May 2011 Archives
LONG BEACH -- Two men pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a charge that they fatally beat a 32-year-old man as they robbed him and left the victim for dead near the side of a road.
The victim, Steven Brown of Long Beach, died four days after he was found in critical condition laying in a driveway covered in blood on May 17.
Long Beach Homicide detectives arrested the first suspect, 35-year-old Emmanuel Walker of Long Beach, the day Brown was found.
The second suspect, 33-year-old Norvin Dizadare of Long Beach, was arrested May 20, according to police.
Authorities allege Walker and Dizadare beat and robbed Brown before dragging the victim away from a home in the 600 block of Cerritos Avenue to conceal their crimes.
The victim and the suspects knew each other and were at a social event prior to the attack, which occurred as a result of an argument, police said.
Dizadare and Walker were charged with murder and robbery and each man entered a plea of not guilty to the charges Tuesday.
They were ordered to return to the Long Beach Superior Court court on June 7, when a date is scheduled to be set for a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is held to determine whether there is enough evidence to hold a trial.
Walker was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail and Dizadare's bail was set at $1.2 million, according to court staff.
The victim, Steven Brown of Long Beach, died four days after he was found in critical condition laying in a driveway covered in blood on May 17.
Long Beach Homicide detectives arrested the first suspect, 35-year-old Emmanuel Walker of Long Beach, the day Brown was found.
The second suspect, 33-year-old Norvin Dizadare of Long Beach, was arrested May 20, according to police.
Authorities allege Walker and Dizadare beat and robbed Brown before dragging the victim away from a home in the 600 block of Cerritos Avenue to conceal their crimes.
The victim and the suspects knew each other and were at a social event prior to the attack, which occurred as a result of an argument, police said.
Dizadare and Walker were charged with murder and robbery and each man entered a plea of not guilty to the charges Tuesday.
They were ordered to return to the Long Beach Superior Court court on June 7, when a date is scheduled to be set for a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is held to determine whether there is enough evidence to hold a trial.
Walker was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail and Dizadare's bail was set at $1.2 million, according to court staff.
WESTMINSTER -- A 31-year-old Norwalk woman charged with forgery, theft and elder abuse for allegedly robbing an elderly Seal Beach resident of more than a quarter of a million dollars is scheduled to have a bail reduction hearing Friday.
Marisa Robles pleaded not guilty to all 92 felony counts on Monday at the Orange County Superior Court's West Justice Center, according to court records.
The defendant worked as a caregiver for the 81-year-old victim at his Leisure World home since 2007, said Sgt. Steve Bowles, of the Seal Beach Police Department.
The theft began shortly after she started working for the victim, whose name was withheld by authorities, the sergeant said.
Robles allegedly wrote checks payable to herself from the victim's bank accounts without his consent. A total of $287,848.13 was stolen from the victim, Bowles said.
Robles is scheduled to appear Friday at the West Justice Center for a bail reduction and pre-trial hearing.
She is currently being held without bail, according to court records.
A preliminary hearing, which is held to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial, is scheduled for June 6.
Bowles said Seal Beach detectives work regularly with elderly residents in the area to help residents avoid becoming victims of similar thefts and scams as well as physical elder abuse.
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of such crimes, or knows someone who has, should call 911 to report the crimes immediately.
Marisa Robles pleaded not guilty to all 92 felony counts on Monday at the Orange County Superior Court's West Justice Center, according to court records.
The defendant worked as a caregiver for the 81-year-old victim at his Leisure World home since 2007, said Sgt. Steve Bowles, of the Seal Beach Police Department.
The theft began shortly after she started working for the victim, whose name was withheld by authorities, the sergeant said.
Robles allegedly wrote checks payable to herself from the victim's bank accounts without his consent. A total of $287,848.13 was stolen from the victim, Bowles said.
Robles is scheduled to appear Friday at the West Justice Center for a bail reduction and pre-trial hearing.
She is currently being held without bail, according to court records.
A preliminary hearing, which is held to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial, is scheduled for June 6.
Bowles said Seal Beach detectives work regularly with elderly residents in the area to help residents avoid becoming victims of similar thefts and scams as well as physical elder abuse.
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of such crimes, or knows someone who has, should call 911 to report the crimes immediately.
LONG BEACH -- The 43rd Annual Long Beach Police Awards ceremony is set for June 22, event planners announced Wednesday.
And though the event is free, those wishing to attend must make reservations, according to the Long Beach Police Foundation.
This year's event marks the second year the non-profit foundation will host the awards ceremony, which will be held at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center at Cal State Long Beach.
The ceremony will include light refreshments and is designed to be family friendly, said Gretchen Houser, a foundation board member and one of the event organizers.
In addition to individual tickets sponsorship packages are available and range from $100 to $5,000.
Those who wish to make reservations to attend can do so by calling the foundation, at 562-343-5111, or going to the foundation's website, at www.lbpolicefoundation.org.
The Long Beach Police Foundation seeks donations from private businesses and individuals and facilitates direct, designated donations that community safety.
The 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit is the only charitable organization that provides private, direct funding for the Long Beach Police Department.
For more information on the foundation call or check the foundation's website.
tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261.
And though the event is free, those wishing to attend must make reservations, according to the Long Beach Police Foundation.
This year's event marks the second year the non-profit foundation will host the awards ceremony, which will be held at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center at Cal State Long Beach.
The ceremony will include light refreshments and is designed to be family friendly, said Gretchen Houser, a foundation board member and one of the event organizers.
In addition to individual tickets sponsorship packages are available and range from $100 to $5,000.
Those who wish to make reservations to attend can do so by calling the foundation, at 562-343-5111, or going to the foundation's website, at www.lbpolicefoundation.org.
The Long Beach Police Foundation seeks donations from private businesses and individuals and facilitates direct, designated donations that community safety.
The 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit is the only charitable organization that provides private, direct funding for the Long Beach Police Department.
For more information on the foundation call or check the foundation's website.
tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261.
LONG BEACH -- A mistrial was declared Tuesday in the case of a man charged with killing a former Denver radio personality, whose body was discovered off the coast of Catalina Island five years ago.
Long Beach Superior Court Judge Mark Kim granted a mistrial based on newly discovered evidence from a prosecution witness in the case of Harvey Morrow, said Sandi Gibbons, a Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman.
Morrow, 60, is charged with murder for the shooting death of Steven Bailey Williams, who had been a disc jockey on the "Steven B. and The Hawk" morning show on the Denver radio station KBPI in the early 1980s.
The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation of murder for financial gain.
A prosecution witness was testifying Tuesday when new information came to light that neither side of the case was aware of, Gibbons said.
"The defense made a motion for a mistrial because he needed to time to prepare and the judge agreed," Gibbons explained.
She noted that the case will proceed, with all counts remaining from the original charge, when a new trial date is scheduled to be set on June 9.
If Morrow is convicted on all counts he faces the possibility of life in prison without parole.
He has remained in Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department custody without bail since his extradition from Montana in 2006.
Long Beach Superior Court Judge Mark Kim granted a mistrial based on newly discovered evidence from a prosecution witness in the case of Harvey Morrow, said Sandi Gibbons, a Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman.
Morrow, 60, is charged with murder for the shooting death of Steven Bailey Williams, who had been a disc jockey on the "Steven B. and The Hawk" morning show on the Denver radio station KBPI in the early 1980s.
The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation of murder for financial gain.
A prosecution witness was testifying Tuesday when new information came to light that neither side of the case was aware of, Gibbons said.
"The defense made a motion for a mistrial because he needed to time to prepare and the judge agreed," Gibbons explained.
She noted that the case will proceed, with all counts remaining from the original charge, when a new trial date is scheduled to be set on June 9.
If Morrow is convicted on all counts he faces the possibility of life in prison without parole.
He has remained in Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department custody without bail since his extradition from Montana in 2006.
A hearing scheduled Monday for a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy accused of engaging in sex acts with a
16-year-old relative was postponed until June 16.
Sheriff's Deputy Orlando Denison, 34, pleaded not guilty on May 6 to a charge of two felony counts of oral copulation of a person under the age 18.
The alleged offenses, which occurred in July of 2010, involve a female relative who was 16 at the time, said Shiara Davila-Morales, a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney's spokeswoman.
Denison was arrested by Long Beach Police at his Long Beach home May 5 and was released from custody the following day, according to Los Angeles County Jail records.
He appeared out of custody for his pre-preliminary hearing Monday morning, which was postponed until June 16 in Dept. J of the Long Beach Superior Court.
Denison was also immediately relieved from duty and placed on leave without pay the day of his arrest, said Steve Whitmore, senior media advisor at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Whitmore said Denison was hired on April 25, 2007, and was assigned to the Pitchess Detention Center South Facility in Santa Clarita.
Whether Denison will remain employed is pending the outcome of the criminal matter and the Sheriff's Department's internal investigation, Whitmore said last week.
If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum term of three years, eight months in prison, Davila-Morales said.
LONG BEACH -- A DUI checkpoint is scheduled for this weekend in North Long Beach.
The Long Beach Police Department will conduct the checkpoint, which will screen for impaired drivers and those driving on suspended or without licenses, from 6 p.m. Saturday until 2 a.m. Sunday in the North Division, said Lisa Massacani, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The grant-funded checkpoint is aimed at reducing the number of people killed and/or injured in alcohol involved crashes, Massacani said.
The public is also encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see an impaired driver, she said.
Funding is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Long Beach Police Department will conduct the checkpoint, which will screen for impaired drivers and those driving on suspended or without licenses, from 6 p.m. Saturday until 2 a.m. Sunday in the North Division, said Lisa Massacani, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The grant-funded checkpoint is aimed at reducing the number of people killed and/or injured in alcohol involved crashes, Massacani said.
The public is also encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see an impaired driver, she said.
Funding is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
SANTA ANA -- The wife of Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy will stand trial on a charge of shooting at officers outside the couple's Orange County house, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
An Orange County judge ruled Friday there's enough evidence to try 48-year-old Brinda McCoy, a registered nurse.
She is accused of calling 911 to ask for help last December, then opening fire
on police officers during a standoff outside her Cypress home.
McCoy is charged with seven felony counts. If convicted she faces a maximum penalty of 58 years in prison.
Her trial is scheduled to begin May 17.
Her husband was a commander at the Long Beach Police Department when he left the LBPD to become Oceanside's Chief of Police.
An Orange County judge ruled Friday there's enough evidence to try 48-year-old Brinda McCoy, a registered nurse.
She is accused of calling 911 to ask for help last December, then opening fire
on police officers during a standoff outside her Cypress home.
McCoy is charged with seven felony counts. If convicted she faces a maximum penalty of 58 years in prison.
Her trial is scheduled to begin May 17.
Her husband was a commander at the Long Beach Police Department when he left the LBPD to become Oceanside's Chief of Police.
LONG BEACH -- The investigation into a murder and attempted suicide in East Long Beach remained on-going, authorities said Friday.
Patrol officers were sent to a home in the 3500 block of Los Coyotes Diagonal at about 10 a.m. Thursday following a report of a dead woman inside the home and a man threatening to kill himself.
When officers arrived they found a 63-year-old man suffering from stab wounds and an 88-year-old woman inside the home also with serious injuries and bleeding, police said.
Long Beach Fire Department paramedics were called to the home and pronounced the woman dead at the scene.
The man was transported to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
The initial investigation found the man killed the elderly woman before stabbing himself. Police said the pair were related, although they did not say how.
Neighbors told reporters they were mother and son and that the son had been caring for his elderly mom.
Police and coroner's investigators did not release the names Friday, pending notification of the victim's and suspect's relatives.
Anyone with information about the incident was urged to call Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives Malcolm Evans and Todd Johnson, at 562-570-7244.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted via e-mail or text at www.longbeach.gov/police.
Patrol officers were sent to a home in the 3500 block of Los Coyotes Diagonal at about 10 a.m. Thursday following a report of a dead woman inside the home and a man threatening to kill himself.
When officers arrived they found a 63-year-old man suffering from stab wounds and an 88-year-old woman inside the home also with serious injuries and bleeding, police said.
Long Beach Fire Department paramedics were called to the home and pronounced the woman dead at the scene.
The man was transported to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
The initial investigation found the man killed the elderly woman before stabbing himself. Police said the pair were related, although they did not say how.
Neighbors told reporters they were mother and son and that the son had been caring for his elderly mom.
Police and coroner's investigators did not release the names Friday, pending notification of the victim's and suspect's relatives.
Anyone with information about the incident was urged to call Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives Malcolm Evans and Todd Johnson, at 562-570-7244.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted via e-mail or text at www.longbeach.gov/police.
LONG BEACH -- Police were investigating a possible murder suicide in East Long Beach Thursday night.
Though no specifics were immediately available, Long Beach Police Department Sgt. Rico Fernandez confirmed officers and detectives were sent to a home located near Los Coyotes Diagonal and Iroquois Avenue regarding a murder suicide.
The neighborhood, typically a quiet one, was buzzing with police vehicles and helicopters at 5 p.m.
More information is expected later tonight.
Though no specifics were immediately available, Long Beach Police Department Sgt. Rico Fernandez confirmed officers and detectives were sent to a home located near Los Coyotes Diagonal and Iroquois Avenue regarding a murder suicide.
The neighborhood, typically a quiet one, was buzzing with police vehicles and helicopters at 5 p.m.
More information is expected later tonight.
LONG BEACH -- A Long Beach Firefighter suffered second-degree burns battling a raging five-garage fire Wednesday.
In addition to the firefighter's injury, which could require skin grafts, firefighters found one badly burned cat and about 30 other felines that were either dead before the fire was set or perished in the blistering blaze, authorities said Thursday.
Long Beach Fire Department crews were dispatched to the 1400 block of Cherry Avenue at about 12:30 p.m. for a structure fire and found the multi-garage building completely engulfed in flames, said Firefighter Rex Pritchard.
Engine 10 was first on scene and the four crew members immediately began an aggressive attack on the massive fire -- which was producing temperatures so hot there was a serious threat of the blaze rapidly spreading to nearby homes, Pritchard said.
During that fire fight one crew members was burned, said Pritchard, who is the vice president of the Long Beach Fire Department union.
"To give you an idea of how hot this fire was, the firefighter who was burned was standing about 25 feet from the flames," Pritchard said. "He was burned by the radiant heat.
The firefighter was taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center where he was treated and released Wednesday night.
He underwent further analysis and treatment at the Torrance Memorial Burn Center Thursday, where doctors were concerned about the location of the injury, Pritchard said.
Because the burns are on his shoulder, which is a joint, there is a lot more movement of the skin and the possibility for infection and other complications is greater, Pritchard explained.
Nonetheless, the fire crews immediate actions kept the blaze from spreading to the nearby apartments and no one else was injured, Pritchard said.
However the firefighters were horrified when they opened one of the garages and a badly burned cat crawled out, Pritchard added.
"Firefighters are sometimes jaded by what they see but the guys said this horrible," he said.
Long Beach Animal Control was called out to investigate.
The one injured cat was rushed to a veterinary hospital, but its injuries were so severe it was decided to humanely euthanize the cat to avoid further suffering, according to Animal Control.
Animal control officers found the other 30 cats were either deceased prior to the fire or died because of the blaze.
The owner of the structure told investigators they run an animal rescue operation.
There appeared to be no prior violations of abuse, but the necropsies scheduled for the cats Thursday afternoon would be used to determine if animal cruelty or neglect had taken place, according to Animal Control Bureau Manager John Keisler.
Results from the necropsies were expected to be available Friday, authorities said.
Investigations into the cats' deaths and the cause of the fire remain on-going.
In addition to the firefighter's injury, which could require skin grafts, firefighters found one badly burned cat and about 30 other felines that were either dead before the fire was set or perished in the blistering blaze, authorities said Thursday.
Long Beach Fire Department crews were dispatched to the 1400 block of Cherry Avenue at about 12:30 p.m. for a structure fire and found the multi-garage building completely engulfed in flames, said Firefighter Rex Pritchard.
Engine 10 was first on scene and the four crew members immediately began an aggressive attack on the massive fire -- which was producing temperatures so hot there was a serious threat of the blaze rapidly spreading to nearby homes, Pritchard said.
During that fire fight one crew members was burned, said Pritchard, who is the vice president of the Long Beach Fire Department union.
"To give you an idea of how hot this fire was, the firefighter who was burned was standing about 25 feet from the flames," Pritchard said. "He was burned by the radiant heat.
The firefighter was taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center where he was treated and released Wednesday night.
He underwent further analysis and treatment at the Torrance Memorial Burn Center Thursday, where doctors were concerned about the location of the injury, Pritchard said.
Because the burns are on his shoulder, which is a joint, there is a lot more movement of the skin and the possibility for infection and other complications is greater, Pritchard explained.
Nonetheless, the fire crews immediate actions kept the blaze from spreading to the nearby apartments and no one else was injured, Pritchard said.
However the firefighters were horrified when they opened one of the garages and a badly burned cat crawled out, Pritchard added.
"Firefighters are sometimes jaded by what they see but the guys said this horrible," he said.
Long Beach Animal Control was called out to investigate.
The one injured cat was rushed to a veterinary hospital, but its injuries were so severe it was decided to humanely euthanize the cat to avoid further suffering, according to Animal Control.
Animal control officers found the other 30 cats were either deceased prior to the fire or died because of the blaze.
The owner of the structure told investigators they run an animal rescue operation.
There appeared to be no prior violations of abuse, but the necropsies scheduled for the cats Thursday afternoon would be used to determine if animal cruelty or neglect had taken place, according to Animal Control Bureau Manager John Keisler.
Results from the necropsies were expected to be available Friday, authorities said.
Investigations into the cats' deaths and the cause of the fire remain on-going.
