Tag: crime

MALIBU—On May 28, the LASD Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff Station reported with assistance from a volunteer unit, they arrested a person suspected of robbing the CVS near Webb Way and Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Deputies received a radio call reporting the theft, when a Malibu Volunteers on Patrol Unit in the area observed a person matching the suspect’s description and provided deputies with updated locations and a more detailed description. The volunteer unit closed off the area and helped manage traffic flow.

After the arrest of the suspect, deputies discovered the individual was in possession of numerous items alleged to be stolen and that an outstanding warrant was issued for him. He was booked at the station.

Anyone wanting to join the Malibu Volunteers on Patrol can learn how to do so by visiting the Los Angeles Sheriff Department Volunteers on Patrol website.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Around 12:26 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, a pair of thieves was captured on video entering an apartment building in West Hollywood and allegedly stealing packages and mail from the apartment’s mailbox located on the 1100 block of Larrabee Street, the WeHo Times first reported.

In the video, two suspects, a man and a woman, are seen walking toward the mailbox. The woman has black hair and light skin, and was wearing a black top, black pants, and a blue jean jacket.  The man was wearing blue jeans, a grayish hoodie, sneakers, and a blue baseball cap with the letters JA printed on the front.

The woman inserts an object into the lock and starts fiddling with it, while the man keeps watch, fiddling with something in his hand.  A nearby elevator door opens, and the man bends down, picks up the packages resting against the wall, and carries them into the elevator.  He comes back out and uses his hand to keep the elevator door open prompting the woman to step into the doorway, as he takes over the task.

After a few seconds, he succeeds in opening the front of the mailbox, allowing him to reach into all the slots, taking all envelopes and packages. The woman comes out of the elevator, takes some from him, and goes back into the elevator.

The theft was reported to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station and the investigation is ongoing; it is unclear how many packages and pieces of mail were stolen.

In July 2025, a person forced their way into Holloway Terrace at 8530 Holloway Drive and took mail on July 21, 24, 30 and July 31, the Beverly Press/Park LaBrea News reported.

According to ABC 7 Los Angeles, an apartment building on Sweetzer Avenue was broken into several times in 2025 where mail thefts transpired.

Anyone with information about this crime should contact the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. They can also contact Crimestoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S).

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On May 13 and March 14, several incidents occurred in front of a business in the 8800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, leading to the arrest of three suspects, who have all been charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office with felonies, the Pride LA reported.

On May 20, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station noted that deputies responded inside a business after a after a claim that a person had allegedly slapped and made criminal threats against another.  Security was forced to remove the suspect who allegedly threw glass and other things at patrons before getting involved in a fight.

After being located by the deputies, the suspect was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats.

Deputies returned to region of Santa Monica Boulevard the next day in response to reports that two people were struggling outside.  A third person attempted to intervene and in the process was injured and taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

All 3 suspects were processed at the West Hollywood Station after being arrested, no details on the names of the suspects have or additional charges have been disclosed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—Around 8 a.m. on Monday, May 25, a couple returned to their residence in Hollywood Hills and were horrified to discover they were victims of a burglary.

According to NBC 4 Los Angeles, after the thieves broke into the home, they made a hole in the locked closet door and left with jewelry and expensive bags, estimated to be worth over $500,000.

The couple contacted the Los Angeles Police Department, which dispatched officers to investigate the case and file a burglary report. The LAPD has not made any arrests in the case, and no details on the suspects have been disclosed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—At 3:06 p.m. on Friday, May 22, the Santa Monica Police Department posted an update on its Facebook page about a struggle on the beach between two people and that led to an arrest.

The struggle started as an attempted theft of the victim’s cellphone on the beach, during which the attacker allegedly struck the victim with a metal pole.

The victim showed officers who responded to the beach with an image of the attacker, prompting a search where the individual in the description was located inside a nearby restroom.

The suspect was arrested, but no name or age has been released to the public. The Santa Monica Fire Department treated the victim for a non-fatal wound.

The SMPD is asking anyone with information about the incident contact them at (310)-458-8427.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On May 20, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station released a public safety update announcing deputies responded to separate incidents at businesses in the 8800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard on May 13 and May 14 that resulted in multiple arrests.

On May 13, deputies arrived at a business in response to a complaint an individual slapped a person and made criminal threats against them.

Security tried to remove the individual, but the suspect is alleged to have thrown “glass and other items at patrons and later became involved in a fight with a pedestrian,” who was outside the business, the LASD West Hollywood Station stated.

The suspect was located and arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats.

On May 14, deputies responded to a physical struggle between two people at a business. A bystander, “who intervened during the fight, sustained injuries and was transported”, to the hospital to be treated for injuries, authorities reported.

The victim’s name and condition are unknown, but the suspect was arrested. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges in both cases, but the names of the suspects have not been released.

On May 10, a brawl erupted between the owners of two hot dog carts at the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. A series of brawls have occurred at night in West Hollywood’s Rainbow District, including one at Trunks Bar on May 14.

According to the WeHo Times, a brawl occurred outside Micky’s West Hollywood on May 18, and Saturday, May 16, where deputies responded to a fight that occurred in the 8900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Saturday, May 16, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department pursued a suspect across West Hollywood that started at 2 p.m., and the suspect was arrested in Plummer Park, at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.

According to WeHo Online, the LAPD was alerted to an incident involving the suspect east of West Hollywood’s city border, near Formosa Avenue and Fountain Avenue. Officers were dispatched and pursued him on foot as he traveled west along Fountain Avenue entering West Hollywood. Officers were aided by a police helicopter.

According to WeHo online, the suspect utilized a bicycle to travel south on Fuller Avenue.  During the chase, the Citizen app, which can be used to report medical emergencies, police actions, and 9-1-1 responses, was used to issue an alert. Officers learned the individual they were chasing was suspect of committing an attempted homicide, who was found near Fuller Avenue and Vista Street by Plummer Park and arrested.

No further details about the suspect have been released to the public. A woman who lives near North Vista Street by Plummer Park in the 1000 block was shot on April 9, while standing on the balcony of a building.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Around 11 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, a brawl occurred in the Rainbow District of West Hollywood, on the street outside Trunks Bar located at 8809 Santa Monica Boulevard. The video of the brawl is available on the West Hollywood Times Instagram page.

A man in brown pants and a backward-worn cap, carrying a plastic takeout bag is walking down the street.  He sees a man in a white shirt and black pants fighting with a man in a yellow shirt and light brown pants.

During the brawl, the man in a white shirt is pushed toward a man in what appears to be dark black sweat clothes and a black hat, who appears to hit the first man in the face who falls backward and lands next to a tree.  He collides with the man carrying the plastic take-out bag, who has moved forward toward the brawl and is knocked down onto the man in the white shirt.

The man dressed in black and the man in the yellow shirt stared down at the street. A man in a black shirt, with what appears to be a necklace dangling from it, and light-colored pants, emerges from the bar entrance and heads toward the man in the white shirt.

Then another man wearing a bright shirt, dark pants, and black shoes emerges and walks around the individual who fell to the ground. The man in the black shirt, the man in the brown pants, and a third man wearing a light white shirt with suspenders over it and black pants help the individual from the ground. The voices can be barely heard over the music.

Other people on Santa Monica Boulevard watching the brawl did not intervene. According to the West Hollywood Times, the man who fell to the ground was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Canyon News reached out to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department but did not hear back before print. Identities of the brawlers and a motive have not been disclosed.

Anyone with details can contact the LASD West Hollywood Station by calling (310) 855-8850. They can also contact Crimestoppers by either texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S or by calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

This is the latest brawl to occur in West Hollywood over the last few months. On March 21, a brawl occurred inside a bar in the 8500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard. On May 11, a brawl occurred between the owners of two hot dog carts on Santa Monica Boulevard.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—Around 5:30 a.m. on May 7, officers of the Santa Monica Police Department were summoned to an intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and 4th Street after a woman on a bicycle struck a vehicle.  She was arrested for suspicion of cycling under the influence.

NBC 4 Los Angeles reported, the cyclist hit a Honda Civic, causing only minimal damage to the vehicle.  After the collision, instead of giving the driver her insurance she took off on her bicycle. Officers found the woman near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Pico Boulevard.  She appeared to be intoxicated and could not safely operate her bicycle and was arrested. Under California law, cycling under the influence is a misdemeanor offense.

While not punishable by jail time, it carries a fine of up to $250 and, for those under 21, and can result in license suspension.

The SMPD has not released any additional information about the cyclist or the incident.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, May 12, businessman Stephen J. Cloobec, who founded the timeshare company Diamond Resorts International and was a candidate in the Democratic Primary for Governor of California, surrendered to the LASD West Hollywood Station. He was released on May 13 on a $300,000 bail.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office charged him in April 2026 with several felony counts, including one count of making annoying phone calls and three counts of attempting to dissuade witnesses, allegedly to hinder testimony against the influencer Adva Lavie, also known as Mia Ventura.

If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison. The investigation into Cloobec was conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station.

Lavie has been accused of using dating apps to connect with older, wealthier men in Southern California, then seducing them and stealing from them. She faces six felony charges, including two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information, two counts of grand theft, and two counts of first-degree residential burglary. Her trial is upcoming.

If convicted, she could spend up to 11 years and 8 months in a California prison. Cloobec was romantically involved with Lavie, and was engaged to her but the exact nature of their relationship is unclear. He was previously married to Chantal Leduc, a Canadian model, until they divorced in 2018.

In 2020, Cloobec was briefly involved with OnlyFans star Stefanie Gurzanski. After they broke up, he sued her, alleging she defrauded him by falsely claiming to be a model and a con artist. He claimed he was unaware she was an OnlyFans model or that she was shooting in their residence while they were together. He tried to return expensive gifts he purchased her during their relationship. Gurzanski obtained a restraining order against him.

In November 2025, Cloobec announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2026 California gubernatorial election. By the end of that month, he dropped out of the race and announced he would support former Congressman Eric Salwell. Cloobec later withdrew his support after Salwell was accused of sexual misconduct.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On May 12, the Santa Monica College Campus Police released a community safety update revealing that a student was attacked off campus around 8:25 a.m. The unprovoked assault occurred as the student was crossing the intersection of 26th Street and Olympic Boulevard, near the Santa Monica College Center for Media and Design.

Officers from the Santa Monica Fire Department and the Santa Monica Police Department were dispatched to the scene, and the student was taken to a hospital for medical treatment. The SMPD is seeking the suspect, believed to be a homeless person.

The suspect approached the student and struck him in the shoulder which caused him to fall to the pavement, ABC 7 Los Angeles first reported. The investigation is ongoing, and no additional details about the suspect has been released. Anyone with information about the assault should contact the SMPD at (310) 456-8495.

The Santa Monica College Police Department advised students and staff to take steps to protect themselves by staying aware of their environment, reporting suspicious activity to the proper authorities and to not leave building doors open, and make sure windows and office doors are locked and closed. Avoid empty areas of the city, and if an emergency occurs, call 9-1-1. Police can also be contacted via the Corsair Alert Safety App or by calling the campus police at (310) 434-4300.

Canyon News reached out to the Santa Monica Police Department for comment put did not hear back before publication.

By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—In August 1969, criminal Charles Manson and two members of his cult, known as the Manson Family, killed actress and model Sharon Tate, along with her unborn son, in a house at 10050 Cielo Drive, along with Tate’s ex-boyfriend Jay Sebring, as well as Abigail Folger, the heiress to the fortune made by the Folgers coffee company, 18-year-old Steven Parent, and polish actor Wojciech Frykowski.  The house was destroyed in 1994 by Alvin Weintraub, its owner.  A new house was built to replace the house and the guest house, and it is now available for rent.

The property is located in Benedict Canyon located in Beverly Crest, a neighborhood in the Santa Monica Mountains that borders Beverly Hills. According to multiple reports, it can be rented for $247,500 a month, and the property spans 3.6 acres. The house spans 21,000 square feet and has 18 bathrooms and 9 bedrooms.

When construction was completed on the property, it was called Via Bella but later changed to Villa Andalusia. The current owner is screenwriter and producer Jeff Franklin.  He is the creator of the 1990s sitcom “Full House” and its spinoff, “Fuller House,” which aired on Netflix from 2016 to 2020.  He also created the sitcom “Hanging with Mister Cooper” and served as its executive producer.  Franklin worked as a writer and producer on the sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” a spin-off of “Happy Days,” and on the 80s sitcom “Bosom Buddies” that starred Tom Hanks.

According to multiple reports, Franklin purchased the land on which Villa Andalusia is located several decades ago, while it was still under construction, and hired the architect Richard Landy to rebuild the house. Franklin attempted to sell the property for $50 million in April 2025, according to reports, and later listed the property for rent.

By Daniel Diquinzio

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Friday, May 8, a couple in Hollywood Hills came home around 9:30 p.m. and found a group of thieves in the process of robbing their home.

According to multiple reports, this couple was returning from Los Angeles International Airport when the thieves made their way through the house, where the couple’s children and the nanny were asleep in their beds. The thieves were stealing jewelry.

According to multiple reports, the thieves knew where the jewelry was located. Three people, including the getaway driver, were involved in the robbery and tried to attack the couple with a crowbar, but fled from the house with the second thief.

No injuries were reported during the robbery.

Authorities have not released any information about the thieves or how much jewelry was stolen from the property, or the value of the items.

Canyon News reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department for comment about the robbery but did not hear back before the time of publication.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Friday, May 8, at 1:37 p.m., the West Hollywood Sheriff Station posted a public safety update on Facebook, noting that deputies were investigating a burglary that occurred.

The incident occurred at an address in the 8500 block of Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood.

According to multiple reports, the robbery occurred at approximately 1:20 a.m. on Friday at The RealReal, a consignment store in West Hollywood that sells used luxury items, including clothing.  Per these same reports, when the Deputies arrived at the store, they found a GMC Truck that had been left behind by the thieves who had used the vehicle to break through the front of the store, as well as glass and displaced merchandise covering the floor.  Afterward, they stole items from the store’s inventory and then fled the scene.

Detectives began “reviewing surveillance footage and following up on leads,” according to the West Hollywood Sheriff Station.

Per the reporting of the WestHollywood Times, a witness to the robbery saw a truck being loaded with items from the store and per this same report the Deputies are looking for a minimum of three men.

Deputies are increasing patrols in the region, and additional details about the incident have not been disclosed. 

The investigation is ongoing. It it has not been revealed by the authorities what was stolen from The RealReal or the total value of that merchandise or the extent of the damage to the store. 

Anyone with information about this burglary should contact the station at (310) 855-8850.  Citizens can also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS(8477).

The LASD West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station wants citizens to remain alert and to report any suspicious activity to the station.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m., the Santa Monica Police Department and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District issued a joint statement on the police department’s Facebook page, informing the public that on May 7, police responded to Santa Monica High School for a report of a threat.

A person called Santa Monica High School and issued a threat. At 11:53 a.m., the school called the SMPD to report the threat. Officers were dispatched to investigate and learned that the school officials made “a decision to implement a temporary shelter-in-place.”

Officers searched the school and the campus, but no evidence of a threat to the school was found. Around 1:30 p.m., the school lifted the shelter-in-place order. Officers remained on the premises to assist the students and staff. No injuries were reported. The SMPD is still investigating who made the call.

Threats made to schools are a serious matter, “and individuals responsible for making false or threatening reports” will answer to the proper authorities, both the SMPD and the SMMUSD notes.

Canyon News reached out to the Santa Monica Police Department for comment about the actions of the investigating officers and of the school officials but did not hear back before the time of publication.

By Daniel Diquinzio

 

SANTA MONICA—On May 9, the Santa Monica Police Department announced on Facebook that it ended a livability and traffic safety operation. Officers conducted this operation on the front walk of 1550 Beach Lot and Ocean Front.

The goals of the officers who performed this operation were to address concerns of the citizens of Santa Monica, regarding “safety, quality-of-life concerns, and activity impacting residents, visitors,” according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

They were also trying to address businesses’ fears about crime.

By the time the operation concluded, officers conducted 30 traffic stops.  This resulted giving out written citations to six people for violations of the city’s vehicle code.  Two people were investigated for Driving Under the Influence and one individual was arrested. They also encountered two gang members.

Officers arrested 5 people who committed “violations that included outstanding warrants, parole violations, resisting or obstructing officers, possession of narcotics,” the SMPD stated. Some were driving while impaired by alcohol or had violated the city’s municipal code.

The operation was performed because of the Police Department’s ongoing work to keep the city’s public spaces safe, accessible for citizens and visitors.

Canyon News reached out to the Santa Monica Police Department for comment on the Livability And Traffic Safety Operation that was conducted along with the arrests that were made but did not hear back by time of publication.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On May 5t, the Santa Monica Police Department announced on Facebook that King Darius Lozada, a 7-year-old child, disappeared in Santa Monica around 6:50 p.m. along with his father, Darius Clay Jackson, who is 55.  On May 7, the SMPD issued an update announcing that they had been found.

King Darius Lozada was unharmed, and Darius Clay Jackson is in police custody, as he is a suspect in the disappearance.

Before Lozada disappeared, he was seen traveling north through an alley located near the 1300 block of Berkeley Street and Arizona Avenue.  His father was with him at the time.

After King’s disappearance was reported, it was feared that his life might be in danger. Darius Clay Jackson was suffering from mental health issues, per the Santa Monica Police Department.

“[The] Santa Monica Police Department thanks the community, our law enforcement partners, and everyone who shared the information and remained alert,” the Police Department stated.

No additional information has been released by authorities.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On August 15, 2025, deputies assigned to the West Hollywood Sheriff Station arrived in the area surrounding Westmount Drive and Rosewood Avenue in response to a report that a bicyclist had been assaulted.  On May 6, the West Hollywood Sheriff Station announced that a suspect in the case had been arrested.

The suspect was arrested in Los Angeles County by officers from the Major Crimes Bureau and deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station.

During the assault, the bicyclist claimed he was riding a bicycle when the suspect threw a knife from a vehicle hitting him in the neck. Investigators commenced an investigation that ultimately led to the arrest of the suspect. The name of the suspect has not been released to the public or details on where the individual was arrested.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Friday, May 1, officers with the Los Angeles Police Department chased 4 suspects through West Hollywood, who were later arrested. KTLA Los Angeles reported, all of these suspects were men who are accused of committing an assault with a deadly weapon and fleeing in a BMW sedan.   

An object was thrown from the vehicle during the police chase that started in West Hollywood and later downtown Los Angeles towards Pershing Square. The driver abandoned the sedan, causing the vehicle to crash. 

The Los Angeles Police Department has not released the names of the suspects or their ages. No details about any injuries related to the chase have been disclosed.

By Daniel Diquinzio

STUDIO CITY—The Los Angeles Police Department has requested a new mobile surveillance unit in Studio City at Ventura Boulevard and Ethel Avenue, ABC 7 Eye Witness News first reported on Sunday, April 26. The device is being utilized to help deter crime in the region, after a recent uptick in home invasions in the past few weeks.

The device was placed by ACS Security, and it uses artificial intelligence technology to detect activity that will be reported to authorities. There have been a series of break-ins in the San Fernando Valley in recent weeks.

Actor Dylan Sprouse detained a trespasser who gained access to his Hollywood Hills property on Friday, April 17. The Los Angeles Police Department received a 911 call from Dylan’s wife, Barbara Palvin after 12:30 a.m. about an attempted burglary at the property.

Sprouse detained the suspect and held him down until authorities arrived on the scene.

TMZ obtained video of the suspect who was arrested by authorities, who was wearing a shirt covered in dirt. The suspect did not make it into the couple’s home.

On April 11, at approximately 9:30 p.m. residents in Hollywood Hills West found two intruders who got inside their home by smashing through a glass windowpane on the side of the house located in the 7100 block of Macapa Drive.

One of the homeowners, a 75-year-old-man was punched repeatedly by one of the intruders. The intruders were dressed in all black, wearing gloves, and left the scene of the crime(s). They drove away in a silver sedan. According to LAPD, the thieves stole approximately $150,000 in jewelry. According to reports the suspects are still at large.

On April 21, at approximately 1:30 a.m., police were called to a home on Noble Avenue for an attempted burglary. Burglars shattered the back window and fled the scene after realizing someone was home. No one was injured during the incident.

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Thursday, April 23, two men broke into a home located in the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue in Hollywood Hills and strangled the homeowner inside. She has now been identified as an heiress to Budget, Rent-A-Car, a car rental company. Margaux Mirkin has been identified as the elderly victim in the home invasion.

The men broke into Mirkin’s home in Hollywood Hills West and made off with “a large amount of cash and jewelry KTLA reported.

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case, and the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, William A. De Rothschild, who was Margaux Mirkin’s husband, died two years ago at the age of 87 in a fire that happened in a house in which he lived in Hollywood Hills.

The suspects in the incident are still at large. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—Shortly before 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, several officers from the Los Angeles Police Department arrived at a residence located in the 600 block of Superba Avenue in Venice in response to reports of a suicide.

Inside the residence, they found two bodies from gunshot wounds.  A man, who is believed to be Jeremy Ferguson, a prominent figure in Santa Monica, and the body of a woman, later identified as Mandy Zelinka, 49, his wife, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner indicated.

Ferguson works for Downtown Santa Monica Inc, a local non-profit, as its director of operations, and was also a member of the board of the Santa Monica History Museum.

Before dying, Jeremy Ferguson wrote a suicide note that included directions on how to access the couple’s home. The investigation is ongoing. An exact motive for the shooting has not been released to the public.

The cause of the death for Zelinka has not been released by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner.

Jeremy was elected mayor of Milwaukie, Oregon, early in his career, serving from 2009 until he resigned in February 2015.

“Our hearts are broken as we process the news of the passing of Jeremy Ferguson,” said Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. CEO Debbie Lee. “Jeremy was a cherished member of our team and a true champion for Downtown Santa Monica. His passion for placemaking and the dedication he brought to his work each day made a lasting impact. He will be deeply missed.”

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On April 14, at 12:07 p.m., detectives from the Los Angeles County West Hollywood Sheriff Station arrived at 7900 Block of Norton Avenue, in response to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the post that was made on the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station Facebook page, the victim was a male who was taken to a hospital. The victim is now listed in stable condition.

The preliminary investigation was conducted by the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department, which found no other victims, but an unknown number of rounds were fired.

The identity of the suspect is unknown. The name of the victim has not been released authorities. The type of weapon used in this assault has also not been revealed.

The case is being investigated by the LASD West Hollywood Station.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, April 7, Luca Scalisi, 59, the chief financial officer of Del Records, was sentenced by a Downtown Los Angeles federal judge for his role in Del Records’ business dealings with a Mexican Criminal Cartel. Scalisi was sentenced to spend eight months in federal prison.

According to the reporting done by WeHo Times, Scalisi is required to pay a $15,000 fine.  Mexican concert promoter Jesús Pérez Alvear, who headed a company named Gallistica Diamante Perez, along with his company, was identified as being involved in drug trafficking by the United States Treasury Department.

This involvement took the form of a musician, contracted to Del Entertainment, performing at concerts promoted by Jesús Pérez Alvear.

Per a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, on August 15, 2025, José Ángel Del Villar, the head of both Del Records and Del Entertainment Inc., Alvear laundered money for both the Los Cuinis drug trafficking organization and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación.

Del Villar and Del Entertainment Inc were found guilty on 10 counts of violating the Kingpin Act, which allows the Department of the Treasury to place sanctions on narcotics traffickers and cartels, and also prevents U.S. companies from doing business with them. Del Villar and his entertainment company was also found guilty of committing one count of violating the Kingpin Act. It took the form of conspiring to engage in transaction with a specially designated narcotics traffickers in violation of the Kingpin Act.

In April 2018, the defendants did business with Jesús Pérez Alvear, a.k.a. “Chucho,” of Guadalajara, Mexico, a music promoter who controlled Gallistica Diamante, a.k.a. Ticket Premier. Pérez promoted concerts for Del Entertainment in Mexico until March 2019.

The U.S. Treasury Department listed Pérez and his company as “specially designated narcotics traffickers” under the Kingpin Act on April 6, 2018, after concluding he facilitated money laundering for the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and the Los Cuinis drug trafficking organization. The Kingpin Act prevents people in the United States from conducting business with sanctioned persons and entities.

On May 23, 2025, Scalisi pled guilty to committing one count of conspiracy to do a transaction with a specially designated narcotics trafficker. The prosecution was part of Operation Take Back America.

Canyon News reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, for comment on the sentencing of Scalisi and the prosecution that lead to the sentencing, who indicated they had no comment.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—At 11:57 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, the Beverly Hills Police Department announced via a post on its Facebook page that along with the Tulare County Sheriff, they are mourning the death of Deputy Randy Hoppert. Deputy Randy Hoppert was killed in the line of duty on Thursday morning.

According to the post, Deputy Randy Hoppert was killed during a shooting that occurred close to 10:20 a.m. Tulare County Sheriff’s deputies were serving an eviction notice to a person who lived in the area of Newcomb and Grand in Porterville.  While they were doing so, David Morales, 59, fired at the deputies. Deputy Hoppert was hit and taken to a hospital for medical treatment but later died.

Just before 6 p.m. Morales was killed by deputies of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office who drove over David Morales, in a SWAT vehicle.

The Beverly Hills Police Department asks the citizens of Beverly Hills to pray for the family of Deputy Randy Hoppert.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Wednesday, April 8, Jasveen Sangha, 42, who is known as the Ketamine Queen who sold the ketamine that led to an overdose by the late actor Matthew Perry was sentenced by United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. Sangha lives in North Hollywood and holds dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Per the press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Sangha was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison.  She pleaded guilty in September 2025.  She pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of ketamine.  She also pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. She also pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Jasveen Sangha, along with Erik Fleming sold ketamine to Kenneth Iwamasa, who was the personal assistant of the late actor Matthew Perry, who starred in the sitcom “Friends,” the remake of “The Odd Couple” and films like,  “The Ron Clark Story,” and “The Whole Nine Yards” and its sequel, and who was injected 51 times with ketamine.

Sangha was sentenced not just for supplying the ketamine that caused Perry to overdose but for her long-term drug dealing.   This included selling four vials of ketamine to Cody McLaury in 2019.  McLaury died later that day as a result of a drug overdose.  According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Sagnha also used her home in North Hollywood as a place from which she not only sold drugs such as methamphetamine and ketamine, but she also used her home as the place from which the drugs were packaged and shipped, which she started years ago.

Jasveen Sangha was not the only person to be sentenced for the death of Matthew Perry.  Two other defendants were also sentenced which included Salvador Plasencia, who lives in Santa Monica and who also supplied drugs to Matthew Perry, and Mark Chavez, who lives in San Diego, and who operated the drug clinic that Plasencia brought drugs to give to Perry.

Plasencia pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of distributing ketamine and is currently serving 30 months in prison.  He also lost his license to practice medicine in California back in September of 2025.

Chavez pleaded guilty in October 2024.  According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.  His sentence includes serving three years of probation.  It also includes performing 300 hours of community service and doing 8 months of home detention.

In August 2024, both Erik Fleming and Kenneth Iwamasa pleaded guilty to federal narcotics charges. They will be sentenced for their role in the death of Matthew Perry.

The case is being prosecuted by two different prosecutors which includes Assistant U.S. Attorney Haoxiaohan H. Cai, who works in the Major Frauds Section, and Ian V. Yanniello of the National Security Division.

Canyon News reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California for comment on the sentencing of Jasveen Sangha and the sentencing of Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez but did not receive any comment on the case.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, April 1, the office of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed that it identified the man who was fatally shot in Santa Monica around 10:30 p.m. on March 28. The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Yair Segundo Cruz.

According to the post on the Santa Monica Facebook page, the shooting happened near the intersection of 4th Street and Olympic Drive.

Cruz was given medical treatment and was taken to a hospital where he later died. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

The Police Department has asked that anyone who knows anything about the shooting contact Sergeant Shaun Cooney of the Criminal Investigations Division. Sergeant Shaun Cooney can be reached at 310-458-8401 or via email Shaun.Cooney@santamonica.gov.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—On the morning of Sunday, March 21, the officers from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports of a gun being fired within a home that is located near Beverly Hills.

When the officers arrived at the home, located near the corner of 3rd Street and La Peer Drive, it was in the shopping district of Beverly Grove.

According to KTLA, when officers from the LAPD arrived at the house, they found a woman who had been shot as a result of a domestic dispute.  She was taken to a hospital where she later died.

In addition, the LAPD found a dead dog when they arrived at the property. According to reports a suspect has been arrested, but details about the suspect has not been disclosed to the public.

The Los Angeles Police Department has declared the shooting a homicide and the investigation is ongoing.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On March 17, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department received a call from an anonymous caller threatening Santa Monica High School.

According to a statement released by the Santa Monica Police Department on its Facebook page, the department received these calls around 11:10 a.m. Police officers informed administrators of Santa Monica High School of the threat, and the school implemented a temporary shelter-in-place order.

The Santa Monica Police Department, along with School Resource Officers, conducted a search of the high school and found the threat was not credible.

The shelter-in-place order ended around noon, after which school operations resumed. There were no reports of any injuries. Officers from the SMPD remained on the school campus and is continuing the investigation into the source of the calls.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Sunday, March 15, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department arrived at the Santa Monica Pier after a shooting transpired where two people were injured.  A suspect has been arrested by the SMPD, whose name is Jaysawn Williams.

According to a statement released by the Santa Monica Police Department, the suspect is 18 and he is from Rialto. He was the second person injured during the shooting.  He was released after he was treated for his gunshot wound at a hospital.

Per the statement released by the Santa Monica Police Department, he is being held at the Santa Monica Jail and faces two charges, which include gross negligent discharge of a firearm and assault with a firearm. The Santa Monica Pier has reopened.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting contact Detective Esteban Hernandez via email at esteban.hernandez@santamonica.gov.

 

By Daniel Diqiunzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On March 4, the city of West Hollywood released a statement on its Facebook page warning residents that access codes were exposed.

According to the statement, access codes were written inside residential buildings on both the walls and the doors, and the city is informing residents of the danger.  The West Hollywood City Council advises that the codes should be changed, and, in the future, this information should not be displayed in a public space.

No additional details have been released about the type of codes that were displayed, and the buildings where they were displayed.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, February 24, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station arrested a burglary suspect in the region.

Per the statement released by the West Hollywood Sheriff Station on its Facebook and Instagram pages, the deputies were sent to the east side of West Hollywood after a prowler was reported to the station.

The deputies spied the suspect, who fled. Deputies gave chase, and their pursuit was aided by an air unit that searched the neighborhood from the sky. The suspect was later apprehended. There were no reported injuries during the incident. The name of the suspect has not yet been disclosed to the public.

The investigation into the burglary is ongoing with the LASD.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On February 13, packages were stolen from the mailroom of an apartment complex in West Hollywood Heights by people who had impersonated Amazon delivery workers.

The theft was reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station by Elyse Eisenberg, who is the head of the West Hollywood Heights Neighborhood Association, who informed West Hollywood Online first about the incident.

The suspect who stole the packages from the complex were caught on the apartment complex’s security camera.

According to Amazon, people are posing as Amazon delivery workers to steal packages across the nation.  Amazon is asking anyone who becomes a victim of such a theft to report it by going to the following website, amazon.com/report a scam or by sending an email to: reporitascam@amazon.com.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

PACIFIC PALISADES—A woman living in Pacific Palisades who survived the January 2025 Palisades Fire that destroyed homes and businesses in the region recently had her money stolen by hackers.

The hackers stole $28,000 from Ellen Rudolph’s savings account, which was intended to rebuild her home on Jacon Way which was damaged during the wildfire.

As Ellen grieved and began the long work of rebuilding, another blow came when hackers stole $28,000 she had saved to repair her home and start again.

Ellen and her husband, Steve Lewis, were forced to move out of their house after it was damaged in the wildfires. Steve died on October 6, 2025, from lung cancer, and it was after his death that Ellen’s money was stolen.

Ellen Rudolph’s friends have created a GoFundMe campaign called “Rebuilding Ellen’s Life After Tragedy” to help her rebuild her finances and her home.

The GoFundMe states:

“Ellen Rudolph and her husband, Steve Lewis, built a quiet, happy life in Pacific Palisades. That life changed overnight when a wildfire tore through their community and left their home badly damaged. What they loved most wasn’t the house—it was the place they called home…Ellen has lost so much, yet she’s still standing. Any help makes a difference. If you’re not able to donate, please consider sharing her story.”

Written By Daniel Diquinzio and Donald Roberts

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Wednesday, February 4, a man was arrested in West Hollywood on suspicion of felony animal abuse after he attacked and injured the dog owned by his roommate.

According to the reporting done by NBC 4 Los Angeles, the name of the suspect is Eduardo Byrnes, and the name of the dog is Scooter.  

Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood station arrived at the apartment building on Tuesday night after they received a report of an abused animal.

The animal suffered injuries to both his eye and his rib as he was already paralyzed. Byrnes, 33, was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty, and an initial court date has been scheduled for Friday, February 6. Scooter is a 7-year-old Terrier, who was taken to a veterinarian’s office for medical treatment and later taken home to recover.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

MALIBU—On Monday, February 2, part of the Pacific Coast Highway was closed after a collision occurred in Malibu that involved a pedestrian and a vehicle. The collision was investigated by deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lost Hills Station.

The collision occurred near Paradise Cove and Winding Way Road and deputies arrived on the scene around 7:30 p.m.

According to a post on the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department made on its X account as a result of this collision, the lanes on the Pacific Coast Highway were closed between East Winding Way and West Winding Way so the deputies could investigate.

Lanes were reopened on Tuesday morning. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs played a role in causing the collision.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department did not release any information about the age or sex of the victim. The LA County Sheriff’s Department is conducting an investigation and asks that anyone with information about the incident contact the Sheriff’s Station at (818) 878-1808 or LA Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—Over the last three months, the Santa Monica Police Department investigated an organized retail theft ring who was stealing from retailers in Southern California and reselling the items for profit at other locations.

The investigation led to the arrest of 5 people and the recovery of roughly $100,000 in stolen items.

Authorities found thousands of items in Fontana, estimated to be worth $65,000, and arrested three people. In Sylmar, the Santa Monica Police Department found over 120 stolen items, which are worth approximately $11,000.  The police department arrested one person for possessing stolen property with the intent to sell.

According to this same report, a person was arrested in Jurupa Valley after stolen and counterfeit items were recovered, and the total worth of these items is $24,000.

The efforts of the Santa Monica Police Department were done in conjunction with both the Organized Retail Crime Task Force of the California Highway Patrol Border Division and the Organized Retail Theft Task Force of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The investigation is ongoing.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, February 2, three vehicles collided in West Hollywood at Santa Monica Boulevard and Larrabee Street.

According to WEHO Online, this traffic collision occurred early on Monday morning, where a witness indicated a black SUV collided with a black sedan near Revolver Video Bear, then hit a third vehicle in front of Fiesta Cantina.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station is asking any member of the public with information regarding this collision that occurred on Santa Monica Boulevard contact the station at (310) 855-8850.

 

By Daniel Diquinzo

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Around 1:20 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, two men tried to rob a house on North Poinsettia Place in West Hollywood, between Santa Monica Boulevard and Fountain Avenue, but were driven off by the residents. The suspects broke through a window and then entered the building while wearing masks.

They were confronted by a resident who had come down from the upstairs level, and then the robbers fled in a vehicle described by the authorities as either a black BMW X1 or X2, with a license plate starting with 51, and they travelled north.

The attempted robbery was witnessed by neighbors from the adjacent duplex unit, who were out barbecuing in their backyard.

Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station arrived and secured the scene.

According to Deputy Costales of the West Hollywood Sheriff Station informed West Hollywood Online that deputies sought to gather evidence from the scene. The individual who confronted the robbers was not injured. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

Anyone with information the incident should contact the LASD West Hollywood station at West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310) 855-8850. Anonymous tips can be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, January 13, Glenn Bednarsh, a former Beverly Hills resident who once owned a pawnshop and was involved in an effort to sell a stolen trial Andy Warhol print, was sentenced.

Back in September 2025, he pleaded guilty in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom to making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his role in the effort.

Bednarsh was sentenced to 6 weeks of community service as part of a plea agreement.  As part of this agreement, Bednarash admitted that he lied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation when he said that his co-conspirator, Brian Alec Light, stored the stolen Warhol print.  In addition, he admitted that the reason this transpired was financial gain, not friendship, as he claimed to the federal investigators.

The Warhol print is one that depicts Soviet Union leader Vladimir Lenin, and it was stolen back in 2021.

According to federal prosecutors, Glenn bought it in February 2021 for $6000, after which he decided to sell it and asked his co-conspirator, Brian Alec Light, to help, and according to the prosecutors, this prompted Light to reach out to the Beverly Hills office of a Dallas auction house about selling the Warhol print.

Following this, Light told Bednarsh to take the print to the Beverly Hills office so that it could be transported to Dallas where it would be inspected and then sold at auction.

A worker at the Beverly Hills office contacted the gallery in West Hollywood to get its opinion of the artwork, and the gallery recognized it as the one that had been stolen.  This prompted the gallery to notify the Dallas auction house that the Warhol print was stolen artwork and to notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led to the start of a federal investigation into the theft.

Brian Alec Light, 59, is also a resident of Los Angeles. In November 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods, and last month, he was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay roughly $1,915 in restitution.

One of the requirements of his sentence was that Light admit that he lied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation back in 2021, when the FBI started investigating the theft of the print, by telling the FBI that he bought the Warhol print at a Culver City garage sale and paid $18,000 for it. He showed the agents a receipt that was fake.  The plea agreement also required Light to surrender the Warhol print, which the investigators later recovered.

This print was stolen several years ago from a home in Los Angeles County, but prosecutors do not believe the two men stole it from its original owner.

In addition, the print is number 44 of 46 by Andy Warhol and is worth about $170,000. No suspects in the theft of this print have been publicly identified by authorities.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, January 12, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that Christopher L. Butler, the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, had been accused of embezzling from the organization. The Painted Turtle, a camp for children with severe disabilities that was founded in 1999 with funding from the late actor Paul Newman.

Butler, 50, was arrested at his residence in Porter Ranch on New Year’s Eve.

He stands accused of 15 felonies including five counts of forgery, nine counts of grand theft, and one count of the fraudulent use of a computer. In addition, he allegedly stole $5.2 million from the camp.

On January 15, Butler will appear in a Los Angeles courtroom at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

The Painted Turtle was part of a network of camps that were part of the late actor Paul Newman’s SeriousFun network. The purpose of the camps are to provide severely disabled children who possess life-threatening and chronic illnesses a chance to experience the joy of camping. The camp has not completed paperwork connected to its nonprofit work since 2023.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, January 6, a two-vehicle crash occurred in West Hollywood, where an alleged drunk driver was arrested. The Los Angeles Fire Department received a call about the crash at 12:13 a.m.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Fountain Avenue and Fairfax Avenue. The vehicle driven by the suspected drunk driver collided with another car.  Afterwards, the drunk driver allegedly tried to escape from the scene, causing him to then crash into a building on Fountain Avenue and Orange Grove Drive.

Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station responded to the scene and detained the alleged drunk driver. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station are investigating the death of a man who was found seriously injured near the London West Hollywood Hotel, on Thursday, January 1.  The individual was later transported to a local hospital where he died.

Deputies from the West Hollywood Station were dispatched before 10 a.m. after receiving a report of a man found on the sidewalk in the 1000 block of Larrabee Street. When deputies arrived, they found him bleeding out on the sidewalk.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has not released the man’s identity.  Authorities have not released any information about the cause of the man’s death or how the man was injured. The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Homicide Division.

The LASD is asking anyone with details on the incident to contact the Homicide Bureau at (323) 526-5500.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Marlene Esquivel, 41, is a member of West Hollywood’s Social Justice Advisory Board was arrested on a domestic violence charge by deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station.

The West Hollywood Times first reported she was arrested on December 29. She was booked at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, and her arrest was related to “corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant,” the WeHo Times reported.

According to records, she was held on $50,000 bail before her release. Esquivel was sworn into office in May 2025. No details on the circumstances of her arrest have been disclosed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—A fire that broke out at Roosterfish Bar, which is located on 8948 Santa Monica Blvd. in the city’s Rainbow District, is being investigated by arson investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station.

The fire transpired on Wednesday, December 17, where deputies were dispatched. The fire occurred on the side of the building, which is located on North Robertson Boulevard.

According to a social media post by a security guard at a nearby nightclub, the staff were alerted about the fire by a customer, allowing it to be put out before any significant structural damage was caused. No injuries were reported. All of the patrons and staff were evacuated safely.

The security guard who made the social media post also claimed that the fire was started by a homeless person. In addition, there have been reports that this individual vandalized other local businesses, but none of this has been confirmed by the authorities.

By Daniel Diquinzio

BRENTWOOD—On Tuesday, December 16, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that Nick Reiner was charged with murdering his father, actor Rob Reiner, and mother, Michele Singer Reiner. The prosecutors filed two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, Nick is also charged with a special allegation of using a knife. If convicted, Nick Reiner could receive a sentence of either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death sentence.

The prosecutors claim that Nick stabbed both of his parents with a knife at their house which is located in the 200 block of South Chadbourne Avenue in Brentwood, Los Angeles early Sunday morning.

Nick is being held in Twin Towers Jail. He has been placed under special supervision as he is considered to be a suicide risk. Reiner is being represented by former Los Angeles County Prosecutor Alan Jackson.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—Eric Uller, a former employee of the city of Santa Monica who is accused of abusing children when he worked with the City’s Police Activities League in the 1980s and 1990s, has several cases that are expected to head to trial. He was arrested in 2018 but later committed suicide. In addition, mediation over a settlement between the city of Santa Monica and several victims will result in more cases heading to trial. Uller is alleged to have sexually abused children, including boys who lived in the Pico neighborhood. He posed as a police officer and sexually groomed his victims by giving them gifts and threatening that they would be jailed or deported if they reported him. In addition, Uller engaged in unapproved trips with minors and possessed porn on his computer, allegations against him were ignored by the city of Santa Monica. The city of Santa Monica initiated an independent investigation into allegations that the city previously knew or should have known of, but failed to address, Mr. Uller’s alleged criminal conduct.  The city remains committed to seeing this investigation through.  The city has retained Irma Rodríguez Moises and Gabriel Sandoval at the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo to conduct an independent investigation of these allegations.  The independent investigation is already underway and will also review whether the City had in place sufficient procedures to encourage reporting of such conduct and to ensure that reports are acted on.  The city continues to encourage anyone who has information relevant to the independent investigation to reach out directly to the independent counsel at https://www.aalrr.com/contact-cerritos or 562-653-3200. The city also remains committed to conducting a review of the policies and practices of the many youth programs funded and operated by the City, including PAL.  The City is in the process of retaining an outside consultant, Praesidium, Inc., to review the policies and practices of its youth programs and provide guidance on best practices for preventing any future incidents of abuse.  Information about Praesidium can be found at its website, https://website.praesidiuminc.com/wp/.” At present time, the city of Santa Monica has settled 230 cases, with 14 cases scheduled for trial in 2027. The city of Santa Monica is concerned about 180 claims in which interviews with the victim were not taken under oath, and there are now 400 plaintiffs’ claims against one offender, raising concerns about the potential for fraudulent claims. The city is concerned about a report that was published in the Los Angeles Times about fraud in a sexual abuse settlement that involved both Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. Written By Daniel Diquinzio and Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On November 26, the flagship SKIMS STORE, owned by Kim Kardashian, known for the show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and her relationship with Kanye West, was vandalized. A man was arrested later that morning for felony vandalism. The flagship SKIMS store is located west of La Cienega Boulevard. It carries Kim Kardashian’s clothing line, which includes shapewear, underwear, and loungewear. Deputies of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department arrived on the scene around 5 a.m. after receiving a report of a man spray-painting the store, which opened in April 2025. The walls were covered in words, including the phrases “we need that” and “Kimmy Bread,” but, according to the authorities, these and the other words did not refer to the Kardashian family. The cost of damage to the SKIMS store is estimated at roughly $400, and the words were removed later on Wednesday morning by a third-party contractor. The identity of the man who was arrested is unknown at this time.   By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On November 20, a car crash occurred near City Hall in West Hollywood. A suspect has been arrested by deputies from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department, who has been identified as Malik Jackson of Los Angeles. He was booked on a felony attempted vehicle burglary charge. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, around 12 p.m. on November 20, deputies received a call reporting two men looking through the windows of cars in a parking lot near Sweetzer Avenue, north of Santa Monica Boulevard. A witness to these actions confronted them. The men fled in a white sedan. When they tried to turn onto Sweetzer Avenue, their vehicle hit another vehicle, and then the fleeing men drove onto the sidewalk and stopped in front of an apartment building. A man and a woman fled from the vehicle. The search continues for the other two suspects. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department urges anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the other suspects to contact the West Hollywood Sheriff Station at (310)855-8850.   By Daniel Diquinzio

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On September 8, the body of the missing teenager, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was found in an abandoned Tesla vehicle that was left in an impounded lot in Hollywood Hills. Authorities have revealed that a second person has been linked to the death of the teen. The vehicle belonged to singer, D4vd. Authorities have not yet revealed the name of the person. Homicide detectives of the Los Angeles Police Department have been investigating the disappearance of the teen for months. The LAPD have been able to use this social media data and the cell phone data of the singer D4vd, who is now a suspect, to determine that this second person visited the Hollywood Hills impound lot. In addition, the authorities suspect that this person was in the vehicle, where the body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered. No arrests have been made in the case. The investigation is ongoing. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) stated on its website they are aware of the recent stories posted by various media outlets about the D4vd/Celeste Rivas investigation and would like to dispel some misinformation contained in their reporting. The body of Celeste Rivas was not frozen when it was discovered on September 8, 2025. She had not been decapitated. We have evidence that D4vd travelled to the Santa Barbara area sometime during Spring 2025. The reason for that trip is still under investigation and no conclusions at this point about the relevance of the trip to this case. As far as the court order, the LAPD sought to seal the records of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s investigation into Celeste Rivas’ death. That order was sought only to ensure detectives from Robbery-Homicide Division learned of important information surrounding her death before the media and the public. The order was not sought to undermine transparency. No other information will be provided at this time, the LAPD stated.   By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—In 2023, Christian Hornburg was at the Santa Monica train station, and was attacked with a metal pipe and called racial slurs by Job Uriah Taylor. Hornburg, who is Black, was injured during the incident. Taylor was not to expected to go to trial as he had been diverted due to being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, an opiate use disorder, and bipolar disorder, but now faces a criminal trial. In California, diversion is when a suspect who is mentally ill is sentenced to receive court treatment instead of jail time. Taylor was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, and hate crime enhancements. He was granted diversion in March of this year by Judge Lana Kim. The Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, submitted a petition seeking to have the judges ordered vacated as Job Uriah Taylor attacked two more African-Americans on the day he attacked Hornburg. Taylor’s medical records indicate he engaged in hostile and aggressive action towards the staff on the facility in which he is being treated. Last month, the California Court of Appeals granted that petition as they believed that nothing proved that Taylor would not be a danger to public safety if he was released. Taylor will now face trial on the charges for which he was arrested. A pre-trial hearing will occur in December 2025. If he is found guilty, Taylor will face a life sentence in prison.   By Daniel Diquinzio

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Tuesday, November 4, the Los Angeles Fire Department received a federal grand jury subpoena issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California regarding internal communications about the department’s response to both the Lachman Fire and the Pacific Palisades Fire. This subpoena is part of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigation into the forest fires. It also legally requires the Los Angeles Fire Department to turn over documents and internal data. In addition, the fire department needs to turn over communications sent and received between 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 10 a.m. on January 7 regarding reports of hotspots, smoke, and fire that occurred between the Temescal Ridge Trail and the Leacock Trailhead. The subpoena requires all officers of the Los Angeles Fire Department to turn over to the federal investigators screenshots of the text messages they received on their devices issued to them by the department about any calls, dispatches, or communications about the Lachman Fire and the Pacific Palisades Fire. It is the same with text messages and calls that the officers received on their personal devices.   By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—On Thursday, November 13, officers with the Los Angeles Police Department chased a silver Ford Fusion through Beverly Hills. The two children who drove were alleged to have stolen the vehicle from their mother. The chase started in Mid-City. It continued into West Los Angeles, and from there onto the northbound 405 Freeway, after which the drivers of the silver Ford Fusion exited the freeway and drove through the San Fernando Valley and then into Reseda. The chase was joined by a white Dodge Durango. The silver Ford Fusion crashed into a curb near Hesperia Avenue and Vanowen Street, but the chase was not over as the driver and passenger fled the vehicle. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department caught up with the suspects. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the drivers of the white Dodge Durango belonged to the suspects family. No additional details about the case have been disclosed to the public.   By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On October, shortly before 1 p.m., an attempted robbery occurred in the 900 Block of North Sweetzer Avenue, where a masked man tried to use a gun to rob a man of his Rolex watch. The robber tried to take the Rolex by force, but the attempt failed because the victim was a retired wrestler. A struggle ensued between the two men.  The robber soon found himself on the ground, being held in place by the former wrestler, but the struggle continued, where another individual ran over to assist the wrestler. As the wrestler held the robber down on the ground, his girlfriend pried the gun out of the robber’s hand and threw the weapon away.  Afterwards, the couple was joined by a utility worker who had been working on a nearby house.  He helped them by holding down the suspect’s legs, and authorities were called. Deputies with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department arrived on the scene. The wrestler informed authorities that he and his girlfriend had been walking when a sedan pulled over, after which the robber emerged from the vehicle. The former wrestler and his girlfriend did not release their names as they desired to remain anonymous. A second man emerged from the sedan, but instead of joining the robbery attempt, he climbed back into the sedan and fled the scene.   By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, November 10, during the West Hollywood Public Safety Commission meeting, the Los Angeles Sheriff Department reported that during West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval on October 31, one arrest was made. This report was made by Sergeant Jason Duron, who is assigned to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. In response, Catherine Eng, a member of the West Hollywood Public Safety Commission, pressed for further details about the arrest. Sergeant Duron revealed that the person had been arrested for trespassing. He did not provide any additional information beyond those details.   By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, November 4, a man was caught on surveillance camera breaking into the mailboxes of an apartment complex on Kings Road near Fountain Avenue in West Hollywood. Around 4 a.m., the suspect used a sharp object to pry open the mailboxes. Afterwards, he sat down on the front steps and began sorting through the envelopes. Out of concern, the residents of this complex contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. Several deputies were dispatched to take statements from residents. The investigation into the identity of the mail thief is ongoing. Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or the incident should contact the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310) 855-8850.   By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—In the first week of November, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood Station released its report on crimes in West Hollywood for October 2025 noting a 10 percent overall drop in reported crime, but a rise in burglaries and robberies. In October, 13 robberies were reported, compared to a total of 5 in September. The number of burglaries in West Hollywood also increased to 36, including 12 garage burglaries and 10 mailroom thefts. In addition, there were 22 reports of shoplifting, and the number of car thefts increased to 33. In October 2025, the number of violent crimes in West Hollywood decreased as the number of aggravated assaults dropped to three incidents, and there were no homicides that occurred, but there were two reported rapes. According to the latest crime report from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood Station, much of the crime occurred in the West District. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood will present its full crime report at the meeting of the West Hollywood Public Safety Commission which will occur on November 10.   By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On October 31, the Beverly Hills Oncology Medical Group announced that its internal network was breached for five days from February 7 to February 11, 2025, and that sensitive data was stolen. A review of the Beverly Hills Oncology Medical Group started after learning the network was breached. The security review was completed on October 13. The data breach compromised protected health information and personally identifiable information for both current and former patients treated at the Beverly Hills Oncology Medical Group and its staff. The data includes names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and other information from government documents, as well as treatment and medical diagnostic information. The Beverly Hills Oncology Medical Group started to mail notifications to patients and staff members because of the fear the information could be used to commit medical identity theft or financial fraud or identity theft. At this time, the Beverly Hills Oncology Medical Group does not know how many individuals have been impacted by the data breach. The Beverly Hills Oncology Medical Group established a dedicated assistance line at 855-291-2692, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

  By Daniel Diquinzio

BEL AIR—The chef Gordon Ramsey is known not just for his cooking or owning a chain of restaurants, but also for being one of the judges on the competition show MasterChef and for hosting the television shows Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. Now he is also known for having his home in Bel Air swatted by the Los Angeles Police Department. Around 8 p.m. on Monday, September 22, the Los Angeles Police Department received a phone call claiming that Gordon Ramsey had been killed, and this caller also claimed to be the one responsible. Officers were dispatched to the celebrity chef’s home in Bel Air. Upon arriving at their destination, the officers were informed by a member of Gordon Ramsey’s staff that he was alive and that he was out of the country. Afterwards, the officers reported this incident as being a swatting. Although an investigation into this matter is ongoing, no arrests have been made yet.   By Daniel Diquinzio

BEL AIR—The chef Gordon Ramsey is known not just for his cooking or owning a chain of restaurants, but also for being one of the judges on the competition show MasterChef and for hosting the television shows Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. Now he is also known for having his home in Bel Air swatted by the Los Angeles Police Department. Around 8 p.m. on Monday, September 22, the Los Angeles Police Department received a phone call claiming that Gordon Ramsey had been killed, and this caller also claimed to be the one responsible. Officers were dispatched to the celebrity chef’s home in Bel Air. Upon arriving at their destination, the officers were informed by a member of Gordon Ramsey’s staff that he was alive and that he was out of the country. Afterwards, the officers reported this incident as being a swatting. Although an investigation into this matter is ongoing, no arrests have been made yet.   By Daniel Diquinzio

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—David Anthony Burke is a singer and songwriter who performs under the name D4vd, and on September 8th, a dead body was found in the back of an abandoned Tesla vehicle that was found in a Hollywood Hills impound lot and which is registered to the singer.  Since then, the Police have identified the body as being the remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager who disappeared from Lake Elsinore two years ago when she was 13.  On September 17th, the police searched a four-bedroom house in Hollywood Hills, where D4vd was living in a room he was renting. After the search, he and his manager, Josh Marshall, ended the lease. The lease on the room started last February. Mladen Trifunovic is the owner of the house.  He was unaware that D4vd was staying at the residence until the property manager informed him of the search that was being conducted by the Police.  In the room, the officers found several electronic devices and computers. D4vd is cooperating with the investigation.   The Police have identified no suspect, and it is uncertain how the remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez ended up in the back of the Tesla vehicle.   By Daniel Dquinzio

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—David Anthony Burke is a singer and songwriter who performs under the name D4vd, and on September 8th, a dead body was found in the back of an abandoned Tesla vehicle that was found in a Hollywood Hills impound lot and which is registered to the singer.  Since then, the Police have identified the body as being the remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager who disappeared from Lake Elsinore two years ago when she was 13.  On September 17th, the police searched a four-bedroom house in Hollywood Hills, where D4vd was living in a room he was renting. After the search, he and his manager, Josh Marshall, ended the lease. The lease on the room started last February. Mladen Trifunovic is the owner of the house.  He was unaware that D4vd was staying at the residence until the property manager informed him of the search that was being conducted by the Police.  In the room, the officers found several electronic devices and computers. D4vd is cooperating with the investigation.   The Police have identified no suspect, and it is uncertain how the remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez ended up in the back of the Tesla vehicle.   By Daniel Diquinzio

  LOS ANGELES—David Anthony Burke is a pop and R&B singer who performs and records under the name D4vd. For the last few weeks, he has been the subject of an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department after the remains of a dead body were found in a Tesla vehicle that was abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, and which was also owned by the singer. Now he has been forced to cancel his planned tour of Europe and the United Kingdom. As part of his Withered 2025 World Tour, which started in August of 2025, D4vd planned to perform in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin, Berlin, and Vienna. Still, all of the planned performance dates have been cancelled, and the same applies to his scheduled performances in Canadian cities such as Toronto. The body that was found in D4vd has been identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as being Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and how her body ended up in the singer’s Tesla is still under investigation. By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, March 11, the Beverly Hills Police Department posted on its Facebook page that it is encouraging the public to report things they witness.

If they witness an emergency, don’t wait—call 9-1-1 immediately because the call could save a life. If the public notices something suspicious, but it’s not an emergency, call BHPD’s non-emergency line at 310-550-4951.

Tips can be sent anonymously via TEXT to TIP BHPDALERT to 888777, followed by your tip.
Online: Submit your tip at nixle.us/tip/bhpdalert.

The Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) safeguards residents and property with rapid response times and dedicated officers working to keep neighborhoods safe. BHPD prides itself on earning public trust through efficient, impartial service. The BHPD is located at 464 N. Rexford Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Saturday, September 28, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced on its Facebook page the grand opening of the new Real Time Watch Center was celebrated at Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station.

“Executive members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, department personnel, and invited dignitaries joined me in the ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the new innovative program,” Sheriff Robert Luna stated.

The new program is aimed to advance the LASD, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the County of Los Angeles into the 21st century. The advanced technology at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station will enhance the departments’ efficiency, effectiveness, and the safety of the communities we serve.

The Real Time Watch Center will enable real-time monitoring and immediate deployment of resources, for crime-related incidents, as well as emergency response to fires, landslides, and other disasters affecting the local communities.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department was awarded $6.125 million in state grant funding to enhance efforts to combat organized retail theft in the region Governor Gavin Newsom announced this week.

Funding will directly support the ongoing targeted, innovative, and technology-based efforts by the SMPD to improve safety for residents and business owners.

“We are glad that the state has joined forces with local agencies to acknowledge that organized retail theft doesn’t just affect large corporations — it hurts our small businesses, puts employees and shoppers in danger, and it creates feelings of unease and fear in the community,” said Police Chief Ramon Batista.

In an email to Canyon News, Lt. Erika Aklufi noted that further establishes the Santa Monica Analytical Real-Time Center, or SMART Center, which will bring together technology and support staff to synthesize and interpret real-time data to strategically allocate police resources to address crime throughout the region. The SMART Center will help aggregate data and coordinate police response by using existing and coming technology including:

• Closed-circuit television cameras and a video management system
• Automated license plate readers, both mobile and at fixed locations
• Unmanned aircraft systems that can respond to incidents quickly and start collecting information for officers
• Live911, a program that allows officers to hear 911 calls as they are being received

“There is no understating the benefit our entire community will realize with the establishment of the SMART Center. This cutting-edge hub of information will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of public safety in Santa Monica,” Batista said. “The SMART center will support proactive police work that can prevent crime, acting as an additional layer of safety, identifying crime as it happens.”

Santa Monica was one of 38 local law enforcement agencies awarded funds through the Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention Grant Program. This initiative compliments the continued work the SMPD is doing locally by adding focused deployments in major shopping areas and in conjunction with other local agencies — including joining the Los Angeles County Retail Theft Task Force created to collaboratively address high-profile retail theft incidents.

“Promoting a Clean and Safe Santa Monica is a top priority to support the safety and wellbeing of all who live, work and visit our great city,” said City Manager David White. “I commend the Police Department for the work they’ve already done securing this grant and look forward to seeing the tangible impacts of this funding and future strategic initiatives.”

By Trevor

TOPANGA CANYON—The Los Angeles Police Department are hunting for the suspects involved in a “Flash Rob” style theft that occurred at the Nordstrom store inside the Westfield Topanga Shopping Center on Saturday, August 12th.

The LAPD reported the incident occurred after 4 p.m. at the store located at 21725 Victory Boulevard. Over 30 people entered the establishment and started grabbing merchandise. More than $300,000 in merchandise was stolen from displays near the entrance of the store.

The suspects ran from the store, ransacking shelves and display tables as they took merchandise. The suspects were wearing ski masks and fled with high-end handbags, clothing, and other re-saleable items. One suspect, after entering the store, sprayed bear spray on the face and body of the security guard at the entrance.

In video that has been posted on the internet, the masked individuals can be seen storming the store and grabbing items on displays damaging property along the way as they exited the establishment. The store was also targeted in 2021.

Similar incidents have occurred at high-end retailers like the Louis Vuitton store at Union Square in San Francisco in 2021. Last week, thieves targeted an Yves Saint Laurent establishment in Glendale, California. In June 2023, Westfield Mall in San Francisco announced it would stop paying a $558 million mortgage because of the decline in sales in the region. Other retailers like Whole Foods, Old Navy and Nordstrom are also leaving the downtown San Francisco area.

The LAPD is combing through security footage to identify the suspects involved. Anyone with details on the incident or other incidents like this are asked to contact the Commercial Crimes Division, Organized Retail Crime Section, Detective Santander at (818) 374-9420. During non-business hours or on the weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).

Individuals wanting to submit videos or information about the incident via e-mail, send the information to ORC@lapd.online. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-2228477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood announced in a news release that on Tuesday, August 1, community members will gather on neighborhood streets in a show of unity against crime to celebrate the annual National Night Out.

Block parties, barbecues, dancing, live entertainment and other things will occur in West Hollywood. Attendance is free. There will be limited street closures during National Night Out; these will occur on Tuesday, August 1, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. A list of events, times, and event locations is being regularly updated on West Hollywood’s website at www.weho.org/nno as the event approaches.

The year 2023 marks the 40th Annual National Night Out (NNO), which started in 1984 as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, law enforcement, community partnerships, and neighborhood camaraderie – and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized against crime.

Nationwide, over 35 million people in neighborhoods across the country gather outdoors to celebrate their unity and their successes in the fight against crime. Celebrating National Night Out has been a tradition in West Hollywood since its incorporation.

National Night Out 2023 participants include members of the West Hollywood City Council, Neighborhood Watch groups, the West Hollywood Gateway, and West Hollywood’s Public Safety Commission and Russian-Speaking Advisory Board. Events will be held in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the City of West Hollywood.

For more details contact Jessica Anukam, West Hollywood Public Safety Specialist, at (323) 848-6436 or at janukam@weho.org For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing call TTY (323) 848-6496.

SANTA MONICA—A first-quarter crime report released by the Santa Monica Police Department, on May 25, shows that crime, both serious and petty increased compared to 2022 first-quarter results. While calls for police service decreased by 7 percent compared to last year’s first quarter report, there were 259 more arrests.

According to the 2023 first quarter report, there has been an increase in Part I crimes, which include “homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, grand theft auto, and arson.” There were 149 more reports (a 14 percent increase) of Part I crimes than the 2022 first-quarter crime report. 

Larceny accounted for a considerable portion of the increase in Part I crimes. Included in the 2023 first quarter report were 180 incidents of auto parts theft, 81 percent of which were stolen catalytic converters. The most targeted type of vehicle for catalytic converter theft was the Toyota Prius.

A new ordinance approved by Santa Monica City Council last week aims to discourage catalytic converter theft. The ordinance will make it illegal to possess a catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle unless documentation can prove lawful possession. Proof may take the form of a bill of sale or legal intent to use in an auto repair shop. An individual without valid proof may be fined $500.

Domestic violence has risen by 19 percent, and rape reports increased from eight incidents to 13 compared to the 2022 first quarter crime report. For information on getting help, identifying abuse, or making a plan for safety visit https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/.

Part II crimes such as simple assault, DUIs, fraud, vandalism, and narcotics increased by 119 crimes (a 19 percent increase) compared to the 2022 first-quarter report. 

Although vandalism accounts for the highest number of incidents in the Part II crime category, incidents of vandalism have dropped from 182 in 2022 to 175 in 2023 during the first quarter report. Simple assault incidents have risen to levels seen in 2019, with 174 incidents reported during the first quarter of 2023.

By Paige Strickland

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, May 16 the West Hollywood City Council approved a motion to add four positions to the city’s budget for Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department services. The positions include one Entertainment Deputy Policing Sergeant, two non-sworn Public Information Officer/Community Liaison positions, and one Sheriff’s Deputy.

The item is posted as part of the meeting agenda and the meeting is available for viewing on the City’s WeHoTV YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/wehotv.

In June 2022, the city council added 30 unarmed security ambassadors to conduct foot patrol in the neighborhood.

The motion includes an option for the city council to consider adding another sheriff’s deputy following a community safety update meeting in December 2022.

“The safety and well-being of our community is the City of West Hollywood’s top priority. We’re seeing that crime is trending downward in 2023 from 2022 levels. We’re deeply committed to continuing that trend and making sure our city is safe,” said City of West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne. “We are continuing to work proactively with our community safety partners. There are more Block by Block security ambassadors than ever before and our Sheriff’s community policing team is out during days and our entertainment policing team is out at night so that West Hollywood is a safe place to live, work, and visit around the clock.”

The Block by Block Security Ambassadors Hotline provides access to free, 24/7 support by phone at (833) WEHO-BBB / (833) 934-6222 or by phone and text message at (323) 821-8604. For additional information, visit www.weho.org/bbb.

West Hollywood contracts with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement and the Los Angeles County Fire Department for fire protection. For anyone with public safety concerns, contact the Sheriff’s Station 24/7 at (310) 855-8850. In an emergency, always call 911. For additional information about Community Safety programs in West Hollywood, visit www.weho.org/publicsafety.

For additional information about Neighborhood & Business Safety programs in West Hollywood, visit www.weho.org/code.

For more details contact West Hollywood Director of Community Safety Danny Rivas at (323) 848-6424 or drivas@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing call TTY (323) 848-6496.

Written By Rob Aungier and Casey Jacobs

BRENTWOOD— On Saturday, January 9, 2021, A 37-year-old Brentwood man died from multiple stab wounds at his home on Dainty Avenue. Brian A. Bickman died in his house at 800 block on Dainty Avenue shortly around 9:43 a.m.

His son, a minor, was the suspect of the crime. An altercation between the two ultimately resulted in the death of the father. The father was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. The suspect fled the scene by foot, but was detained by police a short distance away. The suspect is in juvenile hall in Martinez and charged with murder. Because of his age, his name can not be released.

The Brentwood Police Department (BPD) released a statement saying, “The son was ultimately arrested and charged with murder. The weapon used during the incident was recovered.” According to Fire Marshal Steve Aubert, Bickman suffered multiple stab wounds to the torso, resulting in excessive blood loss. Bickman was sent to the emergency department at Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch.

The BPD also stated, “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends impacted by the victim’s untimely death.” Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation is asked to contact Detective Jordan Sares at 925-809-7733.

By janette Fu