Sherman Oaks

SHERMAN OAKS—The Los Angeles Police Department are investigating a burglary that transpired at J.R.’s Diamonds & Jewelry in Sherman Oaks on Saturday, November 18. According to reports, authorities received a call after 1 p.m. at the establishment located on 15053 Ventura Boulevard.

Cameras captured an SUV ramming into the front of the business, before the burglars got out and started to steal items from the store. A large amount of damage was done to the store in the aftermath.

The company has the following message posted on their website:

“We have the very best, lowest prices based on the jewelers’ bible, “The Rap Sheet.” We not only share this diamond trade publication, we share all we know about diamonds.
We have the largest selection of GIA & EGL USA certified diamonds in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. We are Sherman Oaks’ wholesale jewelry store for everyone.

A lovely experience of shopping at this family owned shop, with 3 generations of knowledge & expertise. And we have loads of 5 star ratings on Yelp!”

No information on the suspects or the amount of damage to the business has been disclosed to the public. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—A series of threatening calls led to multiple schools being closed on November 14, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported

Calls were made to Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, Agoura High School in Agoura Hills and Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, where someone called Notre Dame stating they were going to “shoot up” the school according to ABC 7 Eyewitness News.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department posted on its Facebook page the following message:

“Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station received a call for service regarding a possible threat to Agoura High School. Deputies responded to the high school and are currently conducting a check of the campus and surrounding area. The school is currently on lockdown. Please avoid the area at this time.”

At around 1 p.m. an update was posted noting no threats were found at the school and the lockdown was lifted. There were no reports of any injuries during the incidents.

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—An apartment fire transpired in Sherman Oaks on the 1400 block of Magnolia Boulevard on Sunday, November 12 that left a man injured.

The fire was reported at 7:44 p.m. Firefighters located a small kitchen fire in a 2nd floor unit of a two story garden style apartment building. They quickly extinguished the fire and transported an adult male patient in serious condition with various burn injuries. LAFD Arson is responding for the investigation per protocol for a burn injury.

The victim, whose name and age has not been disclosed sustained burns as a result of the fire. He was taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries sustain. The LAFD were first alerted of the blaze after a 9-1-1 call at 7:31 p.m.

The exact cause of the fire has not been disclosed to the public and is under investigation.

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—On September 22, at approximately 4:42 a.m., a man traveling at a low rate of speed crashed into the back of a semi-truck on the 405 Freeway at North Mulholland Drive.

According to reports by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers responding to the scene discovered a dark colored 1969 Volkswagen lodged underneath the semi-truck. The driver, who was trapped inside the Volkswagen Beetle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway due north of Mulholland Drive were shut down after authorities requested a hard closure. A Sig Alert was issued for the No. 4 and 5 Lanes backing up traffic for nearly two hours.

The name of the deceased has been withheld pending the notification of the next of kin. This accident is currently under investigation as the cause of the accident and the liability are unknown.

By Sharon

SHERMAN OAKS—On September 11, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the Calvary Chapel Mid Valley located at 14615 Sherman Way in Van Nuys was broken into and vandalized. The windows were broken and the whole place was ransacked, bibles, and items from the religious education classrooms were thrown on the floor.

Photos of the incident depict sacred statues shattered in pieces on the floor. It remains unknown if this church was targeted in a hate crime, or if it was a random act.

Canyon News reached out to the Calvary Chapel, and to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Van Nuys Division for more information but did not hear back in time for print.

The incident is under investigation. There is no description of the suspect who remains at large. Anyone who may have seen or heard anything or anyone suspicious on the church property is encouraged to contact LAPD Van Nuys Division located at 6240 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401 phone: 818-374-9500 Voice or 855-736-3235 TDD/TTY

According to their webpage, Calvary Chapel is one of 1,500 churches worldwide. Sunday worship services draw large crowds. The Mid Valley campus offers Women’s , Men’s, Children’s and Pro-Life Ministries within the Church.

By Sharon

SHERMAN OAKS—On Thursday, August 24, a flash mob entered a Macy’s at Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks and ransacked the department store with the intention of committing a robbery.

At around 12:40 p.m. at least nine suspects in masks entered the location and committed a smash-and-grab robbery before fleeing the scene in two separate vehicles, a silver or gold Honda and a black Ford Fusion. They departed with bags full of stolen goods according to reports.

The crime was caught on camera which shows the suspects quickly filling dark colored bags with merchandise found on counters and racks. Other customers are seen standing and observing the crime, but no one intervened according to the footage.

The suspects are all described as male, in their early 20s, and wore dark-colored clothing and hooded sweatshirts.

They were last seen on Woodman Avenue heading towards the 101 freeway. The first getaway car’s license plate number is 8HQX809 and is registered in California. The second has a California license plate number of 8LDZ627.

A similar incident occurred in Arcadia on Tuesday, August 22, where a group of at least five suspects ransacked a Macy’s at the Santa Anita mall. The suspects took multiple boxed sets of perfume before fleeing in a black, four-door sedan.

It is unknown if the two robberies are related.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 818-374-9500.

By Christianne

SHERMAN OAKS— Gary Mullarney, 45, has been identified as the victim fatally struck by a car on the 405 Freeway on Thursday, July 20, the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner released. The events leading up to the crash are unknown at this time, however, his death has been listed as a suicide.

At approximately 7:12 a.m., Los Angeles Fire Department personnel and California Highway Patrol West Valley Area units responded to reports of a pedestrian down on the Northbound 405 Freeway near Ventura Boulevard. LAFD firefighters located the victim – later identified as Mullarney – upon arriving at the scene. Mullarney was declared dead at the scene by LAFD personnel. 

A SIG-ALERT was issued for the number five and number six lanes of the northbound I-405 and the northbound Ventura Boulevard off-ramp from approximately 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m., to facilitate CHP on-scene investigation and Caltrans clean-up, a CHP news release said.

Initial evidence suggests Mullarney was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle and he may have been walking in or near traffic prior to the collision. CHP units received a possible description of the vehicle – a Toyota – but a follow-up investigation ruled the Toyota out of the collision involvement. 

According to the CHP news release, two people were inside the vehicle that struck Mullarney. No further description of their identities or of the vehicle is available at this time. 

Mullarney’s cause of death was determined to be traumatic injuries as a result of being hit by a car, LA County Medical Examiner released. The events leading up to the crash are still under investigation.

Witnesses are encouraged to contact the CHP West Valley Area office at (818) 888-0980. After hours please contact the Los Angeles Communications Center at (323) 259-3200.

By Lacy

SHERMAN OAKS—A pedestrian was killed on the 405 freeway on the morning of Thursday, July 20, after they were struck by a vehicle.

Authorities responded to the collision site at approximately 7:15 a.m., where traffic was moving northbound on the 405 Freeway at Ventura Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, and a portion of the freeway was shut down for further investigation. No details surrounding the circumstances that led up to the collision have been released.

By Paige Strickland

SHERMAN OAKS—On Monday, June 26 at approximately 9:15 a.m. the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LAFD) responded to a call of an odor overpowering shoppers, making them physically sick. The incident took place at the Sherman Oaks Galleria located in the 15300 block of Ventura Boulevard. Firefighters responding to the call found six individuals sickened by the odor.

Those that fell ill from the suspicious smell complained to first responders it irritated their eyes, made them watery, and caused them to have scratchy throats. One person had to be taken to an area hospital for treatment.

According to firefighters, materials experts are testing the air in the atmosphere for a possible HAZMAT situation. They have not found a significant amount of a hazard to be able to identify the mysterious smell.

No further details regarding the incident or its cause are available at this time.

By Sharon

SHERMAN OAKS—A former Louis Armstrong Middle School teacher pleaded not guilty on Thursday, June 1, to charges of lewd acts with a minor under 14 years old and child molestation.

Kareem Spann, 46, was arrested on May 30 after multiple reports from students alleged ongoing inappropriate sexual conduct by Spann, according to a statement made by the Los Angeles Police Department on June 2. He was employed at the school from 2022 to 2023. 

According to investigators, in April 2023, Spann allegedly started having inappropriate communication with a student which led to grooming. The grooming led to inappropriate and unlawful touching.

Within the same month, Spann allegedly sexually assaulted a second child during lunchtime on school property.

Upon reviewing the case, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Spann, and bail was set at $120,000. As of June 1, he remains in police custody.

“Children deserve to feel safe and secure in their environment, and it is the responsibility of adults to protect them from any form of abuse or exploitation. These types of crimes against vulnerable students are sickening and a violation of trust,” said District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement on Thursday, June 1. 

“It is important that children know they are safe at school and the adults who are charged to care for them will protect them rather than prey on their innocence,” he added.

Spann is set to appear at the Van Nuys courtroom on June 21.

The investigation is ongoing as detectives believe there are additional, unidentified victims and are asking for the public’s help to identify them. 

Anyone who may be a victim or has additional information regarding Kareem Spann is asked to contact Juvenile Division detectives at (818) 374-5415. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Tipsters may visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu. Tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

By Paige Strickland

BEL AIR—One person was killed after a plane crashed on Saturday, April 29. Emergency services were contacted at 8.10 p.m.  after air traffic control lost contact with the pilot near Stone Canyon Road and Mulholland Drive.  The aircraft was flying over Sherman Oaks at the time. Officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department noted that the plane was believed to be flying between Santa Monica Airport and Van Nuys Airport when signal was lost.

The plane is a single engine Cessna 172. Helicopters were deployed to search the area until they were grounded at 10.20 p.m. due to foggy conditions.

“LAFD helicopters and ground crews searched the large fog shrouded region for nearly an hour before an LAFD helicopter localized a signal from an aircraft Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Spokesman Brian Humphrey.

A signal was picked up in the Beverly Glen Terrace and Beverly Glen Boulevard area, but the exact location remained unknown. The pilots cell phone carrier was contacted by officials to help locate the plane.

Emergency crews located the airplane on a steep hillside above a home in the 3000 block of Beverly Glen Circle shortly after 11 p.m. The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene.

“LAFD responders have discovered one person deceased at the scene,” said Humphrey. “Though no other persons were believed aboard, a search of the immediate area will be conducted to confirm no other victims.”

The name and age of the victim has not been released to the public.

By Rob

SHERMAN OAKS—A robbery transpired at the Off The Chart dispensary in Sherman Oaks at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

The marijuana outlet is located at 5242 Van Nuys Blvd. Authorities indicated 10 to 12 suspects were involved in the robbery. The thieves broke into the building by driving through the building with a white van, stealing over $200,000 worth of product.

The suspects fled in multiple vehicles leaving the white van behind. Off The Charts has seven locations across the state of California with a new South LA location coming soon according to their website.

The store is located directly across the street from the Audi dealership at 5239 Van Nuys Blvd. California Vintage Guitar & Amp, 5244 Van Nuys Blvd. is located directly next door to the store on its right.

To the left of the dispensary is the Acura car dealership located at 5230 Van Nuys Blvd. Keyes Mercedes Benz dealership is within sight of the dispensary at 5353 Van Nuys Blvd. All of the businesses are located in the 91401 zip code.

A Shell Gas Station located at 5161 Van Nuys Blvd. to the nearest corner to the store is open 24 hours a day and may have an obstructed view of the establishment.

The LAPD indicated the van used in the robbery was stolen. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department Tip Line at 1-877-527-3247.

By Rob

SHERMAN OAKS—On April 20, detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Division arrested a suspect responsible for kidnapping an elderly man. 

The LAPD indicated at around 9:05 a.m., a driver of a Golden Age Senior Daycare – a senior center in Tarzana – van parked the vehicle near the 15000 block of La Maida Street. The driver exited the vehicle to pick up a passenger, while a 93-year old male remained seated inside. A female suspect – later identified Lindsey Gordonellyson, 38, entered the driver’s seat of the van and drove away with the elderly male inside. 

Van Nuys Patrol Division police officers were notified of the stolen vehicle and – with the help of the Air Support Unit – were able to locate the van in pursuit. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the van, but Gordonellyson failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, the LAPD reported. She reportedly continued driving in a reckless manner. 

At a point, Gordonellyson stopped the vehicle in an alley near the 7600 Block of Tyrone Avenue. She was immediately taken into custody and the male passenger – identified at Abby Javaheri – was returned home after receiving medical treatment. No injuries were reported to the victim. 

“He went through an ordeal that no one should go through. Being that age and he’s battling cancer,” Kambiz Merabi, the victims father-in-law told Fox 10. “He didn’t have his seatbelt on because he just got in the car and the door of the minivan was open,” Merabi continued.

Gordonellyson was booked for Kidnapping and her bail was set at $125,000. Canyon News spoke with LAPD Officer Matthew Cruz who confirmed no additional information is available at this time. 

Anyone with details about this incident is asked to contact LAPD Van Nuys Detectives at (818) 374-0040. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

By Lacy

SHERMAN OAKS—On Monday, April 3, a large tree fell onto an apartment complex in Sherman Oaks. The incident took place near Notre Dame High School.

The LAFD report stated, “Fallen Tree; A tree has fallen onto an apartment building, causing damage significant enough to temporarily evacuate an unknown number of occupants from the structure until an L.A. City Department of Building & Safety (LADBS) Inspector (ETA 6:45 PM) can assess the damage. No injuries reported. Though our region has been experiencing strong wind, LAFD does not determine the specific cause of a tree falling.”

During strong winds and heavy rain on March 14, a large tree fell in a residential area of Sherman Oaks less than a mile away from Ventura Boulevard. In the same vicinity in the 4400 block of Woodman Avenue on March 23, a large fallen tree crushed two cars.

By Rob

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills indicated in a press release that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) will issue a new Health Officer Order that requires customers to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination prior to entering indoor bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges.

Under the modified Order, employees and customers are required to have at least one vaccine dose by October 7 and both doses by November 4.

The New Health Officer Order will require workers and attendees at outdoor mega events (consisting of crowds over 10,000 people) to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before working or attending the event.

Attendees at indoor mega events are already required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test prior to entry. These requirements will also apply to theme parks within the county.

While not required, LACDPH also recommends vaccine verification at indoor portions of restaurants to reduce transmission risk.

This announcement impacts businesses in the City of Beverly Hills. When available, theupdated Health Officer Order can be viewed at beverlyhills.org/coronavirus.

To find the nearest vaccination site, visit VaccinateLACounty.com or beverlyhills.org/covidvaccine. For questions about business impacts from the new Health Office Order, email businessrecovery@beverlyhills.org.

To stay updated on the latest COVID-19 news, visit beverlyhills.org/coronavirus or call the City’s COVID-19 Hotline Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. at 310-550-4680.

By Donald