I've been out all day -- my mom had some surgery and will be fine - and I only just had the chance to post the comments readers made today on the blog item about the suicide at Hermosa Beach.

Thanks to those who offered support in response to the angry comment from a man identifying himself as the victim's brother.

I'm trying to figure out why he thought the blog report was sarcastic or comedic.

I'll admit that when you deal with death for a living -- whether you are a reporter, a cop, a prosecutor, a doctor -- you can get a bit jaded. Certainly there are things you might hear in a newsroom that would shock you when it comes to regularly dealing with tragedy (and politics, too.)

But the blog item on the man committing suicide wasn't meant to be funny.  I looked at it today and think it might be a bit blunt. Maybe it comes off cold. But there was no intent to make light of the man's death on the blog.

UPDATE: Mr. Bell has contacted me and apologized. And now I understand what upset him: The profile under my photo. Maybe that's something we need to talk about around here. I'll be back to work next week.

From the District Attorney's Office:

 

Man sentenced for trying to drown his Shih Tzu after dog soiled carpet

VAN NUYS - A Van Nuys man who pleaded to trying to drown his Shih Tzu "Toby" after the dog defecated on a carpet was prohibited today from being in contact with dogs or owning or possessing any animals while on probation.

Deputy District Attorney Jane Creighton said 21-year-old Casey Purser also must complete a year-long animal cruelty course as a part of the five years of supervised probation imposed by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Richard Kirschner. Purser, who pleaded no contest last year to felony animal cruelty, already had relinquished custody of "Toby" and another dog, a pit bull puppy named "Evesue."

Purser pleaded on June 27, 2008, and was ordered to undergo a diagnostic study. Those studies are done at state prison by the Department of Corrections.

He remained in custody pending sentencing and the judge today determined that the defendant had completed a year in county jail, which was part of a negotiated plea in the case.

Purser was charged with the single felony count on Oct. 4, 2007, following his arrest by the Animal Cruelty Task Force.

Authorities said Purser had been in jail on an unrelated drug case and was released on bail on Oct. 1, 2007. When he returned to his Van Nuys home, he found that the Shih Tzu had soiled the carpet.

Purser, according to authorities, threw the dog into a bathtub and held it under water. A neighbor rescued the dog, giving it mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and taking it to a veterinarian. The animal survived.

The defendant was arrested at the vet's office and authorities placed both of Purser's dogs into protective custody

The South Bay Bar Association will have attorneys available to answer questions for free during this year's annual Law Day "Ask a Lawyer" event. The lawyers will be at the Torrance Courthouse on the first floor from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6. The attorneys will provide guidance in a variety of areas, including civil and family law and probate and estate planning.

Update on the body at Hermosa Beach:

His name was Ronan Kristopher Bell, 35, of Venice.

He hung himself from the lifeguard station.

I received a couple of e-mails today from people concerned about the con artist working Torrance:

"Mr. Altman,

This has actually been going on for a long time.

My wife was actually conned by this woman almost 2 years ago in our North Torrance neighborhood. The name she used was "Carmen". She has hit a few other people on our block (although they didn't fall for it) and one of our neighbors saw her attempt the same scam at a party near the Gardena border just about a year ago.

At that time, she was driving a gold Crown Victoria and had an accomplice waiting in the car."

"Hi Larry,

Just read your article about the Torrance con artist. I'm not sure if this is the same woman or not, but I was just approached on Monday after work in the parking lot by a black woman needing money for gas. Her story was a little different, though, as she claimed her lost her wallet and needed some gas to drive 70 miles away. She claimed she filed a police report about the missing wallet. She also claimed she her brother (I think?) was in the car on oxygen and she needed to get home.

Like I said, I don't know if this is the same person or not (there was no mention of a construction accident, she was not dressed in a medical smock, and she was in a white Chevy), but I did snap of photo of her car and license plate with my iPhone. Feel free to forward the information to the investigators if you think it helps."

Thanks, I sent it over to Torrance PD.

Here's what Hermosa Beach PD put out about the body on the beach:

Hermosa Beach Police Department
Press Release
April 29, 2009
For Immediate Release

"Dead body located on beach near lifeguard station"


Victim: 35 year old Male, Caucasian, Identity Withheld
Former Hermosa Beach resident.

Synopsis:

On April 29, 2009 at approximately 0615 hours, HBPD Officers responded regarding a report of a dead body. The body was located by citizen near the 1300 blk of the sand/waterline. The death appeared to be a suicide; the name of the victim is currently withheld pending coroner notifications.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Hermosa Beach Police Department at (310)318-0360.

The Peoria Journal Store has an update on the trio snagged in that huge cocaine ring bust.

Previously:

Torrance man nabbed in huge Illinois cocaine ring bust

Ernesto Murillo took a gamble when he pleaded guilty in March to the shooting a year before that left a little boy with a bullet in his head. He doesn't know what sentence he'll get, but it could be life in prison.

He was scheduled to find out today, but the sentencing hearing was postponed until June 4.

Previously:

BREAKING NEWS: One dropped from Harbor Gateway shooting case

Harbor Gateway gang shooting

After three days of closing arguments and two months of trial, the jury finally has the case in the Joe Nino and Miguel Torres murder trial. We'll keep you posted on the verdicts.

Previously:

Nino and Torres Rolling Hills murder trial closing arguments

 

*Updates with correction from DA's office that he no longer works for IPD.

From the District Attorney's Office:

LOS ANGELES - An former Inglewood police officer who, while off-duty, allegedly pointed a firearm at a motorist in the presence of his children was charged with several crimes today.

Deputy District Attorney Amy Pellman Pentz of the Justice System Integrity Division said Michael Lewis Robinson, 44, surrendered today to the California Highway Patrol.

Robinson is due to be arraigned on May 15 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

He is charged in case No. BA355864 with one count of brandishing at a person in a motor vehicle, two counts of child abuse and a misdemeanor count of resisting, obstructing and delaying a peace officer.

The charges stem from an incident on March 31, 2008, during which Robinson allegedly flashed a firearm in a threatening manner at another motorist on the 405 freeway. The defendant's two children, ages 6 and 11, were in the vehicle at the time, prosecutors said.

Robinson's bail is set at $100,000. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum term of nine years in state prison.

I just got some really excellent news from the "Best of the West" contest, which honors newspaper folks at print and newspaper-run Web sites in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

I entered the blog writing category and came in third!

I posted the text below from the contest results.

Congrats to Sean Means in Salt Lake and the staff at the OC Weekly, including Matt Coker, who will always be one of my favorite editors and writers. (We sat next to each other 20 years ago at the paper in Ontario.)

BLOG WRITING

First Place: Culture Vulture blog, by Sean P. Means, Salt Lake Tribune.

All five of Means' entries were top-of-the-line good -- funny, informative, well-written, timely and made excellent use of the tools available online. For example, American Idol tryouts come around to a half-dozen or so big cities every year. After a while, how can you write the same story, or cover the same hopefuls? Easy, if you blog at the Culture Vulture. The American Idol entry was a great way to click through quickly, stop on the ones that interested you or skip the ones that didn't.

The same could be said for his blog entry on the Outdoor Retailers. Capturing "snapshots of the strangeness" was smart -- it didn't make fun of the outdoor lovers but it did point out some of the more offbeat stuff you can find.

The other three entries -- the political party involving the McCain drinking game, the sock monkey and Dan Savage stands me up -- also were strong. Not a weak link among the five, and I have bookmarked this blog as one I plan to watch.

Second Place: "Naval Gazing," by the staff of the Orange County Weekly.

Wow, this is very topical, very off the news, but a fun, irreverent yet still honest and sound way to report.

The take on the Rick Warren as inauguration prayer-man controversy was solid reporting presented in a different context.

The entry about the diocese photoshopping out an abusive priest was also strong -- of course, having the photos in there MADE the entry -- and was a good piece of reporting, too. My only question: Was this a beat by the blog, or was it following something else? Either way, it was a very strong entry.

The segregated Halloween trick-or-treating was a great piece of reporting, although a photo or short video clip would also have been sweet.

Possibly the strongest blog entry was the corrupt sheriff's trial and his whole courtroom persona. Great scene-setting, great description, great background--and obviously this is stuff that is NOT going to make it in the print edition. This is the best of a blog -- cutting edge, timely, topical, and based on good solid reporting.

Third Place: Crime Blog, by Larry Altman, (Torrance, Calif.) Daily Breeze.

Crime blogs can easily get sucked into being nothing but a cops blotter, but this blog does a little of that and much more.

When the reporter blogs about accidentally helping wrap up a cold case, I'm more riveted than if I'd sat down to watch an hourlong episode on CBS. This had everything --plot, good police work, bad police work, luck -- and Altman wrapped it into a nicely told tale of a fatal hit-and-run that gets solved. The blog mentions that his print story ran, all was fine, but it's the blog that tells the story. Very very well done.

Altman's farewell to a good cop shop PIO was also a nice touch -- personalizing a name/face that readers might not otherwise come to know.

All of Altman's entries struck that just right tone -- they had immediacy, they were newsy and they will strike a chord with readers.

Judged by Amanda St. Amand, continuous news editor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 36 entries.

Complete list of winners.

The man who shot himself Monday on a trail below Paseo del Mar in Palos Verdes Estates has been identified as Jeffrey Glen Conrad, 56, of Torrance.

A body was found this morning on the beach or in the water at Hermosa  Beach.

I'm waiting for information from the PD and will publish it when I get it.

Haven't posted one of these in a while. Here's some blotter stuff from Redondo Beach PD:

04-21-09 (TUESDAY):

1254 Beryl Street ("Thrifty Wash"): Grand Theft, 1:48 p.m.
Officers responded to the laundermat concerning a $500 comforter removed from one of the driers. The incident was captured and retrieved from video. The suspect was part of a carnival group staying in the vicinity of Beryl Street/Flagler Lane. Officers located the suspect, who admitted to the theft, and the property was recovered.

1601 Kingsdale Avenue ("Target"): Commercial Burglary, 3:30 p.m.
Officers responded to a report of a subject entering the store and removing numerous DVDs on several prior occasions. Target Loss Prevention previously captured these actions on video. A follow-up investigation revealed the subject returning the stolen items for cash at the "Wherehouse" (Torrance, CA). Officers located the subject in the store and arrested him for the prior incidents. The subject admitted to the thefts.

04-22-09 (WEDNESDAY):

1900 block of South Prospect Avenue: Parole Arrest, 3:45 P.M.
A male adult was arrested in vicinity of a school for violation of parole conditions related to child annoyance.

A man found dead in on a Palos Verdes Estates cliff committed suicide, police said Tuesday.

The 56-year-old Torrance man walked about 20 feet down a trail off the 1500 block of Paseo del Mar on Monday, sat against a tree, and shot himself in the head, authorities said.

His name was not released pending notification of relatives.

It's been 3 1/2 years since Daniel Portillo was shot in the head and killed by his best friend during a poker game. Joshua Ruano played with the defective Glock 9mm, but didn't realize a bullet remained in the chamber. The gun went off and Portillo, 23, was dead.

That was on Nov. 26, 2005. In February 2008, Ruano was granted probation for pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. While his case was pending, Ruano gave me several interviews, expressing grief at the loss of his friend and fear for his own future.

He recently e-mailed:

"Dear Denise,

"Hi my name is Joshua Ruano and I met you through my lawyer Robert Ernenwein. You covered my story that involved the accidental firearm shooting of my friend Daniel. I still read the Daily breeze and I always look for you in the paper. So I wanted to say hi and let you know that I'm doing much much better than when you last saw me. I've come a long way and I'm enjoying my second chance I got in life. I'm working hard and making the best of it. I hope and wish you the best in your career and in life."

 

First Luke Walton had to fend off some loon from El Segundo who was stalking him, but now Lakers hero Derek "0.4" Fisher has a crazy woman following him.

(Oh yeah, alleged.)

This woman actually changed her name to Symone Fisher and claims to be the "real" Mrs. D-Fish.

She has shown up at the Lakers El Segundo training facility and Derek is obviously not happy about it. It's pretty scary. TMZ has documents showing the nutty things she sent him and posted on her MySpace page:

"Where is my baby at right now? What is he doing? Is he thinking about me? Missing me so much that his chest feels like it could explode -- the same way I am missing him? is he also crying tears of pain because of the distance between us? Dear God please help u s. Please remove all these barriers and let us finally be together again for once and for all. Forever. Please let him know how sorry I am and how much I miss him. How much I love him. I can't take this pain. Baby won't you come and take this pain away."

The L.A. Times and TMZ.com have more details. Here's TMZ's followup. Click on the "love letters" link. Scary as hell.

The Southeast Torrance Homeowner's Association is warning residents about a con artist. This con's been around for awhile. I don't know if it's the same woman, but people have reported this one to us before.

Here's what John Bailey, the president of the association reported to residents in an email:

Each incident has occurred in the evening and a suspect described as an African-American woman dressed in an medical smock frantically knocks on the door. She claims she lives down the street, but none of her neighbors are home.

She just got a call -- her husband is in construction and injured -- or her husband was hurt at work and three of his fingers were cut off. She's got to get to the hospital in San Bernardino, but doesn't have enough gas. She needs money to get gas. She offers to leave her drivers license as proof that she'll pay it back.

 As it turns out she's hit the area south of Carson a few months ago and again this week. She claims to work at Harbor UCLA.

The woman seems to cry a little and is in a "hurry up" panicked act--it is an act. As it turns out this same woman went to the same house with the same "emergency" a few months ago. So, far we know that she has called herself "Cheryl" and "Rachel," but whatever she calls, and no matter how she pretends to cry, it isn't true.

Call the Torrance Police Department at 911 or 310-618-5642 if this happens to you.

Just when you think there's nothing left in the criminal justice system to shock your senses... a case like this comes along.

Wynford Murray, 35, was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison for failing to register as a sex offender. The conviction was his third strike, following two 1997 convictions in New York for sexually molesting two girls, ages 3 and 5.

In handing down the sentence, Torrance Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold noted the "fantasy" stories of sex with babies that Murray had in his possession. Arnold began to read them, he said, explaining that he couldn't get past the first page.

The stories were submitted as exhibits to the prosecutor's sentencing papers, so I decided to take a look, too.

Un. Be. Lievable.

I couldn't get past the first paragraph.

Someone sat down to write a story about their 1-year-old blonde niece, with her soft skin and long eyelashes. Then, it got unreadable. I walked out of the courtroom in a bit of a daze.

I don't know if the stories are true or fantasy, but just the fact that some people find this arousing and entertaining is chilling to the core.

This is a good time to remind people that the Megan's Law Database is available with the area's sex offenders. Get to know your neighbors.

From the District Attorney's Office:

Man convicted of murdering pregnant girlfriend, fetus

COMPTON - A Los Angeles man was convicted today of the first-degree murder of his girlfriend in 2007 and the second-degree murder of her unborn child, the District Attorney's office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Martha Carrillo said a Compton Superior Court jury returned the convictions against 35-year-old Stephen Mark Picart after two days of deliberation.

Picart, who has been in custody on $2 million bail since his arrest shortly after the killings, was ordered by trial Judge Eleanor J. Hunter to appear for sentencing on May 22. He is expected to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Picart; his pregnant girlfriend, Sharon Carter, 31; and her two sons, then 14 and 4, were driving in Watts on Sept. 23, 2007. Carter was driving the SUV. They were leaving Tabernacle of Grace church, where Carter's father was pastor.

Authorities said there was an argument and Picart shot Carter in the back of the head. Her two sons were not wounded, but the fetus died.

Besides the murder convictions, the jury also found true the special circumstance of multiple murders. The District Attorney's office had opted against the death penalty, leaving life without parole the only sentencing option if the defendant was convicted of the murders and special circumstance. The jury also found true the allegations that the defendant personally fired a handgun causing the deaths of the victims.

We have a follow in today's Daily Breeze about the stand-off Friday in San Pedro. You can read it here.

In our previous entry, posted while the whole thing was still unfolding, many residents left some interesting comments. Read: Man with gun barricades himself in San Pedro residence.

The feds in Peoria, Ill. arrested three men, along with 238-pounds of cocaine worth approximately $2 million. Steven Schneppershoff, 38, of Torrance was among the three, reported the Peoria Journal Star.

Just received this from El Camino College. 

An Oklahoma man who was in Southern California for business has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault in a case filed after he was arrested in Torrance during an online predator sting.

Eugene Mellott, 50, reached a deal with prosecutors on Tuesday and was sentenced to three years probation and 90 days of community service, according to the District Attorney's office.

In exchange, a felony count of communicating with a minor for lewd and lascivious behavior was dismissed - sparing Mellott from a possible prison stay or being required to register as a sex offender.

Deputy District Attorney Jodi Link said an issue with the evidence lead to the deal, but declined to elaborate further.

Mellott was arrested on Oct. 3 after showing up at a meeting he arranged with a police officer who posed as an underage girl online, where the two allegedly engaged a sexually-provocative conversation.

Before joining the Daily Breeze in 2001, I had two reporting jobs that centered more on the civil side of the law. At the now-defunct Inside.com, it was all about the entertainment industry and at the Los Angeles Daily Journal, I covered cases involving interesting legal issues, the government and lawyers. I was based at the downtown Stanley Mosk Courthouse for both those jobs and, every afternoon around 4 p.m., me and reporters from several other news outlets trooped down to the clerk's office to look at every single new case filed that day in a hunt for newsworthy litigation.

Times have changed since then. It was competitive then, but nothing like the TMZ-driven 24-hour celebrity news machines that churn now. Even though I'm (thankfully) no longer a part of that world, it was with great alarm that I read today's Los Angeles Times article about the "supersealing" of a case filed against actress Sharon Stone.

Like the article mentions, it's not so much about the court's willingness to shield this particular case from the public eye. But in a world where I have a difficult time pulling criminal and civil cases in even the most mundane, low-profile of cases, I can't help but wonder: What else is being hidden? We should all be concerned.

UPDATE: Judge changes mind.

Karen Sue Hale's sentencing for one grand theft and four forgery convictions was postponed from today to May 29. The 53-year-old Lawndale woman, wearing blue and bright yellow jail clothes and handcuffs, made a brief courtroom appearance. As she conferred with her attorney, she kept glancing back at the half-dozen or so Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce people who had come to speak or watch the sentencing.

"Karen, keep your eyeballs forward," the bailiff warned her.

Previous entries are found here.

I expected to go to day two of three of closing arguments today in the Joe Nino and Miguel Torres murder retrial for the slaying of their friend in Rolling Hills. That's what happens when I don't check before I go. Turns out, there was some disagreement over jury instructions just before closing arguments were to begin Wednesday. They're now scheduled to begin Friday afternoon and expected to last into early next week.

Previously:

Rolling Hills murder trial takes a sabbatical

We recently reported that Torrance-based International Protective Services' troubles with workers' compensation fraud. Today, the Los Angeles Times says that firm has a long history of trouble - but that didn't stop the county from doing business with it.

Eric Rachmany of Rebelution has apparently been keeping tabs on Matthew Klaus' recovery since he was punched and fell to the floor at the Brixton on Sept. 1. After last week's story, he wrote to me hoping to get in touch with Klaus. Here's his letter:

Denise,

You don't know me but I sing and play guitar in the band Rebelution, the band Matthew Klaus went to go see the night of the incident. I was hoping you might be able to let him know that us 4 in the band have been following his story since it all happened at Brixton in Redondo Beach. We are very happy to know Matthew is alive and recovering. The security was very bad that night at Brixton. We had bottles thrown at us on stage and I remember seeing someone on on the ground after the performance was over. I guess that person was Matthew. If there is any way for you to forward this to him or just let him know that we're thinking about him and his family we'd be very grateful. Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

Eric Rachmany

What I didn't say in the story is why Rebelution meant a lot to Klaus. A little bit before he was injured, he and some buddies went on a surf trip to Costa Rica. They had only one CD with them - a Rebelution album. They listened to it over and over. The band provided the soundtrack for their trip, and came to represent good times. 

Previously:

Update: Road to recovery after Redondo Beach bar fight 

Jon Wilhite, the Manhattan Beach man seriously injured in the crash that killed a Los Angeles Angels pitcher and two friends, is showing improvement, but has months of rehabilitation to come, a family member said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Mira Costa grad remains in serious condition at University of California Irvine Medical Center, said his uncle, Charles Wilhite.

"We are encouraged," the uncle said. "The doctors are telling us he has a long road ahead of him. We are hoping for as close to a full recovery as God will allow."

A full story is coming to dailybreeze.com and the Thursday print edition.

Two benefits to help him are scheduled this weekend. Pockets Sports Bar on Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach will donate 15 percent of its day's receipts Saturday to the Mira Costa High School baseball booster club at that group's annual silent auction. The booster club will turn over the money to the Wilhite fund.

On Sunday, the Daily Grill on Rosecrans Avenue will offer $10 gift cards, appetizers and soft drinks to people who make donations from 3 to 6 p.m.

Waiting to get some details on a big crash early this morning in Redondo Beach.

Apparently a Toyota pickup truck with four men inside crashed into a curb and overturned at Diamond and Prospect avenues.

Three suffered minor injuries and were taken to two hospitals, but a fourth suffered major head trauma. He was taken to County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

It happened about 3 a.m. No other vehicles were involved.

Alcohol possibly was a factor, police said.

More later.

Stabbing suspect

Skeleton burglar

Former Gardena High School football coach Brandon Pettway was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for one count of marijuana possession for sale or transport.

Pettway, 26, had previously pleaded no contest to the count to Torrance Superior Court Judge Laura Ellison after he failed to reach a deal with prosecutors.

After the brief sentencing hearing, a line of Pettway's supporters hugged him good-bye and wished him well before he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Pettway was arrested last April following an investigation into drug sales activity on 134th Place in Gardena, police previously said.

A search of Pettway's home in the 2100 block of 134th Place yielded drugs and a firearm.

The body of a man was found inside a Gardena motel room by a housekeeper, according to a police statement.

The 42-year-old man, whose name is not being released until relatives are notified, was found about 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the Patio Inn Motel at 13815 S. Normandie Ave.
The man was on the floor of the room.

The cause of his death is unknown, and an autopsy has not been done.

Anyone who may have any information is asked to contact Gardena police Detective Pam Robinson at 310-217-9653.

Rev. 900-1/99 DA Case 29395216 Page 1 Case No. YA074783

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Plaintiff, v. 01 ERIC SANTANDER DELACRUZ (10/27/1979), aka ERIC S. DELACRUZ, and 02 FERNANDO ROMERO (10/21/1983) Defendant(s).

CASE NO. YA074783 FELONY COMPLAINT

The undersigned is informed and believes that:

COUNT 1

On or about April 26, 2007, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of MURDER, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 187(a), a Felony, was committed by ERIC SANTANDER DELACRUZ and FERNANDO ROMERO, who did unlawfully, and with malice aforethought murder SONIA RIOS RISKEN, a human being.
"NOTICE: The above offense is a serious felony within the meaning of Penal Code Section 1192.7(c) and a violent felony within the meaning of Penal Code Section 667.5(c)."


It is further alleged that in the commission and attempted commission of the above offense a principal in said offense was armed with a firearm(s), to wit, 9mm, said arming not being an element of the above offense, within the meaning of Penal Code section 12022(a)(1).
* * * * *

COUNT 2

On or between January 6, 2007 and April 27, 2007, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT A CRIME, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 182(a)(1), a Felony, was committed by ERIC SANTANDER DELACRUZ and FERNANDO ROMERO, who did unlawfully conspire together and with another person and persons whose identity is unknown to commit the crime of Murder, in violation of Section 187(a) of the Penal Code, a felony; that pursuant to and for the purpose of carrying out the objectives and purposes of the aforesaid conspiracy, the said defendants committed the following overt act and acts at and in the County of Los Angeles: xxxxxxx.

* * * * *

NOTICE: Conviction of this offense will require the defendant to provide DNA samples and print impressions pursuant to Penal Code sections 296 and 296.1. Willful refusal to provide the samples and impressions is a crime.

NOTICE: The People of the State of California intend to present evidence and seek jury findings regarding all applicable circumstances in aggravation, pursuant to Penal Code section 1170(b) and Cunningham v. California 2007 U.S. LEXIS 1324.

I DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE FOREGOING IS TRUE AND CORRECT AND THAT THIS COMPLAINT, CASE NUMBER YA074783, CONSISTS OF 2 COUNT(S).


Executed at TORRANCE, County of Los Angeles, on April 20, 2009.

_____________________________________
MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
DECLARANT AND COMPLAINANT


STEVE COOLEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY

BY:

JOHN LEWIN, DEPUTY

AGENCY:	LASD - HOMICIDE BUREAU	I/O:	MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ	ID NO.:	275822	PHONE:	(323) 890-5500
DR NO.:	007017481712011	OPERATOR:	JR	PRELIM. TIME EST.:

BOOKING BAIL CUSTODY
DEFENDANT CII NO. DOB NO. RECOM'D R'TN DATE

DELACRUZ, ERIC SANTANDER		10/27/1979		$2,000,000	04/21/2009
ROMERO, FERNANDO		10/21/1983		$2,000,000	04/21/2009

Pursuant to Penal Code Section 1054.5(b), the People are hereby informally requesting that defense counsel provide discovery to the People as required by Penal Code Section 1054.3.
It appearing to me from the evidence presented that the following offense(s) has/have been committed and that there is sufficient cause to believe that the following defendant(s) guilty thereof, to wit:


ERIC SANTANDER DELACRUZ

Count No.	Charge	Charge Range	Special Allegation	Alleg. Effect
1	PC 187(a)	Check Code	PC 12022(a)(1)	+1 Yr.
2	PC 182(a)(1)	Check Code

FERNANDO ROMERO

Count No.	Charge	Charge Range	Special Allegation	Alleg. Effect
1	PC 187(a)	Check Code	PC 12022(a)(1)	+1 Yr.
2	PC 182(a)(1)	Check Code

I order that the defendant(s) be held to answer therefore and be admitted to bail in the sum of:

ERIC SANTANDER DELACRUZ ______________________________ Dollars

FERNANDO ROMERO ______________________________ Dollars

and be committed to the custody of the Sheriff of Los Angeles County until such bail is given. Date of arraignment in Superior Court will be:

ERIC SANTANDER DELACRUZ ______________________ in Dept _______

FERNANDO ROMERO ______________________ in Dept _______

at: A.M.





Date:

Committing Magistrate

Hawthorne police conducted crosswalk and disabled space stings on Tuesday and Thursday last week.

92 tickets were issued during the crosswalk traffic stings at 134th Street and Hawthorne Boulevard; 141st Street and Hawthorne Boulevard; and 145th Street and Prairie Avenue. Police cited motorists who failed to brake for pedestrians crossing the street:

79 for not stopping for a pedestrian in the crosswalk
7 for driving on a suspended license
6 for driving with no license
12 vehicles impounded
1 arrest

15 citations were issued for people illegally using the handicapped spaces at various shopping centers in the city.

The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday about Lindolfo Thibes, sentenced last week to 109 years to prison for sexually assaulting his daughter. Story includes an interview with the victim in this truly disturbing crime. Doesn't seem like the crimes happened in the South Bay - but she apparently lived here at some point after since the Torrance police were involved in the investigation.

Alta College runs a massage school in Redondo Beach. It doesn't appear that this federal civil settlement stems from any actions at that campus, though. This is from the U.S. Attorneys' Office:

ALTA COLLEGES TO PAY U.S. $7 MILLION TO RESOLVE

FALSE CLAIMS ACT ALLEGATIONS

                WASHINGTON -- Alta Colleges Inc. and its wholly-owned collegiate schools in Texas have agreed to pay the United States $7 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that the Texas schools submitted false claims for federal student aid funds, the Justice Department announced today. 

                For a college to qualify to receive federal student aid, one requirement is that it meet applicable state licensing requirements.  The United States alleged that Alta's Texas colleges obtained the requisite state licenses by misrepresenting to the state licensing agency that they complied with state job-placement reporting requirements and that their interior design programs complied with requirements for a professional license.

                "This settlement demonstrates the government's commitment to enforcing the compliance standards required of colleges participating in the federal student aid program," said Michael F. Hertz, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice.

                Alta Colleges, which is headquartered in Denver, has over 12,000 students at 19 campuses in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Virginia.

                The civil settlement agreement released today resolves certain allegations that were originally filed in a federal lawsuit brought by whistleblowers under the federal False Claims Act.  The False Claims Act permits private citizens to bring lawsuits on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery.  Under the settlement, the whistleblowers who initiated the lawsuit will receive $1.19 million.

                This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education.  The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort among the Civil Division of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas.

As part of covering the courts for the Daily Breeze, I regularly monitor the appellate court opinions that are posted online. Many, many of them begin with a tale about a baby born with drugs in its system - at least a couple a week. It always strikes me as so sad and you have to wonder what kind of life awaits these newborns.

I learned last week that even the tiniest of people have attorneys fighting for them at the Children's Law Center of Los Angeles. I did a story in Monday's Daily Breeze and about a Town Hall meeting they're holding Tuesday night at the Redondo Beach Main Library. Information about the event is at the bottom of the story. *UPDATE: The time for the event is wrong in the story. It begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 8:45 p.m.

The story ledes with the court case for A.M. You can read her whole story in the appellate opinion here.

An El Segundo police officer critically wounded in a gunbattle with a gang member in a crowded movie theater lobby is one of eight finalists for the 2009 America's Most Wanted All-Star.

Lt. Ray Garcia, who has returned to duty but continues to face procedures and surgeries to repair his injuries, could win a $10,000 prize and trip to a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. on May 16.

A nationwide Internet vote has begun to determine the winner.

Anyone can vote, once a day, every day until May 4 at the television crime show's Web site, www.amw.com, or by text message using their Sprint phones.

Information on texting is available on the Web site.

Garcia and his partner, Officer Scott O'Connor were working in the lobby at the Pacific Theaters on Rosecrans Avenue April 11, 2008, when they walked over to theck on an unruly man demanding a refund.

Deputies made two arrests this morning in the 2007 killing of Sonia Rios Risken, the so-called "Lomita Black Widow" believed to be the mastermind behind the shooting deaths of two husbands 19 years apart.

We were there.

Eric Delacruz, 28, Risken's great-nephew who called her his grandma, was taken intocustody at his Carson house.

Also arrested was Fernando Romero, 24, of Highland.

Story coming soon to dailybreeze.com.

Dwight Mitchell Waters, 39, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two child molestation counts for having sex with a 13-year-old student in May 2008. He got six years and will have to register as a sex offender. Read all about it here.

Previously: San Pedro boxer accused of raping teen had fight of his life inside his head

I'm about to head over to Mira Costa High School for the memorial service for Henry Pearson, a 25-year-old Manhattan Beach man killed by an alleged drunk driver last week.
Pearson was in the car carrying Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, 22; Courtney Stewart, 20, of Diamond Bar; and Jon Wilhite, 24, of Manhattan Beach. Wilhite was the only survivor and he remains in serious condition in the hospital. (The alleged drunk is ok, of course.)

I've covered countless murders and other horrible crimes, many involving innocent victims in my 22 years of this. But nothing bothers me more than the drunken driving stories. Every person killed was a motorist, passenger or pedestrian simply going about his of her life.

I know I've missed some, but I sat and made a list of the people whose names appeared in my stories. If you think I should add one, please let me know. But here's 25 people I wrote about who became victims of drunken drivers.

It doesn't seem to stop.

• Brady Grasinger, 15, of Rancho Palos Verdes
• Aljerriah Williams, 53, of Los Angeles
• Rebecca Fields, 47, of Inglewood
• Scott Anthony Barretta, 20, of San Jacinto College
• Jakori Dion Turner, 11 weeks, Inglewood
• Jeffrey Lamont Dodley, 27, of Lawndale
• Jonathan Nichols, 30, aka Jonny D of KKBT
• Carl Crawford, 29, of Harbor Gateway
• Matthew McCarville, 17, of Torrance
• Cheri Ann Betar, 49
• Alice Madrigal, 59, of Wilmington
• Steven Alvarez, 20, of Torrance
• Consuelo Rojas, 35, of San Luis Obispo
• Juan Gabriel Ontiveros, 32, of Compton
• Garrett Ogushi, 24, of Torrance
• Elizabeth Ramirez, 29, of San Pedro
• Carlitos Ramirez, 12, of San Pedro
• Sharday McCoy, 18, of Hawthorne
• Greg Hansen, 44, of Carson
• Rodney Charles Harris, 31
• Sgt. Ron Ingram, 54, of Torrance
• Sophia Hammond, 32, of Granite City, Ill.
• Erica Jauregui, 10, of Inglewood
• Kristan Knight, 22, of Torrance
• Joaquina Christina Castillo, 11, of Torrance

From City News Service:

A jury has convicted a former Orange Unified School District trustee of petty theft for stealing a bottle of ketchup from Chapman University's cafeteria.

Sentencing is set for May 26 for Steve Rocco, who faces up to six months in jail.

Previously: Ketchup bottle theft begins trial

The Hollenbeck Youth Center named Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley it's Man of the Year at a luncheon today for his commitment to crime prevention and justice for victims. 

The organization, which provides after school athletic and educational programs to more than 20,000 at-risk, inner-city kids each year, bestowed the honor on Cooley during it's Hollenbeck Youth Center/Inner-City Games 28th Annual Salute to the Dodgers Luncheon at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

"This prestigious award really belongs to the men and women of my office who work day-in and day-out for the good of the residents of this great county and who are committed to improving the lives of children," Cooley said. "As D.A., I have a unique perspective on choices. A young person's active involvement with extracurricular programs like those offered at Hollenbeck translates to one less child on the streets, in a gang or doing drugs."

Past recipients of the Man of the Year award include California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Scott Millington, a former deputy district attorney who serves at the Airport Courthouse, also was among those honored. Millington, who co-chairs a holiday toy drive for the organization, received the Director's Award.

Homicide victims organizations will unite for an "L.A. County 7-day Candlelight Vigil" in conjunction with "National Crime Victims' Rights Week," from April 26 to May 2.
This year's event marks "25 Years of Rebuilding Lives."

The vigils are to bring attention to the senseless killings and to unite victims throughout the county.

The candlelight vigils will begin at 7 p.m. each night in a different location.

The South Bay vigils will be held:

• April 27: Roger Park, Beach and Eucalyptus avenues in Inglewood. The event is hosted by Helping Hands.
• May 2 at the water fountains, Harbor Drive and Swinford Street in San Pedro. Justice for Murdered Children will host.

People who cannot attend are asked to light candles at home from 7 to 9 p.m.
For more information, go to www.jfmc.org.

Sheriff's Department is cracking down

Susan Mancia of UC Irvine Medical Center said Jon Wilhite, 24, of Manhattan Beach remains in serious condition in the surgical intensive care unit.

Meanwhile, Henry Pearson's family held private services for him today.

A public memorial is scheduled for tomorrow. I plan to be there.

Wilhite was injured and Pearson, 25, was killed in the crash last week that also killed Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and Courtney Stewart, 20, of Diamond Bar.

Adrianne Moran's attorney described the cryptic, handwritten notes as almost "prankish." Moran, 26, formerly of Torrance but now a San Pedro resident, had crafted the notes that threatened to take her baby and reported that someone left them on her front porch. Her scheme was exposed when, in December, she reported that her then 18-month-old boy was kidnapped. During the search, officers found similiar, partially-written notes - as if she had practiced - in her room. Here's today's story on her preliminary hearing.

The three notes were read into the court record by Deputy District Attorney Jodi Link. I'm not sure what order they were "found," but this is what they said:

"I always see him, your son. You don't deserve him. I do! You will not keep me from what's mine. I fear for safety if you resist. Yours that is. Give him or I will take him. See you soon."

In Sunday's Daily Breeze, we had an update about Matthew Klaus, the 24-year-old El Camino Village man who spent nearly a month in a coma after he was punched and knocked down nearly seven months ago in a Redondo Beach bar. Here's the story.

Our phones aren't working at the Daily Breeze, so I'm not sure what telephone messages are awaiting me. I was able to retrieve a couple yesterday, including one from a Palos Verdes Peninsula man who said he was really touched by Klaus' outlook and optimism in the face of such a difficult recovery. He wanted to help, so I put him in touch with the family.

I also talked with Klaus, who said his former girlfriend, who was mentioned in the story, called him after it ran. He seemed really pleased to hear from her and, although she didn't shed any insight on to the events that led to his injury, she expressed her wishes for a speedy recovery, he said.

His mother, Renate Klaus, said she has received a lot of calls and messages in response to the story from well-wishers, too. She wanted to be sure to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers - now and in the really difficult weeks following the incident. She especially has a soft-spot in her heart for the paramedics, who responded so quickly, and the hospital's doctors and medical staff - all of who helped save her son's life.

In the comments following the story at Dailybreeze.com, there is some criticism about the reporting - specifically the lack of information from the police:

"It also made the Redondo Beach police look lame. Perhaps they did a lousy job investigating it , resulting in the suspect 'getting away' with it.(But that is probably not the case).

"Lame reporting , lame editing. Lame daily breeze." - From That Was Lame Reporting in Lawndale

Unfortunately, I could not reach the investigator to get an update, but I do know that there wasn't much to report by way of a suspect in custody from the family and other sources. That Was Lame also wanted more information about why charges were dropped against the man arrested. It was pretty simple - it wasn't him.

We wish Klaus well and thank him for sharing his story with us, and you.

Previously:

Mistaken identity leads to dismissal of Redondo Beach bar fight case

Many of our phones still don't work. Maybe we should get cable phone and dump the "Can you hear me now" company. Email me if you like at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.

Cops, call my cell.

The arraignment for Andrew Gallo, 22, of San Gabriel was postponed today.

He's the guy charged with drunken driving and murder in the deaths of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, Manhattan Beach resident Henry Pearson, and Courtney Stewart of Diamond Bar.

The crash seriously injured Jon Wilhite, 25, of Manhattan Beach.

The judge reset the arraignment for June 8 in Orange County court in Fullerton.

The Hawthorne Police Department will be conducting traffic enforcement stings on Tuesday and Thursday.

Traffic Officers will be targeting areas where drivers frequently fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Officers also will target shopping centers to enforce disabled placard violators. Police said drivers frequently park in handicapped spaces using fraudulent cards or someone else's placard.

Got this email from a reader concerned about the stabbing at Bally Total Fitness in Hawthorne last week.

"Have you found out why this attack occurred? I am a concerned patron of the gym. I am there every day in the morning and sometimes in the evening. Fortunately I was not there the day that this happened.

I suspect that if it was just a random unprovoked attack, that the man responsible for the attack may have been homeless. There are numerous men who appear to be homeless that frequent the gym. One of them that I see often always smells of alcohol. Some of them go to workout, most come to shower and use the restroom.

Another good story you may want to report on is the deterioration of gym facilities. The Bally's on El Segundo Boulevard would be a great place to start.

Half of the exercise equipment in the front of the gym either doesn't work properly, or doesn't work at all. I have had to call the health department on that facility because of how unclean the spa, shower, bathroom areas have been.

Clogged sinks, shower heads missing, floor tiles missing, what appears to be mold covered over by tiles in the spa area, accumulated dirt on the spa walls, dirty floors, no toilet seat covers, no hand towels, etc."

From what I understand, the motive isn't known. He possibly might have had some mental issues, but police haven't determined that. And as far as the conditions in the gym, sounds like they'll start losing patrons.

If you are a police officer and you need me, my phone is down and apparently they will be doing some work around 5 p.m. to try to fix it.

Please email me at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com if you see something going on.

Police officers, please use my cell.

A Los Angeles man has been charged with with forging and passing about 40 counterfeit checks, most linked to Manhattan Beach residents' accounts, police said.

Kenneth F. Jones, 40, is facing 24 felony counts, and is held in county jail on $400,000 bail and a probation violation, Manhattan Beach police Sgt. Brian Brown said.

Jones allegedly created and passed counterfeit checks at banks throughout the county. The crimes usually began after victims' mail was stolen, Brown said.

An investigation into the crimes began in September. Jones was arrested April 4 in Los Angeles.

Torrance police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service assisted Manhattan Beach with the investigation.

 

A Hawthorne woman an alleged accomplice pleaded not guilty today to federal charges of staging funerals for fictitious people in a scheme to defraud insurance companies.

Faye Shilling, 60, and Jean Crump, 67, of Los Angeles, were arrested Wednesday and charged with five counts of mail and wire fraud.

My story from last week.

A public memorial service for Henry Nigel Pearson, the Manhattan Beach man killed in the

crash that took the life of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, will have a baseball theme.

The Thursday afternoon service will begin at 4 p.m. on the Mira Costa High School baseball field where Pearson once played.

The 25-year-old's father, Nigel, said the service will be a celebration of his life because "Henry was full of life."

"Everybody is very much encouraged to come to the service," the father said.

A friend will sing the national anthem to begin the service, which will be organized into nine innings, including a first pitch and seventh inning stretch with everyone singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Viewing will be Tuesday at White & Day Manhattan Beach from 4 to 8 p.m.

The family will attend a private service.

Pearson died Thursday when a suspected drunken driver ran a red light and crashed into a Mitsubishi Eclipse carrying him; Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, 22; Courtney Stewart, 20, of Diamond Bar; and Jon Wilhite, 25, of Manhattan Beach.

Pearson, Stewart, and Adenhart, who had pitched in the Angels' Wednesday night game as his friends watched, died. Wilhite remains hospitalized at University of California Irvine Medical Center in Orange. His condition was upgraded over the weekend from critical to serious.

Andrew Gallo, 22, of San Gabriel is scheduled to appear for arraignment today in Orange County court. He is charged with three counts of murder.

Pearson's friends continued over the weekend and today posting messages and photographs on his Facebook page and under his obituary at dailybreeze.com.

"I am so sorry for the loss of your son," Mary Phillips of Fountain Valley wrote today. "I didn't know Henry..but I did want to offer my prayers to your family during this time. He looked like a great person, and just know he is an angel looking over your family."

Pearson's obituary is after the jump.

UPDATE: Lloya Williams, 24, is being held on suspicion of murder. The victim was her boyfriend. Antoine Benbo, 27, was stabbed with a kitchen knife, police said.

Gardena PD press release:

On April 11, 2008, at 12:55 p.m., Gardena police officers responded to 13801 S. Vermont Ave. #12 regarding a call of a "Man stabbed in the chest."

 Upon the officer's arrival, a victim of a stabbing was located just outside apartment #12. The Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived and immediately rendered aid to the victim. The victim was subsequently transported to Harbor UCLA Medical Center. The victim, identified as Antoine Benbo, 27 years old of Gardena, succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the hospital.

The case is under investigation by the Gardena Police Department Detective Bureau Robbery Homicide Division. If you have any information regarding this case, please called Detective Todd Fox at (310) 217-9625.

The family of Manhattan Beach's Jon Wilhite, who was critically hurt in the crash that killed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, Diamond Bar resident Courtney Stewart, and Mira Costa High School grad Henry Pearson issued this statement today. They have chosen not to do interviews and we will respect their wishes:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Courtney, Henry and Nick's families as they deal with this horrific tragedy. We are also overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we have received since this senseless act of violence and ask for your continued prayers for Jon's recovery.

Jon remains in critical but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at U.C. Irvine Medical Center. His condition has not significantly changed since he was admitted.

A trust fund has been established by Wells Fargo Bank to aid Jon during what will surely be a long road to recovery. Donations can be made to the Benefit Fund for Jon Wilhite, #3980643658 at any Wells Fargo branch."

David Sosa, a former worker at the El Segundo aerospace giant, appeared in a San Bernardino courtroom today with a new lawyer. He was convicted a little more than a month ago for abusing two female family members and faces up to 24 years in prison.

Sosa will return June 5 for a status conference and then is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 11, prosecutors said today.

 

MLB Network reported earlier that Jon Wilhite of Manhattan Beach had died in the crash that killed Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart. It is not true. Some other media outlets picked up that report.

Another South Bay victim in the crash that killed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart has been identified as Henry Nigel Pearson, 27, of Manhattan Beach.

A 72-year-old doctor from Palos Verdes Estates was ordered on Thursday to spend 120 days in jail for sexually assaulting a female patient in his East Los Angeles office.

Roger Giani, who also uses the name Iraj Sadghiani, will also have to register as a sex offender, attend 52 weeks of sexual compulsive anonymous meetings and is forbidden from practicing medicine in California, according to Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the City Attorney's Office.

Giani was convicted by a jury of sexual battery and simple battery in Los Angeles Superior Court.

On Nov. 11, 2007, Giani assaulted the victim when they were alone in a room together at his Angelus Medical Clinic.

The then 22-year-old victim said Giani groped her breasts and rubbed his groin against her body for sexual gratification.

 The jury also heard evidence that the defendant had inappropriately touched the victim's sister in the past.

The former principal of Del Rey Continuation School in Westchester pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of child pornography possession and was sentenced to probation.

Randolph Cornfield, 61, of Playa del Rey, made an open plea to the court - meaning he did not have a deal with prosecutors - the same day his trial on two felony child pornography possession counts was to begin.

The District Attorney's Office said Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg gave Cornfield three years probation.

Prosecutors said they objected because they felt prison time was appropriate.

Cornfield must also register as a sex offender and is prohibited from from being alone with anyone under the age of 16 or viewing pictures of children on the Internet.

"Posing as a 12-year-old girl, Cornfield engaged in sexually explicit conversations in an Internet chat room and offered to provide nude photos of minors," according to prosecutors.

After a tip, authorities searched his home and discovered child pornography at his Playa Del Rey residence. He was arrested in June.

The critically injured victim in the crash that killed Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart has been identified as Jon Wilhite, 24, a former Mira Costa High School student who played for Cal State Fullerton. He lives in Manhattan Beach.

Deputies wrote 32 tickets and towed two cars away during a 2 1/2 hour crosswalk sting Wednesday in Lawndale.

The sting began about 12:30 p.m. on Hawthorne Boulevard at 156th Street. Six civilian volunteers dressed in street clothes crossed back and forth. Deputies in patrol cars pulled over people who failed to stop for the pedestrians, sheriff's Deputy Tim White said.

Deputies will conduct similar checkpoints in Lawndale about once a month.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, who started last night's game and struck out five, was one of the victims killed in that huge crash in Fullerton about two hours after the game.

Another driver ran a red light, forcing Adenhart into a pole. Two other people were killed as well.

The driver drove away, but was arrested. Adenhart was 22. That was his fourth start.

Orange County Register story

LA Times

Los Angeles Angels

Charges were filed earlier this week against the employee accused of horking $675,000 for herself. The whole story is here.

Preview of my story:

A Hawthorne resident bought life insurance policies for people who did not exist, held fake funerals and cashed in the plans when they "died," an indictment unsealed Wednesday alleges.

Faye Shilling, 60, and her alleged accomplice, Jean Crump, 67, of Los Angeles, are suspected of defrauding insurance and assignment firms of about $1 million during a three year con, authorities said.

A notary and a cemetery owner who already have pleaded guilty in the scheme assisted in the women's alleged plot.

"This certainly raised some eyebrows in this office as to the lengths and depths people will go in an insurance fraud scheme," said Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Montery of his office's Major Fraud section.

FBI agents arrested Shilling and Crump on Wednesday. The women made their initial appearances before a magistrate in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, and were released on $10,000 bail.

They are scheduled to be arraigned on April 23 on a five count indictment alleging mail and wire fraud and other charges. If convicted, they would likely face about 20 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Shilling and Crump purchased life insurance policies for two people -- "Jim Davis" and "Laura Urich."

For "Jim Davis," the women obtained a $250,000 policy from Conseco Life Insurance Company in Carmel, Indiana; and a $450,000 policy from American General Life Insurance in Houston. Chesapeake Life Insurance Co. in Oklahhoma City issued a policy for Urich with a face value of $50,000.

The women allegedly then waited for the policies to mature. When they did, Shilling, Crump and their co-schemers prepared false death documents, including fake death certificates.

In addition to the insurance companies, they filed the documents with financial assignment companies, including Jackman Financial Corp. in Chicago; AC Moore Financial Services in Pomona; and Advanced Funeral Funding in Portsmouth, Va.

El Segundo's flasher has flashed again.

The latest incident occurred about 7 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of West Pine Avenue.

Two girls in their early teens were walking along the street. A man sitting in his car got out. His pants were down.

The girls ran and got help. He took off.

This was the fourth incident since November.

Anyone with information about the man's identity is asked to call Detective Pat Goodreau at 310-524-2216 or Detective Vince Martinez at 310-524-2263.

This is a little north of the South Bay, so maybe this guy lives among us:

The LAPD just sent this out:

The Los Angeles Police Department is requesting any information on the identity of the person in this compositedrawing.pdf and the location of the described vehicle below.

On February 6, 2009, at approximately 1140 hours, a motorist was traveling westbound on Florence Avenue and Figueroa Boulevard in a 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass, four door, gold in color with 22" chrome rims.

The license plate of the vehicle is 2DBL949. The impact of the collision caused a 6-year-old child to sustain a fractured femur and other injuries.

The motorist was described as a black male with tattoos on the side of his face, neck, and arms. The suspect exited his vehicle, and attempted to take away the cell phone from the hand of the victim's older brother, who was attempting to record the suspect's license plate number. The suspect then re-entered his vehicle, and fled the scene, failing to identify self or rendering aid to the injured child.

Contact South Traffic Detectives Antonio Lee or Connie Free 323-290-6063, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. During non-business hours, weekends and holiday, call South Traffic Division's Watch Commander at (213) 485-7336.

Hitandrun.pdf

This is for those of you who enjoy a good legal poop story: In-flight bathroom emergency leads to felony charge

Robbery suspect arrested after early morning street robbery in Hermosa Beach.

Clement Theodore Smith, a 51-year-old from Hawthorne, was arrested by officers at 1:15 a.m. this morning at Aviation and Artesia Boulevard. Smith is on parole for robbery and other serious crimes and had an ankle bracelet on to monitor his location. 

Just after 1 a.m., the victim, a 74-year-old Hermosa resident arrived home in the 2000 block of Hermosa Avenue and he noticed a newer model 4-door Japanese model vehicle stop nearby. He saw the driver get out and appear to walk down the sidewalk. The driver instead ran up to him and knocked him to the ground. The suspect threatened the victim and took his wallet before driving away. 

The victim called the police and a description was broadcast. Officer Eccles from Manhattan Beach Police was at Prospect and Artesia when the call came out and saw the suspect driving east on Artesia. Officers made a stop of the vehicle at Aviation and Artesia. Currency taken from the victim was recovered in the vehicle. 

LAX baggage screener pleads guilty

I stopped by an ugly looking crash on the way home.

A Hermosa Beach paramedic ambulance collided with a Toyota Tacoma pickup in the intersection of 190th Street and Entradero Avenue in Torrance about 5:45 p.m.

Firefighters said the paramedics were carrying a 3-year-old child who had been suffering seizures to County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. They were headed east on 190th.

The details on what exactly happened weren't immediately available, but the pickup and ambulance collided. I was told the ambulance had its siren blaring.

The ambulance slammed into a traffic signal pole.

The paramedics immediately radioed their base and another ambulance headed to the scene. The child, who suffered no physical injuries from the crash, was taken to the hospital. (It wasn't immediately clear to those who talked to me whether it was a boy or girl.)

The paramedics and the pickup driver also went to hospitals. Their injuries were not serious.

Hold onto your keyboards, you don't need to rip me for revealing that there is a "surprise" crosswalk sting Wednesday in Lawndale.

Deputies ASKED me to publish this:

Deputies will be targeting motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk from noon to 3 p.m. at 156th Street and Hawthorne Boulevard. You are going to get a ticket.

"We have had several pedestrians struck in the crosswalks in our city in the past few months and are concerned the public is not more aware of the crosswalks and the people who are trying to use them," Deputy Tim White said.

"Therefore we are going to be conducting surprise crosswalk operations over the coming months to make the public more aware of this problem."

Those people crossing will be deputies. PLEASE DON'T HIT THEM. (White told me he has been hit before in Norwalk while doing this. He is a nice guy.)

And if you are worried that this notice will reduce the numbers of tickets written, don't worry. I think you are the only one reading this today.

Anthony Brandon Hislar, who is 27, will be well over 500 years old when he is eligible for parole.  Hislar got sentenced today to 429 years to life in prison for a series of crimes, including some in Hermosa Beach.

Pomona Superior Court Judge Charles Horan added another 93 years to the sentence and told him he had to pay more than $14,000 to eight victims.

Hislar was convicted March 13 of 13 counts of robbery, six counts of burglary, two counts of carjacking, two counts of evading police, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm and one count each of assault with a firearm, unlawful taking of a vehicle, grand theft auto, grand theft of property, escape by force or violence and resisting an executive officer.

Good Morning HBNW residents,

Yesterday, a Hermosa Beach resident was the victim of an attempted abduction. This alarms us all. It serves to remind us that although we live in a relatively quiet and safe community, others will prey on our sense of security and attempt these brazen crimes even in broad daylight when we feel the safest.

 This incident, which is very similar to an incident in Redondo Beach in January, has all South Bay Police Departments on alert, we are actively investigating and looking for these suspects. As more information is developed, we will update the community.

From the District Attorney's Office:

LOS ANGELES - A former Los Angeles police officer accused of torching his 2005 BMW 745 Li, then reporting it stolen and filing insurance claim for the loss, pleaded guilty today to insurance fraud and filing a false police report that he was shot outside his home.

Anthony Razo, 49, entered the plea before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Norm Shapiro, said Deputy District Attorney Christian Gullon with the Justice System Integrity Division.

As part of the plea agreement, Razo admitted that he falsely reported his car stolen on Jan. 4 and made fraudulent claims against his auto and homeowners insurance policies for the car and its contents. He also admitted he set the car on fire himself.

In addition, Razo admitted that he made a false police report to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department regarding a shooting in his driveway on Jan. 31. Razo admitted that the two men whom he earlier said assaulted him and used his gun to shoot him do not exist. He admitted in court that he was alone at the time of the shooting.

Judge Shapiro sentenced him to one year in county jail, three years formal probation and ordered him to pay $5,400 in restitution to the LAPD Hollenbeck Division, which held a fundraiser to pay for medical bills. Judge Shapiro ordered him to surrender to the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Station on Thursday to begin serving his jail sentence.

In exchange for the guilty plea to one felony count and one misdemeanor count of filing a false report, four additional felony counts and one misdemeanor count were dismissed.

Razo was relieved of duty in March after the Los Angeles Police Department launched an internal investigation.

Cracked.com has a feature on The 5 Most Popular Safety Laws (That Don't Work). It's a tongue-in-cheek approach that touches on speed limits, the three strikes law and Amber Alerts.

Larry just left the Hermosa Beach police station, where he learned this from Sgt. Bob Higgins:

Police are searching a Hermosa Beach neighborhood for two three men in a white van who allegedly tried to snatch a woman off the street. The woman told police that at 2 p.m. she was in the 600 block of 4th Street when a white van pulled up. The men inside asked for directions. At the same time, the sliding side door opened and a man grabbed her and tried to pull her inside. She struggled, broke free and ran.

The woman said she could see ropes inside the van. Detectives were continuing to question her this afternoon. Police said this incident is likely connected to a previous attempted kidnapping in Redondo Beach in January.

We should have more later

I just talked briefly with Los Angeles police Detective Jim Perkins. I didn't get much, but here is the deal so far on last Monday's homicide where Rufus Atchley is accused of killing Robert Banes on 11th Street:

The 2008 Annual Report from the California Commission on Judicial Performance was released recently. It's basically a detailing of how the commission operates, and the punishments they metted out to the state's wayward bench officers. Although 43-pages long, there are some good reads in there.

An Alameda County Superior Court judge was admonished for twice telling defendants using publicly-funded attorneys that "you get what you pay for." The same judge called a domestic violence case before her a "crazy waste of time."

An Orange County Superior Court judge was also admonished, but for holding up hand-made signs that read "overruled" during the trial. While the judge told the objecting attorney he was "lightening things up," the commission agreed with an appellate court, which found the sign was "a sideshow in the overall circus atmosphere mocking a serious proceeding important to the parties."

A Riverside County Superior Court judge was removed from the bench for a number of reasons, including trying to intimidate the mother a man killed in a drunk driving wreck to agree to a disposition of manslaughter instead of murder. The commission found that the judge "had engaged in numerous instances of willful and prejudicial misconduct over a 10-year period, had not shown an appreciation of his misconduct and had repeatedly avoided taking full responsibility for his actions."

In total, the commission closed 892 cases last year. Of those, 87 were sent for investigation, concluding with 34 disciplines. 

 

A few weeks ago, it was former Lakers and Clippers player Norm Nixon. Today, it's Clippers player Zach Randolph, arrested for an alleged DUI. From City News Service:

Los Angeles Clippers player Zach Randolph was arrested today for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on the southbound San Diego (405) Freeway near the Del Rey area of Los Angeles, authorities said.
California Highway Patrol officers stopped a white Rolls Royce that Randolph was driving about 2:25 a.m. near Washington Boulevard, the CHP reported.
The vehicle was being operated "at approximately 60 miles per hour and weaving in and
out of the No. 4 lane," the CHP reported in a statement.
"Upon contacting Randolph, the officers noticed an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from within the vehicle," the statement continued. Officers determined that Randolph was "under the influence of alcohol," according to the statement.
Randolph, 27, was booked for DUI and bail was set at $5,000, the CHP reported.
Randolph was released on bail about 9 a.m., and was scheduled to appear April 27 at the Airport Courthouse, the sheriff's department reported.

(Photo credit: NBA.com)

Last night, the Clippers put on a mighty rush against the Lakers at Staples Center, but missed a shot at the buzzer to try to tie, and lost 88-85. 

The trial for Joe Nino and Miguel Torres is on pause so that the court can accommodate jurors' spring break plans. The trial, which began Feb. 18, has far surpassed it's original time estimate of a month. The prosecutor indicates he's still presenting his case-in-chief, and will continue to do so when the trial resumes on April 14.

Previously:

Nino and Torres murder retrial moving along ... slowly

We just got word that a man was shot to death Sunday around 3:40 p.m. in the 200 block of E. 215th Street in Carson. We're gathering information and will let you know more details when we know them.

Hermosa Beach police sent this one over tonight:

Press Release

April 4, 2009                                            

"Party host is assaulted in the same week by the same juvenile suspect.  Juvenile suspect arrested and in-custody for the assaults."

Suspect:                 Male Juvenile, Name withheld, 17 years old

                              In-Custody

Victim:                   Jeremy Bunch 18 years old
                               Hermosa Beach resident

Charge:                  245(a) (1) PC- Assault with a deadly weapon

Bail:                                   $30,000                                  

Synopsis:

On 03-27-2009 at about 1130PM HBPD officers responded to a report of a large fight in the area of 00BLK of 20th Court in Hermosa Beach.  The fight involved numerous subjects that were attending a house party nearby.  The above victim was the host of the party, with most of the party goers/assailants being juveniles who were allegedly students of nearby Mira Costa High School.  The large fight involved several named suspects assaulting the victim (kicking and punching).  The fight culminated with the juvenile suspect, now in-custody, slashing the above victim's right arm with a knife.  The wounds were minor, and the victim was treated and released at the scene by HBFD Paramedics.  HBPD officers checked the area, but could not locate the suspects.

On 04-03-2009 at about 1030PM HBPD officers again responded to a report of a large fight in the area of 00BLK of 20th Court in Hermosa Beach.  The circumstances were essentially the same (numerous juveniles assaulting the victim) except this time the juvenile suspect (now in-custody) struck the victim in the face with a shovel.  Witness accounts indicated the juvenile suspect was the same as the suspect from the prior knife slashing incident.  The victim sustained a concussion and was transported to a local hospital by HBFD paramedics.

Just a few words on this week's homicide involving suspect Rufus Atchley and victim Robert Banes.

It's fairly obvious that the shooting on 11th Street was of great interest and concern to you, as evidenced by the number of user comments on my stories, as well as this blog.

I've done my best to report as much information as I can on the crime, in addition to whatever information I could get on the suspect, Rufus Lee Atchley, and the victim, Robert Banes.

Unfortunately, if you can believe it, it's now Friday afternoon at 6 p.m. and I have not spoken to a police officer since the initial hours of the crime.

So far, I went to the scene during the standoff, and later used public records to look up Atchley's prison record. Thanks to a reader, I found Banes' MySpace page. Other efforts to talk to members of either man's family failed, but I have posted written comments as they have arrived for this blog.

But I have been unable to get any updates from police. Despite calls each day to police officials at the Harbor Division, no one with the authority to talk to the media has called me back. I have called various officials, left messages with their assistants, and sent one e-mail. Not a single person has returned a message.

I haven't even gotten a courtesy call to say, "Sorry, we aren't talking," which is pretty common in news media and police officer relations when it comes to a major crime.

So you know, the detectives assigned to the actual investigation -- those with the most knowledge of what has happened -- are not allowed to speak with the media. I've always had a pretty decent relationship with them.

They used to be allowed to talk, but in the last several weeks that hasn't been the case. Only their supervisors can talk. Those calls went unreturned.

So if you wonder why I haven't reported any other facts than were initially released -- including why this killing happened -- now you know.

I'm not angry or even stressed about it. What can I do?

I come to work every day to ask the questions you want asked. Unfortunately when police officers don't respond to a reporter, they really aren't responding to you.

This is a news release that just arrived from the District Attorney's Office:


PASADENA - A licensed commercial truck driver was charged today with felony counts in connection with a fatal traffic collision on Angeles Crest Highway, the District Attorney's Office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Shanna Batten of Pasadena Branch Office, who filed the case, said Marcos Barbosa Costa, 43 (dob 05/06/65), is charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter. The defendant is due to be arraigned this afternoon at Pasadena Superior Court, Department D.

The complaint alleges the defendant killed Angelina and Angel Posca, father and daughter, while driving a vehicle in the commission of an unlawful act with gross negligence. Costa is charged in case No. GA076393.

The recommended bail for Costa is $200,000. A trial prosecutor has not yet been assigned.
 

Rev. 900-1/99 DA Case 29449399 Page 1 Case No. NA081616

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Plaintiff, v. 01 RUFUS ATCHLEY (12/25/1960) Defendant(s).

CASE NO. NA081616 FELONY COMPLAINT

The undersigned is informed and believes that:

COUNT 1

On or about March 30, 2009, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of MURDER, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 187(a), a Felony, was committed by RUFUS ATCHLEY, who did unlawfully, and with malice aforethought murder ROBERT JUSTIN BARNES, a human being.
"NOTICE: The above offense is a serious felony within the meaning of Penal Code Section 1192.7(c) and a violent felony within the meaning of Penal Code Section 667.5(c)."


It is further alleged that said defendant(s), RUFUS ATCHLEY personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, a handgun , which caused great bodily injury and death to ROBERT JUSTIN BARNES within the meaning of Penal Code Section 12022.53(d) also causing the above offense to become a serious felony pursuant to Penal Code section 1192.7(c)(8) and a violent felony within the meaning of Penal Code section 667.6(c)(8).
It is further alleged that said defendant(s), RUFUS ATCHLEY personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, a handgun , within the meaning of Penal Code Section 12022.53(c) also causing the above offense to become a serious felony pursuant to Penal Code section 1192.7(c)(8) and a violent felony within the meaning of Penal Code section 667.5(c)(8).
It is further alleged that said defendant(s), RUFUS ATCHLEY personally used a firearm, a handgun , within the meaning of Penal Code Section 12022.53(b) also causing the above offense to become a serious felony pursuant to Penal Code section 1192.7(c)(8) and a violent felony within the meaning of Penal Code section 667.5(c)(8).
* * * * *

It is further alleged as to count(s) 1 that said defendant(s), RUFUS ATCHLEY, was convicted of the following felonies, within the meaning of Penal Code section 1203(e)(4):

Case No. Charge Code/Statute Conv. Date County of Court State Court Type
NA021247 PC459 09/14/1994 LOS AGNELES CA SUPERIOR
NA031810 HS11350(A) 10/24/1997 LOS ANGELES CA SUPERIOR
NA057807 HS11350(A) 01/09/2004 LOS ANGELES CA SUPERIOR



NOTICE: Conviction of this offense will require the defendant to provide DNA samples and print impressions pursuant to Penal Code sections 296 and 296.1. Willful refusal to provide the samples and impressions is a crime.

NOTICE: The People of the State of California intend to present evidence and seek jury findings regarding all applicable circumstances in aggravation, pursuant to Penal Code section 1170(b) and Cunningham v. California 2007 U.S. LEXIS 1324.

I DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE FOREGOING IS TRUE AND CORRECT AND THAT THIS COMPLAINT, CASE NUMBER NA081616, CONSISTS OF 1 COUNT(S).


Executed at LONG BEACH, County of Los Angeles, on April 2, 2009.

_____________________________________
DAVID CORTEZ
DECLARANT AND COMPLAINANT


STEVE COOLEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY

BY:

MARC MERRICK, DEPUTY

AGENCY:	LAPD - HARBOR AREA	I/O:	DAVID CORTEZ	ID NO.:	27673	PHONE:	(310) 522-2036
DR NO.:		OPERATOR:	SMG	PRELIM. TIME EST.:	2 HOUR(S)

BOOKING BAIL CUSTODY
DEFENDANT CII NO. DOB NO. RECOM'D R'TN DATE

ATCHLEY, RUFUS

006993829

12/25/1960

1856718

$1,000,000

04/02/2009

Pursuant to Penal Code Section 1054.5(b), the People are hereby informally requesting that defense counsel provide discovery to the People as required by Penal Code Section 1054.3.
It appearing to me from the evidence presented that the following offense(s) has/have been committed and that there is sufficient cause to believe that the following defendant(s) guilty thereof, to wit:


RUFUS ATCHLEY

Count No.	Charge	Charge Range	Special Allegation	Alleg. Effect
1	PC 187(a)	Check Code	PC 12022.53(d)	+25 Yrs. to Life, MS
			PC 1203(e)(4)	PSP

Just got this e-mail from Tony Mattera, who works at the port. Some longshoremen have taken exception to the fact I reported San Pedro homicide suspect Rufus Lee Atchley's occupation. Mattera apparently doesn't like today's story that lists Atchley's police record.

"Why are you ruining the character of a man that might have done something right for his community and his family.  You do not know the details yet, but you have no problem writing as if you are his enemy. I have a feeling once you find out why he was arrested , you would probably do the same in his situation (if you consider yourself a man). I think it would be fitting for you to appologize to his family and the longshore community for "slinging mud". You see, its writers like Art Maroquin and yourself that ruin the reputation of the people that risk our lives every minute down on the docks to onload your cute gucci shoes. I wonder what would happen at our next union meeting if ask all my brothers and sisters to boycott your news paper? I personally stopped buying your news paper after our last contract negociations due to Arts' many articles covering our negociations. If you don't like us just write an article stating why. Instead Art and yourself write articles that paint ugly pictures of us in the face of our own community. I am looking foward to your prompt appologies.
   
             P.S. -I will be posting this at our dispatch hall in the morning"

Tony, I can assure everybody that if Atchley was a doctor, lawyer, policeman, waiter, street sweeper, dogcatcher or newspaper reporter, I would have reported that. (Note all the stories we do on teachers, coaches, doctors, lawyers, cops and others who get themselves into trouble.)

Anyway, I don't have anything against the guys and women on the docks. They do hard work and get paid for it with help from a strong union.

(Just so everyone knows,  I don't wear Gucci shoes. I'm a reporter wearing something called Georgio Brutini that I bought in a closeout when Shoe Pavilion went out of business. They are quite comfortable, but are in need of a shine.)

The Lennox sheriff's station did this a few months ago and had a lot of success.
Now it's Carson's turn.

The station will give out Ralphs, Vons, Target and Walmart gift cards in exchange for guns during a program on Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5.

In conjunction with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, they'll offer $100 for each operational firearm turned in. The price goes up to $200 for an assault rifle and down to $50 for an inoperable weapon.

Residents should bring their weapons in the trunk of their car. And, of course, they should be unloaded.

The event will be held in the Carson City Hall parkin glot at 701 E. Carson St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m each day.

This photo is taken from his MySpace page. He apparently went by the nickname Polar Bear.

Banes, 29, of San Pedro was shot and killed on Monday on 11th Street. Today's new article.

I received this today from Krystal Atchley, the daughter of San Pedro homicide suspect Rufus Atchley. He is suspected of killing Robert Justin Banes, 29, on 11th Street near Pacific Avenue on Monday, then fleeing to a house on 19th Street and triggering the daylong SWAT standoff.

The victim in the homicide Monday on 11th Street near Pacific Avenue was identified today as Robert Justin Banes, 29. He lived near 10th and Grand.

Still no word from the police on what this was all about, but look for another story tomorrow on this whole caper that could provide a little more insight.

Rufus Lee Atchley allegedly shot Banes before fleeing to 19th Street, where he holed up most of the day to avoid arrest. They got him. He should appear in court tomorrow.

A deckhand on the Gale Force, a charter boat that runs out of San Pedro and Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, tried to amuse some students last week by chomping on some bait fish for a light-hearted moment.

It went horribly wrong. Jeff Twaddle choked and later died.

Kelly Puente at our sister paper, the Press-Telegram, has the details.