Law Enforcement News
LAPD Searching For Driver Who Ran Over Bicyclist Near Mid-Wilshire
The Los Angeles Police Department is searching for a driver who ran over a bicyclist near Mid-Wilshire. The collision happened on Dec. 7 at about 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Venice and Hauser Boulevards. According to police, the Toyota Camry was driving westbound on Venice Boulevard and turned crossed onto Hauser Boulevard, when it hit a bicyclist that was going in the same direction. The driver immediately took off, failing to stop to help help the bicyclist, who was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe the Camry matched the models made between 2012-2017. Authorities are offering a $25,000 reward for any information that can help officers find the driver. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (213) 473-0234. If it is outside of business hours or on a weekend, callers should direct their inquires to (877) 527-3247.
CBS 2
Judge Denies Additional Witness Tampering Charges In Tory Lanez Trial
On Monday, prosecutors in the Tory Lanez criminal trial attempted to add a new charge of witness tampering, but the judge denied the request. Lanez is on trial for allegedly shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the foot in 2020. Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta wanted to tack on a new offense, accusing Lanez — whose real name is Daystar Peterson — of attempting to dissuade a witness, citing California Penal Code 136.1, according to Rolling Stone. After entering the motion, Ta was shut down by Judge David Herriford, who said she waited too long to enter the motion. Last week, testimony from the injured Megan Thee Stallion — whose real name is Megan Pete — and her former assistant, Kelsey Harris, alleged that Peterson attempted to bribe them for their silence. The three were all in the same vehicle on July 12, 2020, when the shooting incident allegedly occurred upon Pete’s exit after she and Peterson argued.
Yahoo! News
E-Scooter Theft On The Rise In LA With 129% Increase, Data Shows
Electric scooters, also known as e-scooters, have become more common in Los Angeles over the last several years, providing an environmentally friendly alternative for short commutes. But according to police, there's been a rise in e-scooter theft. L.A.-based news and data nonprofit organization Crosstown analyzed almost four years of LAPD crime reports and found a 129% increase in e-scooter theft. The data shows 539 crimes involving motorized vehicles in the city from the beginning of the year until Nov. 20. The vast majority of the scooters being stolen are privately owned as opposed to the branded scooters such as those made by companies like Bird, Lime and other operators that are commonly seen throughout L.A. The report also shows almost one third of the thefts have occurred on the University of Southern California campus with 156 incidents from Jan. 1-Nov. 20.
ABC 7
Caught On Camera: Burglars Hit Studio City Boutique
Just days before Christmas, a Studio City boutique is hit by burglars and it's all caught on security video. The break-in happened Tuesday just before 2 a.m. at Magpi located on Ventura Boulevard. The store is often stocked with unique items, many of which are made by local artists. The thieves got away with handcrafted jewelry, art, as well as high-end shoes and clothing by smashing through a window. The owner called this "a huge loss" and hopes someone will recognize the thieves before they strike again.
FOX 11
"Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over"
You will notice more DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols on the streets during the holidays. Both are due to a State program that is receiving federal funds to cut down on impaired driving and the added presence will be notable. This is the year to make sure you have a game plan for a designated driver or schedule a ride. From now through January 1, 2023, the LAPD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The extra enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk. With a commitment to keeping the community safe, LAPD wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.
Westside Current
West Hollywood Sees Dramatic Uptick In Serious Crimes
Serious crime has dramatically increased in West Hollywood, a spike Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials attribute to a rise in pickpockets at nightclubs by organized theft groups. The city’s sheriff’s station is reporting more than 2,400 Part 1 crimes like homicide, robbery and burglary for the first 11 months of 2022. Compared to the same period year, that’s a 55% increase, but much closer to the pre-pandemic average. Additionally, 68% of this year’s serious crimes has been theft, as entertainment venues and nightlife hotspots have reopened and returned to normal. Sheriff’s officials say the trend is now going in the right direction, as crimes appear to be on the decline. City leaders will assess the crime statistics and address changes to public safety planning in April.
KTLA 5
Woman With Schizophrenia Reported Missing
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department asked for the public’s help Tuesday to find a missing 43 year-old woman diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia who was last seen in downtown Los Angeles. Kristine Beverly Davis was last seen on Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. near Seventh Street and Central Avenue, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said. Davis is white, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs 250 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray shirt and gray pants. Anyone with has seen Davis or knows of her whereabouts was asked to call the Sheriff’s Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be cam be called in to 800-8477-222- or lacrimestoppers.org.
MyNewsLA
Authorities Ask For Public’s Help Locating At-Risk Missing 22-Year-Old Woman From Los Angeles County
Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are asking for the public’s help in locating an at-risk missing 22-year-old woman. Megan Raye Elder was last seen on Dec. 19, at around 8 a.m. in the 18100 block of Galantina Street in Rowland Heights. Elder is described as an Asian female, approximately 5 feet tall, weighing 165 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a red vest, gray sweatshirt and gray leggings. The 22-year-old is diagnosed with autism and suffers from anxiety and depression. “There is the possibility that she may have boarded a flight from LAX and landed in San Francisco on December 19th,” officials said in the special bulletin. “Her family is concerned with her well-being and asking for the public’s help.” Anyone with information about Ms. Elder’s whereabouts or who might have seen her is urged to contact LASD’s Missing Persons 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
California Father Arrested After Toddler Overdoses On Fentanyl
A father was arrested after his 2-year-old child overdosed on his own supply of fentanyl, police said. Merced Police officers arrested Marvin Thomas, 34, for felony child endangerment. On December 18, officers responded to Mercy Medical Center after a 2-year-old child tested positive for fentanyl. Police said the parents transported the child to the emergency room after he experienced life-threatening symptoms. With medical treatments, the child’s condition improved throughout the hours. The child is expected to make a full recovery. According to detectives, the father brought fentanyl-laced marijuana products into the home and the child experienced an exposure. Detectives removed the substance from the home. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has seen a sharp rise this year in overdoses involving fentanyl. The DEA is also warning people of the dangers of rainbow fentanyl, a multi-colored pill that tends to attract kids and teens. It has already been blamed for deaths involving children.
FOX 11
Federal Judge Strikes Down California's ‘Fee-Shifting' Gun Control Scheme, Which Echoed Texas Abortion Law
A federal judge has blocked the state of California from enforcing a gun control scheme that was modeled after a controversial Texas abortion law, delivering Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom the exact outcome he wanted. U.S. District Court Judge Roger Benitez of the Southern District of California issued a permanent injunction on Monday against the "fee-shifting" provisions of the state's gun law – which empowers private citizens to bring lawsuits against gun manufacturers – declaring it unconstitutional. "'It is cynical. ‘It is an abomination.’ ‘It is outrageous and objectionable.’ ‘There is no dispute that it raises serious constitutional questions.’ ‘It is an unprecedented attempt to thwart judicial review,’" Benitez wrote in his opinion, quoting directly from Newsom's criticisms of the Texas abortion law. The Texas measure makes abortions illegal after a fetal heartbeat can be detected and permits private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone else who assists in a woman's procurement of abortion for $10,000.
FOX News
Kansas Officer Back On Duty After Surviving Gunshot To The Face During 2021 Ambush
A Kansas officer is back on patrol after nearly losing his life from being shot in the face while desperately trying to help save the lives of fellow officers. According to KWCH News, Wichita police officer Kyle Mellard was more than deserving of the recent Officer of the Year award bestowed upon him, saving the lives of fellow officers by warning them of an ambush while taking fire himself. The violent attack happened in June 2021 and began when Mellard received a call over the radio from other officers requesting backup. “We were about to go home when the officers came up over the radio, calling for help, saying they were being shot at,” Mellard told KWCH. Mellard immediately changed his plans and rushed to assist. “When we got on scene, we got out of the car and went and checked on the first officer, which happened to be my sister,” Mellard told the news platform. Quickly realizing this was an ambush, Mellard worked to contain the scene – cautiously searching for the suspect responsible.
PoliceOne
Video: Florida LEOs Pull Toddler, Great-Grandmother From Under Car After Driver Runs Them Over
An 80-year-old woman is in critical condition and her 3-year-old great-granddaughter is stable after first responders pulled them from beneath a car that ran them over in a Tampa parking lot on Sunday, police said. The incident happened about 1:30 p.m. at the Arbour Ponds Apartments at 2901 N Dale Mabry Highway, according to a news release issued Tuesday by Tampa police. The woman, who was returning from the grocery store, was pushing the girl in a stroller when the driver of a 2006 Toyota Corolla backed out of a parking spot and ran them over, police said. The driver, a 23-year-old man, told police he did not see the woman and child and felt a bump as he reversed but thought he’d run over a large storm drain. He tried to pull forward and when the car didn’t move, he realized he’d struck someone and the woman and child were pinned under his car, police said.
Tampa Bay Times
Video: Florida LEOs Pull Toddler, Great-Grandmother From Under Car After Driver Runs Them Over
An 80-year-old woman is in critical condition and her 3-year-old great-granddaughter is stable after first responders pulled them from beneath a car that ran them over in a Tampa parking lot on Sunday, police said. The incident happened about 1:30 p.m. at the Arbour Ponds Apartments at 2901 N Dale Mabry Highway, according to a news release issued Tuesday by Tampa police. The woman, who was returning from the grocery store, was pushing the girl in a stroller when the driver of a 2006 Toyota Corolla backed out of a parking spot and ran them over, police said. The driver, a 23-year-old man, told police he did not see the woman and child and felt a bump as he reversed but thought he’d run over a large storm drain. He tried to pull forward and when the car didn’t move, he realized he’d struck someone and the woman and child were pinned under his car, police said.
Tampa Bay Times
Public Safety News
Firefighters Extinguish House Fire In South Los Angeles 13 Minutes
A fire at a one-story house in South Los Angeles was extinguished in 13 minutes by 32 firefighters Tuesday evening. The fire was reported at 9:37 p.m. and firefighters responded to 1341 W. 84th St., near Normandie Avenue, where they quickly contained the flames, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange. No injuries were reported, Prange said.
MyNewsLA
Local Government News
LA County Board Proclaims Support Of City Homeless Emergency Declaration
The county Board of Supervisors threw its unanimous support Tuesday behind Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' emergency declaration on homelessness, adopting a motion calling for county staff to work arm-in-arm with city officials to address the issue. The show of cooperation -- with Bass appearing at the county Hall of Administration to address the board -- was a marked change from recent legal battles that saw the city and county often at odds while defending against a federal lawsuit demanding more action to address homelessness. Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn, who introduced the motion along with Supervisor Kathryn Barger, set a more cooperative tone Tuesday, saying the county will be "the city's partner.'' "We know this is not the city of LA's problem to solve alone,'' Hahn said. "And that is why I particularly appreciate you, Mayor Bass, saying we need to link arms rather than point fingers. I think it's important that the county be the city's partner in this new effort.
NBC 4
