Three Arrested In West LA Residential Robbery That Turned Deadly, LAPD Reports

Three people have been arrested in connection with a residential robbery in West Los Angeles that involved shots fired and resulted in the death of another suspect, police announced Wednesday. Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery Homicide Division responded to the 11400 block of North Thurston Circle, near Sunset Boulevard and the San Diego (405) Freeway, on Sept. 13 regarding reports of shots fired, according to the LAPD. At least four armed suspects approached a man and his wife in their driveway, demanding the couple's property, police said. One of the suspects shot the man in the head before fleeing the scene with the other suspects in an awaiting vehicle. The victim, only identified as Aguilar, was taken to a hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to authorities. Police said one of the suspects, Mario Melara, was severely injured during the robbery and shooting and later died at a hospital. It was unclear if Melara sustained injuries from the victim or from one of the other suspects.

Westside Current

Search Continues For Hit-and-Run Driver That Killed 53-Year-Old Woman In South LA In January

Investigators are still searching for the hit-and-run driver who fatally struck a 53-year-old woman in South Los Angeles back in January. The crash happened on Jan. 6 at around 9:20 p.m. on 60th Street near Broadway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. A white BMW traveling northbound on Broadway at a high rate of speed struck a Toyota Corolla traveling west on 60th, which caused the BMW to veer into four parked cars. Instead of stopping to help, the driver abandoned their car and ran from the area on foot, police said. The woman driving the Toyota, still unidentified, was rushed to nearby hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics for injuries she suffered in the violent crash. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. As their investigation continues, LAPD officers describe the suspect as a man in his mid-20s who stands around 5-foot-7 and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans. The suspect's vehicle, a BMW 528i, has the California license plate 6ROJ328. City officials have offered a standing reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspect. 

CBS 2

Man Shot In Head During Robbery Attempt In Upscale Los Angeles Neighborhood

Three men have been arrested in connection with an attempted armed robbery that left one of the victims critically injured after he was shot in the head, authorities announced Wednesday. The violent robbery occurred on Sept. 13 in the 11400 block of North Thurston Circle, an upscale neighborhood in the hills of West Los Angeles. The victim, only identified as Aguilar, and his wife were confronted by at least four suspects in the driveway of their home who demanded property from them, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department. Details are limited and it’s unclear exactly how the attempted robbery unfolded, but police say that the suspects fired at Aguilar and struck him in the head before getting into a getaway vehicle that had been waiting for them and fleeing the scene. Aguilar was rushed to a local hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition. One of the suspects, now identified as Mario Melara, was critically injured during the robbery, though officials did not elaborate on how or where he was hurt.  

KTLA 5

Downtown Los Angeles Clothing Store Hit By Smash-and-Grab Burglars

A high-end clothing store in downtown Los Angeles was burglarized early Thursday morning in an alleged smash-and-grab incident. According to the L.A. Police Department, the burglary was reported at 2:04 a.m. at Marco Ferno #2, which is located at 748 S Los Angeles Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the glass on the front door was smashed. An unknown amount of merchandise was stolen from the store, which sells menswear and suits. It’s unknown how many suspects were involved. No suspects have been identified. No additional details were immediately made available.

KTLA 5

Thieves Deactivating LADWP Transformers, Digging Pits To Steal Copper Wiring

Business owners in Harbor Gateway neighbor of Los Angeles say they're fed up with what's become an "every day" problem — thieves vandalizing LADWP transformers in an effort to steal copper wiring. And some of these robberies are happening in broad daylight. In a recent robbery behind a local business, thieves left their tools and even jackets, after breaking through the fence to pull the copper from the transformers. The thieves drain the transformers of their oil, deactivating them so they can avoid the high voltage. But the thieves don't stop at just that. "They're digging right now a trench to get into the copper that's buried underground," said David Matthews, the area's Chamber of Commerce chair. "It's crazy. And this copper goes into the building. So they're trying to get it out so they can take it to a recycler." Matthews said the thieves have been there every day for the last five or six days.

FOX 11

Santa Monica Police Seek Help Locating Suspect Wanted For Assault

Santa Monica police have released video of a man they believe is connected to an assault that happened in late-September, hopeful that someone from the public can help them identify and locate him. In a post on X, Santa Monica Police Department officers reported that the attack happened on Sept. 22 at around 12:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of Alley 5. After the assault, the suspect was seen running eastbound on Santa Monica Boulevard towards Seventh Street, police said. They shared video of the person they think was involved and provided a description. The suspect, still unidentified, is described as a man in his 20s or 30s with bleached blonde hair and a black beard. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored shirt and shorts. He has tattoos on his forearms. Anyone who may know more is urged to contact SMPD at (310) 458-8932.

CBS 2

Authorities Seek Help Locating 42-Year-Old Man With Medical Condition

A 42-year-old man from Arizona diagnosed with an unspecified medical condition that requires medication who was last contacted in West Hollywood was being sought Wednesday by authorities. Jeffery Ryan Redden was last in contact with his family on Sept. 30 around 9:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Redden was described as a 6-foot-4-inch tall white man weighing 205 pounds with brown hair and eyes. He also has a full beard, a tattoo of the Eye of Providence on his right elbow, a fish tattoo on his right wrist, and a portion of his right ear missing. Redden was last seen wearing blue jeans, black socks, brown shoes, a silver cross necklace and a black rubber ring. Sheriff’s officials said Redden’s family is growing concerned about his well-being due to his medical condition and is seeking public help finding him. Redden is presumed to be traveling in a black 2015 Honda Civic with Arizona license plate 5DA8DF in West Hollywood.

MyNewsLA

Mother And Grandfather Charged With Murder In Toddler’s Fentanyl Overdose

The mother and grandfather of a 17-month-old Lancaster toddler who died of a fentanyl overdose have been charged with his murder. The grandfather, Jessie Darthard, told sheriff’s deputies that he had fallen asleep while smoking fentanyl and awoke to his grandson, Justin Bulley, lying motionless next to him on the couch. The mother, Jessica Darthard, was charged with felony child abuse causing death, as was Secret Daniel, who was approved by the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services to supervise the mother’s visits with Justin. An autopsy showed that Justin died Feb. 18 after ingesting a fatal amount of fentanyl, a highly potent drug that can be life-threatening to children in even the smallest doses. Jessica Darthard, 39, was in the home when Justin died and appeared inebriated, according to sheriff’s deputies at the scene. She was arrested Tuesday and is being held in lieu of $2.08-million bail. The Darthards and Daniel could not be reached for comment. L.A. County prosecutors filed the charges against them on Sept. 26. The Department of Children and Family Services had placed Justin and his two older siblings with a foster mother the year before Justin’s death, after his mother’s boyfriend fatally overdosed on fentanyl with the children at home.

Los Angeles Times

Oregon Cops Seize Bag With ‘Definitely Not A Bag Full Of Drugs’ Printed On It – And It Was Full Of Drugs

Officers on Tuesday night stopped a man and a woman driving a stolen car in Southeast Portland, and they found much more than a stolen car, the Portland Police Bureau said. When officers pulled over Mia Rochelle Baggenstos, 37, and Reginald Lamont Reynolds, 35, near Southeast 162nd and Division, they searched the car and discovered cash, a loaded revolver, scales — and a bag that had “Definitely not a bag full of drugs” printed on it, with drugs inside, the Police Bureau said in a post on X Wednesday. Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Terri Strauss added in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive that the drugs were fentanyl and meth; court records say the amount was over 10 grams. Reynolds faces charges of delivery of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle. Baggenstos was booked on the same charges, but prosecutors indicated they wouldn’t bring charges against her, court documents show. 

PoliceOne

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.