Industry: October 2008 Archives

The quarterly report on the Sheriff's department filed by the County Office of Independent Review is a detailed list of investigations into a variety of miscounduct by employees of the Sheriff's Department. Much of it never gets reported in the MSM.

There are stories of domestic violence, theft, beatings and sex with inmates at the county jail.

Interestingly enough there appears to be no mention of Industry Sgt. Joe Dyer, accused of embezzling something like $500,000 worth of towing fees from the City of La Puente. The case is under investigation by the Sheriff's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau, and reportedly has been refered to the OIR. *

* An anonymous caller points out that a similar incident is mentioned on page 8 of the report. It also says that it was turned over for prosecution but that the DA's office rejected the case.

Here's the text from that entry:

**Officials now say that was a separate case from another station. Apparently the problem is widespread in the sheriff's department. Anyone want to bet that the policies for handling tow money is about to change? How many other cities have been shortchaged?

Tania Chatila pieced this story together from a variety of sources who indicated something fishy was happening in La Puente after Industry Capt. Mike Smith was transferred on a Sunday afternoon.

Here's the top of the story, and a link:

LOS ANGELES - A sheriff's deputy is suspected of embezzling nearly half a million dollars in towing fees from the city of La Puente, officials said Thursday.

Sheriff Lee Baca said the department's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau is investigating allegations that former traffic Sgt. Joe Dyer stole nearly $500,000.

"My belief is that no one is above the law and I think that the criminal justice system will act appropriately in this case," Baca said Thursday.

Dyer, who could not be reached for comment, retired in May after detectives "established a need for an investigation regarding funds at the Industry station that were missing," Baca said.

Dyer's supervisor, Capt. Michael Smith, was reassigned to the sheriff's headquarters in Monterey Park effective Sunday, officials said.

The District Attorney is aware of the case, Baca said. He expected it would be submitted for review by the end of the year.

"We've done as much as we can to build a good strong case," Baca said.

The investigation was launched in January.

 

BASSETT -- Homicide investigators visited the 2200 block of Mardel Avenue Sunday to investigate the shooting death of a man and the wounding of another.

Detectives initially said there was little known about the incident, which occurred about 6:30 a.m. in the 2200 block of Mardel Avenue.

The dead man was described only as a Latino man estimated to be in his 30s, and the wounded man, who was hospitalized in critical condition, appeared to be in his 20s, according to sheriff's and fire officials.

The dead man died in the driveway of the home, where his body remained shielded by a green tarp early Sunday afternoon.

The wounded man was found inside the home, however officials believe the attack most likely occurred outside.

No motive or suspect information was available.

Wig & Vault Bandits:

Armed takeover group linked to robberies in Los Angeles County,

most recently in Glendale and Industry.

Earned name since one bandit wears wig and hit vault.

Description: Two black males, 27 - 36 years old; one wears a wig with ball cap; both armed with guns.