November 2010 Archives

Police arrested three teenagers and recovered $6,000 worth of laptop computers they allegedly stole from a Hawthorne charter school, officers said Tuesday.

The boys -- a 17-year-old and two 16-year-olds -- allegedly broke into Da Vinci Charter School at 13500 South Aviation Blvd. about 12:45 a.m. Monday, Hawthorne police Capt. Mike Ishii said.

Police responding to a burglary alarm spotted the teens running from the school. They surrounded the area and conducted a search with officers and police dogs from Manhattan Beach, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Culver City and Beverly Hills. A Los Angeles police helicopter circled above.

After four hours, police found the teens hiding in a house.

Seven laptop computers stolen from two classrooms were found nearby.

The Hawthorne teens were held on suspicion of burglary at Eastlake Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles.

From City News Service:

We routinely get police statements advising motorists to lock away their belongings in the trunk when they leave their cars. Seems kind of obvious, but it's ridiculous how much crime could be prevented it people just did that.

In the last few days, we've received a whole bunch of notices from police all over the place designed to remind you to simply lock your cars as you head out to holiday shop.

Anyway, Manhattan Beach police made it easy to understand in a release today. Here's some stats on a regular couple of months in one of the most crime-free cities we got.

In September, there were:

• 23 reported thefts from open/unlocked vehicles
• 8 vehicles broken into because of valuables left in plain view

In October, there were:

• 9 reported thefts from open/unlocked vehicles
• 6 vehicles broken into due to valuables left in plain view.

Three South Bay residents drowned when when their small plane crashed into the Newport Beach back bay, the Orange County Coroner's Office said today.

Pilot Chuck Chambers, a 58-year-old real estate agent from Torrance, Russ Urban, a 63-year-old retired schoolteacher from Rancho Palos Verdes, and Sean Kelly, 44, of Hermosa Beach died in the Sunday evening crash.

They were returning to Torrance from a surfing trip to Mexico when Chambers' Beechcraft Musketeer developed a fuel problem and crash landed in the water. The plane flipped over and came to rest upside down.

Autopsies determined each man suffered the same fate.

The El Segundo Police Officers Association is looking for families in their city to help for the holidays.

Police Officer Chris Cameron, vice president of the association, said officers are hoping to help a family facing tough times, perhaps parents who have been laid off from work and cannot afford holiday gifts for their children.

"We did this probably five or six years ago," Cameron said. "We were able to make a difference to them."

Police are looking for one to three families that can be assisted in some way.

"Families who need it the most," Cameron said. "I think everybody knows somebody."

Families who wish to apply or people who want to suggest someone else should e-mail Cameron at ccameron@elsegundo.org.

Two men driving through El Segundo were arrested when officers found six pounds of marijuana and $33,000 cash in their truck, police said Tuesday.

Michael Eric Murphy Jr., 29, of Hayfork (left) and Bryan Christian Coronado, 24, were arrested Monday evening, El Segundo police Lt. Ray Garcia said.

Police officers spotted the men about 5 p.m. when they were called to the 200 block of Sheldon Street on a report of two suspicious men driving a black pick up truck, Garcia said.
Officers pulled the truck over and searched the truck.

During the search, officers found the marijuana and cash inside the truck.

One of the men claimed he possessed the marijuana for medical purposes, and represented a group selling the pot to medical marijuana clinics, Garcia said.


The men said they were stopping to visit a friend, but would not provide a name, Garcia said.

Murphy and Coronado were arrested on suspicion of possessing and transporting marijuana for the purpose of sales.

The men were booked at the El Segundo Police Department jail and held on $25,000 bail.

A woman found dead on the rooftop balcony of a Hermosa Beach home was identified Saturday as a 20-year-old Los Angeles woman.

Alena Helen Masteruk was discovered about noon Wednesday at a male friend's residence in the 300 block of Ocean View Avenue, the coroner's office said.

Masteruk had arrived at the residence about 3 a.m. that day. He found her lifeless body later. He called 911. Firefighters pronounced her dead at the scene.

Coroner's Lt. Brian Elias said a cause of death is deferred, pending results of toxicology tests.

A man was stabbed in the neck during a fight early Saturday at a Carson bar.

The fight broke out at Eclipse Night Club at Carson and Dolores streets about 1 a.m., deputies said.

Someone pulled a knife and stabbed the victim.

The victim underwent surgery at a hospital and is expected to recover.

One man was taken into custody on a warrant. Deputies are continuing to investigate the stabbing.

About 80 people were in the club at the time.

A journalist friend at the Gazette in Colorado Springs made me aware of this story. It isn't a South Bay crime, but it's Fort Carson, so we'll pretend. 

Just got word from the LAPD that a man wanted for allegedly shooting at police officers in San Pedro on Wednesday is in custody. He was arrested a short time ago in San Pedro.

The search in San Pedro ended about 1 a.m. The suspect was not found. If police release more today about who he is, we'll let you know.

Hermosa Beach police sent this over about an hour ago:

On November 17, 2010 a 20 year old female arrived at a residence in the 300 block of Ocean View Avenue. The female victim arrived at the residence at approximately 3am.

At approximately 1200 hours, the male resident located his female friend lifeless on the home's rooftop balcony. He then called 911 and the HBFD pronounced her dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office recovered the body and will determine the cause of death.

Anyone with information about the victim is urged to contact Detective Jon Sibbald (310)318-0341 orjsibbald@hermosapolice.org

That San Pedro search is still ongoing. We'll update you in the morning. 

I have people telling me the Harbor Freeway on and offramp is closed because of the shooting in San Pedro, but it might just be the entrance to the westbound Vincent Thomas Bridge.......More in a bit.

Either way, it's a place to avoid right now.

A search is underway in a San Pedro neighborhood for a man who exchanged gunfire with a police officer.

No one was hurt in the 12:45 p.m. shooting near Santa Cruz Avenue and Gaffey Street, Los Angeles police Deputy Chief Patrick Gannon said.

Police received a report of a man with a gun and encountered him when they responded. The suspect fired two rounds at an officer, who returned fire, Los Angeles police Officer Julianne Sohn said.

Police have surrounded a 4-square-block area to search for the shooter.

Traffic is reportedly at a standstill.

"They have all of Gaffey shut down. The freeway is shut down," said Barbara Zamitiz, owner of the Gaffey Street Diner. "The freeway dumps on Gaffey. They got everybody diverting off to the other off-ramps. It's pretty tight."

Zamitiz, who has several police officers as customers, said she was told officers know where the shooter is hiding.

"I think they have an idea who did it," she said.

Police SWAT officers have surrounded the area. Helicopters are searching above. California Highway Patrol officers are directing traffic.

"On that street over there, there is a little gang, so who knows, maybe it's one of them guys," Zamitiz said. "I hope they get the guy. That's not right to be shooting at the police. They are here to help us."

A search is underway in a San Pedro neighborhood for a man who exchanged gunfire with a police officer.

No one was hurt in the 12:45 p.m. shooting near Santa Cruz Avenue and Gaffey Street, Los Angeles police Deputy Chief Patrick Gannon said.

Police received a report of a man with a gun and encountered him when they responded. The suspect fired two rounds at an officer, who returned fire, Los Angeles police Officer Julianne Sohn said.

Police have surrounded a 4-square-block area to search for the shooter.

Here's the official complaint filed against Rancho Palos Verdes resident Bruce Beresford-Redman, who has been arrested and charged with killing his wife, Monica, during a Mexican vacation.

It's an interesting read that includes much of the evidence against him to say why he should be extradited to Mexico to face the murder charge.

Mexican extradition - Beresford Redman complaint.pdf

Ok, here's the stench:

The Fire Department has identified the issue. There is an open large sewer pipe at 250th Street and Western Avenue in the city of Lomita. Los Angeles County Public Works will be handling the situation.

Torrance police just put this out:

The Police and Fire Departments are getting a lot of calls into our 911 center asking about the "sulfur" or "rotten egg" smell in central and east Torrance. We smell it here at the Police Department too. At this time all we can say is that the Fire Department is investigating the smell and we are contacting the surrounding cities. At this time we don't have a "confirmed" answer, but we are investigating and will advise...

Animal Control officers in El Segundo are looking for the owners of a tortoise that was found wandering the city's streets last week.

The African Spurred Tortoise appeared in good health as it roamed in the 800 block of Lomita Street on Nov. 2.

Anyone with information about the owner should contact El Segundo police Sgt. Tony de la Rambelje at 310-524-2298.

The African Spurred Tortoise is found in the Sahara Desert in Africa. It is not an endangered species and does not require a state permit to possess.

*UPDATE: Owner came forward.....

A father said Thursday he hopes police can find a driver who struck his 11-year-old son outside Calle Mayor Middle School in Torrance and drove away.

Jay Ataka said his son, Makoto, was hit Tuesday as he rode his bicycle to school about 9:10 a.m.

The driver of a black Toyota Sequoia sport utility vehicle pulled out of the school onto Calle Mayor and hit him, Ataka said.

The vehicle knocked the boy over and rolled over his leg, which was broken. Ataka suspects the female driver had just dropped off students at the school.

The motorist sped away.

"That should not happen in our community," Ataka said. "We don't need that."
Ataka is offering a reward.

Torrance police Sgt. Jeremiah Hart said anyone with information about what happened should contact Torrance police at 310-328-3456.

The FBI just issued this statement on the Silah boys' return to Southern California:

On Wednesday evening, Greg, Zaven and Alexander Silah were returned to the United States from the Netherlands, accompanied by their mothers. The boys were reunited with their mothers over last weekend after traveling overseas with FBI agents, following the safe recovery of the boys. The fathers of the boys remain in custody in the Netherlands awaiting the next step in the international legal process. The men face parental kidnapping charges in the United States. Links to the updated posters are below:

At the request of the family, no press conference is currently planned and no official interviews are being done at this time. The family provided the following statement:

"On Monday, November 7th 2010 -- 2 years, 4 months and 4 days after Christine and Zanni last spoke to their children, they were re-united. Alex, Greg and Zaven have returned home to their families who love them and have missed them very much.

Both Zanni and Christine kindly ask your patience with requests for direct interviews and statements during this emotional time. Both families appreciate the media attention to this case and the dignity and privacy afforded them while they were re-introduced to their loved ones.

Both Christine and Zanni -- as well as their familIes, want to thank the FBI; agents James Davidson and Dario Duarte, in particular, the U.S. Attorney's Office, LAPD and the District Attorney for their tireless work. And to the governments and law enforcement agencies of Greece and the Netherlands for their efforts and resources, without which their sons wouldn't be standing here today. And lastly, they want to thank all of their family, friends and strangers who prayed for Alex, Greg and Zaven's safe return. "All of our prayers were answered."

I had the opportunity the other day to be a talking head on Prime News on HLN. The broadcast did the Silah family story,  how after 2 1/2 years, two mothers finally were going to get their children back. (By the way, I've heard that they've arrived home.)

This interview was done live over Skype and my laptop computer, so it doesn't look real good and neither do I. But it's a good story and I was glad to be part of telling it.

I recorded this on my DVR at home, but there's no way I know to transfer it onto a DVD. If anyone knows how, let me know. I sat in front of it with my iPhone and recorded this, so it's shaky and crooked. So sorry about the quality.

Help Find Missing Silah Boys, a website started 2 1/2 years ago when two Westchester men failed to return their sons to their mothers after custody visits, has photographs of the reunion of the boys and their mothers in The Netherlands over the weekend. Authorities arrested the boys' fathers last week.

Detectives are trying to find three men who burst into a downtown Los Angeles business and robbed customers and employees of more than $6,000 cash.

"This was such a brazen robbery," Los Angeles police Lt. Paul Vernon said. "Thankfully, no one was hurt, this time."

The crime occurred about 4:10 p.m. Oct. 29. Three men carrying guns burst into the California Liquidators at 664 South Santa Fe Ave. One wore a Halloween mask, while the other two covered their faces with dark hoodies.

The robbers shoved their guns into the customers' and employees' faces. 

The robbers fled in a white or silver Toyota Camry they parked in the loading area.
No one was injured in the robbery.

Anyone with information should call Los Angeles police Detective Al Rasch  at 213- 972-1245.

Ahmed Azam, president of the Islamic Center of Hawthorne, sent this e-mail about the opening of the South Los Angeles sheriff's station, which serves Lawndale, where he lives:

The grand opening of the new South Los Angeles Sheriff's station was a spectacular event and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The messages delivered by the speakers were motivating and all shared common topics of police responsibilities, unity, and community involvement. By educating the community and its leaders about safety, I believe that the law enforcement will better protect the lives of the citizens.

All of us have common goals, so it makes sense if we all work together to establish and implement them. For example we all want to improve the education system in order to keep our kids away from crime, and have safer neighborhoods. It is very clear that the law enforcement will get much better results if they do a better job in educating the community by conducting more seminars about awareness resulting in more feedback.

I encourage the law enforcement to build stronger and trusted relationships with the community through community leaders and active members from all majorities, minorities and faith groups.

I've learned that students at EF International Language School in Redondo Beach do a regular YouTube newscast. Here's part 1 of their latest with extensive coverage that follows my Oct. 31 story "Partying to Death," The story was about how some students at the school rent party buses and engage in underage drinking while on board.

I will note that the students' English is terrific and they've definitely learned the American art of blaming the media.....

Residents can tour the South Los Angeles sheriff's station today during an open house at the new facility.

The program will begin at 10 a.m. at 1310 W. Imperial Highway.

The station has replaced the Lennox station on Lennox Boulevard, which served the area for more than 50 years. The facility provides policing services for Lawndale and the unincorporated areas of El Camino Village, Lennox, Del Aire and Athens

Sheriff Lee Baca and other city and county officials will be on hand for the official grand opening. The station actually opened for business in September.

The Sheriff's Department will display helicopters, the SWAT team, police dogs, vehicles, the bomb squad, and horse unit.

Hawthorne resident Iraldo Elizundia sent this e-mail about my article on Henry Earl Duncan, a man who's been in prison since 1986 for killing a Redondo Beach woman at a Los Angeles International Airport restaurant. He'd been on death row, but will resentenced next month to life in prison without parole.

Here's Iraldo's letter:

This is in response to yesterday's article entitled "Convicted Killer To Be Resentenced." As I read your article, I couldn't help but get an eerie sense of deja vu. You see I, too, worked for Marriott-Host International in the restaurant at LAX Airport's Terminal 2 during the summer of 1984 and I still remember Henry Earl Duncan and Josephine Eileen DeBaun (we all knew her as Eileen)

It was June of 1984 and I had just turned 18. I was freshly graduated from High School when I took this summer job at the airport before continuing my studies in architecture at El Camino Community College that following Fall. My job title at the time was that of a utility worker making $4/hr, mainly assisting the restaurant's bartender as a bar back washing out dirty beer glasses, stocking the bar with liquor, and replacing the pressurized soda lines with fresh soda when empty.

I have never forgotten Eileen. She was beautiful, inside and out. I remember thinking back then how lucky I was to have such a pretty boss. She was kind not only to me, but to all of the other employees. She was liked and respected by us all. Henry Duncan, on the other hand, came across to me as being cold and uncaring. I noticed he was disliked as well by some of my fellow co-workers at the time whom I had become friends with.

Lifeguards have begun a search for a missing diver in the ocean off Redondo Beach.

The diver was with three other divers off the shore at Ruby Street when he disappeared about 12:50 p.m., police and lifeguards said.

The other divers are safe.

A man robbed a Bank of America branch today in Torrance, police said.

The crime occurred about 2:50 p.m. at the branch at Hawthorne Boulevard and Carson Street, Torrance police Lt. Devin Chase said.

The man handed a note to the teller. He pretended to have a gun.

No other information was immediately available.

Customs officers found 18.4 pounds of opium worth more than $108,000 concealed inside rattan furniture at a Los Angeles International Airport air cargo consignment facility, authorities said Thursday.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers made the discovery on Monday as they examined a shipment from Thailand that was listed as a rocking chair, the agency said in a statement.

The freight actually was 22 small rattan stools, each of which showed anomalies when X-rayed. An intensive examination revealed a dark substance inside that tested positive for opium.

One chair contained eight packages of opium that weighed a combined 14.7 pounds. Opium also was found in the upper rims of the stools.

Additionally, in the upper rims of all the remaining stools.

Police arrested an auto theft suspect tonight to end a two-hour search in a San Pedro neighborhood. 

The man was captured about 5:30 p.m., hiding near 10th Street and Pacific Avenue, Los Angeles police Lt. David McGill said.

Police officers were on the lookout throughout the day for a Honda that had been reported stolen near 20th Street and Pacific.

Officers spotted it in an alley near 8th Street about 3:30 p.m. They tried to stop the driver, but he sped away, leading a chase to 10th Street, where he abandoned the car and ran.

Officers surrounded the area, called in police dogs and eventually found him.

His name was not immediately available. He was held on suspicion of auto theft.

Police are searching a large area around 11th Street and Pacific Avenue in San Pedro for an auto theft suspect.

Traffic is apparently being affected, so you might take another route.

Prosecutors have dismissed a vehicular manslaughter charge against a Torrance woman who caused a fatal crash in West Los Angeles that she blamed on a computer-system malfunction in her Lexus.

The Los Angeles Times' Stuart Pfeifer has the story.

A 54-year-old man was found dead Monday in a restroom near the entrance to the Hermosa Beach pier, police said.

The death appeared to be from natural causes, but an autopsy will be performed. The man, who was fully clothed, was believed to be homeless, police said.

Someone who walked into the restroom discovered the man about 3:20 p.m.

The man's name was not released pending notification of next of kin.

Police released sketches Monday of two men sought for posing as construction workers to get into South Bay residents' homes to commit burglaries.

The men have struck in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles and in Temple City, El Segundo police Lt. Ray Garcia said.

During crimes Oct. 21 and 22 in El Segundo, a man wearing a yellow hard hat, boots and carrying a clipboard knocked on doors and told residents there was a broken sewer line in the area.

He said he needed to check the homes for sewage and water leaks, and asked the residents to run the water in the back yard while he inspected the house.

While in the houses, he ransacked the bedrooms and took small items.

The victims were more than 75 years old.

A similar crime occurred Oct. 22 in Manhattan Beach
.
The man in the hard hat was described as Latino, 40 to 50 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 175 pounds. He had weathered and wrinkled skin.

The burglar fled in a brown compact pickup truck. Another man seen with him was described as Latino, 30 to 35 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 230 to 250 pounds.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Hugo Perez at 310-524-2216.

Here's a photograph that didn't run with my Sunday story "Partying to death" about the EF International Language School students drinking activities.

Last Thursday, photographer Brad Graverson and I staked out the school to take photos for the article. Police made an arrest while we were there. This is Jeremy Touche, who is accused of providing the alcohol that led to the death of Mikkel Christian Andersen, 17, on the Harbor Freeway.

A lot of people are interested in this case, so here's the latest. I had on calendar that Lawrence Saks was supposed to be sentenced today, but that's not going to happen. It's now set for Dec. 6 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Saks is a former Torrance and San Pedro cosmetic surgeon who double-billed with false insurance claims and also practiced while claiming disability. Saks has a previous conviction for tax evasion.