbreaks. L.A. County health officials are requiring some Lionsgate employees in Santa Monica to mask in some parts of their offices. And doctors are reporting an uptick of cases in their practices. "COVID hasn't gone anywhere. We're seeing another uptick right now. It almost feels like a surge from my perspective where I'm working," said Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. David Bronstein with Kaiser Permanente in Antelope Valley. He expects the rising trend to continue. "We very well may have another tripledemic. I think that's what we're bracing ourselves for right now," he said, referring to COVID, flu and RSV. This week, L.A. County health officials reported 88 active outbreaks, 14 of those at workplaces.

ABC 7

Pilot program starts ridding some LA County streets of RVs

Los Angeles County has launched a pilot program aimed at taking mobile homes off streets while offering help for unhoused people. One of the first places implementing the “Pathway Home” program is the unincorporated community of West Rancho Dominguez, located in District 2, where hundreds of RVs are parked. After removing the first mobile homes on Main, Spring and Lennon streets, authorities found bikes, grocery carts and generators, among other items. They also removed 15 homes that were deemed unfit for driving on streets. Some didn’t have tires or a motor. “I’ve seen dead animals, seen drugs,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. George Suárez. The mobile homes take up space in a 6-mile area, and they’re not limited to Compton and Redondo Beach boulevards. “Los Angeles County has 7,500 mobile homes throughout the county,” Suarez said. “In this area, we have 2,500.” Residents and business owners have been complaining about the issue for years.

NBC 4

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 9,200 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.