May 2010 Archives
LOS ANGELES -- Federal authorities Thursday released a photo and name of an armed bank robbery suspect wanted in connection with an officer involved shooting that shut down part of the 405 Freeway and Long Beach's East side earlier this month.FBI Spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said agents working on the case have identified one of two outstanding suspects in the Citizens Business Bank robbery as Rashad Lamar Branagh, 35.
Branagh is believed to be one of two suspects who entered the bank in Laguna Hills during the May 13 robbery, which ended in a traffic stop on the San Diego (405) Freeway in Long Beach and a shooting with a California Highway Patrol Officer.
The patrolman stopped the suspected thieves in a white SUV on the northbound side of the freeway at the Woodruff Avenue off-ramp at about 10:30 a.m. When the officer saw a gun in the vehicle he pulled out his own weapon and opened fire, police said.
A total of three suspects were in the SUV, the driver, a woman, and two men.
No one, including the officer, was hit, police said.
One of the suspects bailed out of the SUV and ran while the other two drove off, authorities said.
Laterrial Dewaun Norwood, 35, of Hawthorne was taken into custody by Long Beach Police following several hours of searching East Long Beach neighborhoods along the freeway and near Willow Street and Woodruff.
The incident drew LBPD officers from around the city as well as SWAT, helicopter and K-9 teams, CHP investigators and FBI agents.
Residents frantically called in sightings of an armed, man running through yards and various streets. One resident came home to find someone had kicked in his back door, though police believe the man's very large and very cranky Amazonian parrot scared the culprit away.
Norwood was eventually smoked out of hiding amid heavy brush along the freeway by tear gas, but not until more than half a dozen schools had been locked down and freeway was closed for several miles in both directions.
Investigators said Norwood likely tried to flee through the neighborhood and when he realized he was hemmed in, he doubled back to the freeway and tried to hide in the thick brush, which briefly caught fire when the tear gas was deployed.
Norwood is scheduled to appear in federal court today for a preliminary hearing. He remains in federal custody without bond, authorities said.
Branagh was identified Thursday as one of the two outstanding suspects and a federal warrant has been issued for his arrest, Eimiller said.
He is described as a black male with brown eyes, 5-feet, 8-inches tall and 260 pounds.
Branagh was born in California and anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call Special Agent Christopher Gicking at the FBI's 24 hour tip line: 888-CANT-HIDE (226-8443).
The third suspect, described as a black woman with a heavy build and corn rows in her hair - a braided hairstyle - with a wider than usual separation between each row, remains under investigation, Eimiller said.
The vehicle in which she and Branagh were last seen was described as newer model white Chevy Tahoe with the word "Tahoe" printed on left-rear side and the letters "LS" or "LT" on the right side of the vehicle.
All the windows were tinted dark except for the windshield, though the tint on the back window may have been lighter than the sides. The SUV also had paper dealer plates that appeared to read "Gateway" in red and blue.
LONG BEACH -- Two 15-year-old girls charged with the beating and slashing of a 16-year-old classmate in a vicious attack carried out on a busy downtown street last month pleaded guilty to the crime Thursday.
The suspects appeared for a pre-trial hearing at the Long Beach Superior Court's Juvenile Division Thursday, said Jane Robison, a Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman.
The teens admitted the petition against them was true, the equivalent of a guilty plea for juvenile court, Robison explained.
Because the suspects are minors, their names, and the name of the minor victim, were withheld by authorities.
All three girls are from Long Beach.
The 15 year olds were accused of attacking and beating the 16-year-old victim near 11th Street and Long Beach Boulevard at about 7:20 p.m. on May 5.
The victim told police she was walking south on Long Beach Boulevard when the suspects, who she knew from school, attacked and beat her.
She was able to get away and was on her way home and walking near Seventh Street and Nebraska Avenue when one of the 15 year olds jumped her a second time, this time cutting her with a sharp object, police said.
The victim was taken by her family to a local hospital where police were summoned, authorities said.
LBPD officers arrested the two 15 year olds on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and added an attempted murder count when booking the girl who slashed the victim, police said.
Prosecutors, however, never filed the attempted murder charge.
The girl who allegedly cut the victim was instead charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury - one count for each attack - and one count of witness or victim intimidation, authorities said.
The other 15-year-old was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury and one count of witness intimidation.
The intimidation charges stemmed from statements the suspects made to the victim during the attacks, authorities said.
Each of the girls ended up pleading to one count of assault on Thursday, Robison said.
The pair were immediately sentenced to three months in the Los Angeles County Probation camp system and will be placed on probation when they are released from camp, Robison said.
The suspects appeared for a pre-trial hearing at the Long Beach Superior Court's Juvenile Division Thursday, said Jane Robison, a Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman.
The teens admitted the petition against them was true, the equivalent of a guilty plea for juvenile court, Robison explained.
Because the suspects are minors, their names, and the name of the minor victim, were withheld by authorities.
All three girls are from Long Beach.
The 15 year olds were accused of attacking and beating the 16-year-old victim near 11th Street and Long Beach Boulevard at about 7:20 p.m. on May 5.
The victim told police she was walking south on Long Beach Boulevard when the suspects, who she knew from school, attacked and beat her.
She was able to get away and was on her way home and walking near Seventh Street and Nebraska Avenue when one of the 15 year olds jumped her a second time, this time cutting her with a sharp object, police said.
The victim was taken by her family to a local hospital where police were summoned, authorities said.
LBPD officers arrested the two 15 year olds on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and added an attempted murder count when booking the girl who slashed the victim, police said.
Prosecutors, however, never filed the attempted murder charge.
The girl who allegedly cut the victim was instead charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury - one count for each attack - and one count of witness or victim intimidation, authorities said.
The other 15-year-old was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury and one count of witness intimidation.
The intimidation charges stemmed from statements the suspects made to the victim during the attacks, authorities said.
Each of the girls ended up pleading to one count of assault on Thursday, Robison said.
The pair were immediately sentenced to three months in the Los Angeles County Probation camp system and will be placed on probation when they are released from camp, Robison said.
A preliminary hearing was postponed Wednesday for a 42-year-old Long Beach man who allegedly attacked his live-in girlfriend with a machete, then turned the blade on himself.
Alberto Hernandez Fonseca was found last February critically injured from what appeared to be self-inflected slash wounds.
Near him was the bloody corpse of his long-term girlfriend, Mireya Lopez Medina, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
A relative of the one of the two came home about 8:15 a.m. Feb. 18 and found the pair in the bedroom of their home in the 1900 block of Cedar Avenue and called 911.
The couple were arguing when Fonseca attacked Medina with the machete before turning the weapon on himself, police said.
Fonseca was initially listed in critical condition, but once his condition improved he was charged with Medina's murder later that month.
"It looks like he's going to survive his own stab wounds," Sgt. Dina Zapalski said at the time.
Fonseca is scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on June 8.
He remains in the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
Once Fonseca's condition stabilized, Homicide Investigators Mark McGuire and Greg Krabbe took their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing.
Alberto Hernandez Fonseca was found last February critically injured from what appeared to be self-inflected slash wounds.
Near him was the bloody corpse of his long-term girlfriend, Mireya Lopez Medina, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
A relative of the one of the two came home about 8:15 a.m. Feb. 18 and found the pair in the bedroom of their home in the 1900 block of Cedar Avenue and called 911.
The couple were arguing when Fonseca attacked Medina with the machete before turning the weapon on himself, police said.
Fonseca was initially listed in critical condition, but once his condition improved he was charged with Medina's murder later that month.
"It looks like he's going to survive his own stab wounds," Sgt. Dina Zapalski said at the time.
Fonseca is scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on June 8.
He remains in the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
Once Fonseca's condition stabilized, Homicide Investigators Mark McGuire and Greg Krabbe took their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing.
A trial date was not set Tuesday for a 20-year-old man accused of using a toddler as a human shield while robbing a Norwalk liquor store clerk at gunpoint last fall.
Jeremy Louis Gallegos is charged with armed robbery and felony child abuse for the Oct. 28 hold-up, which was captured on surveillance video.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators based out of Norwalk were able to identify Gallegos from the footage, which was released to the public to help authorities track down and arrest the suspect. Gallegos was eventually found in La Mirada and arrested Nov. 19, according to deputies.
Authorities said Gallegos was baby-sitting the little boy when he carried out the armed robbery.
The child was not hurt, Sheriff's officials said.
Gallegos appeared at the Norwalk Superior Court Tuesday, when a tentative court date was scheduled to be set. However the pre-trial conference was postponed until June 15. A trial date is expected to be set when he returns to the courthouse, according to court staff.
In the meantime, Gallegos remains in custody in lieu of $320,000 bail.
Jeremy Louis Gallegos is charged with armed robbery and felony child abuse for the Oct. 28 hold-up, which was captured on surveillance video.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators based out of Norwalk were able to identify Gallegos from the footage, which was released to the public to help authorities track down and arrest the suspect. Gallegos was eventually found in La Mirada and arrested Nov. 19, according to deputies.
Authorities said Gallegos was baby-sitting the little boy when he carried out the armed robbery.
The child was not hurt, Sheriff's officials said.
Gallegos appeared at the Norwalk Superior Court Tuesday, when a tentative court date was scheduled to be set. However the pre-trial conference was postponed until June 15. A trial date is expected to be set when he returns to the courthouse, according to court staff.
In the meantime, Gallegos remains in custody in lieu of $320,000 bail.
LONG BEACH -- The Long Beach Police Department's new South Division Commander, Joe Stilinovich, will join the out-going commander for this Thursday's community crime meeting.
Cmdr. Jay Johnson still leads the division, which includes portions of the city bordered by Anaheim Street to Ocean Boulevard and the Long Beach (710) Freeway to Cherry Avenue, and will provide the latest crime statistics as well as what is being done by the LBPD to address the trends, said Lisa Massacani, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Johnson is scheduled to move to the Emergency Operations Center on June 5, when he will be replaced by Stilinovich, who is currently assigned to the Academy.
Those who plan to attend RSVP to Police Service Specialist Mary Antunez via e-mail, mary.antunez@longbeach.gov, or phone 562-570-5829.
Cmdr. Jay Johnson still leads the division, which includes portions of the city bordered by Anaheim Street to Ocean Boulevard and the Long Beach (710) Freeway to Cherry Avenue, and will provide the latest crime statistics as well as what is being done by the LBPD to address the trends, said Lisa Massacani, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Johnson is scheduled to move to the Emergency Operations Center on June 5, when he will be replaced by Stilinovich, who is currently assigned to the Academy.
Those who plan to attend RSVP to Police Service Specialist Mary Antunez via e-mail, mary.antunez@longbeach.gov, or phone 562-570-5829.
My colleagues at CNS are reporting that a state appeals court panel on Tuesday upheld a Monrovia man's conviction on 33 charges stemming from a September 2008 crime spree that was centered primarily in the San Gabriel Valley but included local cities, such as Long Beach.
The three-justice panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeal also ordered the case against Anthony Brandon Hislar -- who had three prior convictions -- to be sent back to Pomona Superior Court so that additional time can be added against him under the state's "three strikes" law.
Hislar was sentenced in April 2009 to 429 years to life in prison, plus 83 years.
He was convicted in March of that year of robbery, burglary, carjacking, evading police and being a felon in possession of a firearm, stemming from a series of crimes in such cities as Azusa, Arcadia, El Monte, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Monrovia.
Hislar -- whose priors include two convictions for residential burglary in Santa Barbara County and a federal bank robbery conviction -- was arrested in September 2008 as he was leaving Disneyland.
The three-justice panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeal also ordered the case against Anthony Brandon Hislar -- who had three prior convictions -- to be sent back to Pomona Superior Court so that additional time can be added against him under the state's "three strikes" law.
Hislar was sentenced in April 2009 to 429 years to life in prison, plus 83 years.
He was convicted in March of that year of robbery, burglary, carjacking, evading police and being a felon in possession of a firearm, stemming from a series of crimes in such cities as Azusa, Arcadia, El Monte, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Monrovia.
Hislar -- whose priors include two convictions for residential burglary in Santa Barbara County and a federal bank robbery conviction -- was arrested in September 2008 as he was leaving Disneyland.
LONG BEACH -- The alleged leader and key shot-caller for one of the city's oldest and most notorious gangs were formally charged Monday for a series of shootings over the past year, two of which resulted in murders.
Defendants Reyes Rios Jr., 32, the alleged leader of the Eastside Longos, and Ruhani Bustamante, 28, an alleged member of the ESL gang, were arrested during a series of raids carried out by Long Beach police with county, state and federal agencies last Thursday.
Both men appeared briefly at the Long Beach Superior Court for arraignment Monday afternoon, handcuffed and shackled to a row of inmates, many of them fellow gang members picked up in the raids.
Rios was formally charged with four felony counts, including three counts of attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill three people during a Jan. 17 shooting in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue, according to the criminal complaint filed Monday.
The charge includes a single count of firing into an inhabited dwelling and allegations that Rios personally used a gun and carried out the shooting to benefit his gang as well as being a felon in possession of a gun, court documents show.
Bustamante was charged with a total of 11 felony counts, including two counts of murder, for the Oct. 25, 2009 killing of Esaul Villagrana, 23, and the Jan. 30 killing of Jonathan Cordova, 18, and four counts of attempted murder for various shootings from 2009 through early 2010, according to the complaint.
Gang and gun allegations are included as well as a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders and the crimes were gang-related. Because Bustamante has been charged with the special circumstance allegations he could face the death penalty.
In addition, Bustamante is charged with shooting into an inhabited dwelling and a vehicle and being a felon in possession of gun, court documents show.
Bustamante is being held without bail while Rios' bail was set at $500,000, according to jail records.
Both Rios and Bustamante agreed to waive time for their arraignments until early June, with Rios' arraignment set for June 1 and Bustamante returning on June 9, said Deputy District Attorney Dean Bengston.
A total of eight other alleged members or associates of the gang were linked to the same series of shootings that began last July, authorities said last week.
Seven were arrested Thursday and one man -- who was already in custody on another matter -- was added to the group and charged Monday, Bengston said.
Among the eight is 34-year-old Lisa Sedillo of Long Beach, who also faces a charge for the Dec. 1, 1992, murder of 19-year-old Long Beach resident Jason Bandel.
Sedillo was arrested years ago for Bandel's murder as a co-conspirator along with convicted triggerman Francisco Moreno, 20, of Long Beach. Moreno is currently serving a life sentence but Sedillo was never charged, police said.
Sedillo was charged Monday with not only Bandel's murder but with six counts of attempted murder, one count for each alleged victim in the line of fire during the December 1992 attack.
She is also charged with witness intimidation for a Feb. 6 incident along with two other defendants, Ferando Valle, 37, and Jesus Ramirez, 24, of both Long Beach.
A charge of possession of Marijuana for sale and possession of methamphetamine was filed on Martha Arevalo, 39, of Long Beach.
No charges were filed against the remaining four individuals arrested last week -- Delores Ruiz, 29, of Lakewood; Maria Kanlilar, 28, of Long Beach; Juan Herrera, 32, of Long Beach; and Jose Luis Cortez, 37, of Long Beach -- Bengston said.
Jail records showed all but Herrera had been released from police custody as of Monday afternoon.
Defendants Reyes Rios Jr., 32, the alleged leader of the Eastside Longos, and Ruhani Bustamante, 28, an alleged member of the ESL gang, were arrested during a series of raids carried out by Long Beach police with county, state and federal agencies last Thursday.
Both men appeared briefly at the Long Beach Superior Court for arraignment Monday afternoon, handcuffed and shackled to a row of inmates, many of them fellow gang members picked up in the raids.
Rios was formally charged with four felony counts, including three counts of attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill three people during a Jan. 17 shooting in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue, according to the criminal complaint filed Monday.
The charge includes a single count of firing into an inhabited dwelling and allegations that Rios personally used a gun and carried out the shooting to benefit his gang as well as being a felon in possession of a gun, court documents show.
Bustamante was charged with a total of 11 felony counts, including two counts of murder, for the Oct. 25, 2009 killing of Esaul Villagrana, 23, and the Jan. 30 killing of Jonathan Cordova, 18, and four counts of attempted murder for various shootings from 2009 through early 2010, according to the complaint.
Gang and gun allegations are included as well as a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders and the crimes were gang-related. Because Bustamante has been charged with the special circumstance allegations he could face the death penalty.
In addition, Bustamante is charged with shooting into an inhabited dwelling and a vehicle and being a felon in possession of gun, court documents show.
Bustamante is being held without bail while Rios' bail was set at $500,000, according to jail records.
Both Rios and Bustamante agreed to waive time for their arraignments until early June, with Rios' arraignment set for June 1 and Bustamante returning on June 9, said Deputy District Attorney Dean Bengston.
A total of eight other alleged members or associates of the gang were linked to the same series of shootings that began last July, authorities said last week.
Seven were arrested Thursday and one man -- who was already in custody on another matter -- was added to the group and charged Monday, Bengston said.
Among the eight is 34-year-old Lisa Sedillo of Long Beach, who also faces a charge for the Dec. 1, 1992, murder of 19-year-old Long Beach resident Jason Bandel.
Sedillo was arrested years ago for Bandel's murder as a co-conspirator along with convicted triggerman Francisco Moreno, 20, of Long Beach. Moreno is currently serving a life sentence but Sedillo was never charged, police said.
Sedillo was charged Monday with not only Bandel's murder but with six counts of attempted murder, one count for each alleged victim in the line of fire during the December 1992 attack.
She is also charged with witness intimidation for a Feb. 6 incident along with two other defendants, Ferando Valle, 37, and Jesus Ramirez, 24, of both Long Beach.
A charge of possession of Marijuana for sale and possession of methamphetamine was filed on Martha Arevalo, 39, of Long Beach.
No charges were filed against the remaining four individuals arrested last week -- Delores Ruiz, 29, of Lakewood; Maria Kanlilar, 28, of Long Beach; Juan Herrera, 32, of Long Beach; and Jose Luis Cortez, 37, of Long Beach -- Bengston said.
Jail records showed all but Herrera had been released from police custody as of Monday afternoon.
LONG BEACH -- A jury was chosen Monday in the case of a Compton parolee arrested last summer in connection with a Belmont Shore kidnapping and sexual assault.
Opening statements in the trial for Dennis Davis -- who has been held since his July 8, 2009, arrest without bail -- are expected to begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Dept. 10 of the Long Beach Superior Court, according to court staff.
The 46-year-old defendant is charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 27-year-old woman, who was forced at knife-point to get into a car after she parked her vehicle in the 100 block of Roswell Avenue in May, 2009, according to police and prosecutors.
The armed attacker initially demanded money and when the woman said she had none he forced her into his car. The man then told the victim he was driving her to an ATM and as he drove he touched her and made obscene comments, police said.
The victim was able to escape from the vehicle within about a block from where she was abducted and flagged down a passing motorist who called police as the kidnapper fled, authorities said.
Long Beach Police Department Robbery Detective Rudy Romero was able to track down the suspect shortly after the incident with the help of witnesses' descriptions of the suspect's car and license plate and physical evidence recovered at the scene, authorities said.
The charge against Davis includes at least four felony counts, including sexual assault.
Opening statements in the trial for Dennis Davis -- who has been held since his July 8, 2009, arrest without bail -- are expected to begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Dept. 10 of the Long Beach Superior Court, according to court staff.
The 46-year-old defendant is charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 27-year-old woman, who was forced at knife-point to get into a car after she parked her vehicle in the 100 block of Roswell Avenue in May, 2009, according to police and prosecutors.
The armed attacker initially demanded money and when the woman said she had none he forced her into his car. The man then told the victim he was driving her to an ATM and as he drove he touched her and made obscene comments, police said.
The victim was able to escape from the vehicle within about a block from where she was abducted and flagged down a passing motorist who called police as the kidnapper fled, authorities said.
Long Beach Police Department Robbery Detective Rudy Romero was able to track down the suspect shortly after the incident with the help of witnesses' descriptions of the suspect's car and license plate and physical evidence recovered at the scene, authorities said.
The charge against Davis includes at least four felony counts, including sexual assault.
LONG BEACH -- The alleged leader and a key shot-caller for one of the city's oldest and most notorious gangs were formally charged Monday in connection with a dozen shootings, two of which resulted in murders.
Defendants Reyes Rios, 32, the alleged leader of the Eastside Longos, and Ruhani Bustamante, 28, were arrested during a series of raids carried out by Long Beach police with county, state and federal agencies last Thursday.
Rios and Bustamante have been linked to a dozen shootings, including two murders, in the last year, police and prosecutors said.
Both men appeared briefly at the Long Beach Superior Court for arraignment Monday afternoon, handcuffed and shackled to a row of inmates, many of them fellow ESL gang members picked up in the series of raids.
Both Rios and Bustamante agreed to waive time for their arraignments until June 1 and June 9, respectively.
A total of seven other alleged members or associates of the gang were arrested the same day as Rios and Bustamante and all were scheduled to be formally charged in court on Monday as well.
All have been tied to the same series of shootings that began last July and included the Oct. 26, 2009 killing of Esaul Villagrana, 23, and the Jan. 30, slaying of Jonathan Cordova, 18, both of Long Beach, police and prosecutors allege.
Those seven people are suspected of various crimes that led to or helped with the attacks, including evidence tampering and intimidating witnesses, police said.
Among the seven arrested by Long Beach Police Thursday was 34-year-old Lisa Sedillo of Long Beach, who also faces charges for the Dec. 1, 1992, murder of 19-year-old Long Beach resident Jason Bandel.
Sedillo was arrested years ago for Bandel's murder as a co-conspirator along with convicted triggerman Francisco Moreno, 20, of Long Beach.
Moreno is currently serving a life sentence for Bandel's death but Sedillo was never formally charged, Cox said.
Sedillo and the remaining six accused were still awaiting arraignment as of 2:30 p.m.
The other defendants are:
Delores Ruiz, 29, of Lakewood, destruction of evidence.
Maria Kanlilar, 28, of Long Beach, accessory to murder.
Juan Herrera, 32, of Long Beach, attempted murder and accessory to murder.
Jose Luis Cortez, 37, of Long Beach, accessory to murder.
Martha Arevalo, 39, of Long Beach, attempted murder.
Jesus Ramirez, 24, of Long Beach, witness intimidation.
Defendants Reyes Rios, 32, the alleged leader of the Eastside Longos, and Ruhani Bustamante, 28, were arrested during a series of raids carried out by Long Beach police with county, state and federal agencies last Thursday.
Rios and Bustamante have been linked to a dozen shootings, including two murders, in the last year, police and prosecutors said.
Both men appeared briefly at the Long Beach Superior Court for arraignment Monday afternoon, handcuffed and shackled to a row of inmates, many of them fellow ESL gang members picked up in the series of raids.
Both Rios and Bustamante agreed to waive time for their arraignments until June 1 and June 9, respectively.
A total of seven other alleged members or associates of the gang were arrested the same day as Rios and Bustamante and all were scheduled to be formally charged in court on Monday as well.
All have been tied to the same series of shootings that began last July and included the Oct. 26, 2009 killing of Esaul Villagrana, 23, and the Jan. 30, slaying of Jonathan Cordova, 18, both of Long Beach, police and prosecutors allege.
Those seven people are suspected of various crimes that led to or helped with the attacks, including evidence tampering and intimidating witnesses, police said.
Among the seven arrested by Long Beach Police Thursday was 34-year-old Lisa Sedillo of Long Beach, who also faces charges for the Dec. 1, 1992, murder of 19-year-old Long Beach resident Jason Bandel.
Sedillo was arrested years ago for Bandel's murder as a co-conspirator along with convicted triggerman Francisco Moreno, 20, of Long Beach.
Moreno is currently serving a life sentence for Bandel's death but Sedillo was never formally charged, Cox said.
Sedillo and the remaining six accused were still awaiting arraignment as of 2:30 p.m.
The other defendants are:
Delores Ruiz, 29, of Lakewood, destruction of evidence.
Maria Kanlilar, 28, of Long Beach, accessory to murder.
Juan Herrera, 32, of Long Beach, attempted murder and accessory to murder.
Jose Luis Cortez, 37, of Long Beach, accessory to murder.
Martha Arevalo, 39, of Long Beach, attempted murder.
Jesus Ramirez, 24, of Long Beach, witness intimidation.
NORWALK -- Arraignment was postponed Monday for a 26-year-old man accused of storming his ex-girlfriend's Hawaiian Gardens home with an AK-47 earlier this month, killing her and two family members.
Hard stares from the victims' surviving relatives greeted defendant Joseph Mercado, who appeared in the Norwalk Superior Court handcuffed and shackled and wearing yellow and blue Los Angeles County Jail issued garb. The color of his uniform denoted his housing in the Men's Central Jail's medical ward, which court staff said was due to his state of mind.
Mercado agreed to waive time for his arraignment until July 22, giving attorneys in the capital murder case more time to prepare.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has not yet decided whether it will seek the death penalty, said Deputy District Attorney Frank Dunnick.
Prosecutors have until after the preliminary hearing, which was scheduled to be held within ten days of the July 22 arraignment, to make that determination, Dunnick said.
Mercado is charged with three counts of murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders.
In addition, Mercado is charged with two counts of attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, assault on a peace officer with an assault weapon, arson of an inhabited structure, child abuse and first-degree burglary with the special allegation that he personally used a firearm, said Jane Robison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman.
Mercado allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend's home in the 21000 block of Devlin Avenue before 4 a.m. May 6 and opened fire with an AK-47 rifle.
Killed in the shooting were 23-year-old Serena Tarin, the mother of Mercado's infant son, Tarin's 19-year-old brother, Alfredo Tarin Jr., and their father, 54-year-old Alfredo Tarin Sr.
Two other family members were wounded, including Tarin's mother, Lucy Tarin, who was critically injured.
Mercado also allegedly tried to set the home ablaze, dousing the interior with gasoline, but failed to get the fire started.
Mercado was shot by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy as the suspect emerged from the house and refused orders to drop his weapon. He was treated for a gunshot wound before he was booked into custody and he is being held without bail, Robison said.
Sheriff's investigators said the slayings seemed to stem from a custody dispute between Mercado and his former girlfriend.
The suspect, they said, shot a lock off a door at the home and then went from room to room, killing his victims.
Six other family members, including some children, were able to escape the rampage by climbing out an upstairs window and hiding on the roof until deputies arrived, authorities said.
Funeral services were held for all three of the slain victims over the weekend.
City officials working with friends and relatives of the victims have set up a memorial fund to assist the Tarin family with burial expenses.
Anyone who would like to help can send contributions to Tarin Family Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 5240 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712.
To make a donation by phone, call the bank at 562-925-1211.
For more information on the fund, call Alma Reyes, administrative analyst for the city of Hawaiian Gardens, 562-420-2641.
Hard stares from the victims' surviving relatives greeted defendant Joseph Mercado, who appeared in the Norwalk Superior Court handcuffed and shackled and wearing yellow and blue Los Angeles County Jail issued garb. The color of his uniform denoted his housing in the Men's Central Jail's medical ward, which court staff said was due to his state of mind.
Mercado agreed to waive time for his arraignment until July 22, giving attorneys in the capital murder case more time to prepare.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has not yet decided whether it will seek the death penalty, said Deputy District Attorney Frank Dunnick.
Prosecutors have until after the preliminary hearing, which was scheduled to be held within ten days of the July 22 arraignment, to make that determination, Dunnick said.
Mercado is charged with three counts of murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders.
In addition, Mercado is charged with two counts of attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, assault on a peace officer with an assault weapon, arson of an inhabited structure, child abuse and first-degree burglary with the special allegation that he personally used a firearm, said Jane Robison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman.
Mercado allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend's home in the 21000 block of Devlin Avenue before 4 a.m. May 6 and opened fire with an AK-47 rifle.
Killed in the shooting were 23-year-old Serena Tarin, the mother of Mercado's infant son, Tarin's 19-year-old brother, Alfredo Tarin Jr., and their father, 54-year-old Alfredo Tarin Sr.
Two other family members were wounded, including Tarin's mother, Lucy Tarin, who was critically injured.
Mercado also allegedly tried to set the home ablaze, dousing the interior with gasoline, but failed to get the fire started.
Mercado was shot by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy as the suspect emerged from the house and refused orders to drop his weapon. He was treated for a gunshot wound before he was booked into custody and he is being held without bail, Robison said.
Sheriff's investigators said the slayings seemed to stem from a custody dispute between Mercado and his former girlfriend.
The suspect, they said, shot a lock off a door at the home and then went from room to room, killing his victims.
Six other family members, including some children, were able to escape the rampage by climbing out an upstairs window and hiding on the roof until deputies arrived, authorities said.
Funeral services were held for all three of the slain victims over the weekend.
City officials working with friends and relatives of the victims have set up a memorial fund to assist the Tarin family with burial expenses.
Anyone who would like to help can send contributions to Tarin Family Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 5240 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712.
To make a donation by phone, call the bank at 562-925-1211.
For more information on the fund, call Alma Reyes, administrative analyst for the city of Hawaiian Gardens, 562-420-2641.
LONG BEACH -- Jury selection is expected to begin Monday in the case of a Compton parolee arrested last summer in connection with a Belmont Shore kidnapping and sexual assault.
Opening statements in the trial for Dennis Davis -- who has been held since his July 8, 2009, arrest without bail -- are expected to begin later in the week, said Deputy District Attorney Bob Hight.
The 46-year-old defendant is charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 27-year-old woman, who was forced at knife-point to get into a car after she parked her vehicle in the 100 block of Roswell Avenue around 9:45 p.m. on July 7.
The armed attacker initially demanded money and when the woman said she had none he forced her into his car. The man then told the victim he was driving her to an ATM and as he drove he touched her and made obscene comments, police said.
The victim was able to escape from the vehicle within about a block from where she was abducted and flagged down a passing motorist who called police as the kidnapper fled, authorities said.
Long Beach Police Department Robbery Detective Rudy Romero was able to track down the suspect shortly after the incident with the help of witness' descriptions of the suspect's car and license plate and physical evidence recovered at the scene, authorities said.
The charge against Davis includes at least four felony counts, including sexual assault.
Davis' trial is scheduled to be held in Dept. 10 of the Long Beach Superior Court.
Opening statements in the trial for Dennis Davis -- who has been held since his July 8, 2009, arrest without bail -- are expected to begin later in the week, said Deputy District Attorney Bob Hight.
The 46-year-old defendant is charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 27-year-old woman, who was forced at knife-point to get into a car after she parked her vehicle in the 100 block of Roswell Avenue around 9:45 p.m. on July 7.
The armed attacker initially demanded money and when the woman said she had none he forced her into his car. The man then told the victim he was driving her to an ATM and as he drove he touched her and made obscene comments, police said.
The victim was able to escape from the vehicle within about a block from where she was abducted and flagged down a passing motorist who called police as the kidnapper fled, authorities said.
Long Beach Police Department Robbery Detective Rudy Romero was able to track down the suspect shortly after the incident with the help of witness' descriptions of the suspect's car and license plate and physical evidence recovered at the scene, authorities said.
The charge against Davis includes at least four felony counts, including sexual assault.
Davis' trial is scheduled to be held in Dept. 10 of the Long Beach Superior Court.
LONG BEACH -- A 19-year-old Long Beach man was sentenced to a life behind bars Friday for repeatedly raping a 13-year-old girl, and family friend, at gunpoint.
Long Beach Superior Court Judge John D. Lord handed down the sentence, which requires defendant Everardo Rincon to serve at least 51 years in state prison before he can be <NO1>considered<NO>eligible for parole.
Public Defender Greg Cummings argued at length that his client deserved a new trial, claiming the court's decision to allow portions of evidence into the trial -- including the testimony of two other alleged victims, one of whom is the defendant's younger sister -- and its refusal to allow letters of apology Rincon wrote to all his victims made it impossible for the jury to remain objective.
"The court allowed the prosecutor to (enter) extremely inflammatory evidence," Cummings said.
"His sister cried throughout her time on the stand ... the jury was clearly unsettled by this testimony, it caused them to feel complete revulsion for my client," Cummings said, adding that three jurors had to look away.
"That's when the jury got off track in this case," the public defender said.
Deputy District Attorney Bob Hight countered Cummings' arguments by pointing out the court had already had a lengthy hearing to discuss the issue of the two other girls' cases and the letters.
Hight noted the court curtailed what could be shared with the jury regarding the other girls, barring the prosecution from disclosing Rincon's relationship to his sister "in an abundance of caution."
It was the defense, Hight said, who brought up the relationship between the two in an offensive move.
"The defense actually brings it in front of the jury as a sword and brings it out to inflame the jury even though he had the right not to and I couldn't bring it in," Hight argued.
Rincon was never charged for the alleged assault on his sister, who was 12 at the time, or the third underage girl. His conviction last month on four felony counts for four different incidents all pertained to the one 13-year-old victim.
Three of the counts carried 15-year-to-life sentences because the crimes were committed with a gun. The fourth count earned a six-year, or mid-term sentence, because jurors found no weapon was used.
State law requires the sentences be served consecutively, though Cummings claimed more than 50 years to life was tantamount to cruel and unusual punishment and therefore the state requirement was in violation of the U.S. constitution.
Though the charge was based on the one girl, jurors did hear about the two other alleged victims, the underage teen girl who told police she had sex with Rincon and Rincon's stepsister, who denied the allegations that her brother groped her over her clothing and propositioned her and also watched her while she showered.
The victim <NO1>who <NO>the case was based on was a friend of Rincon's family. The victim's mother was dating Rincon's brother and the two families often spent time together for holidays and relied on one another for child care and other needs, the prosecutor said.
The victim said the sexual assaults began in late August 2008, when her mom had to stay in the hospital while having a baby and the victim was sent with her siblings to stay at the defendant's home -- which he shared with his mother, siblings and grandparents, Hight said.
She recalled Rincon showing her a chrome handgun, which had been tucked in the waistband of his pants, and placing the gun next to her head on the table next to the bed, telling her he would kill her and her mother if she said anything, Hight said.
The victim also recalled Rincon laughing at her as she put her clothes back on and tried to clean up afterward.
The second incident occurred about three weeks later, when the victim thought Rincon was gone and she went to see Rincon's younger stepsister, who is the victim's friend. When Rincon's sister took a shower, she asked the victim to stay because she was afraid to be home alone, Hight said.
The victim stayed and Rincon came home and attacked the victim, once again threatening her with the gun.
Two more rapes followed, including one in which the defendant allegedly held a beer bottle above the victim's head and threatened to smash her with it if she fought back or tried to run away, Hight said.
In all of the attacks, the 13-year-old said, she told the defendant she did not want to have sex with him and cried. She also told authorities she had trouble sleeping and was constantly crying at home.
Though the victim's mother asked what was wrong, she told police and the prosecutor, she was afraid to say anything lest Rincon follow through on his threats to kill her or her mother, Hight said.
The incident came to light after the victim talked about the attacks while in confession at church. At the urging of the priest she told her mom, who called police, Hight said.
During the defense's move for a new trial, Cummings questioned the credibility of the victim, charging her statements about the rape to police, at the prelim and at the trial were inconsistent.
"She gave very contradictory accounts of how he used the gun," Cummings said. "(With) the beer bottle, she contradicted herself on the stand."
Cummings went on to say the jury should have been allowed to see letters of apology Rincon wrote to all three girls. In the letters his client took full responsibility though he never referred to using a gun or force because that did not happen, the defense said.
"(Rincon) acknowledged early on his conduct in the case," Cummings said. "He simply did not admit to that which he did not do."
The judge, however, did not agree, denying the motion for a new trial and granting the prosecutor's request for a ten year stay away order that bars Rincon from contacting the victim through any means.
Lord also noted for the record that the jury was in his direct line of sight throughout the testimony of Rincon's stepsister and there were no outward signs of emotion with any of the jurors.
After the sentence was handed down Cummings formally filed a notice of appeal.
After the trial, Hight said the sentence was close to the maximum term allowed -- which would have been life with a minimum of 53 years -- and more than appropriate given the crimes.
"This was a brutal act, several brutal acts, where this 13-year-old girl is crying and begging and pleading with him every time to stop and he has a gun and he's in her face," Hight said. "He's a sexual predator."
Long Beach Superior Court Judge John D. Lord handed down the sentence, which requires defendant Everardo Rincon to serve at least 51 years in state prison before he can be <NO1>considered<NO>eligible for parole.
Public Defender Greg Cummings argued at length that his client deserved a new trial, claiming the court's decision to allow portions of evidence into the trial -- including the testimony of two other alleged victims, one of whom is the defendant's younger sister -- and its refusal to allow letters of apology Rincon wrote to all his victims made it impossible for the jury to remain objective.
"The court allowed the prosecutor to (enter) extremely inflammatory evidence," Cummings said.
"His sister cried throughout her time on the stand ... the jury was clearly unsettled by this testimony, it caused them to feel complete revulsion for my client," Cummings said, adding that three jurors had to look away.
"That's when the jury got off track in this case," the public defender said.
Deputy District Attorney Bob Hight countered Cummings' arguments by pointing out the court had already had a lengthy hearing to discuss the issue of the two other girls' cases and the letters.
Hight noted the court curtailed what could be shared with the jury regarding the other girls, barring the prosecution from disclosing Rincon's relationship to his sister "in an abundance of caution."
It was the defense, Hight said, who brought up the relationship between the two in an offensive move.
"The defense actually brings it in front of the jury as a sword and brings it out to inflame the jury even though he had the right not to and I couldn't bring it in," Hight argued.
Rincon was never charged for the alleged assault on his sister, who was 12 at the time, or the third underage girl. His conviction last month on four felony counts for four different incidents all pertained to the one 13-year-old victim.
Three of the counts carried 15-year-to-life sentences because the crimes were committed with a gun. The fourth count earned a six-year, or mid-term sentence, because jurors found no weapon was used.
State law requires the sentences be served consecutively, though Cummings claimed more than 50 years to life was tantamount to cruel and unusual punishment and therefore the state requirement was in violation of the U.S. constitution.
Though the charge was based on the one girl, jurors did hear about the two other alleged victims, the underage teen girl who told police she had sex with Rincon and Rincon's stepsister, who denied the allegations that her brother groped her over her clothing and propositioned her and also watched her while she showered.
The victim <NO1>who <NO>the case was based on was a friend of Rincon's family. The victim's mother was dating Rincon's brother and the two families often spent time together for holidays and relied on one another for child care and other needs, the prosecutor said.
The victim said the sexual assaults began in late August 2008, when her mom had to stay in the hospital while having a baby and the victim was sent with her siblings to stay at the defendant's home -- which he shared with his mother, siblings and grandparents, Hight said.
She recalled Rincon showing her a chrome handgun, which had been tucked in the waistband of his pants, and placing the gun next to her head on the table next to the bed, telling her he would kill her and her mother if she said anything, Hight said.
The victim also recalled Rincon laughing at her as she put her clothes back on and tried to clean up afterward.
The second incident occurred about three weeks later, when the victim thought Rincon was gone and she went to see Rincon's younger stepsister, who is the victim's friend. When Rincon's sister took a shower, she asked the victim to stay because she was afraid to be home alone, Hight said.
The victim stayed and Rincon came home and attacked the victim, once again threatening her with the gun.
Two more rapes followed, including one in which the defendant allegedly held a beer bottle above the victim's head and threatened to smash her with it if she fought back or tried to run away, Hight said.
In all of the attacks, the 13-year-old said, she told the defendant she did not want to have sex with him and cried. She also told authorities she had trouble sleeping and was constantly crying at home.
Though the victim's mother asked what was wrong, she told police and the prosecutor, she was afraid to say anything lest Rincon follow through on his threats to kill her or her mother, Hight said.
The incident came to light after the victim talked about the attacks while in confession at church. At the urging of the priest she told her mom, who called police, Hight said.
During the defense's move for a new trial, Cummings questioned the credibility of the victim, charging her statements about the rape to police, at the prelim and at the trial were inconsistent.
"She gave very contradictory accounts of how he used the gun," Cummings said. "(With) the beer bottle, she contradicted herself on the stand."
Cummings went on to say the jury should have been allowed to see letters of apology Rincon wrote to all three girls. In the letters his client took full responsibility though he never referred to using a gun or force because that did not happen, the defense said.
"(Rincon) acknowledged early on his conduct in the case," Cummings said. "He simply did not admit to that which he did not do."
The judge, however, did not agree, denying the motion for a new trial and granting the prosecutor's request for a ten year stay away order that bars Rincon from contacting the victim through any means.
Lord also noted for the record that the jury was in his direct line of sight throughout the testimony of Rincon's stepsister and there were no outward signs of emotion with any of the jurors.
After the sentence was handed down Cummings formally filed a notice of appeal.
After the trial, Hight said the sentence was close to the maximum term allowed -- which would have been life with a minimum of 53 years -- and more than appropriate given the crimes.
"This was a brutal act, several brutal acts, where this 13-year-old girl is crying and begging and pleading with him every time to stop and he has a gun and he's in her face," Hight said. "He's a sexual predator."
A total of nine members and associates of one of the city's oldest and most violent street gangs, including the gang's leader, were arrested early Thursday as part of a multi-jurisdictional operation led by the Long Beach Police Department.
Reyes Rios, 32, the alleged leader of the East Side Longos gang, was arrested at his home and faces charges in two attempted murders. He is being held on $500,000 bail.
Ruhani Bustamante, 28, of Long Beach, was arrested in connection with 11 shootings, two of which resulted in murders. Bustamante was arrested at a local business and is being held without bail.
Also arrested on the following charges were:
Delores Ruiz, 29, of Lakewood, destruction of evidence.
Maria Kanlilar, 28, of Long Beach, accessory to murder.
Juan Herrera, 32, of Long Beach, attempted murder and accessory to murder.
Jose Luis Cortez, 37, of Long Beach, accessory to murder.
Martha Arevalo, 39, of Long Beach, attempted murder.
Jesus Ramirez, 24, of Long Beach, witness intimidation.
Lisa Sedillo, 34, of Long Beach, witness intimidation and a 1992 murder.
Reyes Rios, 32, the alleged leader of the East Side Longos gang, was arrested at his home and faces charges in two attempted murders. He is being held on $500,000 bail.
Ruhani Bustamante, 28, of Long Beach, was arrested in connection with 11 shootings, two of which resulted in murders. Bustamante was arrested at a local business and is being held without bail.
Also arrested on the following charges were:
Delores Ruiz, 29, of Lakewood, destruction of evidence.
Maria Kanlilar, 28, of Long Beach, accessory to murder.
Juan Herrera, 32, of Long Beach, attempted murder and accessory to murder.
Jose Luis Cortez, 37, of Long Beach, accessory to murder.
Martha Arevalo, 39, of Long Beach, attempted murder.
Jesus Ramirez, 24, of Long Beach, witness intimidation.
Lisa Sedillo, 34, of Long Beach, witness intimidation and a 1992 murder.
Long Beach police, working with county, state and federal agencies, arrested the key shot-callers and the head of one of the city's oldest and the most violent street gangs Thursday, according to police.
The arrests were in connection with nearly a dozen shootings over the past year, two of which resulted in the deaths of Long Beach men and all of which targeted Long Beach residents, many tied to rival gangs.
An LBPD timeline and brief synopsis of the crimes follows:
July 20, 2009, 9:42 p.m., 1700 block of Chestnut Avenue, attempted murder of a 30-year-old male Hispanic. Shooting occurred after an argument between the victim and suspect.
July 31, 2009, 10:56 p.m., 300 block of West 17th Street, assault with a deadly weapon against a 20-year-old male Hispanic. The victim was riding a scooter in an alley when he was shot.
Aug. 15, 2009, 2:37 a.m., 1300 block of Dawson Avenue, attempted murder of a 26-year-old male Asian. Suspect walked up to a home where a rival gang party was being held and fired numerous rounds, striking the victim who was sitting in a nearby vehicle.
Oct. 23, 2009, 7:40 p.m., 2100 block of Pacific Avenue, discharge of a firearm, victim unknown. Officers called to investigate shots-fired call find shell casings.
Oct. 26, 2009, 7:25 p.m., 1900 block of Cedar Avenue, murder of Esaul Villagrana, 23-year-old male Hispanic, and attempted murder of a 25-year-old female Hispanic. Villagrana and his wife were driving in the area when shots were fired, striking and killing Villagrana.
Nov. 11, 2009, 8:30 p.m., 1200 block of Ohio Avenue, assault with a deadly weapon on a 23-year-old male Hispanic. The victim was in a bedroom when a suspect fired rounds from outside the house through the window, striking the victim.
Nov. 18, 2009, 6:38 p.m., 2200 block of Locust Avenue, shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Victim is listed as a 19-year-old Hispanic male whose apartment window was hit by gunfire.
Dec. 16, 2009, 8:36 p.m., 2200 block of Locust Avenue, attempted murder of a 17-year-old Hispanic male. The victim was walking home when he was shot.
Jan. 8, 2010, 8:49 p.m., 2400 block of Earl Avenue, shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Victims are described as a 61-year-old black female and 50-year-old Hispanic male. Victims heard gunshots and found vehicles hit by gunfire.
Jan. 30, 2010, 11:39 p.m., 15th Street and Stanley Avenue, murder of Jonathan Cordova, an 18-year-old Hispanic male, and attempted murder of his friend, an 18-year-old Hispanic male. The surviving victim and Cordova were standing outside talking when the suspect walked up, struck up a conversation with Cordova and then shot and killed Cordova. The suspect also opened fire at the surviving victim as he ran away.
Feb. 11, 2010, 3:05 p.m., 11th Street and Myrtle Avenue, assault with a deadly weapon, victim unknown. Residents reported a shooting and investigators found a group of male blacks and male Hispanics got into a fight which resulted in a male Hispanic suspect opening fire.
The arrests were in connection with nearly a dozen shootings over the past year, two of which resulted in the deaths of Long Beach men and all of which targeted Long Beach residents, many tied to rival gangs.
An LBPD timeline and brief synopsis of the crimes follows:
July 20, 2009, 9:42 p.m., 1700 block of Chestnut Avenue, attempted murder of a 30-year-old male Hispanic. Shooting occurred after an argument between the victim and suspect.
July 31, 2009, 10:56 p.m., 300 block of West 17th Street, assault with a deadly weapon against a 20-year-old male Hispanic. The victim was riding a scooter in an alley when he was shot.
Aug. 15, 2009, 2:37 a.m., 1300 block of Dawson Avenue, attempted murder of a 26-year-old male Asian. Suspect walked up to a home where a rival gang party was being held and fired numerous rounds, striking the victim who was sitting in a nearby vehicle.
Oct. 23, 2009, 7:40 p.m., 2100 block of Pacific Avenue, discharge of a firearm, victim unknown. Officers called to investigate shots-fired call find shell casings.
Oct. 26, 2009, 7:25 p.m., 1900 block of Cedar Avenue, murder of Esaul Villagrana, 23-year-old male Hispanic, and attempted murder of a 25-year-old female Hispanic. Villagrana and his wife were driving in the area when shots were fired, striking and killing Villagrana.
Nov. 11, 2009, 8:30 p.m., 1200 block of Ohio Avenue, assault with a deadly weapon on a 23-year-old male Hispanic. The victim was in a bedroom when a suspect fired rounds from outside the house through the window, striking the victim.
Nov. 18, 2009, 6:38 p.m., 2200 block of Locust Avenue, shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Victim is listed as a 19-year-old Hispanic male whose apartment window was hit by gunfire.
Dec. 16, 2009, 8:36 p.m., 2200 block of Locust Avenue, attempted murder of a 17-year-old Hispanic male. The victim was walking home when he was shot.
Jan. 8, 2010, 8:49 p.m., 2400 block of Earl Avenue, shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Victims are described as a 61-year-old black female and 50-year-old Hispanic male. Victims heard gunshots and found vehicles hit by gunfire.
Jan. 30, 2010, 11:39 p.m., 15th Street and Stanley Avenue, murder of Jonathan Cordova, an 18-year-old Hispanic male, and attempted murder of his friend, an 18-year-old Hispanic male. The surviving victim and Cordova were standing outside talking when the suspect walked up, struck up a conversation with Cordova and then shot and killed Cordova. The suspect also opened fire at the surviving victim as he ran away.
Feb. 11, 2010, 3:05 p.m., 11th Street and Myrtle Avenue, assault with a deadly weapon, victim unknown. Residents reported a shooting and investigators found a group of male blacks and male Hispanics got into a fight which resulted in a male Hispanic suspect opening fire.
LONG BEACH -- The head of the city's most violent street gang and a key shot-caller for the gang was arrested early Thursday as part of a massive police operation that spanned the past several months, Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell announced Thursday.
Reyes Rios, 32, the alleged leader of the East Side Longos and suspected triggerman and ESL member Ruhani Bustamante, 28, were arrested during a series of raids carried out by Long Beach police with county, state and federal agencies, the chief said.
Rios and Bustamante were described as a "blight on the community" and have been linked to a dozen shootings, including two murders, in the last year, the chief said.
"Our Gang and Violent Crimes Division has been working relentlessly to arrest the shot-callers in the most violent criminal street gang in Long Beach, the East Side Longos gang," McDonnell said. "This gang is responsible for the majority of Long Beach's shootings and murders."
In addition to Rios and Bustamante the LBPD arrested seven other alleged members or associates of the gang, all of whom have been tied to the same series of shootings that began last July and included the Oct. 26, 2009 killing of Esaul Villagrana, 23, and the Jan. 30, slaying of Jonathan Cordova, 18, both of Long Beach, said Lt. Lloyd Cox, who oversees both the Homicide and Gang details.
Those seven people are suspected of various crimes that led to or helped with the attacks, including evidence tampering and intimidating witnesses, Cox said.
The majority of the targets appeared to be rival gang members or related to drug operations, he added.
Among the seven arrested by Long Beach Police Thursday was 34-year-old Lisa Sedillo of Long Beach, who also faces charges for the Dec. 1, 1992, murder of 19-year-old Long Beach resident Jason Bandel.
Sedillo was arrested years ago for Bandel's murder as a co-conspirator along with convicted triggerman Francisco Moreno, 20, of Long Beach.
Moreno is currently serving a life sentence for Bandel's death but Sedillo was never formally charged, Cox said.
On Thursday, the LBPD carried out a total of 11 search warrants in Long Beach, Signal Hill and Lakewood.
Los Angeles County Probation officers conducted 45 searches in the Greater Long Beach area and took 13 people into custody, six of them juveniles, said Acting Chief Probation Officer Cal Remington.
Remington's officers also seized one rifle, some ammunition and drugs, he said.
The pairing of probation and police officers is part of the D.I.S.A.R.M. Program, developed by County Supervisor Michael Antonovich with the support of Supervisor Don Knabe and other members of the board, Remington said.
Antonovich came up with D.I.S.A.R.M., which stands for Developing Increased Safety through Arms Reduction Management, following the 1999 shootings at the North Valley Jewish Community Center and the murder of a postal worker by Buford Furrow, an armed felon on probation from Washington.
Since its implementation the program has seized more than 6,000 weapons and more than $300 million in illegal drugs and drug money, Remington said.
"When we all partner we tend to get the best results," he said.
The joint arrests were announced at a press conference held at police headquarters Thursday afternoon and led by McDonnell.
He and most of the department's brass were joined by representatives of the agencies that worked with them, including Los Angeles County Probation, State Parole, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Hardcore Gang Unit and the DEA.
Mayor Bob Foster was among the speakers and echoed the police chief's comments that the operation was designed to send a message that the city will not tolerate gangs.
"(The police are) telling all gangs that you will not find a comfortable home in Long Beach," Foster said. "They will track you down, they will root you out."
McDonnell also noted the work of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services on the nearly year-long operation.
Cox said the investigation began with the July 20, 2009 attempted murder of a 30-year-old Long Beach man, who was shot during an argument in the 1700 block of Chestnut Avenue at about 9:42 p.m.
"Initially the first three shootings were connected through ballistics," Cox said. "However, detectives had little suspect information to work with and because we were dealing with gangs the victims were generally uncooperative."
The murder of Villagrana gave detectives a break with suspect descriptions and the killing of Cordova yielded surveillance video images of a suspect and a vehicle for the first time, Cox said.
The additional information prompted Long Beach Homicide and Gang detectives to re-interview witnesses and canvass the neighborhoods where the crimes occurred. Police also reached out to local media, putting out suspect information and sketches of the suspect and vehicle used in Cordova's killing.
Chief McDonnell credited community and media cooperation with helping make the operation a success. He also ended his address with a warning for all gangs in the city.
"We will not allow you to take control over your section of the city or any neighborhood or street or block in the city," McDonnell vowed. "We will find out who you are and we will focus on the worst of the worst and we will come after you."
Reyes Rios, 32, the alleged leader of the East Side Longos and suspected triggerman and ESL member Ruhani Bustamante, 28, were arrested during a series of raids carried out by Long Beach police with county, state and federal agencies, the chief said.
Rios and Bustamante were described as a "blight on the community" and have been linked to a dozen shootings, including two murders, in the last year, the chief said.
"Our Gang and Violent Crimes Division has been working relentlessly to arrest the shot-callers in the most violent criminal street gang in Long Beach, the East Side Longos gang," McDonnell said. "This gang is responsible for the majority of Long Beach's shootings and murders."
In addition to Rios and Bustamante the LBPD arrested seven other alleged members or associates of the gang, all of whom have been tied to the same series of shootings that began last July and included the Oct. 26, 2009 killing of Esaul Villagrana, 23, and the Jan. 30, slaying of Jonathan Cordova, 18, both of Long Beach, said Lt. Lloyd Cox, who oversees both the Homicide and Gang details.
Those seven people are suspected of various crimes that led to or helped with the attacks, including evidence tampering and intimidating witnesses, Cox said.
The majority of the targets appeared to be rival gang members or related to drug operations, he added.
Among the seven arrested by Long Beach Police Thursday was 34-year-old Lisa Sedillo of Long Beach, who also faces charges for the Dec. 1, 1992, murder of 19-year-old Long Beach resident Jason Bandel.
Sedillo was arrested years ago for Bandel's murder as a co-conspirator along with convicted triggerman Francisco Moreno, 20, of Long Beach.
Moreno is currently serving a life sentence for Bandel's death but Sedillo was never formally charged, Cox said.
On Thursday, the LBPD carried out a total of 11 search warrants in Long Beach, Signal Hill and Lakewood.
Los Angeles County Probation officers conducted 45 searches in the Greater Long Beach area and took 13 people into custody, six of them juveniles, said Acting Chief Probation Officer Cal Remington.
Remington's officers also seized one rifle, some ammunition and drugs, he said.
The pairing of probation and police officers is part of the D.I.S.A.R.M. Program, developed by County Supervisor Michael Antonovich with the support of Supervisor Don Knabe and other members of the board, Remington said.
Antonovich came up with D.I.S.A.R.M., which stands for Developing Increased Safety through Arms Reduction Management, following the 1999 shootings at the North Valley Jewish Community Center and the murder of a postal worker by Buford Furrow, an armed felon on probation from Washington.
Since its implementation the program has seized more than 6,000 weapons and more than $300 million in illegal drugs and drug money, Remington said.
"When we all partner we tend to get the best results," he said.
The joint arrests were announced at a press conference held at police headquarters Thursday afternoon and led by McDonnell.
He and most of the department's brass were joined by representatives of the agencies that worked with them, including Los Angeles County Probation, State Parole, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Hardcore Gang Unit and the DEA.
Mayor Bob Foster was among the speakers and echoed the police chief's comments that the operation was designed to send a message that the city will not tolerate gangs.
"(The police are) telling all gangs that you will not find a comfortable home in Long Beach," Foster said. "They will track you down, they will root you out."
McDonnell also noted the work of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services on the nearly year-long operation.
Cox said the investigation began with the July 20, 2009 attempted murder of a 30-year-old Long Beach man, who was shot during an argument in the 1700 block of Chestnut Avenue at about 9:42 p.m.
"Initially the first three shootings were connected through ballistics," Cox said. "However, detectives had little suspect information to work with and because we were dealing with gangs the victims were generally uncooperative."
The murder of Villagrana gave detectives a break with suspect descriptions and the killing of Cordova yielded surveillance video images of a suspect and a vehicle for the first time, Cox said.
The additional information prompted Long Beach Homicide and Gang detectives to re-interview witnesses and canvass the neighborhoods where the crimes occurred. Police also reached out to local media, putting out suspect information and sketches of the suspect and vehicle used in Cordova's killing.
Chief McDonnell credited community and media cooperation with helping make the operation a success. He also ended his address with a warning for all gangs in the city.
"We will not allow you to take control over your section of the city or any neighborhood or street or block in the city," McDonnell vowed. "We will find out who you are and we will focus on the worst of the worst and we will come after you."
A hearing used to determine whether a minor should be tried as an adult was postponed once again Thursday for a 16-year-old youth accused of shooting and killing a man for the victim's iPod.
It marked at least the fourth delay in the case of the defendant, who was 15 at the time of the April 2009 killing of Garrett Norris, 27.
If the defendant, who has not been identified because he is a juvenile, is tried as an adult he faces the possibility of life without parole if convicted on all counts.
Norris was gunned down in broad daylight while playing basketball with friends on a Saturday afternoon at Orizaba Park, located at Spaulding Street and Orizaba Avenue.
He was shot after he tried to stop two alleged gang members from running off with his belongings, which included his iPod, police said.
The USC Engineering graduate, who moved to Long Beach the previous fall after securing a job with Mercedes-Benz of Long Beach, chased the suspects into an nearby alley, where he was shot in the chest, according to authorities.
Norris was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The 15-year-old defendant was arrested within a few days of Norris' slaying and has remained incarcerated at a juvenile detention center since that time.
His fitness hearing is now scheduled for June 15, according to court staff.
It marked at least the fourth delay in the case of the defendant, who was 15 at the time of the April 2009 killing of Garrett Norris, 27.
If the defendant, who has not been identified because he is a juvenile, is tried as an adult he faces the possibility of life without parole if convicted on all counts.
Norris was gunned down in broad daylight while playing basketball with friends on a Saturday afternoon at Orizaba Park, located at Spaulding Street and Orizaba Avenue.
He was shot after he tried to stop two alleged gang members from running off with his belongings, which included his iPod, police said.
The USC Engineering graduate, who moved to Long Beach the previous fall after securing a job with Mercedes-Benz of Long Beach, chased the suspects into an nearby alley, where he was shot in the chest, according to authorities.
Norris was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The 15-year-old defendant was arrested within a few days of Norris' slaying and has remained incarcerated at a juvenile detention center since that time.
His fitness hearing is now scheduled for June 15, according to court staff.
A preliminary hearing was postponed Thursday for an 82-year-old Long Beach man charged with stabbing his nursing home roommate to death.
Gilbert Ortega Baca was arrested April 10 after police were called to the Crofton Manor Inn, 1900 E. Fifth St., about 7 a.m.
Authorities found the 60-year-old victim, William Wells, had suffered multiple stab wounds. Wells was taken to St. Mary Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Baca was arrested that day on suspicion of murder. He has since pleaded not guilty to the charge and remains in the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles in lieu of $1 million bail.
Baca was ordered Thursday to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on June 9th.
Gilbert Ortega Baca was arrested April 10 after police were called to the Crofton Manor Inn, 1900 E. Fifth St., about 7 a.m.
Authorities found the 60-year-old victim, William Wells, had suffered multiple stab wounds. Wells was taken to St. Mary Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Baca was arrested that day on suspicion of murder. He has since pleaded not guilty to the charge and remains in the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles in lieu of $1 million bail.
Baca was ordered Thursday to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on June 9th.
LONG BEACH -- A 22-year-old Long Beach woman charged with felony child abuse in connection with her two-year-old son's slaying was denied her request to be released from jail on her own recognizance Thursday.
Defendant Cameo Green appeared more than a week ahead of her scheduled preliminary hearing setting to request the release, which would have allowed her to be let out of jail without posting bail pending her trial.
Green is charged along with her boyfriend, 26-year-old Hector Ernest Jr., who is charged with murder for the beating death of the toddler, Deandre Fitzgerald Green.
Long Beach Police began their investigation after the couple, who lived in a Long Beach apartment with the toddler, took the child to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on March 20.
The boy was unconscious and, though emergency room staff worked on him for 45 minutes, he was pronounced dead within less than an hour of arriving at the hospital.
Ernest was arrested the following day on suspicion of murder. He wasn't formally charged until last month, when Green was also arrested.
The child's father and his family came out shortly after Ernest's arrest and said they had complained about signs of abuse on the two-year-old to Hawthorne Police and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services officials to no avail.
Ernest is charged with one count each of murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse. The complaint also alleges Ernest was on probation at the time of his arrest for a 2009 conviction of having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Green is charged with one count of child abuse. The complaint further alleges that Green failed to protect the child, resulting in his death, according to the DA.
Prosecutors allege Ernest inflicted the fatal injury on March 20.
If convicted on all counts, Green faces a maximum state prison term of 10 years and Ernest faces the possibility of 25 years to life, authorities said.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on June 1.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department jail records show bail was set at $1 million for Green and Ernest is being without bail due to the probation violation.
Defendant Cameo Green appeared more than a week ahead of her scheduled preliminary hearing setting to request the release, which would have allowed her to be let out of jail without posting bail pending her trial.
Green is charged along with her boyfriend, 26-year-old Hector Ernest Jr., who is charged with murder for the beating death of the toddler, Deandre Fitzgerald Green.
Long Beach Police began their investigation after the couple, who lived in a Long Beach apartment with the toddler, took the child to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on March 20.
The boy was unconscious and, though emergency room staff worked on him for 45 minutes, he was pronounced dead within less than an hour of arriving at the hospital.
Ernest was arrested the following day on suspicion of murder. He wasn't formally charged until last month, when Green was also arrested.
The child's father and his family came out shortly after Ernest's arrest and said they had complained about signs of abuse on the two-year-old to Hawthorne Police and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services officials to no avail.
Ernest is charged with one count each of murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse. The complaint also alleges Ernest was on probation at the time of his arrest for a 2009 conviction of having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Green is charged with one count of child abuse. The complaint further alleges that Green failed to protect the child, resulting in his death, according to the DA.
Prosecutors allege Ernest inflicted the fatal injury on March 20.
If convicted on all counts, Green faces a maximum state prison term of 10 years and Ernest faces the possibility of 25 years to life, authorities said.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on June 1.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department jail records show bail was set at $1 million for Green and Ernest is being without bail due to the probation violation.
LONG BEACH -- Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell is expected to announce the arrest of several key members of one of the city's most violent gangs this afternoon.
Joining the chief will be officials from various county, state and federal agencies who worked with the LBPD to take out shot callers in a gang that has been tied to some of the city's worst murders.
The press conference is planned for 2 p.m. at the Long Beach Police Department Headquarters.
More information to follow after the press conference.
tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261.
Joining the chief will be officials from various county, state and federal agencies who worked with the LBPD to take out shot callers in a gang that has been tied to some of the city's worst murders.
The press conference is planned for 2 p.m. at the Long Beach Police Department Headquarters.
More information to follow after the press conference.
tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261.
A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who stopped a gunman on a killing spree in Hawaiian Gardens earlier this month was honored Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors.
Deputy Freddy Brown was credited with saving six lives by shooting 26- year-old Joseph Mercado, who is suspected of using an AK-47 to kill his former girlfriend, her brother and her father at their Hawaiian Gardens home on May 6.
Two of those who survived were hiding in a bathroom and four others -- including young children -- sought cover on the roof.
"We want to thank and commend Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Freddy Brown for his incredible display of courage, in the face of life- threatening peril to himself, and protecting the residents of Los Angeles County without hesitation," Supervisor Don Knabe said.
Hawaiian Gardens city leaders have established a memorial fund to assist with burial expenses for Serena Tarin, 24, her brother, Alfredo Tarin Jr., 19, and
their father, Alfredo Tarin Sr.
Contributions may be sent to the Tarin Family Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 5240 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA, 90712.
Supervisors.
Deputy Freddy Brown was credited with saving six lives by shooting 26- year-old Joseph Mercado, who is suspected of using an AK-47 to kill his former girlfriend, her brother and her father at their Hawaiian Gardens home on May 6.
Two of those who survived were hiding in a bathroom and four others -- including young children -- sought cover on the roof.
"We want to thank and commend Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Freddy Brown for his incredible display of courage, in the face of life- threatening peril to himself, and protecting the residents of Los Angeles County without hesitation," Supervisor Don Knabe said.
Hawaiian Gardens city leaders have established a memorial fund to assist with burial expenses for Serena Tarin, 24, her brother, Alfredo Tarin Jr., 19, and
their father, Alfredo Tarin Sr.
Contributions may be sent to the Tarin Family Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 5240 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA, 90712.
LONG BEACH -- Sentencing was postponed Tuesday for a 19-year-old Long Beach man convicted last month of repeatedly raping a 13-year-old girl, and family friend, at gunpoint.
Defendant Everardo Gutierrez Rincon is facing a maximum term of more than 50 years to life in prison when he returns to the Long Beach Superior Court on his new sentencing date, scheduled for Friday.
Gutierrez was convicted April 22, on five felony counts related to four incidents in which he raped the 13-year-old victim at either gunpoint or by threatening to smash her in the head with a beer bottle, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Bob Hight said.
The defendant is the brother of the victim's mother's boyfriend and the two families often spent time together for holidays and relied on one another for child care and other needs.
The victim said the sexual assaults began in late August 2008, when her mom had to stay in the hospital while having a baby and the victim was sent with her siblings to stay at the defendant's home - which he shared with his mother, siblings and grandparents, Hight said.
<CF10>The victim said she kept quiet about the attacks because the defendant threatened to kill her and her family if she spoke out.
The incidents finally came to light after the victim talked about the attacks while in confession at church. At the urging of the priest she told her mom, who called police, Hight said.
Defendant Everardo Gutierrez Rincon is facing a maximum term of more than 50 years to life in prison when he returns to the Long Beach Superior Court on his new sentencing date, scheduled for Friday.
Gutierrez was convicted April 22, on five felony counts related to four incidents in which he raped the 13-year-old victim at either gunpoint or by threatening to smash her in the head with a beer bottle, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Bob Hight said.
The defendant is the brother of the victim's mother's boyfriend and the two families often spent time together for holidays and relied on one another for child care and other needs.
The victim said the sexual assaults began in late August 2008, when her mom had to stay in the hospital while having a baby and the victim was sent with her siblings to stay at the defendant's home - which he shared with his mother, siblings and grandparents, Hight said.
<CF10>The victim said she kept quiet about the attacks because the defendant threatened to kill her and her family if she spoke out.
The incidents finally came to light after the victim talked about the attacks while in confession at church. At the urging of the priest she told her mom, who called police, Hight said.
LONG BEACH -- The city's shoreline and port will be under siege Wednesday.
But fear not Downtown and Westside residents and workers, it's all part of a statewide counter-terrorism drill.
The annual event, started by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004, is one of several drills being conducted at ports and beach-front towns throughout California this week.
Part of downtown Long Beach's shoreline and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles will see hundreds of first-responders training for possible terrorist attacks.
Those participating in the drills will include the Long Beach Police and Fire departments, the Los Angeles Police and Fire departments, county and state authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The training is designed to improve homeland security and disaster preparedness. More than 3,000 federal, state and local responders are expected to participate statewide.
But fear not Downtown and Westside residents and workers, it's all part of a statewide counter-terrorism drill.
The annual event, started by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004, is one of several drills being conducted at ports and beach-front towns throughout California this week.
Part of downtown Long Beach's shoreline and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles will see hundreds of first-responders training for possible terrorist attacks.
Those participating in the drills will include the Long Beach Police and Fire departments, the Los Angeles Police and Fire departments, county and state authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The training is designed to improve homeland security and disaster preparedness. More than 3,000 federal, state and local responders are expected to participate statewide.
LONG BEACH -- The search was still on Friday morning for two of three bank robbery suspects involved in a shooting with a California Highway Patrol officer that shut down the 405 freeway, more than half a dozen area schools and huge swaths of the Eastside.
One man was flushed out of hiding next to the freeway with tear gas and taken into custody Thursday afternoon but two other suspects -- a heavy-set black woman and black man with a medium build -- remained at large Friday morning, police said.
"Both suspects are still outstanding," said Nancy Pratt, an LBPD spokeswoman. "We are continuing to work with the CHP, FBI and other local agencies."
The drama began at about 10:30 a.m. Thursday when a California Highway Patrol officer working the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway saw an SUV near Woodruff Avenue and Willow Street fitting the description of a getaway vehicle used by a trio of bank robbery suspects fleeing Laguna Hills.
Orange County authorities said the robbery occurred at 10:04 a.m. at Citizens Business Bank, 25255 Cabot Road, in Laguna Hills.
Nancy Sinclair, director of marketing for Citizens Business Bank, said that no one was hurt but gave few other details.
Orange County Sheriff's investigators and FBI agents said they were looking into reports that a similar robbery had been carried out in the same area just days earlier.
Sheriff's investigators said the suspects fled in a white Cadillac, but ditched that auto and continued in a white Chevy Tahoe with paper plates.
The CHP patrolman who spotted the Tahoe stopped the SUV on the Woodruff off-ramp of the northbound 405. When the officer came up to the SUV he saw a handgun, said CHP Officer Ray Payton.
"That is when the officer-involved shooting occurred," Payton said.
CHP officials would not release details about the shooting, including whether the suspects opened fire or if any suspects were hit, though Payton said the officer was not injured.
Neighborhood residents said they heard between 9 and 10 gunshots. One homeowner who was in his backyard said he heard four quick shots followed by a brief pause and then five to six more shots in rapid succession.
Shortly before the gunshots rang out a passenger in the SUV bailed out and fled on foot, said Long Beach Police.
A second passenger opened fire before the driver, believed to be a woman, fled, CHP officers at the scene said.
Long Beach Police investigators released video footage of the suspect vehicle and more detailed description of the at-large suspects late Thursday.
The driver was described as a black woman with a heavy build and corn rows in her hair -- a braided hairstyle -- with a wider than usual separation between each row.
The right-front passenger, and suspected gunman, was described as a black man with a dark complexion, 20 to 30 years old, with a medium build and short hair.
They were last seen in a newer model white Chevy Tahoe with the word "Tahoe" printed on on left-rear side and the letters "LS" or "LT" on the right side of the vehicle.
All the windows were tinted dark except for the windshield, though the tint on the back window may have been lighter than the sides. The SUV also had paper dealer plates that appeared to read "Gateway" in red and blue.
Anyone with information should contact the Long Beach Police Department at 562-435-6711 or call 9-1-1 immediately, police said.
Residents in the normally quiet neighbor said Long Beach officers were on the scene immediately Thursday and the situation was so hot in the initial response that Long Beach and CHP officers found themselves in one another's cross-hairs as they advanced on the area from opposite sides of the freeway.
LBPD patrol cars responded from every division in the city as well as the Airport and Motor Patrol details. The police locked down more than half a dozen public and private schools, ranging from pre-schools to a high school, and notified residents near the scene to stay inside their homes.
LBPD Special Weapons and Tactics officers were brought in with their heavy armor vehicle and an officer outfitted with sniper gear was dropped off on the completely closed 405 Freeway by a Long Beach Police Department helicopter.
"I've lived here for almost 20 years and I've never seen anything like this," said Jim Thomas, one of many residents who clustered around various potential crime scenes as police widened their search.
The manhunt included CHP officers, FBI agents, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies and officers from the Long Beach School District's Safety Division.
Spectators scrambled from block to block as reports came over the various police agency radios and home scanners about possible suspect locations despite advisories made via reverse 911 calls to lock themselves inside their businesses and homes.
One resident in the 2800 block of Gondar Avenue called police after she saw a black male with a gun in her backyard. A search turned up clothing that appeared to have been shed by a suspect, officers at the scene said.
Another resident in the 2800 block of Fanwood Avenue, Gary Cooper, called police around 12:30 p.m. after he came home and found his back door kicked in and the door frame splintered.
Cooper, who lives in the home with his wife and 3-year-old son, said officers told him the family's imposing yellow Amazon parrot likely scared the suspect away.
"I saw the door, heard the helicopters and put two and two together - I had to get out of there," Cooper said as his bird, named Mulligan, squawked angrily inside the house.
Police and search dogs swept through the Coopers' home but no suspect was found.
Police also swarmed a house on the 5800 block of Harco Street, where it was it was reported that a suspect ran through the backyard. A SWAT search found nothing.
Resident Valerie Ahumada said she walked outside her home at the corner of Harco and Albury Avenue to see SWAT members just feet from her front door. They were putting on protective gear and arming themselves with assault riffles, she said.
"It's not something you see every day," Ahumada added.
Two blocks east on Lomina Avenue, resident Ed Ritter said he received two calls from the reverse 911 system warning him to stay inside and keep watch for a male suspect.
Ritter said he peered outside his front door and saw about six SWAT members preparing to enter a home near the corner of his block.
The multi-pronged search came to an end at about 2 p.m. when SWAT officers lowered tear gas canisters into a densely shrub- and tree-covered area along the freeway, flushing out one of the suspect's who was immediately detained, Ramirez said.
Pratt said Friday that the suspect was turned over to the FBI.
After the tear gas was deployed, dark brown clouds of the choking chemical wafted over the neighborhood for several minutes, stinging eyes and burning throats. A fire was briefly ignited in the shrubbery but quickly doused by Long Beach Fire Department crews waiting nearby.
The Long Beach Police Department helicopter buzzed overhead throughout the day and stopped only once to refuel - and then it was backed up by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's helicopter. The LBPD chopper broadcast warnings to residents that a felony suspect was hiding in the area and they should stay inside.
Authorities declined to release information about the detained suspect, including his name or whether he was armed or injured.
As the smoke cleared around 3 p.m.. officers reopened the freeway - which was shut down to all traffic from Palo Verde to Woodruff. Many units remained at the scene as investigators combed the densely covered hillside next to the freeway. As of 8 p.m. southbound Willow Street remained closed from Palo Verde to Los Coyotes Diagonal.
Millikan High School, Stanford Middle School and Emerson, Cubberley, Burcham and Prisk elementary schools were all locked down, according to the Long Beach Unified School District.
Most of the schools, however, saw the lockdowns lifted by 1 p.m. and classes were dismissed at regular times, school officials said.
Police and school staffers also directed students on the safest ways to get home as some roads near the schools remained blocked until after 3 p.m., according to LBUSD spokesman Chris Eftychiou.
Until then concerned parents and frustrated commuters had flooded residential streets for hours, looking for any way through the shut-down neighborhoods and someone who could help them find their child.
Resident Nooshin Nabi said she was headed to Los Altos Methodist Church's pre-school to bring her 4-year-old daughter lunch when she was stopped by the barricades.
The worried mother stayed in the area for several hours toting her sleeping 3-month-old son. At one point, an Airport Division patrol officer took the lunch she had prepared for her daughter and delivered it to the secured school.
"I know she's inside and she's safe, but it's still scary," Nabi said.
Travelers taking off from the Long Beach Airport were also impacted by the street and freeway closures.
At least one commercial airline reported it had hundreds of passengers miss afternoon flights, which made for crowded night flights.
And parts of Willow Street remained closed until after 8 p.m. Thursday.
tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261
Staff Reporters Kelly Puente, Kevin Butler and Paul Eakins and Staff Photographers Jeff Gritchen and Brittany Murray contributed to this report.
One man was flushed out of hiding next to the freeway with tear gas and taken into custody Thursday afternoon but two other suspects -- a heavy-set black woman and black man with a medium build -- remained at large Friday morning, police said.
"Both suspects are still outstanding," said Nancy Pratt, an LBPD spokeswoman. "We are continuing to work with the CHP, FBI and other local agencies."
The drama began at about 10:30 a.m. Thursday when a California Highway Patrol officer working the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway saw an SUV near Woodruff Avenue and Willow Street fitting the description of a getaway vehicle used by a trio of bank robbery suspects fleeing Laguna Hills.
Orange County authorities said the robbery occurred at 10:04 a.m. at Citizens Business Bank, 25255 Cabot Road, in Laguna Hills.
Nancy Sinclair, director of marketing for Citizens Business Bank, said that no one was hurt but gave few other details.
Orange County Sheriff's investigators and FBI agents said they were looking into reports that a similar robbery had been carried out in the same area just days earlier.
Sheriff's investigators said the suspects fled in a white Cadillac, but ditched that auto and continued in a white Chevy Tahoe with paper plates.
The CHP patrolman who spotted the Tahoe stopped the SUV on the Woodruff off-ramp of the northbound 405. When the officer came up to the SUV he saw a handgun, said CHP Officer Ray Payton.
"That is when the officer-involved shooting occurred," Payton said.
CHP officials would not release details about the shooting, including whether the suspects opened fire or if any suspects were hit, though Payton said the officer was not injured.
Neighborhood residents said they heard between 9 and 10 gunshots. One homeowner who was in his backyard said he heard four quick shots followed by a brief pause and then five to six more shots in rapid succession.
Shortly before the gunshots rang out a passenger in the SUV bailed out and fled on foot, said Long Beach Police.
A second passenger opened fire before the driver, believed to be a woman, fled, CHP officers at the scene said.
Long Beach Police investigators released video footage of the suspect vehicle and more detailed description of the at-large suspects late Thursday.
The driver was described as a black woman with a heavy build and corn rows in her hair -- a braided hairstyle -- with a wider than usual separation between each row.
The right-front passenger, and suspected gunman, was described as a black man with a dark complexion, 20 to 30 years old, with a medium build and short hair.
They were last seen in a newer model white Chevy Tahoe with the word "Tahoe" printed on on left-rear side and the letters "LS" or "LT" on the right side of the vehicle.
All the windows were tinted dark except for the windshield, though the tint on the back window may have been lighter than the sides. The SUV also had paper dealer plates that appeared to read "Gateway" in red and blue.
Anyone with information should contact the Long Beach Police Department at 562-435-6711 or call 9-1-1 immediately, police said.
Residents in the normally quiet neighbor said Long Beach officers were on the scene immediately Thursday and the situation was so hot in the initial response that Long Beach and CHP officers found themselves in one another's cross-hairs as they advanced on the area from opposite sides of the freeway.
LBPD patrol cars responded from every division in the city as well as the Airport and Motor Patrol details. The police locked down more than half a dozen public and private schools, ranging from pre-schools to a high school, and notified residents near the scene to stay inside their homes.
LBPD Special Weapons and Tactics officers were brought in with their heavy armor vehicle and an officer outfitted with sniper gear was dropped off on the completely closed 405 Freeway by a Long Beach Police Department helicopter.
"I've lived here for almost 20 years and I've never seen anything like this," said Jim Thomas, one of many residents who clustered around various potential crime scenes as police widened their search.
The manhunt included CHP officers, FBI agents, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies and officers from the Long Beach School District's Safety Division.
Spectators scrambled from block to block as reports came over the various police agency radios and home scanners about possible suspect locations despite advisories made via reverse 911 calls to lock themselves inside their businesses and homes.
One resident in the 2800 block of Gondar Avenue called police after she saw a black male with a gun in her backyard. A search turned up clothing that appeared to have been shed by a suspect, officers at the scene said.
Another resident in the 2800 block of Fanwood Avenue, Gary Cooper, called police around 12:30 p.m. after he came home and found his back door kicked in and the door frame splintered.
Cooper, who lives in the home with his wife and 3-year-old son, said officers told him the family's imposing yellow Amazon parrot likely scared the suspect away.
"I saw the door, heard the helicopters and put two and two together - I had to get out of there," Cooper said as his bird, named Mulligan, squawked angrily inside the house.
Police and search dogs swept through the Coopers' home but no suspect was found.
Police also swarmed a house on the 5800 block of Harco Street, where it was it was reported that a suspect ran through the backyard. A SWAT search found nothing.
Resident Valerie Ahumada said she walked outside her home at the corner of Harco and Albury Avenue to see SWAT members just feet from her front door. They were putting on protective gear and arming themselves with assault riffles, she said.
"It's not something you see every day," Ahumada added.
Two blocks east on Lomina Avenue, resident Ed Ritter said he received two calls from the reverse 911 system warning him to stay inside and keep watch for a male suspect.
Ritter said he peered outside his front door and saw about six SWAT members preparing to enter a home near the corner of his block.
The multi-pronged search came to an end at about 2 p.m. when SWAT officers lowered tear gas canisters into a densely shrub- and tree-covered area along the freeway, flushing out one of the suspect's who was immediately detained, Ramirez said.
Pratt said Friday that the suspect was turned over to the FBI.
After the tear gas was deployed, dark brown clouds of the choking chemical wafted over the neighborhood for several minutes, stinging eyes and burning throats. A fire was briefly ignited in the shrubbery but quickly doused by Long Beach Fire Department crews waiting nearby.
The Long Beach Police Department helicopter buzzed overhead throughout the day and stopped only once to refuel - and then it was backed up by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's helicopter. The LBPD chopper broadcast warnings to residents that a felony suspect was hiding in the area and they should stay inside.
Authorities declined to release information about the detained suspect, including his name or whether he was armed or injured.
As the smoke cleared around 3 p.m.. officers reopened the freeway - which was shut down to all traffic from Palo Verde to Woodruff. Many units remained at the scene as investigators combed the densely covered hillside next to the freeway. As of 8 p.m. southbound Willow Street remained closed from Palo Verde to Los Coyotes Diagonal.
Millikan High School, Stanford Middle School and Emerson, Cubberley, Burcham and Prisk elementary schools were all locked down, according to the Long Beach Unified School District.
Most of the schools, however, saw the lockdowns lifted by 1 p.m. and classes were dismissed at regular times, school officials said.
Police and school staffers also directed students on the safest ways to get home as some roads near the schools remained blocked until after 3 p.m., according to LBUSD spokesman Chris Eftychiou.
Until then concerned parents and frustrated commuters had flooded residential streets for hours, looking for any way through the shut-down neighborhoods and someone who could help them find their child.
Resident Nooshin Nabi said she was headed to Los Altos Methodist Church's pre-school to bring her 4-year-old daughter lunch when she was stopped by the barricades.
The worried mother stayed in the area for several hours toting her sleeping 3-month-old son. At one point, an Airport Division patrol officer took the lunch she had prepared for her daughter and delivered it to the secured school.
"I know she's inside and she's safe, but it's still scary," Nabi said.
Travelers taking off from the Long Beach Airport were also impacted by the street and freeway closures.
At least one commercial airline reported it had hundreds of passengers miss afternoon flights, which made for crowded night flights.
And parts of Willow Street remained closed until after 8 p.m. Thursday.
tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261
Staff Reporters Kelly Puente, Kevin Butler and Paul Eakins and Staff Photographers Jeff Gritchen and Brittany Murray contributed to this report.
HAWAIIAN GARDENS -- Funeral services were finalized Thursday for a Hawaiian Gardens family mourning the loss of three members gunned down in a pre-dawn attack at their home.
Alleged gunman Joseph Mercado of Montebello was charged with capital murder earlier this week for the mass shooting that killed 23-year-old Serena Tarin, the mother of Mercado's infant son, Tarin's 19-year-old brother, Alfredo Tarin Jr., and their 54-year-old father, Alfredo Tarin Sr.
Two other family members were also shot and seriously hurt, including Tarin's mother Lucy Tarin who was critically injured.
Mercado allegedly broke into the Tarin home around 4 a.m. on May 6 and went from room to room, shooting the victims with an AK--47 assault rifle.
A number of people inside the home, many of them children, were able to escape the gunfire by fleeing to the roof.
A patrolling Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy who happened to be driving near in the home, in the 21000 block of Devlin Avenue, shot and injured Mercado as he came out of the house.
Investigators said the motive for the attack appeared to stem from child custody issues and the break-up of the couple.
A memorial fund has also been set up by city leaders to help the family with the cost of the burials and the care of the surviving victims.
Anyone wishing to help can send contributions to the Tarin Family Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 5240 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712.
To make a donation by phone, call the bank at 562-925-1211.
For more information, call Alma Reyes, administrative analyst for the city of Hawaiian Gardens, 562-420-2641.
The viewing for the three slain relatives is scheduled for 3 to 8 p.m. May 21 at All Souls Mortuary, 4400 Cherry Ave., in Long Beach. A rosary will also be held starting at 6:30 p.m.
The funeral mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 22 at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 12001 214th St., in Hawaiian Gardens. A graveside service is scheduled to follow at 11:30 a.m. at All Souls.
Alleged gunman Joseph Mercado of Montebello was charged with capital murder earlier this week for the mass shooting that killed 23-year-old Serena Tarin, the mother of Mercado's infant son, Tarin's 19-year-old brother, Alfredo Tarin Jr., and their 54-year-old father, Alfredo Tarin Sr.
Two other family members were also shot and seriously hurt, including Tarin's mother Lucy Tarin who was critically injured.
Mercado allegedly broke into the Tarin home around 4 a.m. on May 6 and went from room to room, shooting the victims with an AK--47 assault rifle.
A number of people inside the home, many of them children, were able to escape the gunfire by fleeing to the roof.
A patrolling Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy who happened to be driving near in the home, in the 21000 block of Devlin Avenue, shot and injured Mercado as he came out of the house.
Investigators said the motive for the attack appeared to stem from child custody issues and the break-up of the couple.
A memorial fund has also been set up by city leaders to help the family with the cost of the burials and the care of the surviving victims.
Anyone wishing to help can send contributions to the Tarin Family Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 5240 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712.
To make a donation by phone, call the bank at 562-925-1211.
For more information, call Alma Reyes, administrative analyst for the city of Hawaiian Gardens, 562-420-2641.
The viewing for the three slain relatives is scheduled for 3 to 8 p.m. May 21 at All Souls Mortuary, 4400 Cherry Ave., in Long Beach. A rosary will also be held starting at 6:30 p.m.
The funeral mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 22 at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 12001 214th St., in Hawaiian Gardens. A graveside service is scheduled to follow at 11:30 a.m. at All Souls.
COMPTON -- A preliminary hearing started Tuesday for a 21-year-old alleged gang member accused of gunning down a star player for Narbonne High School at a Compton fastfood restaurant in 2009.
Arlon Watson is charged with one count of murder for the May 24, 2009, slaying of Dannie Farber, Narbonne's star wide receiver.
Farber was shot while on a date with his girlfriend.
Prosecutors and police allege Watson approached Farber and asked him his gang affiliation. When the victim replied that he did not "gang-bang," Watson purportedly shot and killed him.
The criminal complaint filed earlier this year against Watson includes a number of enhancements, including the allegations of the personal use of a firearm and the personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death. Watson is also accused of committing the murder for the benefit of a gang.
The defendant was arrested on Jan. 27 on outstanding warrants by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide detectives and he has remained in jail in lieu of $2 million bail.
His preliminary hearing, which is held to determine whether there is enough evidence to hold a trial, began Tuesday morning and is expected to wrap up Wednesday afternoon.
If Watson is bound over for trial, and convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum prison term of 50 years to life in prison.
Arlon Watson is charged with one count of murder for the May 24, 2009, slaying of Dannie Farber, Narbonne's star wide receiver.
Farber was shot while on a date with his girlfriend.
Prosecutors and police allege Watson approached Farber and asked him his gang affiliation. When the victim replied that he did not "gang-bang," Watson purportedly shot and killed him.
The criminal complaint filed earlier this year against Watson includes a number of enhancements, including the allegations of the personal use of a firearm and the personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death. Watson is also accused of committing the murder for the benefit of a gang.
The defendant was arrested on Jan. 27 on outstanding warrants by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide detectives and he has remained in jail in lieu of $2 million bail.
His preliminary hearing, which is held to determine whether there is enough evidence to hold a trial, began Tuesday morning and is expected to wrap up Wednesday afternoon.
If Watson is bound over for trial, and convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum prison term of 50 years to life in prison.
I received this press release today and thought you all might find it interesting. I've copied and pasted it below for your viewing pleasure:
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2010
TELL STARBUCKS: ESPRESSO SHOTS, NOT GUN SHOTS
WHAT: The Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles and the Brady Campaign, as well as other representative (sic) from domestic violence, gang intervention, and public health organizations will assemble to protest the Starbucks open carry policy. The event will be followed-up with protests at neighborhood Starbucks.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 1 -1:30 pm.
WHERE: 1000 North Alameda, Joshua Tree Room, Los Angeles, 90012-1804 (The California Endowment Building) PRESS FEEDS NOT AVAILABLE
WHO: California Peace Prize Winner Billie Weiss of the Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles; Suzanne Verge from the VPC and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Dallas Stout, President of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign; Civil Rights Attorney Connie Rice, a member of the VPC Ambassadors Council; Khalid Shah from the Inland Empire VPC, Second Call, the Cease Fire Committee and others.
WHY: Because of Starbucks policy to allow patrons to carry firearms openly on their premises, getting your morning coffee could be a threat to the health, safety and well-being of the community. In 2007, a total of 989 lives were lost due to gun related injuries in Los Angeles County alone. An additional 3,555 nonfatal injuries involved a firearm. Thirty-nine percent (39%; 386 deaths) of the deaths were of children and teens and young adults under the age of 24 and 34% of the nonfatal injuries involving a gun were also young people under the age of 24. Firearms are the leading cause of death for the populations between 15-34 years of age. Guns are lethal and do not belong in family friendly stores. In response, to the Open Carry movement, establishments such as Peet's Coffee and Tea and California Pizza Kitchen have said no to guns on their premises, but Starbucks continues to allow gun-toting patrons in their establishments. This is reckless behavior that puts all of us at risk. If Starbucks wants to be a good neighbor, they need to change their policy now.
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2010
TELL STARBUCKS: ESPRESSO SHOTS, NOT GUN SHOTS
HEALTH
ADVOCATES DEMAND STARBUCKS CHANGE OPEN-CARRY POLICY
WHAT: The Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles and the Brady Campaign, as well as other representative (sic) from domestic violence, gang intervention, and public health organizations will assemble to protest the Starbucks open carry policy. The event will be followed-up with protests at neighborhood Starbucks.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 1 -1:30 pm.
WHERE: 1000 North Alameda, Joshua Tree Room, Los Angeles, 90012-1804 (The California Endowment Building) PRESS FEEDS NOT AVAILABLE
WHO: California Peace Prize Winner Billie Weiss of the Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles; Suzanne Verge from the VPC and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Dallas Stout, President of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign; Civil Rights Attorney Connie Rice, a member of the VPC Ambassadors Council; Khalid Shah from the Inland Empire VPC, Second Call, the Cease Fire Committee and others.
WHY: Because of Starbucks policy to allow patrons to carry firearms openly on their premises, getting your morning coffee could be a threat to the health, safety and well-being of the community. In 2007, a total of 989 lives were lost due to gun related injuries in Los Angeles County alone. An additional 3,555 nonfatal injuries involved a firearm. Thirty-nine percent (39%; 386 deaths) of the deaths were of children and teens and young adults under the age of 24 and 34% of the nonfatal injuries involving a gun were also young people under the age of 24. Firearms are the leading cause of death for the populations between 15-34 years of age. Guns are lethal and do not belong in family friendly stores. In response, to the Open Carry movement, establishments such as Peet's Coffee and Tea and California Pizza Kitchen have said no to guns on their premises, but Starbucks continues to allow gun-toting patrons in their establishments. This is reckless behavior that puts all of us at risk. If Starbucks wants to be a good neighbor, they need to change their policy now.
LONG BEACH -- Two 15-year-old girls were charged Monday with assault with a deadly weapon for the beating and slashing of a 16-year-old girl last week.
The suspects were arraigned on the felony charges at the Long Beach Superior Court Monday morning, said Deputy District Attorney Joanne Baeza.
Because the suspects are minors' their names, and the name of the minor victim, were withheld by authorities.
All three teens are from Long Beach.
The pair stand accused of attacking and beating the 16-year-old girl near 11th Street and Long Beach Boulevard at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday.
The girl told police she was walking south on Long Beach Boulevard when the pair, who she knows, assaulted her.
She was able to get away and was walking near Seventh Street and Nebraska Avenue a short time later when one of the 15-year-old's jumped her a second time, this time cutting her with a sharp object, police said.
The victim was taken by her family to a local hospital where police were summoned, authorities said.
While the motive for the attacks remain under investigation, police said they arrested the 15 year old assailants on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and added an attempted murder count when booking the 15-year-old who slashed the victim.
Prosecutors, however, did not file the attempted murder count Monday, Baeza said.
The girl who allegedly cut the victim was instead charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon -- one count for each attack -- and one count of witness or victim intimidation, the prosecutor said.
The other 15-year-old was charged with one count of ADW and one count of witness intimidation.
The intimidation charge stems from statements the suspects made to the victim during the attacks, Baeza said.
Both of the juvenile suspects are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court's Juvenile Division on May 27 for a pre-trial conference.
Both of the accused teens are being held at a juvenile detention center as they await adjudication of their case.
The girls could face punishment ranging from probation to incarceration in the California Division of Juvenile Justice, formerly known as the California Youth Authority, until the age of 25, authorities said.
The suspects were arraigned on the felony charges at the Long Beach Superior Court Monday morning, said Deputy District Attorney Joanne Baeza.
Because the suspects are minors' their names, and the name of the minor victim, were withheld by authorities.
All three teens are from Long Beach.
The pair stand accused of attacking and beating the 16-year-old girl near 11th Street and Long Beach Boulevard at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday.
The girl told police she was walking south on Long Beach Boulevard when the pair, who she knows, assaulted her.
She was able to get away and was walking near Seventh Street and Nebraska Avenue a short time later when one of the 15-year-old's jumped her a second time, this time cutting her with a sharp object, police said.
The victim was taken by her family to a local hospital where police were summoned, authorities said.
While the motive for the attacks remain under investigation, police said they arrested the 15 year old assailants on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and added an attempted murder count when booking the 15-year-old who slashed the victim.
Prosecutors, however, did not file the attempted murder count Monday, Baeza said.
The girl who allegedly cut the victim was instead charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon -- one count for each attack -- and one count of witness or victim intimidation, the prosecutor said.
The other 15-year-old was charged with one count of ADW and one count of witness intimidation.
The intimidation charge stems from statements the suspects made to the victim during the attacks, Baeza said.
Both of the juvenile suspects are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court's Juvenile Division on May 27 for a pre-trial conference.
Both of the accused teens are being held at a juvenile detention center as they await adjudication of their case.
The girls could face punishment ranging from probation to incarceration in the California Division of Juvenile Justice, formerly known as the California Youth Authority, until the age of 25, authorities said.
BELLFLOWER -- A 26-year-old man was charged with capital murder Monday for a mass shooting that left three people dead and two seriously hurt at his ex-girlfriend's Hawaiian Gardens home last week.
Joseph Mercado was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon at the Bellflower Superior Court, but the matter was postponed until May 24 and transferred to the Norwalk Superior Court, according to court staff.
Mercado was charged with three counts of murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders, which could make him eligible for the death penalty, said Deputy District Attorneys Robert Villa and Frank Dunnick.
In addition, Mercado was charged with two counts of attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, assault on a peace officer with an assault weapon, arson of an inhabited structure, child abuse and first-degree burglary with the special allegation that he personally used a firearm, said Jane Robison, a Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman.
Mercado allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend's home in the 2100 block of Devlin Avenue early Thursday and opened fire with an AK-47 rifle.
Killed in the shooting were 23-year-old Serena Tarin, the mother of Mercado's infant son, Tarin's 21-year-old brother, Alfredo Tarin Jr., and their father, Alfredo Tarin Sr.
Two other family members were wounded, including Tarin's mother, Lucy Tarin, who was critically injured.
Mercado also allegedly tried to set the home ablaze, dousing the interior with gasoline, but failed to get the fire started.
The suspect was shot by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy as Mercado emerged from the house before 4 a.m. Thursday. He was treated and placed under arrest and is being held without bail, Robison said.
Sheriff's investigators said last week that the slayings seemed to stem from a custody dispute between Mercado and his former girlfriend.
The suspect, they said, shot a lock off a door at the home and then went from room to room, killing his victims.
Six other family members, including some children, were able to escape the rampage by climbing out an upstairs window and hiding on the roof until deputies arrived, authorities said.
Prosecutors will decide at a later date whether they will seek the death penalty, Robison said.
Friends and relatives of the victims have also set up a memorial fund to assist the Tarin family with burial expenses.
Anyone who would like to help can send contributions to Tarin Family Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 5240 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712.
For more information about the fund, call the bank at 562-420-2641.
Joseph Mercado was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon at the Bellflower Superior Court, but the matter was postponed until May 24 and transferred to the Norwalk Superior Court, according to court staff.
Mercado was charged with three counts of murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders, which could make him eligible for the death penalty, said Deputy District Attorneys Robert Villa and Frank Dunnick.
In addition, Mercado was charged with two counts of attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, assault on a peace officer with an assault weapon, arson of an inhabited structure, child abuse and first-degree burglary with the special allegation that he personally used a firearm, said Jane Robison, a Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman.
Mercado allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend's home in the 2100 block of Devlin Avenue early Thursday and opened fire with an AK-47 rifle.
Killed in the shooting were 23-year-old Serena Tarin, the mother of Mercado's infant son, Tarin's 21-year-old brother, Alfredo Tarin Jr., and their father, Alfredo Tarin Sr.
Two other family members were wounded, including Tarin's mother, Lucy Tarin, who was critically injured.
Mercado also allegedly tried to set the home ablaze, dousing the interior with gasoline, but failed to get the fire started.
The suspect was shot by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy as Mercado emerged from the house before 4 a.m. Thursday. He was treated and placed under arrest and is being held without bail, Robison said.
Sheriff's investigators said last week that the slayings seemed to stem from a custody dispute between Mercado and his former girlfriend.
The suspect, they said, shot a lock off a door at the home and then went from room to room, killing his victims.
Six other family members, including some children, were able to escape the rampage by climbing out an upstairs window and hiding on the roof until deputies arrived, authorities said.
Prosecutors will decide at a later date whether they will seek the death penalty, Robison said.
Friends and relatives of the victims have also set up a memorial fund to assist the Tarin family with burial expenses.
Anyone who would like to help can send contributions to Tarin Family Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 5240 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712.
For more information about the fund, call the bank at 562-420-2641.
LONG BEACH -- Trial was postponed Monday for two Long Beach teens charged with the slaying of one youth and attempted murders of five others in a gang-related revenge killing in 2008.
In a somewhat unusual twist the pair will be tried simultaneously but with separate juries, court staff said Monday.
The defendants, Eric Benites and Jason Trejo, were 15 and 14 years old, respectively, at the time of the shooting, but are being tried as adults.
The pair are charged in the Jan. 6, 2008 killing of 16-year-old Florentino Rivera.
The killing occurred when Benites and Trejo allegedly opened fire on a group of people near 15th Street and Cedar Avenue on Jan. 6, 2008, according to police and prosecutors.
Sources close to the defendants and the victims said the shooting stemmed from Benites' thirst for revenge in the killing of his 13-year-old brother, Jose Cano, who was stabbed to death in June 2007 by gang rivals at 14th Street Park.
Cano was killed after he allegedly attacked a 14-year-old gang rival's home and the 14-year-old's mother, Eva Daley, on June 25, 2007.
Cano also stabbed the 14-year-old in a fight about six months prior to Cano's murder.
A total of six minors were tried in that case along with Daley, who helped plan the attack and drove the boys to the park to kill Cano.
The stabber -- Heriberto Garcia, who was 15 at the time of the killing -- was tried as an adult along with Daley and both of them were convicted of second degree murder in October of 2008.
Friends of suspects in both slayings said Benites was so incensed by the lack of action taken by his brother's gang and so distraught over his brother's death that he turned on his brother's gang, which led to the 2008 fatal shooting of Rivera.
Rivera's family has steadfastly denied he was in a gang, but friends of the victim and suspects said Rivera hung out with gang members and may have been shot accidentally or lumped into the group by association.
Prosecutors could not discuss specifics about the motive, but said last year that Benites and Trejo are both members of the West Side Longos and that the two teens targeted members of their gang's long-standing and bitter rivals, the East Side Longos.
Initially, the DA's Office charged Trejo with being the triggerman in Rivera's death. However further investigation revealed Benites had the murder weapon prior to Rivera's killing, not Trejo, and Benites is now charged as the gunman in the Cabrillo High School student's death.
Benites is scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on June 7, when jury selection is scheduled to start in his trial. Trejo is scheduled to return on June 8 for jury selection, according to court staff.
The trials will run simultaneously, court staff said.
Although it's somewhat unusual to have dueling juries it is not totally uncommon, attorneys and court staff said Monday.
Both teens remain in custody as they await their trials and each teen faces the possibility of life in prison without parole if convicted on all counts.
In a somewhat unusual twist the pair will be tried simultaneously but with separate juries, court staff said Monday.
The defendants, Eric Benites and Jason Trejo, were 15 and 14 years old, respectively, at the time of the shooting, but are being tried as adults.
The pair are charged in the Jan. 6, 2008 killing of 16-year-old Florentino Rivera.
The killing occurred when Benites and Trejo allegedly opened fire on a group of people near 15th Street and Cedar Avenue on Jan. 6, 2008, according to police and prosecutors.
Sources close to the defendants and the victims said the shooting stemmed from Benites' thirst for revenge in the killing of his 13-year-old brother, Jose Cano, who was stabbed to death in June 2007 by gang rivals at 14th Street Park.
Cano was killed after he allegedly attacked a 14-year-old gang rival's home and the 14-year-old's mother, Eva Daley, on June 25, 2007.
Cano also stabbed the 14-year-old in a fight about six months prior to Cano's murder.
A total of six minors were tried in that case along with Daley, who helped plan the attack and drove the boys to the park to kill Cano.
The stabber -- Heriberto Garcia, who was 15 at the time of the killing -- was tried as an adult along with Daley and both of them were convicted of second degree murder in October of 2008.
Friends of suspects in both slayings said Benites was so incensed by the lack of action taken by his brother's gang and so distraught over his brother's death that he turned on his brother's gang, which led to the 2008 fatal shooting of Rivera.
Rivera's family has steadfastly denied he was in a gang, but friends of the victim and suspects said Rivera hung out with gang members and may have been shot accidentally or lumped into the group by association.
Prosecutors could not discuss specifics about the motive, but said last year that Benites and Trejo are both members of the West Side Longos and that the two teens targeted members of their gang's long-standing and bitter rivals, the East Side Longos.
Initially, the DA's Office charged Trejo with being the triggerman in Rivera's death. However further investigation revealed Benites had the murder weapon prior to Rivera's killing, not Trejo, and Benites is now charged as the gunman in the Cabrillo High School student's death.
Benites is scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on June 7, when jury selection is scheduled to start in his trial. Trejo is scheduled to return on June 8 for jury selection, according to court staff.
The trials will run simultaneously, court staff said.
Although it's somewhat unusual to have dueling juries it is not totally uncommon, attorneys and court staff said Monday.
Both teens remain in custody as they await their trials and each teen faces the possibility of life in prison without parole if convicted on all counts.
A preliminary hearing was postponed Monday for a 40-year-old Long Beach charged with killing his girlfriend with a machete, then turning the blade on himself.
Alberto Fonseca was found in his Long Beach apartment on Feb. 18 critically injured from what appeared to be self-inflected slash wounds, police said.
Alberto Fonseca was found in his Long Beach apartment on Feb. 18 critically injured from what appeared to be self-inflected slash wounds, police said.
In the bedroom with him was the bloody corpse of his long-term girlfriend, Mireya Lopez Medina, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Though police did not initially name Fonseca a suspect authorities did say they were looking into domestic violence as a possible motive.
A relative of the one of the two came home around 8:15 a.m. the morning of the 18th, found the pair in the bedroom of their home in the 1900 block of Cedar Avenue and called 911, police said.
The investigation revealed the couple were arguing when Fonseca attacked Medina with the machete before turning the weapon on himself, police said.
Fonseca was initially listed in critical condition. Once it became clear his condition was improving and he would survive the incident he was charged with Medina's murder.
The accused was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing, which is used to determine if there is enough evidence to hold a trial, Monday morning. The matter was postponed until May 26 in Dept. 3 of the Long Beach Superior Court, court staff said.
Meanwhile, Fonseca is being held at the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles in lieu of $1 million bail.
A July trial date was tentatively set Wednesday for a 34-year-old Long Beach man accused of murder and drunken driving in
the hit-and-run dragging death of a 1-year-old girl pleaded.
Neely Lejon Dinkins is charged with not only the dragging death of 1-year-old Kaylee Alvarez in September, but also the near killing of Kaylee's brother, 2-year-old Oscar.
He is accused of dragging Kaylee over a mile as her parents and passers-by screamed for him to stop. The baby and her toddler brother were being pulled across Redondo Avenue at 10th Street in a red wagon by their parents about 8:30 p.m. Sept. 11.
Dinkins' blood alcohol level measured nearly three times the legal limit at the time of his arrest.
Witnesses said a Dodge Durango driven by Dinkins slammed into the red plastic wagon and dragged the two children about a block before Dinkins' was stopped by Ira Cohen, a good Samaritan. When the SUV stopped, Oscar rolled out from under the vehicle landing at Cohen's feet, Cohen testified. He snatched Oscar to safety as Dinkins sped off a second time, with Kaylee still buckled inside the wagon, witnesses said.
Another good Samaritan followed the SUV as Dinkins wound his way around the neighborhood, dragging the baby for more than a mile before he stopped in the driveway of his girlfriend's home on Wilton Street, just off Redondo. Throughout the incident, calls flooded the Long Beach Police Department's 911 center and officers swarmed the area, searching for the SUV.
Dinkins, a single father, is charged with five felony counts including murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence causing injury or death to both Kaylee and Oscar and fleeing the scene of the accident. An allegation of inflicting great bodily injury applies to a number of the counts and the defendant also has one strike on his record, all of which factored into his bail, set at $1.49 million last year.
Dinkins' trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday at the Long Beach Superior Court. The new trial date was set for July 1 in Dept. 9.
The accused remains in the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles in lieu of bail.
Neely Lejon Dinkins is charged with not only the dragging death of 1-year-old Kaylee Alvarez in September, but also the near killing of Kaylee's brother, 2-year-old Oscar.
He is accused of dragging Kaylee over a mile as her parents and passers-by screamed for him to stop. The baby and her toddler brother were being pulled across Redondo Avenue at 10th Street in a red wagon by their parents about 8:30 p.m. Sept. 11.
Dinkins' blood alcohol level measured nearly three times the legal limit at the time of his arrest.
Witnesses said a Dodge Durango driven by Dinkins slammed into the red plastic wagon and dragged the two children about a block before Dinkins' was stopped by Ira Cohen, a good Samaritan. When the SUV stopped, Oscar rolled out from under the vehicle landing at Cohen's feet, Cohen testified. He snatched Oscar to safety as Dinkins sped off a second time, with Kaylee still buckled inside the wagon, witnesses said.
Another good Samaritan followed the SUV as Dinkins wound his way around the neighborhood, dragging the baby for more than a mile before he stopped in the driveway of his girlfriend's home on Wilton Street, just off Redondo. Throughout the incident, calls flooded the Long Beach Police Department's 911 center and officers swarmed the area, searching for the SUV.
Dinkins, a single father, is charged with five felony counts including murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence causing injury or death to both Kaylee and Oscar and fleeing the scene of the accident. An allegation of inflicting great bodily injury applies to a number of the counts and the defendant also has one strike on his record, all of which factored into his bail, set at $1.49 million last year.
Dinkins' trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday at the Long Beach Superior Court. The new trial date was set for July 1 in Dept. 9.
The accused remains in the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles in lieu of bail.
LONG BEACH -- A 21-year-old Mission Viejo man appeared briefly in the Long Beach Superior Court Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing in connection with last year's strangulation of a Cal State Long Beach nursing student.
Police and prosecutors allege Jonathan Huynh killed his girlfriend, Kate Sue Yi, in a fit of jealous rage on April 2, then stuffed her battered and bloodied body into a closet in her apartment near the college campus she attended.
The 21-year-old man is charged with first degree murder and faces the possibility of life without parole if convicted on all counts. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Huynh was ordered Wednesday to return to the Long Beach Superior Court for another pre-trial hearing on July 7.
No trial date has been set.
Police and prosecutors allege Jonathan Huynh killed his girlfriend, Kate Sue Yi, in a fit of jealous rage on April 2, then stuffed her battered and bloodied body into a closet in her apartment near the college campus she attended.
The 21-year-old man is charged with first degree murder and faces the possibility of life without parole if convicted on all counts. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Huynh was ordered Wednesday to return to the Long Beach Superior Court for another pre-trial hearing on July 7.
No trial date has been set.
A 43-year-old Long Beach man found heavily armed
and inside his ex-girlfriend's home over the weekend was formally
charged with a number of felonies Tuesday, including stalking and making
death threats.
Dy Khensouvann appeared briefly in the Long Beach Superior Court for his arraignment, which was postponed until May 11.
Khensouvann was arrested Sunday after Long Beach Police Department East Division Officers got a call from a local woman who feared for not only her life, but the lives of her entire family and friends, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The victim told officers that her ex-boyfriend threatened to kill her and everyone she knew and was so terrified she fled her East Long Beach home, near Wardlow and Studebaker roads.
As officers talked to the woman she received a phone call from an acquaintance warning her that Khensouvann's 2005 green GMC pickup truck was parked down the street from her house, which is near El Dorado Park.
The patrol officers then called Khensouvann on his cell phone, and the suspect admitted he was inside in the victim's home, Pratt said.
The officers were able to talk Khensouvann into surrendering peacefully and found him with rifle rounds on his person and a rifle and magazine stashed in his pickup, Pratt said.
Police found more ammunition and some assault rifles when they searched the suspect's home, near 10th Street and Obispo Avenue, Pratt said.
Khensouvann is charged with stalking, making criminal threats, residential
burglary, possession of armor-penetrating rounds, possession of a
concealed weapon in the vehicle, possession of assault rifles and
possession of firearms with metal-piercing rounds, Pratt said. He is
being held in lieu of more than $1 million bail.
LONG BEACH -- A 26-year-old Long Beach man was arraigned on a charge of child abuse and murder Tuesday in connection with the beating death of his girlfriend's two-year-old son.
Appearing with alleged killer Hector Ernest was the child's mother, 22-year-old Cameo Green, who has been charged with child abuse in the death of her son, Deandre Fitzgerald Green.
Police began their investigation after the couple, who lived in a Long Beach apartment with the toddler, took the child to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on March 20.
The boy was unconscious and, though emergency room staff worked on him for 45 minutes, he was pronounced dead within less than an hour of arriving at the hospital.
Ernest Jr. was arrested the following day on suspicion of murder. He wasn't formally charged until last month, when Green was also arrested.
The child's father and his family came out shortly after Ernest's arrest and said they had complained about signs of abuse on the two-year-old to Hawthorne Police and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services officials to no avail.
Ernest is charged with one count each of murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse. The complaint also Ernest was on probation at the time of his arrest for a 2009 conviction of having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Green is charged with one count of child abuse. The complaint further alleges that Green failed to protect the child, resulting in his death, according to the DA's Office.
Prosecutors allege Ernest inflicted the fatal injury on March 20.
If convicted on all counts, Green faces a maximum state prison term of 10 years and Ernest faces the possibility of 25 years to life, authorities said.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court for a preliminary hearing setting on May 14.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department jail records show bail was set at $1 million for Green and Ernest is being without bail due to the probation violation.
Appearing with alleged killer Hector Ernest was the child's mother, 22-year-old Cameo Green, who has been charged with child abuse in the death of her son, Deandre Fitzgerald Green.
Police began their investigation after the couple, who lived in a Long Beach apartment with the toddler, took the child to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on March 20.
The boy was unconscious and, though emergency room staff worked on him for 45 minutes, he was pronounced dead within less than an hour of arriving at the hospital.
Ernest Jr. was arrested the following day on suspicion of murder. He wasn't formally charged until last month, when Green was also arrested.
The child's father and his family came out shortly after Ernest's arrest and said they had complained about signs of abuse on the two-year-old to Hawthorne Police and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services officials to no avail.
Ernest is charged with one count each of murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse. The complaint also Ernest was on probation at the time of his arrest for a 2009 conviction of having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Green is charged with one count of child abuse. The complaint further alleges that Green failed to protect the child, resulting in his death, according to the DA's Office.
Prosecutors allege Ernest inflicted the fatal injury on March 20.
If convicted on all counts, Green faces a maximum state prison term of 10 years and Ernest faces the possibility of 25 years to life, authorities said.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court for a preliminary hearing setting on May 14.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department jail records show bail was set at $1 million for Green and Ernest is being without bail due to the probation violation.
The search is on for sponsors for the 42nd Annual Long Beach Police Awards Ceremony, scheduled for June 23rd at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.
This marks the second time the annual awards program recognizing the work of officers and civilians during 2009 will be held in a theater-style setting with light refreshments and an evening program.
The evening is scheduled to begin with refreshments at 3 p.m. in the theater lobby followed by a 5 p.m. awards ceremony.
Local businesses and community members are being asked to partner with the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Police Foundation, a non-profit support group, by purchasing a sponsorship package or individual tickets, which are $20 per person.
Sponsorship packages range from Award Recipients, at $100, and Community Partners, at $250, to the top Platinum level, at $5,000. The closing date for sponsors to be included in the program is June 1.
VIP ticket holders and sponsors will receive preferred parking.
For more information on tickets and packages, or to confirm sponsorship packages, call Fabiola Smith at 562-570-7324.
This marks the second time the annual awards program recognizing the work of officers and civilians during 2009 will be held in a theater-style setting with light refreshments and an evening program.
The evening is scheduled to begin with refreshments at 3 p.m. in the theater lobby followed by a 5 p.m. awards ceremony.
Local businesses and community members are being asked to partner with the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Police Foundation, a non-profit support group, by purchasing a sponsorship package or individual tickets, which are $20 per person.
Sponsorship packages range from Award Recipients, at $100, and Community Partners, at $250, to the top Platinum level, at $5,000. The closing date for sponsors to be included in the program is June 1.
VIP ticket holders and sponsors will receive preferred parking.
For more information on tickets and packages, or to confirm sponsorship packages, call Fabiola Smith at 562-570-7324.
An alleged stalker armed with enough armor piercing bullets and guns to take on a small army was talked into surrendering peacefully, authorities said Monday.
The incident began Sunday around 9:40 a.m. when Long Beach Police Department East Division Officers got a call from a local woman who feared for not only her life, but the lives of her entire family and friends, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The victim told officers that her ex-boyfriend, 43-year-old Dy Khensouvann of Long Beach, had threatened to kill her and everyone she knew. He had made the threats both in person and via messages left on her cell phone, Pratt said.
The victim was so terrified, she told officers, that she fled her East Long Beach home, near Wardlow and Studebaker roads, and was staying at another location unknown to Khensouvann.
The officers were able to figure out Khensouvann's license plate number and broadcast it and a description of the suspect to all units in the field, Pratt said.
As they continued to interview the victim, she received a phone call from an acquaintance warning her that Khensouvann's 2005 green GMC pickup truck was parked down the street from her home, which sits near El Dorado Park.
The patrol officers then called Khensouvann on his cell phone, and the suspect admitted he was inside in the victim's home, Pratt said.
"The officers were able to talk to the suspect and convince him to come out of the residence and surrender peacefully," Pratt said. "Based on the circumstances, it is very possible that the suspect planned to act on his threats."
That became apparent when officers found the man had rifle rounds strapped to his body and he had a rifle in his truck with a full magazine stocked with armor-piercing bullets.
When police served a search warrant at the suspect's home, located near Tenth Street and Obispo, they found assault rifles and metal-piercing ammunition, Pratt said.
Khensouvann was arrested on suspicion of multiple felony counts including stalking, making criminal threats, residential burglary, possession of armor-penetrating rounds, possession of a concealed weapon in the vehicle, possession of assault rifles and possession of firearms with metal-piercing rounds, Pratt said.
His bail has been set at $1,050,000 and he is scheduled to be arraigned today at the Long Beach Superior Court, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Inmate Information Center.
"The officers did everything right here ... and took a potentially extremely dangerous individual off the streets," Pratt said.
The incident began Sunday around 9:40 a.m. when Long Beach Police Department East Division Officers got a call from a local woman who feared for not only her life, but the lives of her entire family and friends, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The victim told officers that her ex-boyfriend, 43-year-old Dy Khensouvann of Long Beach, had threatened to kill her and everyone she knew. He had made the threats both in person and via messages left on her cell phone, Pratt said.
The victim was so terrified, she told officers, that she fled her East Long Beach home, near Wardlow and Studebaker roads, and was staying at another location unknown to Khensouvann.
The officers were able to figure out Khensouvann's license plate number and broadcast it and a description of the suspect to all units in the field, Pratt said.
As they continued to interview the victim, she received a phone call from an acquaintance warning her that Khensouvann's 2005 green GMC pickup truck was parked down the street from her home, which sits near El Dorado Park.
The patrol officers then called Khensouvann on his cell phone, and the suspect admitted he was inside in the victim's home, Pratt said.
"The officers were able to talk to the suspect and convince him to come out of the residence and surrender peacefully," Pratt said. "Based on the circumstances, it is very possible that the suspect planned to act on his threats."
That became apparent when officers found the man had rifle rounds strapped to his body and he had a rifle in his truck with a full magazine stocked with armor-piercing bullets.
When police served a search warrant at the suspect's home, located near Tenth Street and Obispo, they found assault rifles and metal-piercing ammunition, Pratt said.
Khensouvann was arrested on suspicion of multiple felony counts including stalking, making criminal threats, residential burglary, possession of armor-penetrating rounds, possession of a concealed weapon in the vehicle, possession of assault rifles and possession of firearms with metal-piercing rounds, Pratt said.
His bail has been set at $1,050,000 and he is scheduled to be arraigned today at the Long Beach Superior Court, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Inmate Information Center.
"The officers did everything right here ... and took a potentially extremely dangerous individual off the streets," Pratt said.
