August 2011 Archives

A Hawthorne man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting his girlfriend in the arm, police said today.

Ronald Wilson, 51, allegedly shot the woman Sunday afternoon at an apartment in the 13800 block of Cerise Avenue, but no one called the police and she did not seek treatment, Hawthorne police Lt. Gary Tomatani said.

Police received information about the crime Monday evening, but could not locate the woman or her boyfriend.

Officers repeatedly checked the building for a car the couple used and spotted it at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. Police followed the car to a vocational school the woman attended. The boyfriend, who was driving, dropped her off.

Detectives followed the car and arrested Wilson.  They met with the woman at the school, where she initially denied being shot. She changed her story about what happened during questioning, Tomatani said.

Paramedics treated her and she was taken to a hospital.

Detectives later searched the apartment and recovered evidence that a shooting had occurred there, Tomatani said.

Wilson was booked at the Hawthorne jail on suspicion of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon.

Police arrested two men Tuesday in El Segundo with stolen catalytic converters in the back of their van, but the victims of the thefts remain unknown.

Juan Hernandez, 34, left, and Ricardo Jimenez, 49, allegedly stole the devices from vehicles somewhere between 69th Street and Central Avenue in Los Angeles and El Segundo, police said.

The men told police they were headed to sell the catalytic converters in Long Beach, but stopped in El Segundo to steal more, El Segundo police Lt. Raymond Garcia said.

Officers, however, spotted them driving through the residential area of El Segundo at 1:50 a.m. and followed them.

Once they were stopped, officers found the catalytic converters in their white 1993 GMC Safari van, along with numerous 14mm sockets and wrenches commonly used to unbolt the devices from vehicles.

 Hernandez provided officers with a false name, but was later determined to be a wanted parole violator, Garcia said.

Detectives are now trying to identify the theft victims, who live outside of El Segundo.
Thieves have targeted catalytic converters for years, primarily from Toyota sport utility vehicles, because they can sell the precious metals inside them.

Police asked anyone with information about the thefts to call Detective Luke Muir at 310-524-2263.

I only caught the tail end of a discussion in an Airport courtroom this morning at the Gary DeVaughn LaBon trial, but I saw enough of his argument last week to know what was happening.

It's one of those things that makes you just say, "Are you kidding me?"

LaBon, 50, is charged with raping and attempting to kill a then-69-year-old woman collecting aluminum cans in the middle of the night in her Hawthorne neighborhood.

LaBon allegedly punched her in the face so many times as she lay on the ground, the victim suffered brain damage. Her son testified on Friday that his mother cannot speak, sit up or feed herself. She was perfectly healthy before the attack and now is in a nursing home.

He cried as he spoke. Tears welled in my eyes too.

A motorist speeding erratically on a Gardena street struck a woman in the roadway and drove away, police said today.

The woman died at a hospital.

Police said the woman was struck shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday on Rosecrans Avenue between Budlong and Normandie avenues. Officers found her lying in the street with severe injuries.

Witnesses told police that a motorist driving erratically hit the woman at a high-rate of speed, Gardena police Lt. Steve Prendergast said.

The driver, who did not stop, was in a gray Honda believed to be a 2000 or 2001 four-door Civic or Accord. The car's driver's door mirror sheared off and the car should have damage to the left front end.

Witnesses described the driver as a male Latino, 25 to 30 years old, with a medium to heavy build and short or shaved hair. He had at least two passengers.

The woman, who died at County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, was not identified pending notification of relatives.

"The Gardena Police Department is urging the driver of the Honda to do what is right and contact us," Prendergast said.

I dropped by an Airport courtroom this afternoon where jury selection was underway for the trial of a man accused of raping and nearly killing a woman on a Hawthorne street. The victim was attacked as she collected cans from trash containers.

The accused rapist does not have a lawyer. He is representing himself, so I figure this should be interesting. I don't know about his law background, but I learned quickly that he needs to take a 12th grade U.S. Government refresher course.

I suspected the case was close to starting so I took a chair in the corner of the audience area and waited for the prosecutor and defendant to finish picking the jury.

About 3:20, the judge decided it was time for a break and sent the prospects out to the hallway. Before they were called back in, the defendant asked the judge who the gentleman in the corner was.

The judge asked me to identify myself, so I did.

As so many do, the defendant apparently had a problem with me. He told the judge he had not been notified that I would be there.

"At this time I object to him being here," he said, adding he would have more information Thursday morning on why I should be excluded.

The judge then explained to him about America and the public courtroom.

This case should get underway Thursday. I'll be there.

A Gardena man man pleaded guilty today to brutally raping and killing a 76-year-old great-grandmother out for her morning walk in El Camino Village four years ago.

Thedward Candler's plea in a Torrance courtroom meant he avoided a trial and the chance prosecutors would seek the death penalty against him for the shocking 2007 slaying of Severa Madrona.

Judge James Brandlin will sentence the 28-year-old to spend his life in prison without any chance of parole on Oct. 4.

"It was a terrible tragedy," Candler's attorney, John Allan said. "This was an appropriate outcome for this case."

Back in February, I took a vacation to New Orleans and Memphis. While in Memphis, I visited Graceland, one of the true highlights of the trip.

If you haven't been there, go. It's fascinating even if you aren't an Elvis fan. You see his home -- still furnished like the 1970s -- the grounds, museums full of memorabilia, his costumes and cars. You can even roam through the aisles of his private jets.

I was 13 when Elvis died on this date in 1977 and never really got into the music, but since my visit to Graceland I've rented his 1968 TV special, downloaded some songs, and last night sat watching some videos on YouTube of his final concert. Even though Elvis was obviously sick, the performances were pretty amazing.

There weren't many people at Graceland when I visited Feb. 7. It was snowing and about 28 degrees in the vacation off-season. I stood at Elvis' grave for about 10 minutes, taking it in.

The mansion and grounds were expected to be packed today with fans commemorating the 34th anniversary of Elvis' death. I never really had planned to go there, but I'm glad I did.

Here's a short cell phone video I shot that morning at the gravesite:

Manhattan Beach police are working to identify the owners of five recently stolen bicycles.

The bicycles were discovered Aug. 2 when police investigating bike thefts stopped a pickup truck containing them and other property.

Three men and a boy were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and grand theft. They were identified as Daniel Romero, 22, of Long Beach; Frederick Caampued, 23; Nelson Tomaneng, 21; and a 17-year-old boy, all of Carson.

Police recovered six bicycles, but identified only one the owners.

Residents suspecting they were victims should contact detectives at 310-802-5120.

The thefts likely occurred on Aug 1 and 2 in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Crime is now following me. I was just buying a few things in the self-check aisle at Ralphs in El Segundo when I heard a commotion behind me.

I guess some guy filled a cart, pulled into one of the stations, grabbed some booze hidden in it, and ran out the door without paying.

I heard the clerk shout, "Sir, I need that," and chase after him. Other store workers did too with their cell phones. I don't know for sure, but it seemed like they got his license number and maybe photos of him. I asked one employee as I left, "Did you get him?" "Yep," she said.

I, of course, finished paying for my stuff and left before police arrived. I'll check the El Segundo crime blotter this week and see if they caught him.

Hundreds of sheriff's deputies and police officers from throughout Southern California will honor Hawthorne police Officer Andrew Garton Saturday with a Motorcycle Benefit Ride.

Deputies at the South Los Angeles Sheriff's station annually sponsor the ride, which honors fallen police officers by providing 100 percent of the proceeds to their families. Officers who suffer serious injuries on duty also benefit.

South Los Angeles deputies decided to honor Garton, a 44-year-old officer killed May 26. Garton died after he and an El Segundo police sergeant collided on their motorcycles while escorting a funeral procession for a Manhattan Beach officer who died of cancer.

Garton was the first officer killed in the line of duty in the 89-year-history of the Hawthorne force.

Garton's two young sons will lead the ride, which begins in Baldwin Park. A ceremony will feature a traditional bagpiper, a fly over from the Aero Bureau, and a U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard demonstration.

The motorcycle procession will ride to Long Beach, where participants will find a classic car show, a raffle, food and music.

The opening ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. at Laidlaw's Harley Davidson, 1919 Puente Ave. in Baldwin Park.

The ride will continue to the Gaslamp Restaurant and Bar, 6251 E. Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, where there will be a raffle, bands and a car show.

A Lawndale gardener was sentenced Friday to spend 27 years to life in prison for hacking a roommate to death and maiming another man with a machete in their home last year.

Carlos Humberto Arias Donis, 26, sat quietly in Torrance Superior Court, listening to a Spanish interpreter as Judge Mark Arnold imposed the sentence.

Donis will not be eligible for parole for 27 years, but his release is unlikely because of the serious nature of his crimes.

More on dailybreeze.com later. Working on the story now.

Family and friends of Harbor City resident Michella Matasso, who was killed by a drunken driver in 2006, will celebrate her birthday with an all-day fundraiser Saturday at Bob's Big Boy at 24021 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance.

The restaurant will donate 20 percent of its profits to the Michella Matasso Memorial Scholarship Fund at South High School. Reservations are unnecessary, but participants must print a flier about the promotion and present it to the server.

A copy is available below. Click on it to make it bigger.

Donations also can be made to the scholarship fund by sending checks to South High School, 4801 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505. The check should be made out to the "Michella Matasso Memorial Scholarship Fund."

Matasso was killed Jan. 7, 2006 when a wrongway drunken driver plowed into her car on the 15 Freeway in Rancho Bernardo. She had married U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Eric Fincannon three months earlier.

The crash also killed 18-year-old West High School soccer standout Allison Dewart of Torrance.

Matasso's family is expected to be at the restaurant about 1 p.m.

Police are trying to find out who struck and killed a 75-year-old pedestrian walking in a San

Pedro crosswalk and drove away.

Chong Min, right, of San Pedro was walking southbound in a crosswalk on Mesa Street about 7:05 p.m. Saturday when a white minivan going westbound on Third Street struck him, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Min suffered a skull fracture, was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead, said Los Angeles police Sgt. Ruben Vega of the South Traffic Division.

The driver never stopped to help or identify himself or herself, police said.

Anyone with information about the driver or incident was asked to call LAPD's South Traffic Division Investigator Martin at (323) 421-2500 or (877) LAPD-24-7 during non-business hours.

I usually run checkpoint notices in the paper on Fridays. I didn't realize this one was tonight.

So, if you're in Inglewood and drunk or don't have a license, police will be conducting a DUI and driver's license checkpoint from 7 tonight to 3 a.m. Friday on Arbor Vitae Street at Eucalyptus Avenue.

Just don't drink and drive.

Hermosa Beach beat reporter Douglas Morino reports today that officials plan to crack down on those of you who drink at the city's bars and choose to relieve yourselves in parking lots and planters.

"The City Council is expected to embark on a public education campaign to remind revelers flocking to the city's beach-side bars that succumbing to the urge to empty their bladders in the city's shadows is illegal."

A ticket will cost you $500, so you might want to find a toilet or hold it until you get home.

Body found down the cliff at Point Fermin in San Pedro.

A man was shot and critically wounded as he walked along a Lawndale sidewalk Wednesday, deputies said.

Bullets struck the unidentified man about 7 a.m. as he walked on the northbound side of Hawthorne Boulevard at 153rd Street.

A gunman in a car pulled up next to him, fired several shots and took off. The victim was taken to a hospital, South Los Angeles sheriff's Lt. Al Ortiz said.

"We don't know what his circumstance was at the time," Ortiz said. "We've still got a lot of questions to answer."

A vehicle matching its description was found abandoned on a side street a few blocks away. It had been reported stolen, Ortiz said.

The vehicle was taken to the Sheriff's Departments crime lab to be examined for evidence.

Sheriff's deputies do not know the motive for the crime or if the victim had an affiliation with any gang.

"We have not confirmed that or ruled it out yet," Ortiz said. "Only the victim can tell us and the victim is seriously injured."

Detectives also had not determined whether the victim had any link to businesses along the block.

Deputies asked anyone with information about the shooting to call investigators at 323-820-6700.

Police arrested a Los Angeles man and seized about $500,000 worth of counterfeit Louis Vuitton, Coach and Gucci purses that were being sold in the South Bay, officers said Wednesday.

A Torrance police investigation into counterfeit merchandise took officers to a location in the 1700 block of San Pedro Street in Los Angeles, where they served a search warrant on Monday and found more than 500 purses, handbags and wallets, Torrance police Sgt. Steven Jenkinson said.

Demba Camara, 37, was arrested on suspicion of possession of counterfeit merchandise.

Torrance police community lead officers, sheriff's deputies and federal agents with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement department conducted the investigation.

Detectives are trying to identify a robber who held a Gardena market's employees at gunpoint while demanding cash.

The robbery, which was captured on video, occurred July 20 at Paisano Meats, 1521 W. Rosecrans Ave., Gardena police Sgt. Steve Prendergast said.

The robber pointed his gun at employees, and forced a female worker to take him to the manager's office. He held the manager and employe at gunpoint while demanding money.

The man was described as a Latino, in his early 20s, 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds.

He wore dark-colored pants, a dark sweat shirt and a baseball cap that appears to have a "P" on it like the Philadelphia Phillies insignia.

Police asked anyone with information to call Detective Mike Ross at 310-217-9635. Anonymous tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers USA at 800-222-TIPS.

The Redondo Beach Police Officers Association has donated $500 to help pay for the funeral expenses for Jeremy Perez, the 7-year-old boy killed in the Albertsons parking lot last week.

Sgt. Dave Taneman, president of the association, said officers wanted to step forward and help the community and the family.

I received a phone call today from Trina Goodwin, mother of 7-year-old Jeremy Perez, who was killed in an accident Friday in the Albertsons parking lot in Redondo Beach.

My story in Tuesday's paper had the wrong location for the public memorial to be held on the sand at Manhattan Beach.

The memorial is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at 28th Street and The Strand.

I have fixed it in the online versions.

Jeremy died when an Albertsons delivery truck backing into a loading dock area ran him over. Police are continuing to investigate.

Jeremy, who lived with his mother about a half-block from the store, was riding his bicycle to visit her on her break. She began working there four days earlier.

"He was just my baby and he was just a wonderful child," the mother said, crying as she spoke. "Everybody in the community loved him and knew him."

Jeremy, she said, was a "very good skateboarder." He caught his first fish at Canyon Lake last week. He had just gotten his bike fixed two days earlier and was excited to ride it, she said.

"I really, really loved him," she said. "He is always going to be in my heart and I will always miss him."

Police have arrested one of two suspected robbers who held up a Lowe's home improvement store in Torrance, officers said today.

The crime occurred when the store closed at 10 p.m. Monday, Torrance police Sgt. Steven Jenkinson said.

Two men with handguns entered the business at 22255 Western Ave., went to the business office and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, Jenkinson said.

Someone inside contacted police by setting off a robbery alarm.

The robbers fled in a gray sport utility vehicle, which officers found on Denker Avenue near 223rd Street in Harbor Gateway.

Officers pulled the car over. One man inside was arrested on suspicion of robbery. His name was not immediately released as detectives work to identify the other robber.

A driver told police Monday that a stuck accelerator caused her to crash into a coin-operated laundry in Inglewood.

Police officers, however, were skeptical.

The crash occurred about 4:35 p.m. as the woman exited the Century (105) Freeway at Prairie Avenue. The woman, accompanied by her husband in the passenger seat, and two children the back seat, told police the gas pedal stuck on the off-ramp, Inglewood police Sgt. Robert Richmond said.

The husband took control of the steering wheel and rolled the car across Prairie, into the driveway and into the Prairie Coin Laundry, 11154 S. Prairie Ave.The silver Pontiac Grand Am hit the post between two plate glass windows at the laundry. The windows shattered.

A pipe also burst.

The children were all right, but the adults in the car complained of pain. No one in the laundry was hurt.

Structural engineers were examining the building Monday evening.

Richmond said police were investigating the crash and the couple's story. The driver might have simply been driving too fast as she exited the freeway, he said.

I spent a couple hours out the memorial growing at the Albertsons supermarket on Artesia Boulevard in Redondo Beach. There's a 20-foot-long display of flowers, candles, stuffed animals, candles and photographs growing out there where 7-year-old Jeremy Perez died. Jeremy was hit by an Albertsons truck on Friday.

My updated story will appear a little later on dailybreeze.com.

But for now you can begin donating money if you like to help Jeremy's family pay for his funeral.

Donations to the Jeremy Perez Memorial Fund can be made at any of the 11 Wells Fargo Bank branches in the South Bay in care of bank vice president Jamal B. Shofani and account number 5180865940.

Donations made online should be made in Shofani's name with the account number.

*UPDATE: Family members have set a public memorial service on the beach at 20th 28th Street and The Strand in Manhattan Beach for 3 p.m. Saturday

I've gone Facebook with a "South Bay Crime and Courts" page. Come join me. It's 2011.

Here's the many ways to get the latest South Bay crime and court-related news:

• Twitter: Follow me @LarryAltman
• Facebook: Link here and click "like" so stories and updates show up on your own Facebook home page.
• Blog: The South Bay Crime and Courts blog.
• Dailybreeze.com: Full stories will appear here.

And, of course, the printed newspaper the next day.

A 76-year-old Manhattan Beach man has been charged with molesting three children from 1981 to 2002, police said Thursday.

Ronald Balmayne was arrested at his home July 26 and charged two days later with committing a lewd act upon a child, and sexual exploitation of a child, Manhattan Beach police Officer Stephanie Martin said.

"Manhattan Beach detectives recently investigated Balmayne for sexual molestation of female children from 1981-2002 and at this time, three victims have been identified," Martin said.

Photographs that Balmayne took of himself engaged in sexually explicit poses with a sleeping child were recently found in his house, a source said.

Police said anyone with information about Balmayne should call Detective John Loy at 310-802-5121.

This is the DMV photo of homicide victim Corey Quinton Wiley, who was shot to death in Hawthorne on Sunday. Wiley lived in Torrance. Full story coming up later on dailybreeze.com.

This is the DMV photo of homicide victim Joseph Beau Lewis, who was found shot to death in Rancho Palos Verdes. Lewis lived in San Pedro. Full story coming up later on dailybreeze.com.

If you see firefighters near the old Coco's restaurant on Hawthorne Boulevard across from Del Amo Fashion Center this afternoon, the Torrance Fire Department is training on buildings that are to be torn down. There is no real fire.

Don't be alarmed.

It's going to be a Fresh and Easy store soon.