Tag: charges

James Lopez Charged With Stabbing Death Of Amanda Torres

February 6, 2025 ·

A knife was used to fatally stab a community organizer on January 26. Photo by Anis Rahman.

WESTWOOD—On Wednesday, February 5, the LADA disclosed that James Joshua Lopez, 24, was charged with murder in connection with the January 26 stabbing death of Amanda Torres, 28, in downtown Los Angeles.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman noted that Torres was a “compassionate leader’ and recently graduated from UCLA and was a community organizer.

Lopez, of Los Angeles faces one count of murder with an allegation of personal use of deadly and dangerous weapon, a knife. His bail has been set at $2.02 million. His arraignment was set for March 3, Dept. 30 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

It was reported that on January 26 at around 12:40 a.m., Lopez is accused of fatally stabbing Torres after the victim intervened trying to protect her brother, who had been allegedly attacked by a group of men at a party in the 1100 block of S. Los Angeles Street. Torres was stabbed in the neck by the suspect.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Cristhian Ochoa and Monique Pahuja of the Central Trials-13 Division. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Charges filed in the case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted as charged, Lopez faces up to 26 years to life in prison.

By Trevor

Eight Charged With Committing Crimes During Wildfires

January 20, 2025 ·

Photo courtesy of Grant Durr.

SANTA MONICA/MALIBU—On Friday, January 17, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s announced that more individuals have been charged with crimes committed during the LA wildfires.

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that charges have been filed against nine additional individuals in connection with nine alleged crimes committed during LA County’s devastating wildfires. The charges encompass a range of offenses, including felony arson, felony possession of ammunition by a felon, felony looting during mandatory evacuations, and misdemeanor impersonation of a firefighter. These alleged crimes occurred across the county, including in the cities of South Gate, Brentwood, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Compton, Santa Monica, and Malibu.

Luis Felipe Gudino, 28, is charged with one count of felony arson during a state of emergency in case 25DWCF00047. It is further alleged that the charge involved great violence, great bodily harm or threat of great bodily harm. Gudino is being held on a bail amount of $350,000. His arraignment is scheduled for today in Dept. 7 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Downey Branch. If convicted as charged, he faces seven years in prison.

On January 13, Guidino is accused of igniting a couch at the rear of an apartment building in the city of South Gate. The fire spread from the couch to a nearby utility pole and surrounding area before being extinguished by the LA County Fire Department. The utility pole was damaged and apartment building exterior was charred. The case was investigated by the South Gate Police Department.

Richard Alexander Peterson, 36, is charged with one count of felony arson during a state of emergency in case 25DWCF00046. He faces a third strike sentence on the current charge based on his prior convictions. Peterson is being held on a bail amount of $ 1,350,000. His arraignment is scheduled for today in Dept. 7 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Downey Branch. If convicted as charged, he faces 25 years to life in prison.

On January 13, at about 4:13 p.m., Peterson allegedly dragged a Christmas tree onto the sidewalk in front of a motel in the city of South Gate and ignited the tree, which burned. The case was investigated by the South Gate Police Department.

Omar Lopez, 35, is charged with two counts of felony arson during a state of emergency in case 25DWCF00044. It is further alleged that the charge involved great violence, great bodily harm or threat of great bodily harm. He is being held on a bail amount of $350,00 He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on January 15. His preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for January 29 in Dept. J of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Norwalk Branch. If convicted as charged, he faces 8 years, 8 months in prison.

On January 14, at approximately 5 p.m., Lopez is accused of lighting a dried Christmas tree on fire that was on the sidewalk in front of an apartment building at 6915 Templeton St., in the city of Huntington Park, then igniting a larger tree in a courtyard of a nearby building. The case was investigated by the Huntington Park Police Department.

Manuel Rodriguez, 36, is charged with one count of felony arson during a state of emergency and one felony count of arson of property of another in case 25ARCF00091. His case was transferred downtown to Dept. 31 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center for a preliminary hearing setting on January 31. If convicted as charged, he faces seven years, eight months in prison.

On January 13, at approximately 12 p.m., Rodriguez is accused of starting a fire inside a dumpster behind the closed Donald Bruce Kaufman Brentwood Branch Library, 11820 San Vicente Blvd., in the city of Los Angeles. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Travis Glodt, 34, is charged with three counts of felony arson of property of another in case 25ARCF00089. The defendant was arraigned, and a doubt was declared as to his competency. Proceedings were suspended and the case was sent to the mental health court for further proceedings. The People requested his bail be set at $150,000. If convicted as charged, he faces four years and four months in prison.

On January 13 at approximately 10 p.m., Goldt is accused of starting fires using a lighter along Hawthorne Boulevard in the city of Hawthorne. He allegedly started a fire to a Hawthorne city water shut off valve and vegetation at 11601 Hawthorne Blvd., gathered up trash against the wall/front door at 11939 Hawthorne Blvd. and lit it, then lighting bushes on fire next to a cement post at a store located at 11983 Hawthorne Blvd. The case was investigated by the Hawthorne Police Department.

Leopoldo Reveles, 49, is charged with two counts of felony arson of property of another in case 25CMCF00082. His bail was set at $100,000. His arraignment is scheduled for today in Dept. 12 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Compton Branch. If convicted as charged, he faces three years, eight months in prison.

On January 13, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Reveles is accused of using a blow torch to light trash on fire next to the train tracks at Carlin Avenue and Alameda Street in an evacuation zone in the city of Compton, causing a fire and damaging a fire hydrant. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Keyshon Walker, 22, is charged with one count of felony unlawful possession of ammunition: prohibited by a prior conviction; one count of felony possession of a firearm by a felon; one count of misdemeanor possession of burglar’s tools; and one count of misdemeanor interference at scene of emergency in case 25ARCF00080. He is being held on $125,000 bail. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment and his preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for February 11 in Dept. 31 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Airport Branch.

On January 10, at approximately 3 a.m., Walker was stopped while driving in an evacuation zone. In his vehicle, officers located .357 ammunition and an AR15 magazine, along with a drone, walkie talkies, burglary tools, gloves, and a window punch tool. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Joshua Love, 29, is charged with one count of felony looting during an emergency or evacuation; one count of felony attempted second-degree burglary; one count of misdemeanor possession of burglary tools; one count of felony unauthorized entry of closed disaster area; one count of misdemeanor interference at the scene of emergency; one count of misdemeanor trespass by entering and occupying; one count of misdemeanor possession of injection/ingestion device in case 25ARCF00081. It is further alleged that the defendant had previously been convicted of a serious and/or violent felony.

Love is being held on $160,000 bail. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment on January 14. His preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 29 in Dept. 31 of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Airport Branch. If convicted as charged, he faces seven years and two months in prison.

On January 11, at approximately 10 p.m., Love is accused of attempting to burglarize an apartment complex at 416 San Vicente in the city of Santa Monica. The case was investigated by the Santa Monica Police Department.

Ivan Cedric Reed, 34, is charged with one felony count of receiving stolen property exceeding $950 in value; one misdemeanor count of impersonating a firefighter; one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of a badge; and one misdemeanor count of unauthorized entry of closed disaster area. The People have recommended a bail amount of $45,000. He is set to be arraigned January 17 in Dept. 100 of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Van Nuys Branch. If convicted as charge he faces four years state prison to be served in the county jail.

On January 14 at about 5 p.m., Reed is accused of wearing a yellow firefighter jacket and having a first responders’ radio in a mandatory evacuation area at 18343 Clifftop Way in the city of Malibu. The defendant allegedly told deputies he was a firefighter. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

By Trevor

Suspects Charged For Crimes Committed During Wildfires

January 14, 2025 ·

Multiple suspects have been arrested for crimes committed during the Los Angeles wildfires. Photo by Emiliano Bar.

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

BH Doctor Charged With Sexual Assault

January 6, 2025 ·

Babak Hajhosseini. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

BEVERLY HILLS—On Thursday, January 2, the LADA’s Office disclosed that Beverly Hills physician Babak Hajhosseini, 42, is charged with sexually assaulting a woman in the city of Los Angeles on August 18.

Hajhosseini is charged in case 24CJCF07892 with two felony counts of rape by use of drugs; one felony count of rape of an unconscious or asleep person; one felony count of oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance; three felony counts of oral copulation of an unconscious or asleep person; and one felony count of sodomy of an unconscious person.

He was arrested on November 26 by the Los Angeles Police Department. At an arraignment on December 27, Hajhosseini pleaded not guilty to all charges. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for February 13 in Dept. 50 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

He is currently out on a $2,175,000 bond. If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 34 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Alexander Lara of the Sex Crimes Division and investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Additional victims or anyone with information are asked to contact Detective Esther Lee, LAPD West Bureau, at (213) 473-0447.

By Trevor

Dorian Michael Gray Charged With Attempted Murder

October 29, 2024 ·

Photo courtesy of Charles Deluvio.

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, October 28, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office disclosed that Dorian Michael Gray, 28, was charged with attempting to murder Efrain Zarazua. Zarazua is a West Hollywood Barney’s Beanery valet attendant, who was physically assaulted as he was working outside of the restaurant on September 14. Gray also allegedly physically assaulted six other victims that same day in the region.

He is charged in case 24ARCF01556 with one count of attempted murder-willful, deliberate, and premeditated; one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon; two felony counts of aggravated mayhem; two misdemeanor counts of battery; one felony count of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury; and two felony counts of battery with serious bodily injury.

It is further alleged that in the commission of the crime, Gray personally inflicted great bodily injury, great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, and callousness. It also is alleged that he was armed with and used a weapon during the commission of the crime.

On September 14, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Gray allegedly physically attacked seven victims at random during a 10-minute period on Santa Monica Boulevard. He also attempted to murder Efrain Zarazua as he worked as a valet outside of Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood.

On October 18, at approximately 6 p.m., deputies from the West Hollywood Station, Entertainment Policing Team (EPT) located the suspect in the vicinity of Santa Monica Boulevard and Sweetzer Avenue. The deputies placed him under arrest and booked him at West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station.

The company posted the following message on its Instagram page:

“This past Saturday night, our long-time valet Frankie Zarazua was viciously beaten in the Barney’s parking lot in a random attack by an unknown assailant. Frank is currently still in critical condition in the ICU, having sustained multiple injuries to his head, neck and body.

Frankie has been part of Barney’s team for over 30 years. He is kind, funny, and welcoming to everyone he encounters. His family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for his medical bills and recovery support. If you are able to help Frankie, please look for the link in our bio. Thank you for taking the time to help, and please re-post this on Frank’s behalf.”

Gray was arraigned on October 24 and entered a plea of not guilty. The preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for November 13 in Dept. 31 of the Airport Courthouse. Bail was set at $3,255,000.

If convicted as charged, Gray faces life in state prison. The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

By Trevor

Diddy Arrested By Feds In New York City

September 17, 2024 ·

Diddy has been arrested after a grand jury indictment. Photo by DFree.

NEW YORK/BEVERLY HILLS—On Monday, September 16, the feds arrested rapper and music mogul Diddy, whose real name is Sean Love Combs, 54, inside the lobby of the Park Hyatt hotel in Manhattan. TMZ first reported the news of the musician’s arrest indicating that Diddy was taken to a federal building in Manhattan after a grand jury indictment.

He was seen strolling around New York City with his son King Combs before his arrest. Additional details about Diddy’s arrest is expected to be disclosed on Tuesday, September 17. Charges announced by authorities indicated that Diddy was being charged with three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution, racketeering conspiracy and kidnapping.

The indictment notes that Combs “engaged in persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals.” The indictment also details allegations dating back to 2008 where the mogul is accused of hosting “freak-offs” to “fulfill his sexual desires.” Diddy is described in the indictment as the head of a criminal enterprise and utilized his “power and prestige” to threaten and intimidate victims.

The indictment notes that law enforcement seized narcotics and over a thousand bottles of baby oil and lubricant when his properties in Beverly Hills and Miami were raided in March 2024. Agents also seized firearms and ammunition, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers.

Just last week, member of Dirty Diddy Money, Dawn Richard launched a lawsuit accusing Diddy of false imprisonment, withholding millions of dollars in unpaid royalties and wages, and claims of battery and sexual assault. He was also sued by former girlfriend Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura who filed a lawsuit in 2023 accusing him of physical and sexual abuse. CNN obtained video depicting Diddy assaulting Cassie inside of a hotel in 2016 where he was seen dragging her and striking her multiple times. Diddy’s lawsuit with Cassie was settled, but the amount and terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed.

The Beverly Hills property of Diddy was raided by agents with the Department of Homeland Security on March 25. Combs who references himself as ‘Diddy,’ also had one of his properties in Miami, Florida raided as authorities looked for evidence related to a sex trafficking investigation that the musician/actor has been accused of. Law enforcement had guns drawn as they entered the property in BH and detained individuals inside the property.

Diddy’s two sons, Justin and King Combs were at the Beverly Hills’ property at the time of the raid, and were detained by authorities, but not arrested. Traffic was cut off to neighbors in the Holmby Hills region as agents completed the raid. Some neighbors not able to access their home included “Alien” director Ridley Scott.

In addition to Diddy’s BH home being raided, his home in Miami was also raided by authorities at the same time, as footage was seen on social media of a boat docking near the property on Star Island which is a secluded region in Miami where the rich and famous reside.

Diddy was not arrested or taken into custody at the time. He was about to board a flight with his twin daughters to travel internationally for Easter break, when he was halted by authorities. The warrant came from the Southern District of New York. Diddy was captured in video obtained by TMZ pacing back and forth after news of the raids were made public.

Combs denied all allegations alleged against him. Since the lawsuit brought by Cassie, the musician has faced several lawsuits in recent months from others. In February 2024, music producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones filed a lawsuit against Combs alleging he was forced into sex acts and asked to find sex workers for Diddy. Jones alleged that Diddy drugged him and assaulted him.

Combs is a well-known name in the music industry having found success with rapper Biggie Smalls in the early 90s. He parlayed that success into working with musicians Mary J. Blige, 112, Danity Kane, Mase and many more. He was recently honored at the 2023 Bet Awards where he earned the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo spoke to reporters outside the courthouse on Tuesday, September 17 stating that he will “fight like hell” to get his client released on bail and argued that his client is not guilty and innocent.

By Trevor

Abraham Shily Charged With Sexual, Physical Assault

August 13, 2024 ·

Photo by Eskay Lim.

BRENTWOOD—On Friday, August 9, the LADA’s Office disclosed in a news release that Abraham Shily, 26, was charged with sexually and physically assaulting a mother as she was walking her one-month-old infant in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on July 16.

Shily is charged in case 24ARCF01092 with one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon; one misdemeanor count of sexual battery; one misdemeanor count of child abuse under circumstances or conditions other than great bodily injury or death; and one misdemeanor count of false imprisonment.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges and allegations at an arraignment on August 8. On July 16, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the victim was walking with her one-month-old baby in a residential neighborhood of Brentwood when Shily allegedly approached her and proceeded to sexually and physically assault her. It is further alleged that in the course of the attack the defendant inflicted great bodily injury upon the adult victim.

Shily fled the scene and was arrested on July 18. The court ordered $50,000 bail for the defendant. He has since bailed out. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for October 1 in Dept. 31 of the Airport Courthouse. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison. The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Trevor

Jestice James Charged With Murder In Fentanyl Deaths Of Twins

July 17, 2024 ·

A woman has been charged with the death of her twin boys who overdosed on fentanyl. Photo by Wesley Tingey via Unsplash.

TOPANGA CANYON—On Tuesday, July 16, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that a woman has been charged with murder in the deaths of her three-year-old twin sons who were allegedly exposed to drugs laced with fentanyl, the highly potent synthetic opioid.

Jestice James, 22, is charged in case 24VWCF01433 with two counts of murder and two counts of child abuse/endangerment under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily harm or death. She is being held in lieu of $4 million bail. Arraignment is set for today, Dept. 10 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Van Nuys Branch.

On July 11, shortly after 11 a.m., emergency crews responded to a home in the San Fernando Valley, where paramedics attempted life-saving measures on the twin boys, Josiah and Jestine. Both were taken to the hospital. Josiah died on July 11 and Jestine was pronounced deceased on July 13.

If convicted as charged, the defendant faces life in prison. The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Trevor

Jeffery Brewer Jr. Charged With Sexual Assault

July 16, 2024 ·

Photo by David Veksler via Unsplash.

WESTWOOD—On July 10, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office disclosed that Jeffery Brewer, Jr., 41, was charged with breaking into a UCLA student housing apartment occupied by two female exchange students, and sexually assaulting one of them on July 5.

Jeffery Stott Brewer, Jr. was charged in case 24ARCF00986with one count of sexual penetration by use of force; and one count of first-degree residential burglary with person present.

It is further alleged Brewer committed the sexual assault during the commission of a burglary of the first degree. He was arraigned on July 9 and pleaded not guilty to all charges. A preliminary hearing setting is set for August 13 in Dept. 31 of the Airport Courthouse.

The LADA announced on July 5, at approx. 1:30 a.m., Brewer allegedly loitered outside of a UCLA student housing building before entering one of the residences. He knocked on one of the apartment doors and entered when a student opened the door. He left when he was asked to leave by two student residents.

Less than an hour later at approximately 2:40 a.m., the defendant allegedly broke into another residence within the same student housing, went into one of the student’s bedrooms and sexually assaulted her.

Brewer is being held on $1,150,000 bail. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life, plus 6 years, in state prison. The case is being investigated by the University of California Los Angeles Police Department.

By Trevor

Lisa Ann Heflin Charged In High-Speed Pursuit

May 23, 2024 ·

Los Angeles Police Department. Photo by JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock.

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, May 22, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office disclosed a woman has been charged with leading Los Angeles Police officers on a high-speed pursuit throughout Los Angeles that ended in a multi-vehicle crash on the northbound 405 Freeway on May 17.

Lisa Ann Heflin, 41, was charged in case 24ARCF00739 with 10 counts of assault upon a peace officer; four counts of assault with a deadly weapon; one count of fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly; and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in property damage. She pleaded not guilty to all charges at arraignment on May 22. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled on June 20 in Dept. 31 of the Airport Courthouse.

On May 17, at approximately 4:30 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Division responded to a disturbance call where they encountered Heflin. When approached by officers, she allegedly got into her vehicle, crashed into a police cruiser and proceeded to lead officers on a 30-minute, high-speed pursuit through the cities of Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and West Los Angeles before entering the northbound 405 Freeway and crashing into multiple vehicles.

Five police vehicles, two civilian vehicles and a tractor trailer were damaged during the chase. None of the victims sustained significant injuries.

If convicted as charged, the maximum sentence is 22 years and 8 months in state prison. The court has set bail at $695,000. The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Trevor

Larry Ameyal Cedeno Charged With Stabbing Two Tourists

May 22, 2024 ·

A suspect who stabbed two tourists from Germany has been charged in court. Photo by Thanh Tran via Unsplash.

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, May 21, the Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that a man has been charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the stabbing of two German tourists near the Santa Monica promenade.

Larry Ameyal Cedeno, 29, was charged in case 24ARCF00735 with one count of attempted murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon. It is further alleged that in the commission of the offenses, the defendant both used a knife and caused great bodily injury to the victims.

On May 19, at approximately 8 p.m., Cedeno allegedly stabbed two victims on the 1500 block of 4th Street in Santa Monica. The victims were taken to the hospital with injuries.
In an unprovoked incident, he assaulted three individuals. Two victims suffered stab wounds; one remains in critical but stable condition; the third victim was assaulted with no major injuries. The two individuals who were stabbed have been identified as tourists who are not related to each other.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers immediately started CPR on the first victim while additional officers located the suspect. The suspect was detained and arrested a short time later and remains in custody at the Santa Monica Jail pending arraignment and the official filing of charges.

Cedeno is scheduled to be arraigned on May 22 in Dept. 30 of the Airport Courthouse. If convicted as charged, the maximum sentence is life in state prison, a bail of $2,155,000 was recommended for the defendant. The case is being investigated by the Santa Monica Police Department.

Anyone with details related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Burciaga at George.Burciaga@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor