Tag: armed suspect

BEVERLY HILLS—On Thursday, July 18, the Beverly Hills Police Department informed Canyon News via email that several suspects involved in an armed robbery have been arrested.

The BHPD reported an armed robbery transpired on Wednesday, July 17, at approximately 2:55 P.M. in the area of Canon Drive and Charleville Avenue. The suspects, at least two in number, confronted the victim as he sat in his car, produced handguns, and forcibly took his property, including a Rolex watch, a ring, and an iPhone, before fleeing in a vehicle. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Officers provided critical information to the Real-Time Watch Center (RTWC), which quickly identified the suspect’s vehicle and relayed the information to the Detective Bureau.

Utilizing Police Department resources, the suspect’s vehicle was located in the city of Hawthorne. The Hawthorne Police Department (HPD) located the suspect’s vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, which led to a pursuit. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) helicopter provided aerial assistance during the chase. Three suspects abandoned their vehicle in the area of 74th Street and Hoover Street in South Los Angeles
and fled on foot.

One suspect was quickly apprehended, while another suspect carjacked a victim in a further attempt to evade capture. After a short pursuit, the carjacked victim fled from the vehicle, and the suspect was apprehended.

LASD Deputies attempted to stop a vehicle containing a male matching the description of the outstanding suspect, leading to another pursuit. The pursuit ended in the 3900 block of Shedd Terrace, Culver City, where LASD Deputies apprehended the suspect.

The investigation is ongoing. Taken into police custody were:

• Semaj Lopez, a 24-year-old from Los Angeles, California, was booked for PC 211 – Robbery
• Michael Smith, a 19-year-old from Lancaster, California, was booked for PC 211 – Robbery
• Daiyaan Henderson, a 21-year-old from Los Angeles, California, was booked for VC 2800.2 – Felony
  evading and seven (7) felony warrants.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS— On Thursday, January 1, Beverly Hills Police Department arrested an armed suspect, Joseph Leonardi, 41, at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills hotel on Wilshire Boulevard. Leonardi was booked and taken into custody on charges of “felon in possession of a firearm” and “negligent discharge of a firearm,” according to a press release by Lieutenant Andrew Myers.

At around 9:39 a.m., BHPD responded to 850 Wilshire Boulevard, for a call from hotel staff requesting a welfare check on a male guest – Leonardi – staying at the hotel who they believed was armed. Prior to officers arriving, hotel security allegedly knocked on Leonardi’s door and heard, “I’m going to shoot through the door!,” Lieutenant Myers said.  

BHPD utilized a drone and observed the suspect on his room balcony with a gun in hand. Resources began to arrive on scene – including SWAT personnel, Crisis Negotiation (CNT) personnel, detectives, and mutual aid resources – when BHPD officers requested Leonardi to exit his room unarmed. He complied and Leonardi was safely taken into custody.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Leonardi, a resident of Woodland Hills, is a convicted felon and had fired several rounds inside the hotel room. Details of the firearm were not disclosed and no injuries were reported. 

This is an ongoing investigation.

By Lacy

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—Two men were shot outside of an apartment building at 1545 North Serrano Avenue following an alleged neighbor dispute on Sunday, September 24. The suspect reportedly remains at-large. 

At around 1:50 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department Hollywood division officers responded to a radio call of a shooting, Citizen app reported. Upon arrival at the scene, LAPD officers located two male victims – identified as James and Jose – suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

In an initial investigation, officers believe that the shooting was a result of neighbors arguing over a dog. One victim reportedly pulled out a knife and the suspect pulled out an undisclosed gun. Officers were told by a neighbor that the suspect – described as a heavy set black man wearing a blue and white striped shirt –  lived in the apartment complex and was possibly barricaded in the building. 

According to a Citizen video – filmed by neighbor, EZ Montana Edwards, KTLA reported – James claimed he was shot in both his arms and once in his leg. Jose appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound around his abdomen.

Los Angeles Fire Department and medical personnel were at the scene and transported both victims to a local hospital where they were listed in critical, but stable condition.

By 4:15 p.m., LAPD evacuated residents near the scene and set up a containment perimeter to search for the suspect. 

SWAT negotiators, along with the Mental Health Evaluation Unit, arrived on scene and attempted to talk to the suspect over a loudspeaker and called his phone. Both attempts went unanswered.  

Tenants were not allowed back inside the building for approximately five hours while the investigation took place. 

Officers reportedly recovered the gun used in the incident, but the suspect was not found. The identity of the suspect has not yet been released. 

This is a developing story.

By Lacy

HOLLYWOOD HILLS— The Los Angeles Police Department has trapped a female suspect with a gun inside a second floor apartment at 1800 El Cerrito Place on Tuesday, August 8, Citizen app reported. The suspect was reportedly in apartment number 46, and being asked by LAPD to “come out with [their] hands up.” 

According to Citizen app, at around 10:20 p.m., LAPD received a report about an unconfirmed incident at the Chateau El Cerrito, at the northeast corner of Franklin and El Cerrito Place. Upon arrival, LAPD Hollywood Division officers reportedly entered the building and went to the second floor where a suspect – identified as Lauren and described as a tall, skinny Black or Hispanic female – pointed a gun at them. Officers took cover and Lauren disappeared into an apartment. 

A Citizen user inside the building – and tenant of the Chateau El Cerrito – shared a video where you can hear LAPD Officers inside the building, saying “Lauren, we know that you’re in there, come out with your hands free and your hands up! This is the Los Angeles Police Department.” 

By 10:27 p.m., LAPD called for backup and barricaded the building. LAPD Air 16 was circling overhead. 

From 10:33 p.m. to 10:48 p.m., LAPD shut down Outpost Drive, then Franklin Avenue, West of Highland Avenue and evacuated some of the units on the southside of the building, facing Franklin Avenue. 

By 11 p.m., officers on the street outside of the building announced over a loudspeaker, “Lauren in apartment 46, this is the LAPD, please exit the apartment with your hands in the air.”

By 12:20 a.m., LAPD Mental Evaluation Unit arrived on scene, entered the building and headed to the second floor of the complex. 

By 12:33 a.m., LAPD broke down the perimeter and reportedly vacated the building. There are no additional details about how the incident transpired or whether Lauren has been apprehended. 

Canyon News will be updating this story as news comes in.

By Lacy