Retired LAPD Detectiqve's identity stolen in heartbreaking online scam

Retired LAPD Detective Moses Castillo finds himself at the center of a disturbing case of identity theft and online romance scam. "I can't even believe this is happening," Moses said. Neither could Mary, a woman who fell in love with a man she met on the dating website "Our Time."

Fox 11

Alfa Romeo Crashes Into Sushi Restaurant In Studio City; Driver Flees On Foot

Police are searching for a driver who slammed into a Studio City sushi restaurant early Thursday afternoon before running from the area on foot. Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded to Akira Sushi, located in the 11800 block of Ventura Boulevard at around 1:35 p.m. to Akira Sushi after learning of the crash. They arrived to find a vehicle inside of the restaurant but there was no driver to be found. Security footage shows the vehicle, a white Alfa Romeo, veering of the road after sideswiping another car before colliding with a third vehicle and slamming into the front of the restaurant. Additional video from inside of the restaurant shows debris flying as the car flies through the front window. Los Angeles Police Department officers have disclosed that the incident was a hit-and-run, after the driver took off from the scene on foot with a dog in tow. They did not provide any further information on the suspect.

CBS 2

Woman Dies Weeks After Being Shot By Neighbor In WeHo Apartment

A woman who was shot when a neighbor opened fire inside a West Hollywood apartment complex in April has died, her son told NBC4. Larisa Pereshivaylova, a 57-year-old nurse, died Sunday, according to her 21-year-old son, Max Buydakov. After the shooting – in which she was struck twice – Pereshivaylova was diagnosed with liver cancer, for which she was not able to seek treatment due to her injuries, Buydakov said. Her son said one bullet damaged her kidney, liver and spine, and the other landed in her neck. “She was my pillar of support, both mentally, emotionally, financially,” Buydakov said. The sheriff’s department said that on April 7, Joshua Findlay, Pereshivaylova’s neighbor across the hall, fired multiple shots in his unit at the Dylan Apartment Complex. The bullets went through the wall and hit Pereshivaylova in the kitchen next door as she was cooking breakfast. Buydakov said his mother called 911 and then called him. As emergency responders rushed Pereshivaylova to the hospital, dozens of deputies, the SWAT team and a sheriff’s department helicopter tried to get Findley into custody.

NBC 4

City Council Slated To Vote On Controversial LAPD `Robot Dog’

The City Council Tuesday is slated to vote on a twice-delayed proposal to accept the donation of a controversial so-called robot dog for use by the LAPD — an issue that has caused protests from critics of the department and concern among some council members. On May 5, council members moved to push the vote until Tuesday morning, citing a need for more time to consider the proposed donation of the $277,917 “Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle.” It is being offered as a donation to the LAPD’s Metropolitan Division by the Los Angeles Police Foundation. Hugh Esten, a spokesman for Council President Paul Krekorian, said Monday that the robot is scheduled for a vote Tuesday, and that he did not think the matter would be held over again. But Esten also noted that an agenda item can be continued indefinitely. “Without continuation votes, an item expires in two years but a continuation vote is a council action and can keep an agenda item alive,” Esten told City News Service in an email.

MyNewsLA

Man Found Shot To Death In Firestone Park Area

A man was found shot to death Sunday in the unincorporated Firestone Park community of Los Angeles County, authorities said. The shooting in the 9400 block of Parmalee Avenue was reported at 6:27 a.m. and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported. No further information was immediately available. The sheriff’s Homicide Bureau urged anyone with information about the death to call them at 323-890-5500. Callers who choose to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 877-222-8477.

MyNewsLA

Woman's Apparent Kidnapping In East LA Caught On Camera

Authorities are asking for your help identifying a possible kidnapping victim in East Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the incident happened Monday around 8:38 p.m. on the 3800 block of E. Third Street. Surveillance video shows a man confronting a woman trying to board a Montebello Transit bus. When the bus driver and a passenger try to intervene, the man reportedly broke a bus window and retrieved a gun from his car nearby. That's when authorities said the man pointed the gun at the bus driver and appeared to coax the woman into his car. The two were last seen in a white four-door possible 2022 Honda Civic headed east on Third Street to the eastbound 60 Freeway. The victim is described as a woman in her mid-20’s, approximately 5"-6" tall, 130l bs., with brown hair. The suspect is described as a man his mid-20’s, approximately 5’8", 170-190 lbs. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have information regarding this case are encouraged to contact the Major Crimes Bureau Tip Line, 562-946-7893.

FOX 11

Authorities Seek Help Locating At-Risk 67-Year-Old Man Missing Out Of Los Angeles

Authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing at-risk man. Wayne Bently Davis was last seen on May 20, just before 12 p.m., in the 3600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard in L.A. The 67-year-old is described as a Black male, around 5 foot 11 inches tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds, with a bald head, brown eyes and a mustache, according to the LASD bulletin. Davis suffers from kidney failure and there is concern for his well-being, authorities said. Anyone with information about this missing person is urged to contact LASD’s Missing Person’s Unit at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or online at L.A. Crime Stoppers.  

KTLA 5

San Fernando Valley Family Out $60K After Plumbing Work Truck Stolen, Stripped

A San Fernando Valley family is out of more than $60,000 after a group of people stole their work plumbing truck and tools on Tuesday morning. The incident happened when Galarza Plumbing was at a customer's home in Paramount. As Israel Galarza and one of his helpers were working, a group broke into their truck, hot-wired it, and drove away. The theft was captured on the home surveillance video. Israel Galarza told FOX 11 that he has been working as a plumber for more than 20 years, and worked hard to save money to launch his own small business. It's a one-truck, one-man, one job at a time plumbing company. "For this to happen to us, it's just heartbreaking. It's tough because this is our livelihood," said Israel. His wife, Jasmine Galarza, said the family is raising money to try to recover some losses through their GoFundMe campaign.

FOX 11

California Dermatologist Pleads Not Guilty To Poisoning Husband With Drano

California dermatologist Yue Yu pleaded not guilty Thursday to spiking her husband's tea with Drano. She was arraigned on three felony counts of poisoning and one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury, her attorney Scott Simmons told Fox News Digital. Orange County prosecutors say the mother of two spiked her radiologist husband Jack Chen's lemonade and tea with Drano during a nasty divorce and custody battle over their two young children. Chen noticed his drink tasted strange in April 2022 and began feeling ill. He set up three hidden cameras in the family's kitchen that allegedly captured Yu on July 11, 18 and 25 grabbing a bottle of Drano from under the sink and dumping it in his beverages. But Yu's lawyer says it was a setup.

FOX 11

Off-Duty North Carolina Deputy Spots Familiar Face At Grocery Store: A Wanted Murder Suspect

A sharp-eyed deputy was shopping when he spotted a murder suspect in a North Carolina grocery store, officials said. The deputy recognized 63-year-old Kenneth Alan Stout, who was considered a “dangerous” fugitive after the “suspicious” death of Barbara Baker. Someone was looking for her when her body was found last month in the Beartown area, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office of West Virginia said in a news conference video that WCHS shared online April 28. During the search for Stout, U.S. Marshals Service released a wanted poster and announced $15,000 in rewards for information leading to his capture. Federal officials said Stout had a violent past and believed he was looking for job as a handyman or trying to exploit Black churches while on the run. Stout had ties to cities across the Southeast, and officials reported losing track of him in South Carolina. Then, more than a month after the April 1 homicide, Stout was caught about 375 miles from the West Virginia crime scene, officials said. He was found after a cop near the North Carolina coast reportedly spotted a familiar face during his May 6 grocery run.

Charlotte Observer

Crews Battle Structure Fire At Metal Plant In Pacoima

Crews responded to a fire at a commercial building early Tuesday morning in Pacoima. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the fire was reported around 3:34 a.m. at a metal processing shop located at 13717 West Desmond Street, just north of the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway where they encountered flames shooting through the roof. Crews said the business owner was on site and warned responders of corrosive liquids inside the metal shop. LAFD Hazardous Materials specialists were on the scene, and LA County Health Hazmat has been notified. 83 Firefighters were on the scene and the flames were put out in about 45 minutes. 

CBS 2

Councilwoman Nithya Raman Launches Reelection Campaign

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman announced the start of her reelection campaign Monday for Council District 4. Raman was elected to represent the Fourth District in 2020 after defeating incumbent David Ryu. In just over two years in office, Raman said in a statement that she transformed her "district's approach to homelessness" by doubling shelter capacity; achieved the Fourth District's first reduction in street homelessness in half a decade in the last Homeless Count; secured the "most significant" expansion for renters' rights since the Rent Stabilization Ordinance in 1979; and led the passage of legislation committing the city to "carbon-free" new construction. The councilwoman serves as the chair of the council's Housing and Homelessness Committee and as a mayoral appointee to the boards of the Southern California Air Quality Management District and the L.A. County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency.

Westside Current

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.