January 2011 Archives
Long Beach Police Wednesday released security video footage and still images from a botched robbery at a downtown liquor store that ended with the death of a 53-year-old employee.
The images, which can be viewed at the police department's website at http://www.longbeach.gov/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=5100&TargetID=21 were put out Wednesday in the hope that it will help authorities identify and capture the killers, said Sgt. Rico Fernandez, a Long Beach Police department spokesman.
Long Beach Police received a call of shots fired shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday at P&B Liquor Junior Market on Fourth Street near Cherry Avenue and arrived to find the victim, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso.
The well known and liked long-time store employee was rushed to a local emergency room by Long Beach Fire Department paramedics, where he succumbed to his injuries, authorities said.
The preliminary investigation found two men went to the liquor store intending to rob the business. They walked up to the front counter, where a customer was in the process of completing his purchase, and one of the suspect's removed a chrome handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the clerk.
"Seeing the store clerk being robbed, the customer attempted to leave the store but was stopped by the suspect with the gun, who demanded his money," said Sgt. Rico Fernandez, a Long Beach Police Department spokesman.
After taking the customer's money the gunman then turned back to the employee and shot him.
The suspects are described as Hispanic, in their late 20's or early 30's and wearing dark clothing. The weapon used was a chrome revolver, Fernandez said.
After taking money from the customer and shooting the 53-year-old, both suspects fled out the front door and ran east toward Cherry Avenue, the sergeant said.
Long Beach Homicide detectives are asking the male customer who was robbed by the two suspects to come forward and contact them. Detectives believe that victim may have information that could be very useful to the murder investigation, Fernandez said.
The Long Beach Police Department is also reaching out to the media and the community for help in identifying the suspects.
Video footage and still images of the crime and the suspects can be viewed on the police department's Web page.
Homicide Investigators David Rios and Roger Zottneck have also set up a hotline for tips, 562-570-7247, and urge anyone with any information about the murder or the suspects to call. Callers may remain anonymous.
Anonymous tips may also be left by text or email at www.longbeach.gov/police.
The images, which can be viewed at the police department's website at http://www.longbeach.gov/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=5100&TargetID=21 were put out Wednesday in the hope that it will help authorities identify and capture the killers, said Sgt. Rico Fernandez, a Long Beach Police department spokesman.
Long Beach Police received a call of shots fired shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday at P&B Liquor Junior Market on Fourth Street near Cherry Avenue and arrived to find the victim, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso.
The well known and liked long-time store employee was rushed to a local emergency room by Long Beach Fire Department paramedics, where he succumbed to his injuries, authorities said.
The preliminary investigation found two men went to the liquor store intending to rob the business. They walked up to the front counter, where a customer was in the process of completing his purchase, and one of the suspect's removed a chrome handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the clerk.
"Seeing the store clerk being robbed, the customer attempted to leave the store but was stopped by the suspect with the gun, who demanded his money," said Sgt. Rico Fernandez, a Long Beach Police Department spokesman.
After taking the customer's money the gunman then turned back to the employee and shot him.
The suspects are described as Hispanic, in their late 20's or early 30's and wearing dark clothing. The weapon used was a chrome revolver, Fernandez said.
After taking money from the customer and shooting the 53-year-old, both suspects fled out the front door and ran east toward Cherry Avenue, the sergeant said.
Long Beach Homicide detectives are asking the male customer who was robbed by the two suspects to come forward and contact them. Detectives believe that victim may have information that could be very useful to the murder investigation, Fernandez said.
The Long Beach Police Department is also reaching out to the media and the community for help in identifying the suspects.
Video footage and still images of the crime and the suspects can be viewed on the police department's Web page.
Homicide Investigators David Rios and Roger Zottneck have also set up a hotline for tips, 562-570-7247, and urge anyone with any information about the murder or the suspects to call. Callers may remain anonymous.
Anonymous tips may also be left by text or email at www.longbeach.gov/police.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has started a fund in response to an outpouring of public support for a deputy shot in the face earlier this week.
Deputy Mohamed Ahmed, 27, and his training officer were on patrol Tuesday night near Floral Drive and North Brannick Avenue when they apparently saw a driver parked in a red zone.
The training officer recognized the driver as Nestor Torres, a 37-year-old parolee, and as the deputies got out of their cruiser Torres got out of his car and fired at Ahmed, striking him in the face, authorities said.
As the training officer tried to wrestle the gun away from Torres the training officer fired at least two shots, killing Torres.
The Somali-born Ahmed is the sole financial provider for his family since the death of his father. Though he underwent surgery Wednesday, Sheriff's officials said he is expected to undergo several more reconstructive surgeries in an effort to avoid losing one eye.
Sheriff Lee Baca has noted Ahmed's role in his family as provider is one that should be protected. Public outcry over the shooting prompted many members of the community to come forward with donations and the Sheriff's Department has now set up a fund so members of the public who would like to help can do so.
"Deputy Mohamed Ahmed, his family, and the entire Sheriff's Department family sincerely appreciate all the supportive comments and well wishes for the recovery of Deputy Ahmed," said Capt. Henry Romero of the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Station, which set up the fund.
Donations should be made to Fellowship of East Los Angeles Sheriff Station (FELASS), Fund # 0111 and mailed to: East Los Angeles Sheriff's Station, 5019 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90022.
LONG BEACH -- Police are investigating an attack on an assistant wrestling coach by a former high school athlete at a match between Poly and Lakewood high schools Thursday night, authorities confirmed Friday.
The disturbing incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. in the gym at Poly High School, 1600 Atlantic Ave., in front of a crowd of about 200 people, according to police and witnesses.
Brian Baiotto, a free-lance writer who was covering the duel for the Press-Telegram, said Poly's head wrestling coach showed him a Facebook message before the match that was sent to him by one of the team's former athletes. In the message the youth allegedly threatened that coach and any one else who "talks s--- about me."
That teen and his brother showed at the gym at the start of the match, joining their father who was already there, Baiotto said.
The trouble started after the match ended, Baiotto said, when the two young men and their dad rushed the gym floor and blind-sided Assistant Wrestling Coach Abel Moran.
Witnesses described the father cold-cocking 20-year-old Moran as his sons repeatedly struck the assistant coach. All three suspects then fled the gym.
Long Beach Police Department Spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said police were called to the gym about a battery -- which is a misdemeanor crime -- at about 7:35 p.m.
She said patrol officers dispatched to the school took a preliminary report, which is expected to be finished today and turned over to the Violent Crimes Division.
Though many at the gym Thursday night were upset the patrol officers said they could only take a report that could lead to a citation, Pratt explained they were following protocol.
"If our officers witnessed the battery they could take immediate action," she explained. "If they do not, they take a report and Violent Crimes, or the appropriate division, follows up with the investigation and whatever action might be taken."
Pratt said that until the report is completed she could not confirm all the details given by witnesses at the attack.
She stressed, however, that the matter will be thoroughly investigated by Violent Crimes detectives and she noted more information may be available later today.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information about it, is asked to call the Violent Crimes Detail at 562-570-7250.
The disturbing incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. in the gym at Poly High School, 1600 Atlantic Ave., in front of a crowd of about 200 people, according to police and witnesses.
Brian Baiotto, a free-lance writer who was covering the duel for the Press-Telegram, said Poly's head wrestling coach showed him a Facebook message before the match that was sent to him by one of the team's former athletes. In the message the youth allegedly threatened that coach and any one else who "talks s--- about me."
That teen and his brother showed at the gym at the start of the match, joining their father who was already there, Baiotto said.
The trouble started after the match ended, Baiotto said, when the two young men and their dad rushed the gym floor and blind-sided Assistant Wrestling Coach Abel Moran.
Witnesses described the father cold-cocking 20-year-old Moran as his sons repeatedly struck the assistant coach. All three suspects then fled the gym.
Long Beach Police Department Spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said police were called to the gym about a battery -- which is a misdemeanor crime -- at about 7:35 p.m.
She said patrol officers dispatched to the school took a preliminary report, which is expected to be finished today and turned over to the Violent Crimes Division.
Though many at the gym Thursday night were upset the patrol officers said they could only take a report that could lead to a citation, Pratt explained they were following protocol.
"If our officers witnessed the battery they could take immediate action," she explained. "If they do not, they take a report and Violent Crimes, or the appropriate division, follows up with the investigation and whatever action might be taken."
Pratt said that until the report is completed she could not confirm all the details given by witnesses at the attack.
She stressed, however, that the matter will be thoroughly investigated by Violent Crimes detectives and she noted more information may be available later today.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information about it, is asked to call the Violent Crimes Detail at 562-570-7250.
NORWALK -- A suspect dubbed the scanner bandit for robbing banks with a police scanner in hand was identified Thursday by federal authorities.
FBI agents and police departments in Los Angeles and Orange counties are on the look out for the suspect, identified as 47-year-old Garry Allen Reeder of California, said Laura Eimiller, a Federal Bureau of Investigation's spokeswoman.
Reeder is suspected or robbing several banks in Norwalk, Orange Torrance, Tustin and Whittier. Authorities believe he moves from motel to motel, using the money to support gambling or drug addictions, Eimiller said.
Reeder -- who turns 48 on Friday -- is described as white, 5 feet 7 inches and 180 pounds with blue eyes and he may have a beard, Eimiller said.
In the most recent stickup at a Bank of America branch in Orange the suspect asked an employee about opening an account, according to the Orange Police Department.
The suspect showed the employee a black folder that looked like a day planner with what appeared to be a bomb inside, police said.
The device, which was left behind, was later found to be a fake, according to the FBI.
The Scanner Bandit is also suspected of a number of hold-ups, including a robbery at a Bank of America branch in Torrance Dec. 21, a U.S. Bank branch in Whittier Dec. 18, and a U.S. Bank branch in Norwalk Dec. 15.
Reeder has a history of arrests for bank robberies in California in the early and late 1990s, Eimiller said.
Anyone with information about Reeder is urged to call the FBI at 888-CANT-HIDE (888-226-8443).
FBI agents and police departments in Los Angeles and Orange counties are on the look out for the suspect, identified as 47-year-old Garry Allen Reeder of California, said Laura Eimiller, a Federal Bureau of Investigation's spokeswoman.
Reeder is suspected or robbing several banks in Norwalk, Orange Torrance, Tustin and Whittier. Authorities believe he moves from motel to motel, using the money to support gambling or drug addictions, Eimiller said.
Reeder -- who turns 48 on Friday -- is described as white, 5 feet 7 inches and 180 pounds with blue eyes and he may have a beard, Eimiller said.
In the most recent stickup at a Bank of America branch in Orange the suspect asked an employee about opening an account, according to the Orange Police Department.
The suspect showed the employee a black folder that looked like a day planner with what appeared to be a bomb inside, police said.
The device, which was left behind, was later found to be a fake, according to the FBI.
The Scanner Bandit is also suspected of a number of hold-ups, including a robbery at a Bank of America branch in Torrance Dec. 21, a U.S. Bank branch in Whittier Dec. 18, and a U.S. Bank branch in Norwalk Dec. 15.
Reeder has a history of arrests for bank robberies in California in the early and late 1990s, Eimiller said.
Anyone with information about Reeder is urged to call the FBI at 888-CANT-HIDE (888-226-8443).
The North County Times is reporting that Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy is back
at work, weeks after his wife was arrested on suspicion of shooting at officers.
McCoy, who left the Long Beach Police Department in 2006 as a commander to become Oceanside's top cop, returned to work Monday. Oceanside City Manager Peter Weiss says he took time off for the holidays that had been scheduled in advance.
McCoy's wife, 47-year-old Brinda McCoy, is charged with five felony counts.
Authorities say on Dec. 16 she called 911 and fired at police officers during a three-hour standoff at the couple's home in Cypress.
She was arrested after being shot with a beanbag gun and is free on $250,000 bail.
If convicted on all counts, she faces up to 58 years in prison.
Weiss told the North County Times that McCoy's city-issued gun wasn't used in the confrontation
at work, weeks after his wife was arrested on suspicion of shooting at officers.
McCoy, who left the Long Beach Police Department in 2006 as a commander to become Oceanside's top cop, returned to work Monday. Oceanside City Manager Peter Weiss says he took time off for the holidays that had been scheduled in advance.
McCoy's wife, 47-year-old Brinda McCoy, is charged with five felony counts.
Authorities say on Dec. 16 she called 911 and fired at police officers during a three-hour standoff at the couple's home in Cypress.
She was arrested after being shot with a beanbag gun and is free on $250,000 bail.
If convicted on all counts, she faces up to 58 years in prison.
Weiss told the North County Times that McCoy's city-issued gun wasn't used in the confrontation
SANTA ANA -- CNS is reporting today that Orange County prosecutors are seeking the public's help in tracking down potential additional victims of a cab driver charged with raping a
passenger last summer in Seal Beach.
Orlando Bruce Bosley, 57, of Westminster was charged Nov. 23 with one felony count each of rape, rape by use of drugs and rape of an unconscious person, according to Orange County court records.
Those counts stem from his alleged rape of a 45-year-old woman he picked up last July 6, said Farrah Emami, a spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
The woman called A White & Yellow Cab Inc. for a ride home after drinking in Sunset Beach that night, Emami said.
Bosley picked up the woman and drove her to her mother's home in Seal Beach, where she was staying while her mom was out of town, Emami said.
As Bosley looked for money to pay her fare, Bosley allegedly punched her in the face, knocking her unconscious. He then allegedly took her into the home and raped her as she faded in an out of consciousness, Emami said.
Bosley, who is out of custody after posting $100,000 bail, has had his arraignment twice delayed. He is now scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 18.
Investigators suspect Bosley may have attacked other women "based on the bold nature of the defendant's actions," Emami said.
Anyone with information was asked to call Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at 714-347-8794
passenger last summer in Seal Beach.
Orlando Bruce Bosley, 57, of Westminster was charged Nov. 23 with one felony count each of rape, rape by use of drugs and rape of an unconscious person, according to Orange County court records.
Those counts stem from his alleged rape of a 45-year-old woman he picked up last July 6, said Farrah Emami, a spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
The woman called A White & Yellow Cab Inc. for a ride home after drinking in Sunset Beach that night, Emami said.
Bosley picked up the woman and drove her to her mother's home in Seal Beach, where she was staying while her mom was out of town, Emami said.
As Bosley looked for money to pay her fare, Bosley allegedly punched her in the face, knocking her unconscious. He then allegedly took her into the home and raped her as she faded in an out of consciousness, Emami said.
Bosley, who is out of custody after posting $100,000 bail, has had his arraignment twice delayed. He is now scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 18.
Investigators suspect Bosley may have attacked other women "based on the bold nature of the defendant's actions," Emami said.
Anyone with information was asked to call Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at 714-347-8794
The family of Douglas Zerby, a 35-year-old Long Beach man shot and killed by Long Beach Police in Belmont Shore last man, will join the Los Angeles Coalition for Justice for Oscar Grant at a press conference at the Federal Department of Justice offices in Downtown Los Angeles at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The press conference is being called in honor of the second anniversary of the fatal shooting of Grant III, who was shot in the back by a transit officer as Grant lay handcuffed and face down on the ground of a BART train platform in Oakland.
The officer who shot Grant, Johannes Mehserle, was fired from his job and convicted last year of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced in November to two years in state prison, the minimum sentence allowed, which sparked outrage among some members of the Bay Area community.
Many Oakland community leaders cited the fatal shooting as proof that racial tension remains between law enforcement and black residents.
The prosecution argued that Mehserle intentionally killed Grant after he was subdued because Mehserle was angry Grant initially resisted arrest.
Mehserle's defense attorney said it was a tragic error brought about by extreme stress when Mehserle reached for his Taser and instead pulled his gun and fired.
Zerby's family -- which will join with the coalition for Grant -- also charges that the Long Beach Police Department was negligent when officers shot Zerby multiple times as he sat on a second-story front porch cross-legged and playing with a hose nozzle.
Police were called to the location by a resident who said he saw an intoxicated man behind his house, and in front of some apartments on the same property, and that the man had a small gun.
Police Department officials said the nozzle in Zerby's hand, which is described by garden centers and home improvement stores as a "pistol-grip" nozzle, looked like a gun and that officers were forced to open fire before confronting Zerby and asking him to drop the item.
Zerby's family contends police had plenty of time to talk to Zerby as they called in back up units, K-9 patrols and the police department's helicopter to lock down the neighborhood. They insist that Zerby's extreme intoxication, he was described as barely able to walk by one neighbor and the 911 caller said he bobbing up and down, meant he posed no threat to the officers who had gathered around Zerby on the ground and in nearby properties.
Press conference organizers said they will demand U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder file federal charges of civil rights violations in the Grant case and take action in the deaths of several other unarmed residents shot by police in California, including Zerby, Derrick Jones, James Davis and Manuel Jamines Xum.
The press conference is being called in honor of the second anniversary of the fatal shooting of Grant III, who was shot in the back by a transit officer as Grant lay handcuffed and face down on the ground of a BART train platform in Oakland.
The officer who shot Grant, Johannes Mehserle, was fired from his job and convicted last year of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced in November to two years in state prison, the minimum sentence allowed, which sparked outrage among some members of the Bay Area community.
Many Oakland community leaders cited the fatal shooting as proof that racial tension remains between law enforcement and black residents.
The prosecution argued that Mehserle intentionally killed Grant after he was subdued because Mehserle was angry Grant initially resisted arrest.
Mehserle's defense attorney said it was a tragic error brought about by extreme stress when Mehserle reached for his Taser and instead pulled his gun and fired.
Zerby's family -- which will join with the coalition for Grant -- also charges that the Long Beach Police Department was negligent when officers shot Zerby multiple times as he sat on a second-story front porch cross-legged and playing with a hose nozzle.
Police were called to the location by a resident who said he saw an intoxicated man behind his house, and in front of some apartments on the same property, and that the man had a small gun.
Police Department officials said the nozzle in Zerby's hand, which is described by garden centers and home improvement stores as a "pistol-grip" nozzle, looked like a gun and that officers were forced to open fire before confronting Zerby and asking him to drop the item.
Zerby's family contends police had plenty of time to talk to Zerby as they called in back up units, K-9 patrols and the police department's helicopter to lock down the neighborhood. They insist that Zerby's extreme intoxication, he was described as barely able to walk by one neighbor and the 911 caller said he bobbing up and down, meant he posed no threat to the officers who had gathered around Zerby on the ground and in nearby properties.
Press conference organizers said they will demand U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder file federal charges of civil rights violations in the Grant case and take action in the deaths of several other unarmed residents shot by police in California, including Zerby, Derrick Jones, James Davis and Manuel Jamines Xum.
Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell will hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon to announce Long Beach achieving its lowest murder rates since 1971.
The chief, joined by City Manager Pat West and Mayor Bob Foster, will announce the 2010 crime statistics at the Long Beach Police Department Headquarters at 3:30 p.m.
More information to follow the press conference.
The chief, joined by City Manager Pat West and Mayor Bob Foster, will announce the 2010 crime statistics at the Long Beach Police Department Headquarters at 3:30 p.m.
More information to follow the press conference.
