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My colleague, Larry Altman, over at the Daily Breeze in Torrance got the scoop today of a ring of burglars busted in some 40 cases from the South Bay to Tarzana. Check out the Crime and Courts blog for more.

A couple of robberies to report from overnight ...

Yesterday at 11:40 a.m. in the 5200 block of Lindley Ave., a man described as white entered the business, pulled a shotgun and demanded cash, before he took off in a stolen tow truck. Police recovered the stolen vehicle and weapon in an alley off of Lindley, but found no suspect.

At 1:10 a.m. today in the 21600 block of Roscoe Blvd., possibly two suspects entered and demanded beer and money from the store clerk. The suspects then attacked the clerk, who pulled out a billyclub and engaged the suspects, who took off. One of the suspects was later located suffering from a head injury as a result of the struggle with the store clerk and was taken to Northridge Hospital. He was booked on a robbery charge. Police were searching for a second person.

Check out the updated San Fernando Valley Crime Map plotting out the locations of significant crimes reported by the LAPD since May.

Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend.

Here are a couple of attempted burglaries from over the weekend.

On Saturday at 1:40 a.m. in the 6500 block of Troost Ave. in North Hollywood, someone entered a home. The victim awoke, yelled at the suspect and chased him out of the residence. No property was taken.

Another one was reported on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. in the 14600 block of Friar Street in Van Nuys. The victim reported that while he was sleeping, someone entered the apartment. The suspect opened the door, then quickly closed the door and took off.

Three people broke into a home and beat up someone on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the 4700 block of Sepulveda Boulevard. The victim stated that on June, 26, 2008 at about 4 p.m. he opened the door and was jumped by three suspects. The suspects hit, choked, and struck the victim on the face with a stick. The suspects spent about 20 minutes inside his residence and removed numerous electronic items and fled in an unknown direction.

Someone was shot in the elbow Friday at 1:05 a.m. in the 18800 block of Strathern Street. The victims were standing in front of their residence when the suspects pulled up in a vehicle. The suspects asked if they were from a gang. The victims told them that they were not in a gang at which time, the driver suspect reached over the passenger and fired one round, striking one of the victims in the elbow. The suspects then sped off.

An armed robbery and a home-invasion robbery from overnight ...

An armed robbery occurred at 9:12 a.m. in the 13900 block of Ventura Boulevard. The victim was standing outside of his store when the suspect pistol-whipped him. The suspect took money from the victim and then entered the store. When the suspect was unable to find any more money, he ran away. The victim was taken to Kaiser Hospital for stitches.

A home-invasion robbery occurred at 12:04 a.m. in the 1200 block of Moorpark Street. The suspects approached the apartment where the victims were at with a handgun, entered and demanded money. The Suspects took off north through the apartment complex with the victim's money.

If you haven't checked out our new Valley Crime Map, you should. It's a list of 92 significant crimes - from homicides, to assaults to shootings, to robberies and burglaries - in the Valley since May. I've been compiling the data and uploading it into a new online database that maps the crimes out by street and allows you, the viewer to, search by neighborhood and get up-to-date information about crime near you.

Thanks to the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Bureau, the information comes to me about daily. I'd like to know what you think about the map and how we can make it more useful. E-mail me with your thoughts.

A couple of robberies from overnight ...

ROBBERY

DATE / TIME: 6/23/08, 2029 hrs LOCATION: Devonshire St. Sepulveda Blvd.
TYPE OF WEAPON: Handgun SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF SUSPECT(S): 1
INJURIES: No TYPE OF INJURIES: None
GANG RELATED: No NOTIFICATIONS: W/C
COMMENTS: The suspect entered the market armed with a handgun. The suspect threatened the cashier with a handgun. The cashier in fear for her safety, gave the suspect the money in the cash register. The suspect then fled the location.

ROBBERY

DATE / TIME: 6/23/08, 2226 hrs LOCATION: San Fernando Mission Blvd/Woodley Ave.
TYPE OF WEAPON: Handgun SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF SUSPECT(S): 1
INJURIES: No TYPES OF INJURIES: None
GANG RELATED: No NOTIFICATIONS: W/C
COMMENTS: The suspect entered the market armed with a handgun. The suspect located the store manager and at gun point directed the manager to the store office. The suspect then ordered the manager to open the store safe, the manager then grabbed for the suspects handgun and a struggle ensued. As a result of the struggle, the handgun was fired 2 times with no injury to anyone. The suspect took the money and fled the location in an unknown direction.

A couple of incidents from over the weekend ...

A home invasion robbery was reported yesterday at 1 a.m. in the 4400 block of Allott Ave. The suspect, described as a black male, forced open the front door of the victim's residence. The suspect pointed a handgun at the victim, demanded property and struck the victim on the head with the handgun. The suspect fled with the victim's purse.

A robbery was reported yesterday at 2:10 a.m. at Erwin Street and Clybourn Avenue. The victim is a pizza delivery employee. After delivering the pizza, the victim walked towards his vehicle when he observed a vehicle stop in the middle of the roadway and three suspects exited. The victim ran towards his vehicle and was immediately surrounded by the gun and knife wielding suspects. They demanded his money and the victim in fear complied. The victim ran in an attempt to escape but was tripped by one of the suspects. The suspects fled in their vehicle with the victim's property.

In addition to the guy getting shot in the butt yesterday afternoon behind the Ralphs, there was a robbery at 8:30 last night at the Sports Authority store at 8700 Tampa Ave. in Northridge. Here's how the police said it went down. The victim and his wife were in the parking lot of the Sports Authority store. As they got out of their vehicle, five 13-17-year-old Hispanic males ran towards them from across the street and surrounded them. One suspect pulled a small handgun from his pocket, pointed it at the ground in front of the victims, and demanded their property. The victims complied and all the suspects ran away and into an apartment complex on Parthenia Street. The victims were not injured.

Also, don't forget to check out the new Valley Crime Map that shows the last month's worth of crimes compiled from LAPD and news reports.

The LAPD's crime report from overnight in the San Fernando Valley ...

VALLEY TOTAL HOMICIDES: 36
GANG RELATED HOMICIDES: 11
VAN NUYS AREA

Homicides = 3
Gang Related Homicides = 1
(Justifiable = 1)
Child annoying
06/17/08
8:15 a.m.
Sherman Way and Sepulveda Boulevard
TYPE OF WEAPON: N/A
# OF SUSPECT (S):1
A 12-year-old victim was waiting for the school bus when a white male pulled up in a silver Toyota and attempted to gain attention. The victim in fear walked away. The suspect pulled into a parking lot and said something crude to the victim. The victim ran towards a sheriff's deputy across the street and the suspect took off north.

Vandalism of police vehicle
06/17/08
3 p.m.
LOCATION: Van Nuys Station
TYPE OF WEAPON: N/A
# OF SUSPECT (S): Unknown
INJURIES: No

Officers discovered unknown suspect(s) had scratched two Xs into the paint of the front and rear passenger doors of the police vehicle. Officers did not see any suspect(s) and were not sure when it occurred. Officers had conducted a vehicle inspection prior to their start of watch and did not observe any damage.

WEST VALLEY AREA
Homicides = 6
Gang Related Homicides = 0
(Justifiable = 1)
Burglary
6/12/08 - 6/14/08
17700 Blk Palora St
TYPE OF WEAPON: Unk
# OF SUSPECT(S): Unk
INJURIES: No

Someone went into the location and took six Picasso paintings worth $100,000. The reporting party is the executor of the estate. The owner of the property is deceased. Detectives are conducting the investigation.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD AREA

Homicides = 11
Gang Related Homicides = 4
(Justifiable = 1)

FOOTHILL AREA
Homicides = 9
Gang Related Homicides = 5
(Justifiable = 1)

DEVONSHIRE AREA
Homicides = 3
Gang Related Homicides = 0
(Justifiable = 0)

MISSION AREA
Homicides = 4
Gang Related Homicides = 1
(Justifiable = 0)

VALLEY TRAFFIC DIVISION
2007/2008
Total Fatals 2008 - 26 people have been killed in 25 collisions
Total Fatals 2007 - 23 people have been killed in 22 collisions
Total Pedestrian Fatals 2008 - 8
Total Pedestrian Fatals 2007 - 5

Fatal traffic crash
DATE/TIME:06/17/08
6:25 p.m.
Deventry St/Rincon Ave
A person was driving east on Daventry when the victim, age 4, ran south onto Daventry colliding with the vehicle. The victim was taken to Pacifica Hospital where the victim died. The victim had gotten away from his family who were unloading their vehicle when he crossed the street unsupervised.

So I updated the Valley Crime Map, compiling a month's worth of information provided by the LAPD's Valley Bureau. You can search by neighborhood to see what crimes have been going near you. Check it out here. And tell me what you think.

The spokesman for the state's Justice Department forwarded me the state's significant cases for May. Included are big weapons, drugs and fraud cases. Enjoy.

CACHE OF WEAPONS AND AMMO FOUND IN PROBATIONER'S RESIDENCE

Special Agents with the Bureau of Firearms (BOF) checked the Armed Prohibited Person System and noted that a subject, Tom Powell, was listed as owning three firearms; however, due to previous criminal conviction he is prohibited from possessing and owning firearms. When agents determined that Powell was on searchable probation out of San Benito County, they conducted a search of his residence and located over 1,300 rounds of ammunition and a large gun safe. Powell told officers he had sold all of his weapons but he could not produce any records regarding the sales. A locksmith was called to the residence and opened the safe where agents retrieved five rifles, four handguns and one shotgun. Powell was arrested while other agents continued the search of the house. Located in the attic were additional weapons, including an unregistered AR-15 assault weapon, a 12-gauge shotgun and a revolver.

COMMERCIAL BRIBERY SCHEME AT CAL CASINO

While Special Agents from the Riverside Office of the Bureau of Gambling Control (BGC) were investigating several management employees of the Pechanga Resort and Casino, the Agents uncovered evidence that floor supervisor, Kathy Zhou, who was recently suspended from her job, was charging casino job applicants $3,000 each to falsify their job applications to secure employment. Agents monitored a telephone conversation between Zhou and one of her "customers," during which she instructed the individual not to say anything to DOJ agents. Zhou admitted to the witness during this conversation that she lied to the agents when they questioned her, and was admonishing everyone involved to "keep their stories straight." Zhou was arrested on charges of commercial bribery and obstructing a criminal investigation.

A couple of robberies to report from yesterday.

A robbery was reported yesterday at 3:30 p.m. in the 14400 block of Victory Boulevard. The manager of a restraunat was walking to his vehicle with cash when he saw two Latino males in a brown vehicle parked in the rear alley. The male passenger, armed with a gun, got out of the vehicle and approached the manager. The manager in fear gave the suspect the cash. The suspects took off north in the rear alley. The suspects pushed a vehicle (parked at the apron of the alley leading into the street) out of the way to escape.

A robbery was reported yesterday at 5:50 p.m. in the 4800 Laurel Canyon Boulevard. The suspect approached the victim behind the counter. The suspect pulled a shotgun and demanded money. The victim, in fear, complied. The suspect got into his vehicle and took off.

A couple of incidents to catch up from last week.

A robbery was reported Wednesday at noon in the 6300 block of Fulton Avenue. Two black male suspects used a small caliber pistol to rob three victims of their property before taking off in an unknown direction.

A take-over robbery was reported Wednesday at 1:25 p.m. in the 12000 block of Ventura Boulevard. The suspect went into a bank, pulled a gun and demanded money. The teller provided the suspect with money. The suspect left the bank into a waiting vehicle.

Someone broke into a home and stole a safe on Thursday sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the 16400 block of Garvin Drive. The thieves broke through a rear door, disabled the alarm and ransacked the house. They took a small portable safe inside the closet which contained jewelry and cash and went out the front door.

A robbery was reported Thursday at 7:20 p.m. at Lorne Street and DeGarmo Avenue. The suspect approached the victim, pointed a gun and demanded property. The victim, in fear, complied and the suspect fled with the victim's property.

LAPD sent this this afternoon. Tally on total homicides in the Valley so far this year is 34, 11 of which are gang related.

Here's a breakdown by division:
VAN NUYS AREA

Homicides = 3
Gang Related Homicides = 1

ATTEMPT ROBBERY
DATE / TIME: 06/09/08, 2010 hours LOCATION: Sepulveda Boulevard/Ventura Boulevard
TYPE OF WEAPON: Bodily Force SUSPECT (S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIM (S): 1 # OF SUSPECT (S): 7
Injuries: No TYPE OF INJURIES: N/A
GANG RELATED: Unknown NOTIFICATIONS: WC
COMMENTS: A victim was on a bus when she observed suspect-1 exit the bus and remove her bicycle from the bus bike rack. As the suspect rode off slowly on her bicycle, the victim chased the suspect and applied the brakes on the bicycle, causing the suspect to fall. The victim wrestled the suspect for control of the bicycle and managed to get away as she rode back towards Ventura Boulevard. Suspects 2-7 threw small rocks in her direction. One rock struck the victim on the back of her head but did not cause any injuries. Victim was able to get on another bus to call the police.

WEST VALLEY AREA
Homicides = 6
Gang Related Homicides = 0
(Justifiable = 1)

NORTH HOLLYWOOD AREA
Homicides = 11
Gang Related Homicides = 4
(Justifiable = 1)

FOOTHILL AREA
Homicides = 9
Gang Related Homicides = 5
(Justifiable = 1)

DEVONSHIRE AREA
Homicides - 3
Gang Related Homicides - 0
(Justifiable - 0)

HOT PROWL
DATE/TIME: 6/9/08, 0945 hours LOCATION: 8700 blk Independence
TYPE OF WEAPON: None SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIMS: 1 # OF SUSPECTS: Unk
INJURIES: No WHAT TYPE OF INJURIES? N/A
GANG RELATED? Unk NOTIFICATIONS: C/O's, OVB, SID
COMMENTS: Unknown person(s) entered an open bedroom window after removing its screen. The unk suspect(s) removing the victims property from the bedroom and did not enter any other room in the house. The victim was in the front of the house during the incident.

MISSION AREA
Homicides = 2
Gang Related Homicides = 1
(Justifiable = 0)

ROBBERY
DATE / TIME: 06/09/08, 0750 hours LOCATION: 14700 blk Rinaldi
TYPE OF WEAPON: verbal threats SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF SUSPECT(S): 1
INJURIES: None TYPES OF INJURIES: None
GANG RELATED: Yes NOTIFICATIONS: W/C
COMMENTS: Suspect entered the Store, selected property and passed the register without making an attempt to pay. Suspect made eye contact with the cashier and stated she had a weapon. Suspect fled on foot with property.

ATTEMPT ROBBERY
DATE / TIME: 06/09/08, 2100 hours LOCATION: 13708 Hubbard
TYPE OF WEAPON: simulated handgun SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF SUSPECT(S): 2
INJURIES: No TYPES OF INJURIES: N/A
GANG RELATED: Unk NOTIFICATIONS: W/C
COMMENTS: Two male suspects (Hispanic or Black, 25 years, nfi) approached the victim in his front yard. Suspect 1 simulated a handgun and attempted to steal a computer from the victim.. The victim refused to relinquish the computer. Suspect fled the location in a vehicle.

ROBBERY
DATE / TIME: 06/10/08, 0551 hours LOCATION: 14000 blk Astoria
TYPE OF WEAPON: gun/bodily force SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF SUSPECT(S): 2
INJURIES: Yes TYPES OF INJURIES: contusions to face and head
GANG RELATED: Unk NOTIFICATIONS: W/C
COMMENTS: Two male suspects approached the victim in an underground parking lot. Suspects pointed a handgun at victim. Suspect's struck the victim in the face with bodily force and stole victim's wallet, cellular phone and currency.

VALLEY TRAFFIC DIVISION
2007/2008
Total Fatals 2008 - 25 people have been killed in 24 collisions
Total Fatals 2007 - 21 people have been killed in 21 collisions
Total Pedestrian Fatals 2008 - 7
Total Pedestrian Fatals 2007 - 5

HATE INCIDENT

DATE / TIME: 6/06/08, 1600 hrs LOCATION: 10800 Hesby Street
COMMENTS: The incident stems from an on-going neighbor dispute.
Suspect left a note on the victim's vehicle that read, "Fxxxx
white u a racist sick = u mind your business!"

BUSINESS ROBBERY
DATE / TIME: 6/8/08, 0226 hrs LOCATION: Saticoy & Lindley
COMMENTS: Two suspects entered the Tacos Mexico at above location, pointed
a gun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk complied and suspect
fled taking U.S. currency.

In a bloody weekend of violence, a dozen people were killed - six in the San Fernando Valley in mostly gang-related crimes.

The victims were killed in five incidents in the central-eastern parts of the San Fernando Valley. Two were gang related, two were unknown and one was a bizarre rear-ender car crash that left the driver and a passenger dead and resulted in the arrest of a DUI suspect.

dailynews.com

The New York Times today has a story about how the medical marijuana law is unintentionally allowing big-time pot growers a good cover.

Police are looking for a man who has gone on a string of cash tray robberies at five businesses.

A serial robber is on the loose, and police are asking for the public's help tracking the suspect down.

The bandit is believed to be responsible for at least five robberies over the past two months in the Mid-City Wilshire and Hollywood area. The robberies occurred at various times of day, and the man pointed a handgun at the clerk each time.

The suspect is described as a White male 25-30 years of age with brown hair. He stands between five feet seven and five feet nine inches tall.

* April, 29, 2008 - At 10:20 p.m., a man wearing a camouflage cap and a grey hooded sweatshirt, walked into the Ardmore Liquor store located at 3rd Street and Ardmore Avenue, picked up a pack of gum and took it to the counter. When the cashier opened the register, the man removed a gun from his waistband, grabbed the entire cash drawer and fled in a burgundy 80's Toyota Camry.

* May 1, 2008 - At 2:50 a.m., the suspect entered a Denny's restaurant located at Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue, where he pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money. The suspect grabbed the entire cash register drawer and ran.

* May 3, 2008 - At 3:20 a.m., the suspect walked into the same Denny's restaurant, this time wearing a wig. He pulled out a handgun, demanded the employee to turn over the money and again took off on foot with the cash register tray.

* May 31, 2008 - At 11 p.m., the suspect walked up to a parking lot attendant near the Beverly Center at La Cienega Boulevard and 3rd Street and robbed the employee at gunpoint once again, the suspect got away with the entire cash register tray.

* June 2, 2008 - At 2:45 p.m., the bandit entered a Chinese restaurant at 2nd Street and Western Avenue. As before, the suspect pulled out a handgun, ordered the clerk to hand over the money and fled with the cash register tray.

Anyone with information about these robberies is urged to call Wilshire Robbery Detective Luis Corona at (213) 922-8266. On off hours, weekends, and holidays calls may be directed to the toll free number 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

From LAPD Valley Bureau ... notes of significant incidents overnight.

ROBBERY

DATE / TIME: 6/5/08, 2130 hrs LOCATION: 5400 block of Beckford
TYPE OF WEAPON: Handgun SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF
SUSPECT(S): 1 male Hispanic
INJURIES: No TYPE OF INJURIES: N/A
GANG RELATED: N/A NOTIFICATIONS: W/C
COMMENTS: The suspect approached the victim, pointed a gun at him and stated, "Give me your watch and empty your pockets." The victim complied. As the suspect was running away, he threw the victim's keys into a nearby bush. No injuries.

HOME INVASION ROBBERY

DATE / TIME: 6/5/08, 2100 hrs LOCATION: 18800 block of Sylvan
TYPE OF WEAPON: Handgun, Knife SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIM(S): 4 # OF
SUSPECT(S): 3 (1 male black, 2 male Hispanics)
INJURIES: No TYPE OF INJURIES: N/A
GANG RELATED: N/A NOTIFICATIONS: W/C
COMMENTS: The suspect entered the Victim's residence pointing a gun and holding knives. The suspects ordered the victims to the floor and ransacked the house. The suspect fled with property and caused about $300 in damage. There were no injuries.

Good morning. Had a SWAT callout last night in Sunland ... Ended with the arrest of the barricaded suspect.

SUNLAND - LAPD SWAT team officers blasted tear gas canisters into a Sunland home today to flush out a 61-year-old man who had threatened his ex- girlfriend with a handgun, then barricaded himself inside for roughly five hours, police said.

The incident began when the man showed up at his ex-girlfriend's house in the 10800 block of Leolang Avenue near Jayseel Street around 8 p.m. Thursday, said an officer at th Los Angeles Police Department's Foothill Station.

dailynews.com

Here's a crime update from LAPD Valley Bureau:

VALLEY TOTAL HOMICIDES: 31
GANG RELATED HOMICIDES: 10

VAN NUYS AREA
Homicides = 3
Gang Related Homicides = 1
(Justifiable = 1)

WEST VALLEY AREA
Homicides = 6
Gang Related Homicides = 0
(Justifiable = 1)

NORTH HOLLYWOOD AREA
Homicides = 10
Gang Related Homicides = 4
(Justifiable = 1)

FOOTHILL AREA
Homicides = 7
Gang Related Homicides = 4
(Justifiable = 1)

A mauling investigation was reported yesterday at 11 a.m. in the 13700 block of Louvre Street. When police arrived, two pit bulls were inside the yard, preventing authorities from entering the location. Fire Department personnel utilized their fire extinguisher and contained the dogs in the back yard. A 2-year old child had been bitten in the face. Officers ensured that the location was clear of all persons and contained the dogs in the back yard. Animal Control arrived and removed the dogs without incident. The child was air lifted to Children's Hospital for serious but not life-threatening injuries to his face.

A LAUSD employee was arrested for soliciting a prostitute last night at 7:30 p.m. at Hansen Dam. Vice officers brought in an arrestee who solicited an undercover male officer at Hansen Dam. The arrestee is an employee for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Initially, it was believed that the arrestee was a teacher, but it was determined that he is a program coordinator who works out of the District Office on Balboa Boulevard. Per RACR, an arrest of this type did not require any notifications to the School District.

An attempted carjacking was reported yesterday at 9 p.m. at Commerce and Valmont. Three suspects forcibly stopped the victim's vehicle, beat the victim with fists and a hammer, and demanded the victim's vehicle, wallet and money. Officers located the suspects and the vehicle in the area of Samoa and Tujunga Canyon, a frequent hang out known by Toonerville gang members. The suspects were booked for 664/215 PC Attempt Carjacking. The victim suffered injuries to his face, cheek, and had swelling to his calf, and bruising.

A pursuit ended yesterday at 10:30 p.m. at Foothill and Gladstone. Officers went in a short pursuit of a suspected DUI driver. The pursuit ended without incident when the suspect pulled over.

DEVONSHIRE AREA
Homicides = 3
Gang Related Homicides = 0
(Justifiable = 0)

A burglary was reported Tuesday sometime between 5 and 9 p.m. at 10400 Nevada Street. The suspect entered the residence through an unlocked sliding glass door in the kitchen area. The suspect took the victim's purse from the kitchen table and took off. The victim was in another room at the time of the incident.

An attempted robbery and assault was reported this morning at 1:45 a.m. at 17503 Tribune St. One suspect simulated a gun and demanded the victim's money. The victim stated, 'Are you serious?' Then a second suspect punched the victim, causing him to fall to the ground. Both suspects began punching the victim as the first suspect stabbed the victim while the second suspect attempted to take the victim's property. The suspects took off running as the victim was following them. The suspects got into a car and disappeared. The victim discovered he was bleeding and was taken to a local hospital and treated for cuts to his forearm and puncture wounds to his torso. The victim is in stable condition.

MISSION AREA
Homicides = 2
Gang Related Homicides = 1
(Justifiable = 0)

A use of force was reported this morning at 3:22 a.m. at 14424 Kingsbury. The suspect was involved in an attempted rape of his wife. Officers responded to suspect's residence in response to a radio call. The suspect refused to get out of his residence and speak with officers. Officers were informed there was a shotgun and handgun within the residence. Ultimately after repeated requests the suspect reluctantly got out of his home but refused to comply with officers' commands. Police used beanbag rounds and bodily force to take him into custody.

VALLEY TRAFFIC DIVISION
2007/2008
Total Fatals 2008 - 23 people have been killed in 23 collisions
Total Fatals 2007 - 20 people have been killed in 20 collisions
Total Pedestrian Fatals 2008 - 7
Total Pedestrian Fatals 2007 - 5

You talkin' ta me? Yeah, that's right, fugedaboudit ...

NEW YORK (AP) -- A reputed acting mob boss and eight other suspected gangsters were arrested Wednesday on federal charges accusing them of coast-to-coast Mafia crimes, ranging from gangland hits in New York to a home invasion by police impersonators in Los Angeles, authorities said.

Nothing like a good mob caper to round out the day.

usatoday.com

From overnight in the Valley, significant crimes ...

A report of someone brandishing a weapon was reported yesterday at 3:20 p.m. at Sherman Way and Jordan Avenue in Canoga Park. The victim, described as a 40-year-old male, was sitting in his car in the Post Office parking lot, waiting for his girlfriend, when the suspect, described as male white between 30 and 40, approached. The suspect stated to the victim "I need a hundred dollars and I need transportation." The victim was not in fear and ignored the suspect. The suspect then stated "leave a hundred dollars on the seat and leave the key." Then the victim's girlfriend returned to the car and the suspect turned away. The victim then saw the handle of a semi-automatic pistol in the suspect's pocket. There were no injuries and no property was taken.

A robbery was reported yesterday at 10:45 p.m. in the 14600 block of Chase. The suspect, described as a male black in his 20s, 6-feet, 150-160 lbs, approached the victim in the parking lot and pointed a stainless steel semi-automatic pistol at the Victim. The suspect rummaged through the Victim's pockets and removed currency and jewelry before taking off in a vehicle occupied by three additional male blacks.

Good morning. Cops are looking this morning for a hit-and-run driver who killed a 9-year-old boy in East Los Angeles.

Jesus Sanchez and his family were crossing Ford Boulevard just south of Cesar Chavez Avenue at 12:04 a.m. Sunday when a vehicle going northbound at a high rate of speed struck him, CHP Officer Luis Mendoza said.

The red, late 1990s to early 2000s two-door Honda with tinted rear windows and a spoiler with brake lights did not slow or stop after hitting the boy, Mendoza said. The car then ran a light at Cesar E. Chavez Avenue at Ford and turned left.

dailynews.com

This just in, from Foothill Division ...

PACOIMA - A suspected carjacker got a taste of his own medicine Tuesday morning after stealing a GMC truck and crashing it into parked cars including a mail truck, before being beaten and detained by citizens on the street, police said.

dailynews.com

From our friends at LAPD Valley Bureau this morning:

An assault with a deadly weapon shooting was reported yesterday at 4:10 p.m. at Gloria Avenue and Victory Boulevard in Van Nuys. A male suspect in a vehicle fired at several pedestrians on the street. A school bus with children on it witnessed the incident. The school bus was not hit.

A robbery was reported yesterday at 6 p.m. in the 22700 block of Oxnard Street. A male white in his 40s entered a gas station with a large knife and walked right into the cash register room where he demanded the employee open the register and give him the money. The suspect gave the employee his own bag. Once the suspect had the money, he ran away.

Has anyone seen this woman?

Police are seeking help to find her. Her name is Marie Husted. She's from North Hollywood.

On May 31, 2008, around 6:45 a.m, Husted left her convalescent home located at 5335 Laurel Canyon Boulevard on her red motorized wheelchair. She went eastbound Chandler Avenue from Laurel Canyon Boulevard and has not been seen since.

lapdblog.com

From overnight ... ADW CUTTING

DATE / TIME: 5/17/08, 1545 hrs LOCATION: 12800 block of
Vanowen St
TYPE OF WEAPON: Knife SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: Yes
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF SUSPECT(S):
1
INJURIES: Yes TYPE OF INJURIES: Stab
wounds to abdomen
GANG RELATED: No NOTIFICATIONS: W/C, Dets, Capt Buck
COMMENTS: The Suspect and Victim were drinking together and became
involved in an argument. The argument escalated into a physical
altercation. The Suspect stabbed the Victim in the abdomen. The
Victim was transported by LAFD to Holy Cross and is in grave condition.
Detectives responded and later the Suspect was taken into custody.

I set up a new database of people who were arrested yesterday in Los Angeles using information provided by the LAPD. You can search by name, charge or location. Check it out by clicking here.

A parolee wielding a semiautomatic rifle walked into a church festival filled with children Saturday morning and opened fire, wounding the mother of his child and two bystanders and shattering this normally quiet suburban neighborhood. Police said Fernando Diaz Jr., 33, of North Hollywood, walked into the festival at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church, kissed his son, pulled the rifle out of a tennis bag and fired several rounds at his ex-girlfriend and festival volunteers before school parents tackled him to the ground.

A Superior Court judge on Monday upheld the murder charge against Ara Grigoryan, the man charged in the July 2007 hit-and-run death of Elizabeth Sandoval. Grigoryan's defense team had sought to reduce the murder charge before going to trial, arguing that prosecutors made certain assumptions about the incident and had overblown the 20-year-old's prior driving infractions to infer a "wanton disregard" for human life -- a key finding for murder.

Update: Video footage of suspect and his vehicle available for download at www.lapdonline.org-"Solve a Crime" Navigation bar on home page

Los Angeles Police Department have released a sketch of a man who attempted to sexually assault two young girls in separate incidents.

The first assault occurred on April 30, 2008, at around 7:30 a.m., when a Latino man approached an 8-year-old girl walking in the 600 block of Burlington Avenue. The man lured the girl into a secluded area of an apartment building located at 625 South Burlington Avenue and attempted to sexually assault her.

On February 29, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., the same suspect approached a 9-year-old girl walking near James M. Wood Boulevard and Hoover Street. The suspect initiated a conversation with the girl and pulled her into an apartment building where he attempted to sexually assault her.

The suspect is described as Hispanic, 25-30 years of age with black spiked hair. He's about 5 feet six inches tall and weigh 170 pounds. He was last seen driving a blue unknown make and model vehicle. A composite sketch of the suspect is available through Media Relations Section.

Anyone with information is asked to call Rampart Sexual Assault Detective Sofie Toledo at (213) 207-2031 or Robbery Homicide Detective John Wong at (213) 485-2921. After hours and on weekends, please call the 24-hour Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

Here's a few more of LA's coldest cases from the turn of the century...

July 10, 1901
Craiton, H.R., Emp. 2nd hand store, So Main St. - Returning from visit to his girl, 2 this a.m.,; front of Horace Bell's place Figueroa St., was shot at from ambush, behind shrubbery.

July 10
Compfort, L.B., Driver of milk wagon - Shot in back, while on his wagon, 21st & Toberman, abt. 3 this a.m. Taken to Cal. Hospital, 4:30 a.m.

July 14
Macchiaroli, Cano, 829 Yale St. - Shot at 8 this a.m., West Glendale by Antonio Pellegrine, living at 729 Castellar.

Aug. 21
Bachelors, Body of man, to't to be Bachelors, found in Westlake. Kelly and Quinn.

Sept. 3
Rasche, Fred, Foreman, baker, Ebingers Bakery, 3d and Spring St. - At or near 9th and Wall St., 3:30 this a.m. on way home from work, shot in right side (flesh wound). Was a non-union man. Susp. Stevan Faviamovich, union baker, arrested by Sergeant Williams.

Oct. 7
Chow Youck Toy, C----
Shot and killed, Chinatown, abt. 7 this p.m. by Wong Bing arrested at Pasadena by Ritch, this eve.

Nov. 19
Wilcox, Abram P., wife and child - Found murdered in their ranch house near Downey; probably killed night of 16th inst.

Dec. 19
Neilson, Carl, Chatsworth Park Tunnel - Held up by three men, just above S.P. yds., this evening, and compelled to lie down while they committed sodomy on him. Says his companion, W. McGrew was with him. (Captain Hensley).

Dec. 3
Sampson, John - Shot and killed his wife at 4th and Spring St. on sidewalk, this p.m. Immediately arrested by crossing officer O.T. Walker.

Feb. 19, 1902
Wiley, Mrs. H.S. - Shot at her rooming house, (about noon) At The Columbia, 512 So. Broadway by D.C. Kent. He shot her twice in right side and once in left arm, then shot himself in forehead, only making a flesh wound; then cut throat with razor. Kent was her partner in lodging house (and lover). Kent committed suicide by taking carbolic acid in receiving hospital on March 12, 1902.

Wong Ung Wong - Murdered, about 1 this a.m., at Simons Brick Yard, 825 Boyle Ave. by On Ling Sing, who was arrested in San Francisco April 4th, and returned to Los Angeles by Hawley. Hawley, Auble, Steele & Kelly on case.

Good morning ... Below are the latest significant crime reports from the LAPD.

ROBBERY/GTA:
DATE / TIME: 5/13/08, 1215 hrs LOCATION: Atoll Ave /
Victory Blvd
TYPE OF WEAPON: Bodily Force SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY: No
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF SUSPECT(S): 1
INJURIES: No TYPE OF INJURIES: None
GANG RELATED: Unk NOTIFICATIONS: W/C, Dets, C/O's
COMMENTS: Victim was painting when the suspect approached him. The
suspect pushed the victim to the ground and took the vehicle keys from
the victim's hands. The suspect fled in the victim's vehicle.

HOMICIDE

DATE / TIME: 5/13/08, 0250 hrs LOCATION:
9000 block of Nagle St
TYPE OF WEAPON: Handgun SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY:
No
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF SUSPECT(S): Unk
INJURIES: Yes
TYPE OF INJURIES: GSW
GANG RELATED: Yes
NOTIFICATIONS: W/C, Dets, O/C's, OVB, RACR, CM
COMMENTS: Suspect(s) shot the victim multiple times, then fled the
location. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was
pronounced dead. Homicide detectives are handling. The incident does
not appear to be gang related.

HOMICIDE

DATE / TIME: 5/13/08, 1500 hrs LOCATION:
12700 block of Lourve St
TYPE OF WEAPON: Handgun SUSPECT(S) IN CUSTODY:
No
# OF VICTIM(S): 1 # OF SUSPECT(S): Unk
INJURIES: Yes
TYPE OF INJURIES: GSW to chest
GANG RELATED: Yes
NOTIFICATIONS: W/C, Dets, C/O's, OVB, RACR, CM
COMMENTS: Suspect(s) shot the victim (gang member) in the chest, with a
handgun. The victim succumbed to his injury at 1813 hrs. Homicide
detectives responded to the crime scene and collected evidence.

Police today are going to offer a reward in conjunction with the killing of a Northridge homeless man.

At 8 a.m. at the Devonshire Community Police Station, 10250 Etiwanda Ave., Northridge, Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith, and Los Angeles Police Department homicide detectives will ask for the public's help to identify a suspect who accosted an elderly homeless man, causing him to suffer fatal head injuries. For additional information, contact Matt Myerhoff, Communications Director, Council District 12, Cell: (818) 613-2248. Matt.Myerhoff@lacity.org.

A Latino in his 20s punched Harold Gene Loftis, 69, at Roscoe and Reseda boulevards about 10 p.m. April 14

Rocky Delgadillo is cracking down on prostitutes and pimps by using the same kind of enforcement he uses with gang injunctions. Here's the press release.

Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, the City's chief prosecutor, today joined with representatives of the Los Angeles Police Department to announce the filing of a groundbreaking lawsuit seeking to prevent five pimps and 36 chronic prostitutes from operating in the Figueroa Corridor. He is also unveiling a diversion program to educate prostitutes and "Johns" about the legal consequences, health risks, and community impact of their illegal conduct.

"We're launching the injunction for chronic offenders and the
diversion program for first-time offenders at the same time because
fighting crime in the 21st Century means getting smarter - not just
tougher - with our public safety initiatives," said City Attorney
Delgadillo.

The Pimp and Prostitution Injunction

The nuisance abatement action brought by the City Attorney's Safe
Neighborhoods Division seeks to exclude five pimps and 36 chronic
prostitutes from the Figueroa Corridor - an area defined as 100 yards
to each side of Figueroa Street between Vernon Avenue and El Segundo
Boulevard in South Los Angeles. The defendants have repeatedly returned
to the Figueroa Corridor despite law enforcement efforts to stop them.

All 36 prostitutes named in the injunction have been convicted at least
twice for engaging in prostitution in the Figueroa Corridor, and account
for 127 prostitution arrests in the Figueroa Corridor and more than 300
prostitution arrests throughout Southern California.

Four pimps named in the injunction are affiliated with gangs including
the Shotgun Crips, Front Hood Crips and Denver Lane Bloods.

Pimps named in the injunction are excluded from the Figueroa Corridor
and are prohibited from associating with or assisting prostitutes; using
intimidation; interfering with traffic or possessing weapons. They must
also report any vehicle and residential information to law enforcement.
Prostitutes named in the injunction are also excluded from the Figueroa
Corridor. Violations of the injunction could result in criminal
prosecution.

We have included within this injunction an opt-out provision which
provides those who can demonstrate they are no longer engaging in
criminal activity - and have met certain court-ordered requirements --
with a way out.

The Prostitution Diversion Program

The City Attorney also today announced the launch of the Figueroa
Corridor Prostitution Diversion Program. The program is designed to
reduce the number of prostitutes and "Johns" along the Figueroa
Corridor.

The Diversion program is open to first-time offender prostitutes and
"Johns" who have no prior convictions for drugs or violence.
Program participants must enroll in, and complete, an eight hour seminar
and must submit to an AIDS test and follow-up support services. If the
offender completes of the seminar and appropriate referral services, no
charges will be filed.

The Figueroa Corridor suffers more from the harmful actions of pimps,
prostitutes, and those seeking prostitutes than any other part of the
City. The LAPD has devoted vast resources to attacking this problem,
including conducting undercover operations, and providing dedicated
patrols and foot patrols. Since 2002, more than 1,000 prostitutes have
been arrested in the Figueroa Corridor and prosecuted by City Attorney
Delgadillo's Neighborhood Prosecutors. The City Attorney targeted 20
nuisance properties for abatement because of vice and drug activity
linked to prostitution, resulting in the reduction of
prostitution-related crimes at these locations by 65%.

Deputy City Attorney Dan Whitley is the City prosecutor assigned to the
litigation and Neighborhood Prosecutor Sonja Dawson created the
prosecution diversion program in cooperation with LAPD and our service
provider partners.

Earlier, I wrote about some of Los Angeles' oldest murder cases from the turn of the century. In one of them, a man named John Slovinski shot himself with a shotgun. He had been arraigned in a case involving attempted extortion through what was called a badger game. And I put out a call to readers asking if they knew what that was, to weigh in. Well, thanks to Mick O, who found the description on good ol' wikipedia.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is asking for the public's help to identify a hit-and-run suspect who killed a bicyclist in the Hollywood area.

On March 16, 2008, at around 6:45 a.m., 72-year-old Artine Zarkarian was riding his bicycle northbound on Western Avenue when an unknown vehicle struck the rear of his bike just south of Elmwood Avenue and failed to stop.

Ejected from his bicycle, Zakarian landed on the street and sustained serious head injuries. He was transported by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to a local hospital and eventually died from his injuries on April 29.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Acosta at the LAPD West Traffic Division, (213) 473-0234. During off-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

The Reseda Neighborhood Council put this out this morning, sent into our tip line.

Hi Folks,

There has been a rash of burglaries from a motor vehicle in our area. The area of Vanowen between Lindley and White Oak, especially.

To protect yourself, avoid leaving your doors and/or windows unlocked, try to park in a well lighted place, and above all, do not leave any thing in plain view from outside the vehicle. Leaving charging cords, mounting bracket or any thing associated with electronic equipment in plain view is like an invitation to the thief that walks by your vehicle.

Protect yourself!!!!

Earlier we posted a story that talked about LAPD Chief William Bratton taking a