Tag: kidnapping

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, May 19, the Santa Monica Police Department identified Jorge Luis Vega as the suspect responsible for a kidnapping and officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, May 17.

At approximately 12:14 a.m., on Sunday, officers responded to the Vons located at 1311 Wilshire Boulevard regarding a reported kidnapping involving an adult victim.

The preliminary investigation indicates Vega, 32, of Los Angeles, and the victim was known to one another and had been in a dating relationship, and it does not appear to be a random incident.

During the incident, Vega allegedly approached the victim in the parking lot and left
the area with her in a vehicle. He also allegedly threatened a witness who attempted to intervene.

Officers and detectives immediately began efforts to locate the victim and suspect. Later that day, the victim was located in the city of Beaumont. She was no longer with Vega and was contacted by law enforcement.

On May 18, at approximately 3:15 a.m., SMPD personnel located Vega in Los Angeles. Vega fled in a vehicle, and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended in the 900 block of West 85th Street in Los Angeles, where an officer involved shooting occurred.

He was taken into custody at the scene. No officers were injured, and no gunshot injuries were reported. The victim was not present during the pursuit or officer involved shooting.

Vega is currently in custody and was booked on suspicion of:
-Kidnapping
-Criminal Threats
-Brandishing a Firearm
-Rape
-Felon in Possession of a Firearm

The SMPD is coordinating with the appropriate investigative agencies and will provide additional information as it becomes available. The victim’s identity is not being released due to the nature of the investigation.

Anyone with details should contact Detective Hilda Lucero (hilda.lucero@santamonica.gov) 310-458-8939, Detective Esteban Hernandez (esteban.hernandez@santamonica.gov) 310-458-8946, Sgt. Alfonso Lozano (alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov) 310-458-8774 or the
Santa Monica Police Department Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.

By Danny Jones

WESTWOOD—On Monday, April 6, 2026, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that Alexander William Schecter, 26, of Santa Monica was charged with kidnapping a female UCLA student in March 2026 and the rape of another woman in October 2025 in Culver City.

Schecter is charged in case 26ARCF00673 with one felony count of kidnapping to commit another crime; one felony count of first-degree residential robbery; two felony counts of forcible oral copulation; and one felony count of forcible rape. It is further alleged that offenses related to the October 2025 crime involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness. It also is alleged that all victims were particularly vulnerable.

Schecter’s arraignment and bail review hearing was continued to May 4, 2026, in Department 30 of the Airport Courthouse. Bail remains set at $700,000. The prosecution will ask the Court to set bail at $1.4 million.

On October 12, 2025, at approximately 3:15 a.m., Schecter allegedly sexually assaulted and raped a woman in Culver City.

On March 8, 2026, at approximately 3 a.m., he allegedly kidnapped a female UCLA student in the 500 block of Landfair Avenue. Schecter was allegedly dropping off the student in the area when he allegedly prevented her from exiting his vehicle and threatened violence. The student was able to exit the vehicle approximately half a mile away on the 400 block of Gayley Avenue.

On March 12, 2026, UCLA Police arrested Schecter after identifying him as the suspect in the March kidnapping incident. During the investigation, Schecter was identified as the suspect in the October sexual assault and rape. If convicted as charged, he faces 37 years to life in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Matthew Bunnett of the Sex Crimes Division and remains under investigation by the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department.

Anyone who may have been a victim or has additional information regarding Alexander Schecter is asked to contact the Investigations Division at the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department at (310) 825-9371.

Those wanting to remain anonymous can call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800 222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.

 

By Danny Jones

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—On April 20, detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Division arrested a suspect responsible for kidnapping an elderly man. 

The LAPD indicated at around 9:05 a.m., a driver of a Golden Age Senior Daycare – a senior center in Tarzana – van parked the vehicle near the 15000 block of La Maida Street. The driver exited the vehicle to pick up a passenger, while a 93-year old male remained seated inside. A female suspect – later identified Lindsey Gordonellyson, 38, entered the driver’s seat of the van and drove away with the elderly male inside. 

Van Nuys Patrol Division police officers were notified of the stolen vehicle and – with the help of the Air Support Unit – were able to locate the van in pursuit. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the van, but Gordonellyson failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, the LAPD reported. She reportedly continued driving in a reckless manner. 

At a point, Gordonellyson stopped the vehicle in an alley near the 7600 Block of Tyrone Avenue. She was immediately taken into custody and the male passenger – identified at Abby Javaheri – was returned home after receiving medical treatment. No injuries were reported to the victim. 

“He went through an ordeal that no one should go through. Being that age and he’s battling cancer,” Kambiz Merabi, the victims father-in-law told Fox 10. “He didn’t have his seatbelt on because he just got in the car and the door of the minivan was open,” Merabi continued.

Gordonellyson was booked for Kidnapping and her bail was set at $125,000. Canyon News spoke with LAPD Officer Matthew Cruz who confirmed no additional information is available at this time. 

Anyone with details about this incident is asked to contact LAPD Van Nuys Detectives at (818) 374-0040. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

By Lacy