Los Angeles Police Union Disputes Flawed, Politically-Influenced Police Commission Ruling

“We strongly disagree with these politically influenced findings, each responding officer acted responsibly in dealing with Mr. Anderson who was high on cocaine and ran into traffic after fleeing a car accident he caused,” stated the Board of Directors of the LAPPL. “The coroner confirmed he was not tased but rather drive-stunned when he refused to follow simple directions while in the middle of a busy street. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Anderson alone was responsible for what occurred.” The LAPPL also released a video that directly counters claims made by the attorneys representing the family of Anderson.

Man Riding Bicycle Hit, Dragged To Death In South L.A. Hit-and-Run

A man was killed after getting hit and dragged by a van in South L.A. Tuesday morning in what police believe may have been an intentional hit-and-run. Officers were dispatched to the area of El Segundo Boulevard and Broadway in Willowbrook around 9:15 a.m. on reports of a vehicle striking a pedestrian, according to Los Angeles Police. Witnesses told officers that a man driving a van struck another man riding a bike at 117th Street and Broadway and kept driving, dragging the victim for about a mile. Video footage from Sky5 shows a white canopy in the middle of the intersection of El Segundo and Broadway where the victim’s body became dislodged. Police are investigating whether the collision was intentional. “Until we speak with this individual, we’re not sure yet,” said Detective Ryan Moreno. “But according to different witness accounts … possibly that could be the case.” The suspect is described as a Hispanic man with long gray or salt-and-pepper hair. He was seen driving an older model white Chevy van with distinct stripes on the side. He was last spotted on the side of El Segundo Boulevard heading towards Broadway. 

KTLA 5

Drug-Related Death Of 32-Year-Old Model Found In DTLA Apartment Is Ruled Accidental, Coroner Says

The drug-related death of a 32-year-old model has been ruled accidental some six weeks after her body was found in her downtown Los Angeles apartment, coroner's officials said Tuesday. Nichole Coats died at her residence, and the cause was deemed to be cocaine and ethanol toxicity, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office. Another model, 31-year-old Maleesa Mooney, was found deceased in her downtown L.A. apartment on Sept. 12, two days after Coats' body was discovered. Last month, the Los Angeles Police Department said investigations indicated that the two deaths did not appear to be related. According to the LAPD, officers responded to the Eighth & Grand Apartments on Sept. 10 to conduct a welfare check. Coats' father also checked on his daughter and she was found dead inside her residence, where she lived alone.

ABC 7

Man Arrested For Allegedly Setting American Flag On Fire Outside West Hills Home

A man was arrested Monday for allegedly setting an American flag on fire in front of a West Hills home, police announced. Kevin Miller was arrested late Monday night, and faces charges of arson of an inhabited dwelling, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The incident happened on Saturday, Oct. 21 outside a home on Welby Way. LAPD officers were called out to the home for report of an arson. The entire scene was caught on the homeowner's security camera. In the video, a man was seen walking down the sidewalk in front of the home, before stopping, seeming to look at the flag, hanging from a flag pole affixed to the house. The man then stopped, walked into the yard, approached the flag and set it on fire, before walking off. FOX 11's Christine Divine spoke to the homeowner after the attack, saying the incident makes her feel no longer safe. Officials originally said tehy were investigating whether the fire was a hate crime, since the family has Jewish symbols on their home, but police announced Tuesday that "the arson was not motivated by hate."

FOX 11

"Armed And Dangerous" Burglars Target Two Pharmacies In Tujunga

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating back-to-back pharmacy burglaries in Tujunga early Monday morning. The first burglary happened at Miracle Pharmacy in the 7400 block of Foothill Boulevard around 3:10 a.m. The second occurred down the street at Remedy Drugs in the 6000 block of Foothill Boulevard around 3:20 a.m. KCAL News talked with the owners of Miracle Pharmacy who said they have been burglarized three times before. Vardui Sarafyan, who owns the pharmacy with her husband, said the men stole Xanax along with money from the cash register. "They always look for "street drugs" to take. We are getting frustrated," said owner Vardui Sarafyan. The suspects were described as four men believed to be driving a black Dodge Durango SUV that was stolen, according to the LAPD. Authorities believe the same men are responsible for three other burglaries at pharmacies in San Fernando Valley on October 5. Anyone with information on the crimes was urged to call 877-LAPD-247.

CBS 2

LAPD Bomb Squad Clears Suspicious Package Outside LA City Hall

A report of a suspicious package outside Los Angeles City Hall prompted a large Los Angeles Police Department response, as officers conducted an investigation around 10:50 a.m.Tuesday. The LAPD bomb squad responded to a black electronic box that was left under a bus bench. Spring and Temple streets were closed off during the investigation and reopened around 12:15 a.m., once the box was cleared by the bomb squad. A Los Angeles City Council meeting underway was not affected by the investigation. There was also a Smart Cities Showcase happening at city hall, an event where tech companies highlight their services and tools. 

CBS 2

Authorities Seek Public Help Finding Missing Woman With Mental Disorders

Authorities sought the public’s assistance Tuesday to find a missing 32-year-old woman with unspecified mental health disorders who was last seen in Koreatown town in mid-September. Ashley Caroline Greenen was last seen Sept. 15 near Vermont Avenue and Pico Boulevard, according to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau. Deputies described Greenen as a 5-foot-5-inch white woman weighing 135 pounds with long brown hair and blue eyes. She also has tattoos of “Mia” and “Anderson.” According to sheriff’s officials, Greenen is diagnosed with unspecified mental health disorders. Anyone with information her whereabouts was asked to contact the Sherrif’s Homicide Bureau Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

MyNewsLA

Death Investigation Underway In Santa Monica Near 15th Street And Santa Monica Boulevard

A death investigation was underway Tuesday in Santa Monica, authorities said. The investigation was being conducted near 15th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Information on the victim's identity or cause of death was not immediately available. "We ask that you stay away from the area as we continue to collect evidence," police said in a statement early Tuesday afternoon. "Traffic on Santa Monica Blvd is not impacted," police said. "We anticipate 15th Street will remain closed between SM and Broadway for an extended period of time. There is no additional information available at this time as the investigation remains ongoing."

Westside Current

'It's Not That Serious': 18-Year-Old Suspect Indicted In Killing Of Former PD Chief Laughed, Asked Officer For Food During Arrest

The 16- and 18-year-old suspects in the hit-and-run killing of former police chief Andreas Probst have been indicted by a grand jury after one was seen on video questioning the seriousness of the charges, KTNV reported. Jesus Ayala, now 18, can be seen in a video laughing about the situation, seemingly convinced he would get “a slap on the wrist” from juvenile court at the time of his arrest. Although he was 17 when the crimes were committed, he and 16-year-old Jzamir Keys will both be tried as adults. Their crime spree began when they hit and injured a 72-year-old bicyclist, according to the report. They went on to hit another car before fatally striking Probst. All three incidents were committed in separate stolen vehicles. The jury was shown videos the suspects took while committing the crimes and later posted on social media. They can be heard laughing and shouting encouragement during all three incidents. The jury was also presented with videos of Ayala’s arrest, when he acted jovial and even asked the officer for food. Ayala appears convinced that he will be quickly released and tells the officer that “it’s not that serious,” according to the report. “Just a fu***** hit and run. Slap on the wrist,” said Ayala. “Why you got to lie and say it’s something serious?”

PoliceOne

Funeral Service Held For Philly Officer Killed In Airport Parking Garage Shooting

Funeral services are planned Tuesday for a Philadelphia police officer killed in an airport parking garage shooting that also wounded another officer earlier this month. A funeral Mass for Officer Richard Mendez is scheduled to begin at noon Tuesday at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia with family, friends, law enforcement personnel and dignitaries in attendance. Interment is to follow at Forrest Hills Cemetery in northeast Philadelphia. Mendez and Officer Raul Ortiz had just started their shift around 11 p.m. on Oct. 12 when they heard breaking glass and saw several people breaking into a car in the parking lot at Philadelphia International Airport, police said. A confrontation ensued and the two officers and one of the suspects were shot. Mendez, 50, who had been on the force for more than two decades, was shot four times and pronounced dead at a hospital, police said. Ortiz, also a 20-year veteran, was shot once in the arm and has since been released from the hospital.

Associated Press

Hit-and-Run Driver Seen Pulling Body From Windshield, Driving Away In Doorbell Video In Maryland

A hit-and-run driver killed a 28-year-old man in Prince George's County – and the suspect was caught on doorbell camera. Police say 28-year-old Franklin Mendez was found dead in the street at Ardwick Ardmore Road on Saturday. When neighbors checked their doorbell cameras, they found video of the suspect getting out of his car and pulling Mendez' body off of his windshield, and getting back in his car and driving away. Police say the victim was involved in an unrelated collision two miles away and then after he exited his car was apparently struck by the suspect and became lodged in the windshield. The driver then drove two miles with Mendez on his windshield before pulling Mendez' body off and leaving him dead on Ardwick Ardmore Road, police say. Police are asking the public for help identifying the suspect, who they say was driving an older model gray Honda Civic.

FOX 11

Council Unanimously Votes To Build Controversial Housing Facility In West LA

The Los Angeles City Council Friday approved a hotly debated interim housing facility for unhoused Angelenos near Pico and Westwood boulevards in West L.A., which has sparked opposition and frustration among some local residents. The council voted 14-0, with Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson absent during the vote, to fund nearly $4.6 million for the construction, lease and operation of the proposed housing project. The council also concurred with a recommendation from the Bureau of Engineering to exempt the project from the California Environmental Quality Act, which would help expedite the development process. The project is expected to open in 2024. Prior to the vote, Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky introduced, who represents the Fifth District, which encompasses portions of West L.A., addressed opponents and supports of the project sitting in the Council Chamber.

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.