LONG BEACH -- Are you in desperate need of garlic fries?
Have you been salivating at the thought of slow-roasted lamb?
Feel free to feed your craving at any George's Greek Cafe Thursday knowing it's in the name of charity.
That's because the Long Beach Police Foundation and the popular family-owned chain of restaurants are hosting a fundraiser with 20 percent of the proceeds from any food or beverage purchased between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. will be donated to the Long Beach Police Department's 2012 Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay team.
Just say you're there to support the Police Foundation and Baker to Vegas team at any of the three restaurants -- 5252 Faculty Ave., in Lakewood; or 135 Pine Ave. and 5316 E. Second St., in Long Beach.
The 28th Annual Baker to Vegas relay, or B2V, sees teams of runners start 25 miles north of Baker, CA, on Highway 127, and finish inside the Hilton Hotel Convention Room in Las Vegas.
Have you been salivating at the thought of slow-roasted lamb?
Feel free to feed your craving at any George's Greek Cafe Thursday knowing it's in the name of charity.
That's because the Long Beach Police Foundation and the popular family-owned chain of restaurants are hosting a fundraiser with 20 percent of the proceeds from any food or beverage purchased between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. will be donated to the Long Beach Police Department's 2012 Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay team.
Just say you're there to support the Police Foundation and Baker to Vegas team at any of the three restaurants -- 5252 Faculty Ave., in Lakewood; or 135 Pine Ave. and 5316 E. Second St., in Long Beach.
The 28th Annual Baker to Vegas relay, or B2V, sees teams of runners start 25 miles north of Baker, CA, on Highway 127, and finish inside the Hilton Hotel Convention Room in Las Vegas.
LONG BEACH -- A town hall meeting will be held at Washington Middle School
this Thursday to address concerns about a recent spate of shootings and
what is being done to combat the situation.
The meeting will be hosted by the Long Beach Police Department West Division and Councilman Robert Garcia.
It is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Washington Middle School, 1450 Cedar Ave. All residents are invited to attend.
The meeting will be hosted by the Long Beach Police Department West Division and Councilman Robert Garcia.
It is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Washington Middle School, 1450 Cedar Ave. All residents are invited to attend.
LONG BEACH -- Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell will hold a press conference today to announce the arrests of those responsible for the mass killing of five people at a homeless camp in 2008.
The press conference is scheduled for 4 p.m. at LBPD Headquarters.
The arrests are in connection with the shooting deaths of five people at a homeless encampment located off the San Diego (405) Freeway and Santa Fe Avenue.
The arrests are the first such development in the case since the slayings.
The press conference is scheduled for 4 p.m. at LBPD Headquarters.
The arrests are in connection with the shooting deaths of five people at a homeless encampment located off the San Diego (405) Freeway and Santa Fe Avenue.
The arrests are the first such development in the case since the slayings.
LONG
BEACH -- A member of Occupy Long Beach who was charged with assault on a
police office and obstruction and resisting arrest pleaded no contest
to a single count at the Long Beach Superior Court Thursday afternoon.
George Diller, 24, of Mission Viejo entered the plea -- considered the same as a guilty plea in criminal court -- to a single count of obstruction of justice and resisting arrest, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
In exchange, City prosecutors dropped a charge of assault on a peace officer and a municipal code violation for smoking in a public park.
Diller's arrest, and the use of force by Long Beach Police, sparked furious debate as photos circulated online.
Supporters of the 24-year-old accused police of brutality in the arrest. Authorities countered the photos did show the entire incident, including Diller swearing at police. kicking an officer and fighting him as well as trying to spit on officers.
The incident began at about 10:58 a.m. Tuesday when an LBPD officer saw Diller talking on a cell phone and smoking in Lincoln Park. The officer told the man it was illegal to do so and he had to put out his cigarette.
Diller allegedly responded with profanity and refused, prompting the officer to tell him he was going to be cited and to drop the phone, police said
When the officer tried to handcuff Diller, the 24-year-old rolled onto his side and tried to the kick officer, police said.
The ensuing struggle resulted in officers using a "carotid control," on Diller, a type of hold that caused him to temporarily pass out, police said.
He was eventually handcuffed and a spit mask was put on him before he was taken to a local hospital, which cleared him for booking at the Long Beach City Jail, police said.
He was charged Thursday morning by the City Prosecutor's Office and entered the plea during his arraignment at the Long Beach Superior Court Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
Summary probation requires no follow up visits to the court as long as Diller does not suffer any arrests of probation violations during the year.
He was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail, but was expected to be released from custody following his plea.
George Diller, 24, of Mission Viejo entered the plea -- considered the same as a guilty plea in criminal court -- to a single count of obstruction of justice and resisting arrest, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
In exchange, City prosecutors dropped a charge of assault on a peace officer and a municipal code violation for smoking in a public park.
Diller's arrest, and the use of force by Long Beach Police, sparked furious debate as photos circulated online.
Supporters of the 24-year-old accused police of brutality in the arrest. Authorities countered the photos did show the entire incident, including Diller swearing at police. kicking an officer and fighting him as well as trying to spit on officers.
The incident began at about 10:58 a.m. Tuesday when an LBPD officer saw Diller talking on a cell phone and smoking in Lincoln Park. The officer told the man it was illegal to do so and he had to put out his cigarette.
Diller allegedly responded with profanity and refused, prompting the officer to tell him he was going to be cited and to drop the phone, police said
When the officer tried to handcuff Diller, the 24-year-old rolled onto his side and tried to the kick officer, police said.
The ensuing struggle resulted in officers using a "carotid control," on Diller, a type of hold that caused him to temporarily pass out, police said.
He was eventually handcuffed and a spit mask was put on him before he was taken to a local hospital, which cleared him for booking at the Long Beach City Jail, police said.
He was charged Thursday morning by the City Prosecutor's Office and entered the plea during his arraignment at the Long Beach Superior Court Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
Summary probation requires no follow up visits to the court as long as Diller does not suffer any arrests of probation violations during the year.
He was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail, but was expected to be released from custody following his plea.
Bliss 525 will host a holiday fund-raising dinner Dec. 13 to raise funds for the Long Beach Police Foundation's youth programs, including the Boxing and Youth Leadership Academy.
The restaurant will donate all tips given to a team of volunteer servers that night to the non-profit foundation, which provides direct, private funding to the Long Beach Police Department and supports police community and youth programs.
The event will run from 5 to 11 p.m. Those interested in participating are encouraged to make reservations in advance by calling 562-495-7252.
Bliss 525 is located at 525 East Broadway in downtown Long Beach.
For event information check out www.bliss525.com or go to the foundation's website, www.lbpolicefoundation.org
The restaurant will donate all tips given to a team of volunteer servers that night to the non-profit foundation, which provides direct, private funding to the Long Beach Police Department and supports police community and youth programs.
The event will run from 5 to 11 p.m. Those interested in participating are encouraged to make reservations in advance by calling 562-495-7252.
Bliss 525 is located at 525 East Broadway in downtown Long Beach.
For event information check out www.bliss525.com or go to the foundation's website, www.lbpolicefoundation.org
SANTA ANA - A Long Beach fire captain who was driving drunk when he severely injured a bicyclist in Seal Beach, then left the victim on the side of the road, was sentenced to a year in jail, authorities said Wednesday.
John David Hines, 39, of Huntington Beach, pleaded guilty on Sept. 6 to one felony count each of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol of .08 percent or more causing injury and hit-and-run with injury.
Hines also received a sentencing enhancement for having a blood alcohol level of more than .20 percent while driving and he was ordered to pay $102,000 in restitution to his victim, 47-year-old John Gordon.
The plea, which avoided the necessity for a trial, likely factored into the judge's decision Tuesday to sentence Hines to one year in jail and five years formal probation despite prosecution objections.
Prior to sentencing, Hines did serve 86 days in state prison for a diagnostic evaluation.
If he fails to meet the requirements of probation, he could face a four-year, four-month prison sentence, the court warned.
Police and prosecutors said Hines became extremely intoxicated at a Long Beach bar after he started drinking on the morning of April 1.
According to authorities, Hines was driving drunk on Westminster Avenue about 1:20 p.m. that day when his Chevrolet pickup swerved into the bicycle lane and hit Gordon. Hines then drove away but was traced to his home and arrested by Huntington Beach and Seal Beach police.
About two hours after the crash, Hines blood alcohol level measured .24, three times the legal limit for driving.
Gordon was treated at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center for extensive injuries, including head, spinal and internal injuries and severe lacerations and bruising. He was hospitalized for two weeks and continues to this day to suffer pain, prosecutors said.
Gordon prepared a victim-impact statement that was presented at Hines' sentencing.
"The doctors are not yet sure when or if I will recover enough to return to full duty at work or to the quality of life that I had before," Gordon wrote in his statement.
"I have found myself becoming more and more upset by the possibility that the negligence of another person may have lasting effects on me, but the person who is responsible may suffer little or no consequences for his actions."
Prosecutors argued that due to the severity of Gordon's injuries and the circumstances of the hit-and-run crash, Hines deserved prison time, not jail time.
They also noted Hines work as a paramedic, where he responded to crash scenes and knew first-hand the dangers of drinking and driving.
John David Hines, 39, of Huntington Beach, pleaded guilty on Sept. 6 to one felony count each of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol of .08 percent or more causing injury and hit-and-run with injury.
Hines also received a sentencing enhancement for having a blood alcohol level of more than .20 percent while driving and he was ordered to pay $102,000 in restitution to his victim, 47-year-old John Gordon.
The plea, which avoided the necessity for a trial, likely factored into the judge's decision Tuesday to sentence Hines to one year in jail and five years formal probation despite prosecution objections.
Prior to sentencing, Hines did serve 86 days in state prison for a diagnostic evaluation.
If he fails to meet the requirements of probation, he could face a four-year, four-month prison sentence, the court warned.
Police and prosecutors said Hines became extremely intoxicated at a Long Beach bar after he started drinking on the morning of April 1.
According to authorities, Hines was driving drunk on Westminster Avenue about 1:20 p.m. that day when his Chevrolet pickup swerved into the bicycle lane and hit Gordon. Hines then drove away but was traced to his home and arrested by Huntington Beach and Seal Beach police.
About two hours after the crash, Hines blood alcohol level measured .24, three times the legal limit for driving.
Gordon was treated at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center for extensive injuries, including head, spinal and internal injuries and severe lacerations and bruising. He was hospitalized for two weeks and continues to this day to suffer pain, prosecutors said.
Gordon prepared a victim-impact statement that was presented at Hines' sentencing.
"The doctors are not yet sure when or if I will recover enough to return to full duty at work or to the quality of life that I had before," Gordon wrote in his statement.
"I have found myself becoming more and more upset by the possibility that the negligence of another person may have lasting effects on me, but the person who is responsible may suffer little or no consequences for his actions."
Prosecutors argued that due to the severity of Gordon's injuries and the circumstances of the hit-and-run crash, Hines deserved prison time, not jail time.
They also noted Hines work as a paramedic, where he responded to crash scenes and knew first-hand the dangers of drinking and driving.
LONG BEACH -- Police are investigating a residential burglary in the area of 15th Street and Termino Avenue.
One suspect was in custody as of 9:40 a.m. and police were searching for a second suspect, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
A perimeter has been set up and police are asking motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area as they conduct their investigation.
More information is expected later today.
One suspect was in custody as of 9:40 a.m. and police were searching for a second suspect, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
A perimeter has been set up and police are asking motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area as they conduct their investigation.
More information is expected later today.
LONG BEACH -- Long Beach Police Department West Division Cmdr. Josef Levy and his staff invite community members to attend Wednesday's Leadership Forum.
The forum was created to help community members and businesses leaders develop better communication with the police department.
The forum topic is Identity Theft & Fraud, with Forgery and Fraud detectives on hand to provide information and answer questions.
The program is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the West Division Substation, 1835 Santa Fe Ave.
The forum is free, but those planning to attend must RSVP to Police Service Specialist Jose Vazquez, 562-570-3461.
The forum was created to help community members and businesses leaders develop better communication with the police department.
The forum topic is Identity Theft & Fraud, with Forgery and Fraud detectives on hand to provide information and answer questions.
The program is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the West Division Substation, 1835 Santa Fe Ave.
The forum is free, but those planning to attend must RSVP to Police Service Specialist Jose Vazquez, 562-570-3461.
BELLFLOWER -- Arraignment was postponed Monday for at least the second time in the case of a local man charged with molesting a 13-year-old girl at his Norwalk tutoring center.
Defendant Frank Chung, 63, was arrested Sept. 8, on a charge of lewd acts with a minor based on allegations he molested the 13-year-old victim on multiple occasions.
Chung is the owner of Kumon Learning Center in Norwalk and has worked there for five years with children providing after-school tutoring, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau. Chung worked in a similar capacity at learning centers in Northern California for the past 25 years, bringing him in contact with countless children, detectives said.
The Special Victims Bureau began its investigation into Chung after the victim, a 13- year-old girl, told an older sibling of the alleged sexual abuse, said Sheriff's Lt. Carlos Marquez.
Chung has yet to enter a plea in the case and was scheduled for at least his second arraignment Monday, which was postponed until Oct. 25, according to Bellflower Superior Court staff.
He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail, according to the Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Center.
Detectives are also investigating the possibility that other victims may exist and have urged anyone who believes they are a victim or who know of one to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-LASD (5273).
Defendant Frank Chung, 63, was arrested Sept. 8, on a charge of lewd acts with a minor based on allegations he molested the 13-year-old victim on multiple occasions.
Chung is the owner of Kumon Learning Center in Norwalk and has worked there for five years with children providing after-school tutoring, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau. Chung worked in a similar capacity at learning centers in Northern California for the past 25 years, bringing him in contact with countless children, detectives said.
The Special Victims Bureau began its investigation into Chung after the victim, a 13- year-old girl, told an older sibling of the alleged sexual abuse, said Sheriff's Lt. Carlos Marquez.
Chung has yet to enter a plea in the case and was scheduled for at least his second arraignment Monday, which was postponed until Oct. 25, according to Bellflower Superior Court staff.
He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail, according to the Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Center.
Detectives are also investigating the possibility that other victims may exist and have urged anyone who believes they are a victim or who know of one to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-LASD (5273).
As if jail isn't scary enough, the Norwalk Sheriff's Station will open the doors to its "Haunted Jail" and Open House on Saturday, Oct. 22.
The free community event is back by overwhelming demand and will include removing all the real inmates to make room for the ghouls, ghosts, goblins and zombies that come out to celebrate Halloween.
The event is put on with the help of community volunteers who, along with Sheriff's Department staff, decorate the station to spooky perfection.
In the parking lot will be kid-friendly displays, such as a Sheriff's Department helicopter for the kids to sit in, "Bert" the Sheriff's camel, various Sheriff's department vehicles and motorcycles, face painting and bouncy houses.
Free hot dog lunches will be served as well.
The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Norwalk Sheriff's Station, 12335 Civic Center Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650.
The free community event is back by overwhelming demand and will include removing all the real inmates to make room for the ghouls, ghosts, goblins and zombies that come out to celebrate Halloween.
The event is put on with the help of community volunteers who, along with Sheriff's Department staff, decorate the station to spooky perfection.
In the parking lot will be kid-friendly displays, such as a Sheriff's Department helicopter for the kids to sit in, "Bert" the Sheriff's camel, various Sheriff's department vehicles and motorcycles, face painting and bouncy houses.
Free hot dog lunches will be served as well.
The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Norwalk Sheriff's Station, 12335 Civic Center Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650.
