Results tagged “Gardena” from Crime & Courts

Gardena police released this news this week:

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 the Gardena City Council approved the Graffiti Prevention and Abatement Ordinance which provides for rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons violating the graffiti ordinance.

It also imposes fines of up to $25,000 to adults and parents/guardians of minors defacing property with graffiti and additionally requires property owners to remove graffiti from their property. Additionally, the ordinance puts tighter restrictions on graffiti materials that minors are allowed to possess.

Gardena Police Department is also introducing a new non-emergency 24-hour Criminal and Suspicious Behavior Tip Line. Anyone with information about any non-urgent crime or unusual activity is encouraged to call the Gardena Police Department's Criminal Behavior Tip Line at 310-217-9522.

The new tip line was enacted by Chief Medrano in order to give the community a way to anonymously report non-emergency criminal behavior to the Police Department.

Coincidentally this ordinance was approved on the same day a major graffiti attack was committed on several areas of the campus at Amestoy Elementary located at 1048 W 149th Street, in Gardena.
 
Sometime between Monday, October 26, 2009 at 9PM and Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 6:30AM, several areas were defaced with white and black spray paint. The suspects wrote graffiti on the outside of at least six classrooms and on two storage containers. The suspects caused several thousand dollars worth of graffiti damage.

This would be a great opportunity for anyone with information to call the 24-hour Criminal and Suspicious Behavior Tip Line at 310-217-9522. Or you may contact the Detective Bureau Commander, Lt. Steve Prendergast at 310-217-6188. 

One of two men arrested and charged for the fatal shooting of an off-duty Los Angeles police captain near Gardena once again accepted a deal from prosecutors on Friday.
Orvis Anthony, 24, of Gardena, drove the car carrying Miguel Magallon, who used an AK-47 assault rifle to kill Capt. Michael Sparkes on Aug. 10, 2004, on Redondo Beach Boulevard near Compton during an attempted robbery.
A jury recommended the death sentence for Magallon for killing Sparkes, a veteran officer and father who headed security at County-Harbor UCLA Medical Center. He returns to Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 15 for sentencing.
Anthony had previously made a deal with prosecutors in which he would get 50 years in prison to life for testifying against Magallon.
He held up his end of the bargain at Magallon's preliminary hearing, then changed his mind before trial.
Anthony was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Friday in Compton Superior Court when he accepted the same deal - but this time he had to waive credit for the five years he's spent in custody, according to Deputy District Attorney Phillip Stirling.
Anthony must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Our sister paper, the Long Beach Press-Telegram, had a story last week about Ernest Moore, a man with a history of raping older woman who was convicted and sentenced for an attack on a 59-year-old woman in Gardena. Here it is.

Here's a little more on Tony Ray Woods, the guy charged with robbery and sexual assault in Gardena.

I just got the complaint which shows he has three prior violent felonies on his record:

He was convicted of robberies on Aug. 5, 1983, Dec. 16, 1983, and July 17, 1987.

He also was convicted of possession of a controlled substance on Sept. 15, 2004.

I'm still waiting for the state to send me his prison record. It may not come today.

Previous blog entry on Woods.

Here's the District Attorney's Office's complaint against Woods:

Rev. 900-1/99 DA Case 29169974 Page 1 Case No. YA075470

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Plaintiff, v. 01 TONY RAY WOODS (08/08/1965) Defendant(s).

CASE NO. YA075470 FELONY COMPLAINT

The undersigned is informed and believes that:

COUNT 1

On or about January 13, 2008, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of SECOND DEGREE ROBBERY, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 211, a Felony, was committed by TONY RAY WOODS, who did unlawfully, and by means of force and fear attempt to take personal property from the person, possession, and immediate presence of BASKIN ROBBINS.
"NOTICE: The above offense is a violent felony within the meaning of Penal Code 667.5(c)."
"NOTICE: The above offense is a serious felony within the meaning of Penal Code section 1192.7(c)."

Opening statements are underway in a downtown courtroom in the murder trial against Miguel Magallon, who is accused of killing Los Angeles Police Captain Michael Sparkes on a street corner near Gardena in 2004.

So far, Deputy District Attorney Darren Levine has laid out his case against Magallon, who is facing the death penalty. Magallon turned 26 today.

Before the jury was brought in, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kathleen Kennedy said she had some security concerns. Magallon, it seems, is not behaving himself in jail. Over the weekend, he slashed a jailer who was attempting to save another inmate from being killed by Magallon and another inmate. The deputy was slashed on the hand with some kind of razor that was flushed down the toilet before the cell could be searched. Magallon will spend the trial with one leg shackled, over his attorney's objections - who said Magallon has had no problems during the three weeks it took to pick a jury.

"The defendant hasn't attacked anybody in court ... yet," Kennedy replied, raising the ire of defense attorney Victor Salerno.

Magallon, who appeared in a blue dress shirt and a shaved head, looked back over his shoulder to someone sitting in the packed courtroom audience and smiled.

Opening statements began with Deputy District Attorney Darren Levine telling the jury that, really, the case is pretty simple:

-There's a co-defendant who told the whole story to the police and during a preliminary hearing. Orvis Anthony said they set out to do a robbery and Magallon saw Sparkes riding his bicycle and wanted to "jack" him. Anthony's previous testimony will be read to the jury.

-There's the AK-47 assault rifle, recovered from Anthony's gang "stash" car ouside his Gardena residence. Ballistics, DNA and gunshot residue all tie Magallon to the military-style assault weapon used by U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

-Before dying, Sparkes fired off 16 rounds from his handgun - hitting Magallon in the torso and "marking him for life," Levine said.

-The jury will also hear Sparkes 911 call, made as he lay bleeding on the ground after the first round of shootings and before being fired on moments later from the same suspects on the car.

"Officer down!" Sparkes yelled. "Help me, Jesus.... Come on man, they had, they killed me."

Sparkes was the head of security at County-Harbor UCLA Medical Center, and was on his way to work on his red Schwin before dawn when he was killed.

Trial will resume this afternoon with Salerno's opening statement, The guilt phase is expected to last until late next week. If convicted, there will be a penalty phase.

A man accused of shooting his father three times in Gardena was charged Tuesday with attempted murder, according to prosecutors.

Albert Almaraz, 35, made his first appearance in Torrance Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon, but his arraignment was postponed until June 9, according to Deputy District Attorney Jodi Link.

He is also facing special allegations that he caused great bodily injury and used a firearm during the shooting Friday at the family's flower shop, Link added.

He remains jailed on more than $2 million bail, Link said.

Michael Norris, said his client was concerned about his father.

"The police believe my client discharged a firearm during the incident," Norris said. "However, in my investigation to this point, I have not been able to locate any witnesses to support that assumption by the police."

Almaraz allegedly shot Robert Almaraz, 67, during a dispute involving family problems at Colors Flowers and Gifts at 1858 Marine Ave., police said.

The elder Almaraz was shot three times and is expected to survive.

A Gardena man shot his father three times during an argument that turned violent at the family's flower shop, police said Monday.

Albert Almaraz, 35, allegedly shot Robert Almaraz, 67, shortly after noon Friday at Colors Flowers and Gifts, 1858 Marine Ave., Gardena police Sgt. Russ Temple said.

The father was expected to survive wounds to the back of his head, right shoulder and left wrist.

"They were arguing about family problems," Temple said.

The father and son got into an argument that lasted about 30 minutes. It turned into a physical battle.

"At some point, Albert pulled a .22-caliber handgun and he shoots his dad," Temple said. "Dad yells, 'You shot me!' and they kept fighting."

The struggle spilled over to an adjacent garage.

Police officers arrived and arrested the son on suspicion of attempted murder. He was held at the Gardena jail on $1 million bail and scheduled to appear in Torrance court on Tuesday.

The father was taken to County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He suffered non-life threatening wounds because of the small caliber bullets.

The jury announced they were deadlocked and Torrance Superior Court Judge James Brandlin declared a mistrial on Friday in the murder case against Gorgonio Vidaca Gonzalez. My story didn't mak it to dailybreeze.com until this morning, but you can now read it here.

Sarcastically labeling as "amazing coincidences" all the defenses that Gorgonio Vidaca Gonzalez's attorneys presented to the jury, a prosecutor asked the panel last week to think about all the bits of evidence that point to his guilt of first-degree murder. Gonzalez's attorneys want the jury to believe the wrong man is on trial for the 1984 murder near Gardena. Their client is not Salvador Alcantar, who everyone believes is the real killer, they argued.

Roberto Camacho's killer drove a Chevy Impala - the same car Gonzalez drove at the time and had registered in his name, according to Deputy District Attorney Don Syn. Gonzalez's California identification card listed an address in the 1500 block of Steinhart Avenue in Redondo Beach - the same address that "Alcantar" had on record with his El Segundo employer, Syn told the jury.

But to convict Gonzalez would allow the real killer to go free, defense attorney Michael Brush argued to the Torrance Superior Court jury last week. "'Amazing coincidences' do not mean guilt," Brush said.

About 9 a.m. today, the jury was to begin its deliberations. We'll let you know when there's a verdict.

Our last story on the case is here, and a previous blog entry is here.

The jury deliberated a few hours before finding Timothy Burnett guilty of first-degree murder and allegations he used a knife. Here's today's story on the closing arguments. Will have a new story on the verdict later.

John Liu is expected in court today on charges alleging he killed his sister.

A Gardena man admitted Tuesday that he killed his sister, who was found dead on the kitchen floor of their family home, police said.

John Long Liu, 60, was taken into custody shortly after 1 p.m. at the house in the 1100 block of West 163rd Street, Gardena police Lt. Uikilifi Niko said.

Firefighters responded to the house regarding a woman not breathing and determined her to be dead, Niko said.

They then called police because they suspected foul play.

The victim, whose name was not immediately released, lived in the home with other adult relatives. She was in her late 50s.

Liu told officers he had killed his sister, Niko said. Liu was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked at the Gardena jail.

The cause of death was not immediately determined.

Rev. Robert Bowman, who headed CrossRoad Christian Academy in Gardena, was dismissed as rector of Saint Luke's Reform Episcopal Church in Santa Ana.

Previously: Gardena parochial school headmaster arrested on child pornography charges

Karen Sue Hale's sentencing for one grand theft and four forgery convictions was postponed from today to May 29. The 53-year-old Lawndale woman, wearing blue and bright yellow jail clothes and handcuffs, made a brief courtroom appearance. As she conferred with her attorney, she kept glancing back at the half-dozen or so Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce people who had come to speak or watch the sentencing.

"Karen, keep your eyeballs forward," the bailiff warned her.

Previous entries are found here.

The body of a man was found inside a Gardena motel room by a housekeeper, according to a police statement.

The 42-year-old man, whose name is not being released until relatives are notified, was found about 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the Patio Inn Motel at 13815 S. Normandie Ave.
The man was on the floor of the room.

The cause of his death is unknown, and an autopsy has not been done.

Anyone who may have any information is asked to contact Gardena police Detective Pam Robinson at 310-217-9653.

UPDATE: Lloya Williams, 24, is being held on suspicion of murder. The victim was her boyfriend. Antoine Benbo, 27, was stabbed with a kitchen knife, police said.

Gardena PD press release:

On April 11, 2008, at 12:55 p.m., Gardena police officers responded to 13801 S. Vermont Ave. #12 regarding a call of a "Man stabbed in the chest."

 Upon the officer's arrival, a victim of a stabbing was located just outside apartment #12. The Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived and immediately rendered aid to the victim. The victim was subsequently transported to Harbor UCLA Medical Center. The victim, identified as Antoine Benbo, 27 years old of Gardena, succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the hospital.

The case is under investigation by the Gardena Police Department Detective Bureau Robbery Homicide Division. If you have any information regarding this case, please called Detective Todd Fox at (310) 217-9625.

Look for the full story in tomorrow's Daily Breeze about the verdicts just a little while ago for Karen Sue Hale, 53, of Lawndale. The jury deliberated about an hour and a half before convicting her of one count of grand theft and four counts of forgery.

Trial began this morning for Karen Sue Hale, the former Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director accused of forging checks and stealing thousands from the non-profit organization.

Before opening statements got underway, though, jurors waiting in the hallway witnessed the final part of a heated dispute that began among audience members on a different case that Torrance Superior Court Judge James Brandlin handled this morning.

According to those who were in the courtroom, the murmurings escalated in the gallery to the point that Brandlin told everyone to hush up or they'd be kicked out. I'm not sure what case is was - possibly an attempted murder. The group took their dischord to the hallway, where some say punches were thrown but the Sheriff's Department says it was only a verbal altercation.

When I arrived, I saw a crowd of people being talked to by a bailiff and a hallway full of jurors for this case and others, as well as at least a dozen bailiffs (deputies).

Once the Hale jury was called in, Brandlin asked them what they saw and if it would affect their ability to judge Hale's trial. Most raised their hands to indicate they saw it. A female juror said: "I didn't like it. I was scared."

"Understandably so," Brandlin replied. But she and others agreed they could put aside what they saw to be fair on this case.

Opening statements then got underway and the first witness to testify, former board president Freddie Davis, took the stand. Look for my full report on the trial in tomorrow's Daily Breeze and on dailybreeze.com.

Previously:

Former Gardena chamber exec to stand trial

Police in three jurisdictions will conduct sobriety and driver's license checkpoints Friday night. Here they are:

• Redondo Beach: 7:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Saturday on Artesia Boulevard at Aviation Way.
• Carson: 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday on Main Street south of Torrance Boulevard, and on Avalon Boulevard north of Carson Street.
• Gardena: 7:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday in the eastbound lanes of El Segundo Boulevard at Halldale Avenue.