Tag: burglaries

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Monday, January 13, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office disclosed that charges were filed against 10 individuals in four crimes committed during the devastating wildfires. Nine people are facing felony charges in connection to residential burglaries in the cities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, and a separate defendant has been charged with arson for intentionally starting a fire in the city of Azusa.

The felony charges were the result of a multi-agency collaboration that underscores the strength of local, state, and federal partnerships. Law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Los Angeles Police Department; Los Angeles County Fire Arson Unit; U.S. Attorney’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) collaborated closely with the District Attorney’s Office to bring these suspects to justice.

Martrell Peoples, 22, and Damari Bell, 21, are each charged with one count of first-degree residential burglary and looting during an emergency or evacuation: grand theft. It is further alleged that Peoples committed the offense while on state prison parole and Bell committed the offense while on felony probation. Allegations include they took property exceeding $200,000. Bell is also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The LADA Office recommended a $1,110,000 bail amount for Peoples and $310,000 bail for Bell. If convicted as charged, Peoples faces life in prison and Bell faces 22 years, eight months in prison.

Travon Coleman, 27, is charged with one count of felony hit-and run. It is further alleged that Coleman inflicted great bodily harm on a victim and committed the offense as a convicted felon. The People have recommended a $1,080,000 bail amount. If convicted as charged, he faces life in prison.

Between the late evening hours of January 8 and the early morning of January 9, Peoples and Bell are accused in a burglary at a residence located in the Mandeville Canyon area of Los Angeles. At approximately 2:20 p.m. on January 9, during the ongoing investigation into the earlier burglary, Coleman is accused of attempting to evade police and crashing in the intersection of Figueroa and 5th St., hitting a car and injuring the driver. After the crash, Coleman allegedly fled on foot but was ultimately detained. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Jose Gerardo Escobar, 39, is charged with one count each of felony arson; arson during a state of emergency; and attempted arson. He is being held on $20,000 bail. Escobar’s arraignment is set for today in Dept. 4 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, West Covina Branch. If convicted as charged, he faces nine years in state prison.

On January 10 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Escobar is accused of attempting to light a large tree on fire that had fallen to the ground at Pioneer Park 1360 N. Dalton Avenue, Azusa. The case was investigated by the Azusa Police Department.

Rudy Salazar, 19, and Lucia Jilrara Perez, 36, are charged with two counts each of first-degree residential burglary in case 25PDCF00020. They pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on January 10. Their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for January 29, Dept. D of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Pasadena Branch.

On January 8 at approximately 2:30 p.m., the defendants are accused of entering two homes during the Eaton fire in Altadena and stealing property. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Roy Sims, 18; Ryan Sims, 19; Naquan Dewey Reddix, 22; and Pierie Obannon, 19, are charged with one count each of first-degree residential burglary in case 5PDCF00019. They pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on January 10. Their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for January 28, Dept. D of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pasadena Branch. Bail for Roy Sims and Ryan Sims has been set for $50,000 each. If convicted as charged, each faces up to six years in state prison. Reddix and Obannon have posted bail and were released.

On January 8, at approximately 5 p.m., the defendants are accused of entering a home during the Eaton fire in Altadena and stealing property. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“These curfews are in place to protect residents and ensure public safety. Anyone who violates them will face serious consequences,” said LADA Nathan Hochman. “Our office is fully committed to getting these criminals off the streets and putting them on alert: We will not tolerate this kind of lawlessness.”

By Trevor

WOODLAND HILLS—On Wednesday, August 14, the Los Angeles Police Department reported that suspects involved in a string of burglaries in the Woodland Hills region were arrested. The LAPD reported on August 13, around 3:30 a.m., Topanga Area patrol units responded to a burglary in progress at a shoe store in the 7200 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

After arriving on the scene, authorities found a white van parked outside of the business. The occupants in the vehicle did not comply with officers’ commands and fled the scene in the van. Officers initiated a vehicle pursuit, which lasted less than a minute before two suspects were observed running from the vehicle in an alley to the rear of 7200 Owensmouth Avenue. Officers initiated a foot pursuit and were able to take the driver of the van, Terry Sutton, 36, into custody. The other suspect continued to flee on foot, and a perimeter was established.

Upon review of surveillance video from the business, it was determined that four suspects were involved in the burglary, and all four were in the van when they fled from the scene. Air Support and patrol resources responded and assisted with the perimeter, but the additional suspects were not located.

During the on-scene investigation, it was discovered that the same suspects burglarized one additional location nearby before burglarizing the shoe store. The secondary location was in the 6400 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Preliminary video evidence depicts the same vehicle used in the burglary at the shoe store. All of the stolen items in the van have been returned to the business owners.

Sutton was booked for 459 PC, Commercial Burglary, booking number 6864575. Commercial Crimes Division has taken over investigative responsibility for this case.

By Trevor

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Wednesday, March 6, the Los Angeles Police Department disclosed that several suspects were arrested by Northeast detectives in connection to a series of burglaries.

The LAPD reported on February 29, detectives tracked the burglary suspects across Los Angeles from the San Fernando Valley to West Los Angeles. Based on the suspects’ actions, detectives realized the group was preparing to commit additional burglaries.

Around 1:30 p.m., authorities observed four suspects preparing to commit a burglary. With the help from LAPD’s West Los Angeles officers, the suspects were apprehended in the area of Castellammare Drive and Sunset Boulevard before they could execute the burglary.

Three adults were taken into custody without incident while still inside their vehicle, and a juvenile was detained after attempting to flee on foot. He discarded his cell phone and changed clothing during the foot pursuit. Officers discovered burglary tools and other potential evidence inside the vehicle, which will be recovered following the execution of a search warrant.

Patricio Lian, 20, has been booked under the booking number 6768393 for one felony count of 459 PC-Burglary, and one felony count of 3056 PC-Parole Violation.

Carlos Antonio Gonzalez-Ravest, 20, was booked under the booking number 6768381. He faces charges including an outstanding felony warrant for 459 PC-Burglary, and an outstanding felony warrant for 487 PC-Grand Theft, alongside the initial charge of 182 (A) PC, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.

Joaquin Elias Munoz, 19, was booked under the booking number 6768375 for the charge of 182 (A) PC-Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.

The juvenile, a 17-year-old male was booked under the booking number 6768316 for the charge of 602 WIC/182 PC-Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.

Anyone with additional details is asked to contact Northeast Division detectives at 323-561-3220. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wanting 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 can visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On February 14, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) released their annual crime report for 2023, with theft being the most prevalent of all the crimes committed. According to the SMPD webpage, if the criminal activity continues as it is now in the remainder of 2024, crime rates could easily surpass last year’s statistics.

On Tuesday, February 13, the Santa Monica City Council heard the updated crime statistics report from SMPD Chief Ramon Batista.

“One of the things we tried to do this year in addressing some of the concerns we had the three major parks was to make sure we had an increased presence in our public service officers and our downtown service officers,” Batista stated.

The takeaway from the report posted on X showed that SMPD received a total of 103,462, calls for service, with a 10 percent increase in police actions, and of those 18 percent of the calls, 18,939 were related to homelessness.

SMPD reported one murder in Santa Monica last year. SMPD Lieutenant, Erika Aklufi, reported the following homicide for 2024.

“On January 25 at approximately 10:25 AM, Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to a call of Shots Fired in the 2600 block of 29th Street in Santa Monica. Officers located the victim of the shooting seated in his parked vehicle. The victim, identified as William Edwards III, a 46-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was transported to a local hospital in grave condition and died at the hospital. The motive for the crime is still being investigated.”

SMPD reported 45 documented rapes were reported in 2023. This is up from 39 in 2022. There were no reported rapes on the website for 2024.

In 2023, there were 460 reported aggravated assaults or what used to be referred to as assault with a deadly weapon. This figure was less than the year prior. There were no reports on the SMPD website for 2024.

There were 80 reports of arson in 2023, which was down from 86 in 2022.

SMPD reported 231 robberies in 2023, which was up from 222 in 2022.

Of all of the robberies and burglaries, strong armed robbery was the most reported crime.

On February 13, Lieutenant Aklufi reported the arrest of four young adults and one juvenile who were captured with the help of a K9 officer on attempted burglary charges after breaking into The Real Real located at 200 26th St.

SMPD responded to 569 incidents of grand theft auto.

Petty crimes or what SMPD refers to as, “Part 2 crimes,” include simple assault, trespassing, public intoxication, vandalism, and other misdemeanor crimes. Of those, simple assault was the most prevalent with 859 cases reported. There were 730 cases of vandalism.

For 2024, the SMPD website shows multiple traffic related incidents, one of which was fatal. Reports of trespassing are also listed in the press releases on the SMPD website for 2024.

By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—On Friday, January 12, the LAPD announced that they arrested several suspect connected to a series of burglaries that have transpired in the region. The LAPD reported in December 2023, the West Los Angeles Division, in collaboration with Beverly Hills Police Department and Glendale Police Department, identified and arrested 13 suspects who have been part of an organized burglary series affecting the greater Los Angeles area and adjacent communities.

On December 19, 2023, the Glendale PD located a burglary group responsible for multiple burglaries in Glendale. Officers spotted three suspects enter a vehicle, wearing similar clothing consistent with descriptions previously provided. The officers started to drive in the direction where the burglaries had occurred. Glendale officers followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. One suspect was detained and the other two fled on foot but were quickly apprehended. All three suspects were arrested for residential burglary.

On December 27, 2023, West Los Angeles Area officers responded to a radio call to meet officers with the Beverly Hills Police Department in the area of Coldwater Canyon Drive south of Mulholland Drive to assist with a burglary investigation where approximately five suspects fled on foot. The suspect’s vehicle was described as a black Ford Explorer. A perimeter was established, and three suspects were taken into custody after an extensive K-9 Unit search. The suspect’s vehicle was impounded, and over $1 million dollars in stolen designer purses, clothing, watches and jewelry, belonging to the victim, were recovered.

On December 28, 2023, West Los Angeles detectives, along with Metropolitan Division officers, identified a home where the suspects had been recently staying and stashing property. A search of the suspect’s residence and vehicles resulted in the discovery of additional stolen designer purses, watches, jewelry and additional evidence linking the suspects to multiple crimes. Three suspects were arrested during the incident and the case was submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office where all three suspects were filed on for one count of residential burglary.

On December 30, 2023, LAPD officers responded to a radio call of burglary suspects at a residence near Hutton Drive and Melinda Drive. Additional information was provided by the BHPD regarding a 2018 white Mercedes GLS used in an additional burglary in their region. The white Mercedes GLS was located near the area and a female inside the vehicle was detained. A perimeter was established, and four suspects were taken into custody after an extensive K-9 Unit search. All four suspects were arrested and booked for conspiracy to commit burglary.

In the past few weeks, detectives discovered evidence connecting the arrests to a large organized burglary ring responsible for a multitude of cases throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Detectives from the Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Burbank, and Glendale police departments are working in tandem with additional affected agencies to identify the remaining members of the group and to secure additional charges for the crimes they are responsible for committing. Detectives identified and returned most all the recovered stolen property to the rightful owners but hope to discover additional victim’s property as they continue their investigative efforts.

Due to the ongoing investigation additional suspect information and photographs will be released at a future time. Detectives are releasing photographs of the suspects because they believe there are additional victims who have yet to be identified.

Victims, or anyone with information to these individuals, can contact detectives at (213) 216-5308. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing 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.

By Trevor