Law Enforcement

Man wanted in 1985 L.A. slaying evaded arrest by altering name
A San Jose man who'd been on the run for 27 years has been arrested and booked on suspicion of killing his sister's lover in South Los Angeles in 1985, authorities said. Abel Avila-Perez, 53, was able to escape detection by making minor changes to his name after the crime, authorities said. Avila-Perez was arrested in San Jose, where he'd been living since the incident, said LAPD Det. Kelle Baitx, a homicide supervisor.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD cruiser hit by car in Brentwood while responding to backup call
Two Los Angeles police officers were treated for minor injuries Thursday evening after their squad car was struck by another vehicle and knocked into other cars in Brentwood. The officers were responding to back up another police unit on a report of a stolen vehicle when they were struck about 6:55 p.m. near Santa Monica Boulevard and Barrington Avenue, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Los Angeles Times

Are you a victim of chronic vehicle theft? The LAPD wants to help
The LAPD Northeast Community Station is in discussions with a private theft-prevention company to offer victims of vehicle thefts who reside in Northeast Los Angeles a free security system for retrieving stolen vehicles. The proposed program would coincide with National Vehicle Theft Protection Month in July, an annual campaign that kicks off in late June.
Echo Park - Silver Lake Patch

New evidence possible in Manson family murders
Eight hours of audio never before heard by law enforcement has been requested by the Los Angeles Police Department, and it could link followers of the Manson Family to unsolved murders. In a letter dated March 19, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck requested "eight hours or so" of audio recordings between attorney Bill Boyd and his then-client Charles "Tex" Watson, according to a U.S. bankruptcy filing. Watson, the former right-hand man of Charles Manson, is currently serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1969 Manson Family murders.
NBC4

Search in Verdugo Mountains for missing FBI agent is stopped
The search in the Verdugo Mountains for a missing FBI agent has been stopped and investigators will instead focus on tips from the public, according to Burbank police. Authorities had been actively combing the nearby mountains for 35-year-old FBI agent Stephen Ivens, who went missing from his Burbank home nearly two weeks ago. Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn said Wednesday a final search was carried out over the weekend by members of the Ventura and Los Angeles County sheriff's departments, but they came up empty.
Los Angeles Times

Judge rules for extradition of mother of Hollywood arson suspect
A federal judge has ruled in favor of extraditing the mother of a man suspected of setting dozens of fires in Hollywood, West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley over New Year's weekend, according to papers obtained Thursday. Dorothee Burkhart, 53, is wanted in her native Germany on a host of fraud charges. After hearing arguments from both sides last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles F. Eick determined the woman should be returned to Germany for trial.
Los Angeles Daily News

Zine's annual Z Awards held Thursday
A number of LA's finest spent early Thursday afternoon at the annual Z for ExZellence Awards, Councilmember Dennis Zine's annual public safety personnel recognition event. The Z Awards honor those who have shown ongoing dedication, commitment and excellence in their respective fields of law enforcement, public safety and community advocacy. This year, the third council district recognized personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department, the City Fire Department, the Sheriff's Department, the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Probation.
Encino - Tarzana Patch

Police encourage sober proms for youth
The Los Angeles Police Department, in conjunction with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will initiate the 14th annual Safe & Sober Graduation Operation during the month of June 2012. This project is designed to curtail the accessibility of alcoholic beverages and promote "safe and sober" graduations throughout the 91 Los Angeles Unified School District high schools.
Press Release

Capital Punishment

Condemned prisoners await voters' verdict
It's been more than 30 years since the death penalty was reinstated in California, but only 13 inmates have been executed. Over 700 prisoners now sit on Death Row - the men at San Quentin, a handful of women at Chowchilla -- sometimes for decades to await their judgment day. In November, California will decide whether to abolish capital punishment. Anti-death penalty forces collected more than 800,000 signatures on petitions to qualify the proposal for the ballot and now the voters will weigh in.
Capitol Weekly

Traffic

Carmageddon II delayed
Fans of Carmageddon are going to have to wait a little longer for the sequel. Officials initially hoped to shut down a segment of the San Diego (405) Freeway next month, but delays to the $1 billion project are pushing the massive closure back to August or September. Unexpected utility work, a $300 million lawsuit and bickering with FBI representatives over security clearances are all delaying completion, Metro officials said Thursday.
Los Angeles Daily News