Tag: Attempted Murder

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, November 25, Lt. Erika Aklufi with the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News that a suspect involved in an attempted murder has been arrested.

The SMPD reported on September 22 at 12:30 a.m. officers responded to a report of an assault on a woman in the 1400 block of Alley 5.

Upon arrival, officers located the victim, a 25-year-old woman who was new to the area and experiencing homelessness. She sustained severe injuries, including facial trauma and signs consistent with strangulation.

A Community Call for Assistance was made on October 16 by the SMPD. https://fb.watch/w4pbNOaeVV/.

According to a witness, the unprovoked attack involved the suspect repeatedly kicking and punching the woman as she lay on the ground. The incident was captured on surveillance footage, which showed the suspect fleeing the scene. Despite extensive investigative efforts, initial attempts to identify the suspect through the video were unsuccessful. In response, detectives released the surveillance footage to the public, seeking assistance in identifying the individual involved.

On November 3, detectives received a tip that led to the identification of the suspect, Oscar Benn, 27, of Altadena. On November 14, detectives apprehended Benn near the VA facility in West Los Angeles. He was subsequently booked and charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney for attempted murder under Penal Code 664/187(a) PC. Benn is currently in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Benn has a criminal history, including prior arrests for aggravated assault and burglary.

For additional details about the incident contact Det. Sean Baker (Sean.Baker@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-8932, Sgt. Chad Goodwin (Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-8931, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On September 8, at approximately, 1:30 a.m., officers with the Santa Monica Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call in the 1900 block of Ocean Avenue where there was an assault with a deadly weapon in progress. A single male victim had been shot multiple times.

Officers working at the scene were able to detain multiple suspects, while other first responders attended to the victim until paramedics arrived. The victim was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he is listed in serious but stable condition.

One of the suspects, Santiago Ramos, 19, of Van Nuys was identified as the shooter. Ramos was found to be in possession of a concealed handgun. Lt. Erika Aklufi informed Canyon News via email additional details about the incident. 

Witnesses told officers that Ramos and four other young male subjects approached two of the victim’s friends while they were sitting in the 2000 block of the beach and an argument ensued. Ramos pulled out a handgun and the victim attempted to intervene. Ramos shot the victim several times before fleeing eastbound.

Ramos was arraigned on September 10 and faces the following charges:

• Count 1: 664-187 PC – Attempt Murder
• Count 2: 205 PC – Mayhem
• Count 3: 25400(a)(2) PC – Carrying a Concealed Firearm
• Count 4: 25850(a) PC – Carrying a Loaded Firearm
• Counts 5-7 – 148(a)(1) PC Resisting Arrest

Bail was set Ramos at $4,105,000. Anyone with details about this incident or suspect is encouraged to call SMPD Detective Isaac Reyes, Sergeant Alfonso Lozano, or the Watch Commander’s desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.

By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, July 29, 2024, Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News via email that a conviction transpired in an attempted homicide from January 2023.

The SMPD reported on January 18, 2023, SMPD Officers responded to a ‘Shots Fired’ call in the 1500 block of Palisades Park. Responding officers discovered a victim who was shot in the face and subsequently transported to a local hospital.

During the investigation, detectives uncovered evidence that on that date and time the victim was in an argument with three subjects.  One of the subjects, later identified as Angel Diaz, 21, a resident of Los Angeles, produced a handgun and shot the victim once in the face.

The incident is believed to be gang related.  Detectives discovered the suspect got rid of evidence at the crime scene, which was later confirmed via DNA as belonging to Diaz. Diaz was captured on CCTV footage as he fled the area on foot.

SMPD detectives discovered Diaz was arrested on February 10, 2023, by the Los Angeles Police Department for attempted murder with a handgun. Ballistic evidence proved that the handgun used in the SMPD case was also used in the LAPD case.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed attempted murder charges against Diaz for both the SMPD and LAPD incidents.   On July 9, 2024, Diaz pled guilty to 245(b) PC – Assault with a semi-automatic firearm. He was sentenced to nine years in state prison. This sentence is to run concurrent with his sentence for the LAPD case.

For additional details regarding this investigation contact Detective Ismael Tavera at 310-458-2256 or Lieutenant Aklufi at 310-458-8493.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department announced on Tuesday, August 22 that they arrested a suspect connected to a murder.

On July 27, 2023, at approximately 5 p.m., officers were alerted by an ALPR notification of a vehicle in Beverly Hills connected to a Los Angeles murder investigation with the suspects described as armed and dangerous.

BHPD Real Time Watch Center (RTWC) personnel located the wanted vehicle and directed Patrol officers to its location. A traffic stop was initiated, and a vehicle pursuit ensued as the suspect vehicle fled. The driver of the vehicle lost control and collided into a parked vehicle.

The suspect exited the vehicle and ran on foot while armed with a gun. The suspect discarded the handgun while being chased on foot, but police officers caught up to the suspect and took him into custody without using force. Police arrested Angel Joel Rodriguez, 21, of Van Nuys.

The investigation was turned over to the Los Angeles Police Department for completion.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department announced on Tuesday, August 22 that they arrested a suspect connected to a murder.

On July 27, 2023, at approximately 5 p.m., officers were alerted by an ALPR notification of a vehicle in Beverly Hills connected to a Los Angeles murder investigation with the suspects described as armed and dangerous.

BHPD Real Time Watch Center (RTWC) personnel located the wanted vehicle and directed Patrol officers to its location. A traffic stop was initiated, and a vehicle pursuit ensued as the suspect vehicle fled. The driver of the vehicle lost control and collided into a parked vehicle.

The suspect exited the vehicle and ran on foot while armed with a gun. The suspect discarded the handgun while being chased on foot, but police officers caught up to the suspect and took him into custody without using force. Police arrested Angel Joel Rodriguez, 21, of Van Nuys.

The investigation was turned over to the Los Angeles Police Department for completion.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department announced on August 10th that a suspect was arrested after attacking another man who was found injured near the Santa Monica Public Library, Ocean Park Branch on August 9th.

The SMPD reported at 8:09 a.m., officers responded to the scene after a call of service for a Check the Status. An employee at the library informed authorities they attempted to wake up an individual who was near the front doors who may have been homeless and was badly injured.

The name of the victim has not yet been disclosed, but police indicated the 41-year-old male suffered from blunt force trauma to his face and had a swollen forehead. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and is listed in critical condition but is expected to recover.

At approximately 12:35 p.m., detectives spotted a person of interest loitering in the front of the library. Upon making contact with the individual, he became uncooperative and displayed threatening behavior. Additional officers arrived and deployed a Taser after the subject attempted to assault uniformed officers.

The suspect has been identified as Nathanael Roger Lavoie, 40, who was arrested and booked for attempted murder, felony battery on a police officer, giving a false name to a police officer, and resisting arrest.

Canyon News spoke to Lt. Erika Aklufi with the SMPD via email who stated:

“I don’t have anything for you about motive as this is still under investigation.  Similarly, I cannot share if he has an outside criminal record.  I can tell you that we had no contact with him prior to this incident; I understand that he was from out of state and may have only come to the area recently.”

Anyone with details on the incident or with information about the suspect is asked to contact the SMPD Investigations Division during business hours at (310) 458-8451 or the Watch Commander 24-hours at (310) 458-8427.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide Division are asking for the public’s assistance to locate an attempted murder suspect they announced on August 4. The LAPD reported that on April 16, 2022, at 2:35 a.m., a victim was followed from Hyde Sunset nightclub to their vehicle located on the 8200 block of Sunset Boulevard.

The victim was approached by two suspects armed with firearms, while by his vehicle. The suspect fired a gunshot hitting the victim during the attempted robbery. No property was taken from the victim during the incident. Both suspects got in a 2004-2012 BMW 3-Series sedan, black or dark colored, before fleeing the scene. The vehicle has 5-spoke wheels, no front license plate and possible damage or malfunction to the passenger side taillight.

A $50,000 reward is being offered leading to the identity, arrest and prosecution of the individuals involved in the incident. The suspects have been described as two Black males. No details on age or descriptions of clothing have been disclosed to the public.

Anyone with details is asked to call the LAPD RHD, Detective Dupree or Detective Casalicchio at 213-486-6890. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Those wanting to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.

By Trevor