LAPD Investigating 2nd Deadly Hit-and-Run Crash In Arlington Heights Within 24 Hours

Officials with the Los Angeles Police Department sought the public’s help with identifying the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run crash in the Arlington Heights area. It was the second fatal hit-and-run crash to occur in the area within 24 hours. Around 10 p.m. Tuesday, LAPD officials said two pedestrians, a man and a woman, were crossing the street eastbound on Arlington Avenue near the intersection of Venice Boulevard. While in the middle of the intersection, a driver hit both pedestrians and continued driving southbound, causing the woman to fall to the ground. At that point, a second vehicle traveling northbound entered the intersection and struck the woman on the ground. The second driver remained at the scene until first responders arrived. "Drivers are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves," an LAPD official said in a press release.'

FOX 11

Suspect Sought In North Hollywood Follow-Home Robberies Was Arrested, Released 5 Times In 18 Months

Authorities Wednesday identified one of two men being sought in a series of follow-home armed robberies in the Los Angeles area, including two such crimes in North Hollywood. Dashawn Dow, 20, was identified as a suspect by the Los Angeles Police Department, which circulated his photo, along with security video of one of the crimes. "In the past 18 months, Dow has been arrested five times for robbery but was able to post bond following each arrest," an LAPD statement said. One of the crimes he is suspected of committing occurred on Oct. 2 at about 1:30 p.m. in North Hollywood, police said. "Surveillance captured a grey Maserati following a male and female victim into the parking structure of their North Hollywood apartment complex," police said. "As the victims exited their vehicle, they were confronted by two armed suspects who demanded the victims' property," police said. "Fearing for their lives, the victims complied with the suspects' demands. The suspects then fled with the victims' money and jewelry." Another alleged crime occurred on Oct. 10 at about 12:10 a.m.

ABC 7

Man Arrested In About 12 Boyle Heights, Chinatown Arson Fires

A man in his 40s was arrested Wednesday after about a dozen brush and debris fires were set in Los Angeles' Boyle Heights and Chinatown area. The arson fires were reported between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., the fire department said. No injuries were reported, and firefighters said no structures were damaged. The fires burned in several areas of Boyle Heights and Chinatown, including the 1300 and 2000 blocks of Cesar Chavez Avenue. A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of arson shortly after the fires, the LAFD said. "Thanks to a detailed suspect description provided to LAFD responders, teams of investigators from the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section, working closely with the Los Angeles Police Department's Major Crimes Division, were immediately deployed to the area," said Brian Humphrey, of the LAFD. "The Los Angeles City Fire Department appreciates members of the community who stepped forward to help identify this suspect." Details about the man's identity and how he started the fires were not immediately available. There was no evidence to suggest the man is connected to other arson cases in the area, the LAFD said

NBC 4

City Leaders And Motel Owners Work To End Prostitution Along Figueroa Corridor

People living and working along Figueroa Street in South LA say the problem has gotten out of hand. Residents are frustrated with the young women offering their services as sex workers along a stretch of motels, often in broad daylight. Police and other city leaders say this is part of the decades-long prostitution problem in the area. Last month, neighbors from a South LA community marched to bring attention to their growing concerns, including the welfare of the young women and the places that perpetuate illegal activity. In an effort to stop the illegal activity, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto, filed a complaint directed at the New Gage Motel, a 16-unit motel on Figueroa Street. "The idea is not to shut down the business. I mean, the idea is to tamp down and shut off the illegal activity," said Soto. "We certainly provide the motels with ample opportunity to self-correct and when they don't self-correct, at some point it becomes at best, woeful blindness." The complaint says the city asked the New Gage Motel to implement certain measures which they failed to do. The measure included requiring all vehicles parked in the lot to have parking placards, engage a daily roving security patrol and provide camera coverage of all common areas and remotely enable LAPD to access.

NBC 4

Homeless Man Carjacks 6 Victims From Santa Monica Parking Garage

On November 7, 2023, Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested Adrian Jose Dugas, a 24-year-old male experiencing homelessness from the Los Angeles area, for a carjacking incident involving multiple victims. At approximately 10:30 pm, officers responded to the 400 block of Adelaide Drive after receiving reports of a group of individuals holding down Dugas in the middle of the street. The six victims reported that as they were returning to their vehicle in Parking Structure 8, Dugas approached them while simulating a handgun concealed within a duffle bag. Dugas forced his way into the backseat of the vehicle and demanded the victims drive him around the city. While in the car, he confiscated their cell phones, made multiple threats to shoot the victims if they did not comply, and physically assaulted the driver and a passenger. The victims drove for more than an hour before Dugas ordered all passengers out of the vehicle. Upon exiting, one of the victims was able to place the suspect in a chokehold. The victims held the suspect down until police arrived. The LA County District Attorney charged Dugas with 6 counts of robbery, 6 counts of kidnapping during the commission of a carjacking, attempted carjacking; and aggravated assault. 

Westside Current

SoCal Woman Found With Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Stolen Luxury Handbags

A Southern California woman was arrested after she was allegedly found with thousands of dollars worth of stolen luxury handbags. The suspect was identified as Karla Sunceri, 51, a Mission Hills resident, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Sunceri was identified as the alleged operator of a crime fence involving high-end designer handbags, police said. A “fence” is defined by police as “an individual or group of individuals who purchase stolen retail merchandise from those who commit smash-and-grab robberies and organized retail thefts and then sells the stolen merchandise at seemingly legitimate businesses, swap meets, or online.” On Nov. 1, Sunceri was tracked down and a search warrant was issued at her home in the 15700 block of McKeever Street. During the search, authorities discovered over 50 stolen designer purses in the suspect’s home. Most of the stolen luxury handbags were taken in residential burglaries throughout Southern California, police said.

KTLA 5

San Diego Approves $12M Police Surveillance System

After months of deliberation, and at times controversy, San Diego's City Council on Tuesday gave its final approval to a police surveillance network that will cost $12 million over the next five years. The network, made up of 500 cameras equipped with license plate reader technology, could be placed across San Diego — from Rancho Bernardo in the north to San Ysidro in the south — as early as January. Police officials — who have touted the technology as a crime-fighting tool and a force multiplier — say the cameras will be installed in public places where there is no expectation of privacy. Investigators will not monitor the network in real time but instead review the footage and data collected after serious crimes or incidents occur. The technology has prompted fierce pushback from some privacy and community advocates, who contend the contract and policies that govern the technology's use don't do enough to safeguard privacy or the data collected, and that funding for the project would be better spent on other public safety initiatives.

San Diego Union Tribune

Video: NYPD Officer Attacked After Asking Group To Put Out Cigarettes

An officer with the NYPD was beaten in the Bronx subway station, marking the second attack in a week. In this case, it was because the officer asked two men to stop smoking, the New York Post reported. The altercation began when Kaream McClary, 23, Izayiah Jessamy, 20 and a third unidentified man were told to put out their cigarettes. When they refused, officers tried to remove them from the station and were met with fierce resistance, according to the report. The incident was captured on camera by a bystander. It shows two men hitting an officer in the face and head as another officer tries to stop them. Eventually, the video shows the officer cornering and arresting one of the suspects. McClary and Jessamy were charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and trespassing. A third man is still at large. Both police officers suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, according to the report.

PoliceOne

Los Angeles Hospital Seeking ID Of Patient

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services is asking for the public’s help to identify a man that has been hospitalized for more than a week. The patient is currently at Los Angeles General Medical Center in Boyle Heights and has been at the hospital since Nov. 5. He was brought to L.A. General from the downtown Los Angeles area, health officials said. He’s described as having a thin build, standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing about 117 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and is believed to be about 39 years old. He also has two “very small” tattoos on his right and left wrists, health officials said. Due to medical privacy laws, the extent of his injuries cannot be released. Anyone who may recognize the man is urged to contact Cesar Robles of Los Angeles General Medical Center Department of Social Work at 323-409-6884.

KTLA 5

Los Angeles County Reports 1st Flu Death Of Season

Los Angeles County reported the county's first flu-related death of the 2023-24 flu season Wednesday. According to the county Department of Public Health, the patient was an "elderly'' resident with multiple underlying health conditions, and was apparently unvaccinated against the flu. "Although most people recover from influenza without complications, this death is a reminder that influenza can be a serious illness,'' according to a statement from the health agency. "Pneumonia is the most common complication of the flu. Flu can also aggravate underlying health conditions like heart disease or asthma. Annually, thousands of people nationwide are hospitalized or die from influenza-associated illness.'' Health officials said they are anticipating a potentially busy fall and winter for the health-care system, given a trio of circulating viruses -- flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. All three have similar symptoms, and health officials urged anyone who develops symptoms to get tested for COVID-19.

ABC 7

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.