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Los Angeles
Police Protective League
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the union that represents the
rank and file LAPD officers
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Daily Local & Regional NewsWatch
Daily News Digest
from LA Police Protective League
January 27, 2022 |
Law Enforcement News
Westside Councilman Mike Bonin Says He Won't Seek Re-Election
Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election to a third term, just one week after a recall bid targeting him fell short of the required signatures. Bonin, who had previously announced plans to run in the June municipal election, said in a series of tweets that he has struggled with depression for years and decided that it was time to “focus on health and wellness.” The announcement upends the June 7 election campaign to represent Bonin's district, which takes in much of the Westside. And it will mark the departure of a politician who had carved out left-of-center positions on homelessness, public safety, renter protections and many other issues. Bonin, who represents areas stretching from Los Angeles International Airport north to Pacific Palisades, was first elected in 2013, after a lengthy stint as a top aide to former Councilman Bill Rosendahl. He had been facing a major re-election fight — one that likely would have been dominated by the issues of homelessness and public safety. Recall proponent Katrina Schmitt, a resident of Venice, said those who had mobilized for a recall election would have continued working to defeat him. “I'm glad he did what was best for himself — and for all of us in the end,” she said. “It feels like we won. Our movement won.” Los Angeles Times |
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LAPPL: Det. Jamie McBride On Donlon Report
LAPPL: Det. Jamie McBride On Donlon Report: "It should be called the Super Bowl of murders in Los Angeles because that's what it's coming to be."
The Donlon Report |
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LAPD Raising Money For Family Of Slain Officer
The Los Angeles Police Department is holding a fundraiser today for the family of fallen officer Fernando Arroyos. Arroyos, 27, was killed off duty earlier this month in South Los Angeles. He and his girlfriend were looking at a house they were considering buying when Arroyos was shot during an apparent attempted robbery. He was a three-year veteran of the department and was assigned to the Olympic Division. Four people, including three alleged members of the Florencia 13 gang, are facing federal charges in the case, and if convicted face a minimum sentence of life without the possibility of parole. "He was a really humble hard worker, always walked around with a smile, and he was just really really nice to be around," said one of Arroyos' fellow officers. "We're going to miss him a lot. He's family to us." The Olympic Division station where Arroyos was assigned is hosting a cookout fundraiser Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. at the station on Vermont Avenue. The event is open to anyone. A $10 donation will buy a plate with two tacos, rice, beans and a drink. Officers are also selling pulled pork sandwiches, and raffles are being held. All the money will go to Arroyos' family. Donations can also be made at badgeofheart.org . The fundraiser will continue from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. The Olympic Division is at 1100 S. Vermont Ave. FOX 11 |
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4 LAPD Officers Honored For Heroic Rescue Of Pilot Whose Plane Crashed On Train Tracks In Pacoima
Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Joseph Cavestany was in his police cruiser driving north on Osborne Street through Pacoima on Jan. 9 when he spotted something out of the ordinary: In front of him, about a mile away, a large white object was plunging out of the sky. “It was big and white, about 50 feet off the ground,” he said Wednesday. Whiteman Airport was not far away either. Figuring the object had to be a plane in distress, Cavestany watched as it dove down almost into his exact path, crashing near the intersection of Osborne and San Fernando Road. He booked it to the crash site. Minutes later, Cavestany would watch as a trio of officers he was supervising dragged the injured pilot out of the destroyed airplane lying on railroad tracks. One of the officers' body-worn cameras captured the moment, seconds later, when an oncoming train plowed through the plane, obliterating it. “It was very surreal,” Cavestany said, of spotting the train and realizing it wasn't going to stop. “I thought, ‘Man, is this really happening?'” Cavestany and three others — officers Robert Sherock, Damien Castro and Christopher Aboyte — were honored for their quick actions in a ceremony Wednesday at Montague Charter Academy in Arleta, a few miles from the crash site. Congressman Tony Cárdenas, who represents the northeast San Fernando Valley, presented the four with certificates acknowledging their dramatic rescue of the pilot. Los Angeles Daily News |
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Reward In Murder Of Compton Teen Tioni Theus Jumps To $110K
The reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible in the shooting death of a 16-year-old girl, whose body was dumped alongside the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles, has increased to $110,000. Tioni Theus' body was discovered Jan. 8 on the side of the freeway on the Manchester Avenue on-ramp near South Figueroa Street. During a news conference Wednesday, Assistant California Highway Patrol Chief Jesus Holguin said that California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a $50,000 reward, which brings the total possible reward money being offered for the capture of Theus' killer to $110,000, which includes another likely $50,000 pledged by the L.A. City Council, and $10,000 from L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Tioni was last seen Jan. 7 after telling a family member she was going to meet a friend to go to a party, officials said. No further information was provided, and no suspect description was available. The investigation is being handled by the CHP, but the LAPD offered investigative assistance. LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Police Commission the CHP hasn't yet identified a suspect and does not yet have a description of the suspect or involved vehicle. CBS 2 |
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Student Arrested In Stabbing Of Fellow Pupil At Westlake High School
A high schooler was arrested on suspicion of stabbing another student at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex on Wednesday, according to police. The victim, a 17-year-old senior, was stabbed in the thigh and shoulder about 12:45 p.m. at the Westlake school, said Sgt. Rudy Perez, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles School Police Department. He was transported to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he was stable. The stabbing took place on the school's third floor in a hallway outside of a classroom, Perez said. “There was possibly an altercation a few days ago between these two people,” Perez said. “It seems like it's an isolated incident at this moment, between two people.” The school was locked down for several hours, with students allowed to leave campus at the normal end of the school day around 3 p.m., said Deputy Chief Glenn Besunder of the L.A. School Police Department. Los Angeles Times |
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Freeway Shooting Injures Man In Sylmar
A man in a car on the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway in Sylmar was shot Wednesday night. California Highway Patrol officers responded at approximately 9:38 p.m. to the shooting scene near the Roxford Street off-ramp, said Officer Patrick Kimball. The victim was treated at the scene with non-life-threatening wounds, Kimball said. KCAL9 reported the victim was shot in the neck but was able to get in an ambulance without assistance. No suspect or vehicle description was available. Los Angeles Daily News |
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Police Investigating Shooting At 405 Underpass Encampment, One Person Injured
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating a shooting at a homeless encampment at the 405 underpass. The shooting took place around 8:15 p.m. at Venice Blvd and Globe Ave Wednesday night. Police say one victim, a male, was injured and taken to a nearby hospital. Police are on scene and canvassing the area for witnesses and evidence. No further details are available at this time. WestSide Current |
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| Video Shows Sherman Oaks Man Getting Robbed Of Rolex At Gunpoint In Broad Daylight A nurse is shaken after he was held up at gunpoint in a brazen midday robbery in Sherman Oaks Monday. The victim, who wishes to only be identified by his first name, Pavlo, said his Rolex was taken from him after a minor traffic accident near Van Nuys Boulevard and Huston Street. Pavlo said he was driving down Van Nuys Boulevard with his arm hanging out the window when he was rear-ended at a stop light. “My arm was [hanging out the] open window on the carl, so [the] Rolex was visible,” he said. After he pulled onto Huston Street to exchange information with the driver of the car that hit his vehicle, a white Mercedes, Pavlo instead was confronted by three men demanding his watch, two of whom were armed with guns. “I'm a big guy, 6'5”, who can stand up for myself, but when you hold at gunpoint, you feel terrible, you understand that if you're going to stand up and move, you're going to get a bullet and your life will probably be gone,” Pavlo said. After the robbery, Pavlo went to a nearby auto dealer, Anytime Auto Group, which provided security camera footage of the incident. KTLA 5 |
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LAPD Looking For Suspects Who Set Multiple Fires On Venice Boardwalk
The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department are investigating multiple instances of fires set on the Venice Boardwalk. According to video that recorded the events, two men started a box on fire that was sitting next to a park bench on the Venice Boardwalk late Monday night. The bench was destroyed in the fire. Then on Tuesday night, a person was seen setting fires to fifteen trash cans. Police say they are interviewing people today and believe there are four suspects, two male and two female. If you have any information call the fire department or police. WestSide Current |
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Man Who Jumped From Plane At LAX Sentenced To Prison
A passenger who tried to break into an airplane cockpit, then jumped from the moving plane on a runway at Los Angeles International Airport, was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison. Luis Antonio Victoria Dominguez of La Paz, Mexico -- who broke his leg when he landed on the tarmac on June 25 last year-- was also ordered to pay $20,132 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Dominguez, 34, pleaded guilty in October in Los Angeles federal court to one count of interference with flight crew members and flight attendants. Dominguez was a passenger on United Airlines flight 5365, operated by SkyWest Airlines, that was scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. Soon after the plane pushed back from the gate, Dominguez "sprinted'' to the front of the aircraft past a seated flight attendant and "began banging on the cockpit door and manipulating the locked doorknob,'' according to an FBI affidavit that was filed with a criminal complaint in this case. When he failed to gain entry to the cockpit, Dominguez pushed past the flight attendant and went to the emergency exit on the right side of the plane, where he managed to partially open the door, causing the emergency slide to partially deploy, the affidavit states. While a nearby passenger attempted to restrain him, Dominguez managed to get away and jump from the aircraft, missing the emergency slide. NBC 4 |
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LASD Seeks Help Locating 26-Year-Old Abraham Miguel Aguiniga Who Suffers From Schizophrenia
Authorities sought the public's help Wednesday to locate a 26-year-old with schizophrenia man who was reported missing in Cerritos. Abraham Miguel Aguiniga was last seen about 9:45 a.m. in the 10800 block of College Place, near Cerritos College, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Aguiniga is Hispanic, 5-feet-8 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and dark jeans. Anyone with information on Aguiniga's whereabouts was asked to contact the LASD Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org . CBS 2 |
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‘Green Gaiter Bandit' Sought By FBI, Police After More Than A Dozen Bank Robberies And Attempts
The FBI and Southern California police departments are looking for a man who is believed to have robbed and tried to rob more than 14 banks in Los Angeles and Orange counties since October. During the robbery attempts, which have taken place in Placentia, Costa Mesa, Gardena, Mission Viejo, Torrance, Huntington Beach and Fullerton, the robber often asks for “loose bills” or cash from a teller, either with a note or by a verbal request, the FBI said. “After receiving the cash or an attempt, the suspect has been seen fleeing the bank on foot,” the release added. The man, called the “Green Gaiter Bandit” based on the green face covering he is seen wearing in some surveillance photos, is believed to be between 50 and 60 years old and approximately 6 feet tall, with a medium-to-heavy build and gray hair, the FBI said in a news release.“It should be noted that the suspect wears a variety of gaiters covering his neck and face in different banks on different dates, including a green one. He has also worn gaiters or a mask in other colors or designs,” the FBI said in the release. The Green Gaiter Bandit also often wears “workwear-style clothing,” including a tan jacket, the FBI added. KTLA 5 |
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Fallen NYPD Officers Sought Bridges Between Police, Communities
Jason Rivera was no stranger to the tensions between New York City cops and some of the communities they police. Growing up in a Dominican neighborhood in Manhattan, he'd seen it up close, like when his brother got pulled from a taxi and frisked for what felt like no reason. Wilbert Mora, too, knew it from his youth in East Harlem, and spent his college years thinking about ways to address it. Both sought to be catalysts of change when they joined the police force. Neither got the chance they deserved. Both were fatally wounded last Friday by a gunman who ambushed the officers after they responded to a call about a family dispute at a Harlem apartment. Thousands of mourners were expected Thursday at Rivera's wake at St. Patrick's Cathedral, which will also host his funeral Mass on Friday, with Cardinal Timothy Dolan presiding. The 22-year-old had been a police officer for barely a year. Mora, 27, was in his fourth year on the job. His wake and funeral Mass were planned for next week, also at the iconic Roman Catholic cathedral. Friends this week have been remembering the officers as caring and dedicated. Mora was a gentle giant, with a strong physique and a warm heart. Rivera was a doting newlywed who would FaceTime his wife from his locker. Associated Press |
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2 St. Louis Police Officers Shot, 1 In “Very Critical" Condition
Two St. Louis police officers were shot while attempting to apprehend a suspect Wednesday afternoon in Ferguson and one was in "very critical" condition, St. Louis police Chief John Hayden said. The officers were shot about 1 p.m. near West Florissant Avenue and Northwind Estates Drive. Hayden said the officers had been following a vehicle connected to a homicide and were approaching the vehicle when they were shot. One officer was shot in the leg. The other was struck in the abdomen, Hayden told reporters outside Barnes-Jewish Hospital Wednesday evening where the officers were recieving treatment. The officer struck in the abdomen was unstable and in "very critical condition," Hayden said. Hayden said the officers had followed a car connected to a homicide to Ferguson. When they approached the vehicle, someone inside fired shots, Hayden said. Hayden said he did not yet know if the officers returned fire. Four occupants of the shooter's car were in custody Wednesday, Hayden said. St. Louis Post-Dispatch |
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Public Safety News
15-Month-Old Is Youngest Person In LA County To Die Of COVID Since Start Of Pandemic
On the two-year anniversary of Los Angeles County's first confirmed COVID-19 case, health officials say 91 more people have died of the virus, including a 15-month-old. The county says this is the youngest person to die of the virus since the start of the pandemic, calling it "a stark reminder" that the virus can impact anyone. "I send my heartfelt condolences and wishes of healing to the family who suffered the devastating loss of their small child, and to the countless people who have lost a loved one to this pandemic," said Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer in a statement issued on Wednesday. "Prioritizing and ensuring safety at schools during a surge is only possible if all those at the school commit to complying fully with public health measures; this cannot be accomplished by staff alone." In an effort to protect school-aged children, Public Health and L.A. County schools have implemented various safety measures that are resulting in fewer COVID cases among students and staff. The county says for the week ending Jan. 23, schools conducted 555,879 COVID tests and confirmed 40,694 positive cases. The positivity rate was 7.8%. ABC 7 |
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Fire Burns At Vacant Hawthorne Plaza Shopping Center
A rubbish fire erupted Wednesday in the vacant Hawthorne Plaza shopping center, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air. The fire was reported about 9:35 a.m. at the former mall in the 12100 block of South Hawthorne Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The blaze quickly went to a second alarm, with dozens of firefighters on the scene working to douse the flames. Fire officials initially reported the blaze was in a single-story structure, but crews on scene reported the fire was centered in a multi-story building, with heavy smoke coming from an underground parking garage. There were no immediate reports of any injuries. Details about a cause were not immediately available. Hawthorne police urged people to avoid Hawthorne Boulevard between 120th Street and El Segundo Boulevard, noting that traffic was slow due to the large fire department response. Hawthorne Plaza opened in 1977 but closed in 1999. NBC 4 |
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14 Cases Of New Omicron Sub-Variant BA.2 Detected In California, Including LA And Orange Counties
The California Department of Public Health has confirmed a total of 14 cases of the new COVID variant BA.2 in the state. The cases were identified in Los Angeles, Santa Clara, San Diego, Orange, and Tulare counties. "New variants will continue to evolve as long as there are large pockets of unvaccinated people. Strengthening our protection against COVID-19 through vaccination and boosting is more important than ever," the department stated. As of January 26, 2022, California has confirmed a total of 7,569,687 COVID-19 cases and 78,316 deaths. In the U.S., 96 cases have been identified as the new omicron BA.2 variant and scientists are monitoring it closely to determine whether it is any more infectious or deadly. The new omicron BA.2 variant has been identified in at least 40 countries and is spreading quickly. The World Health Organization says investigations of BA.2 "should be prioritized." "It's dangerous to assume that omicron will be the last variant or that we are in the end game," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization Director-General. FOX 11 |
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California Exceeds 8 Million Coronavirus Cases, Adding 2.5 Million Since New Year's
California has now surpassed 8 million cumulative coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic, the end result of weeks of unprecedented spread fueled by the highly infectious Omicron variant. The milestone, equivalent to roughly 1 out of every 5 residents having been infected at some point, comes amid growing signs that Omicron has finally peaked — but not before tearing through California's communities. Since New Year's Day, 2.5 million coronavirus cases have been reported in California. That's fast approaching the entire statewide caseload reported all of last year: 3.1 million. And if anything, the recent sky-high numbers are likely an undercount, experts say, as many who may be infected may not get tested because they have only mild symptoms or none at all, while others may use self-administered home tests, whose results are not automatically reported to public health officials. Daily COVID-19 deaths have also soared in the state in recent weeks. Over the last week, an average of 139 deaths a day have been reported — exceeding the statewide peak from the summer Delta surge of 135 deaths a day. Los Angeles Times |
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Local Government News
LA City Council Advances 100% Affordable Housing Development
The LA City Council voted Tuesday to secure funding for a 100% affordable, mixed-use residential development in East Hollywood. The $118 million project at 1021 N. Vermont Ave., near Santa Monica Boulevard, will have 94 units reserved for extremely low-income households and 91 units reserved for very low-income households. The remaining two units will be reserved for managers. On Tuesday, the City Council authorized a $56 million tax-exempt multifamily conduit revenue bond and a $12.8 million taxable multifamily conduit revenue bond through Bank of America. The project also received a $24 million loan through Proposition HHH, a ballot initiative passed in November 2016 to use $1.2 billion to build 10,000 units for homeless Angelenos. Additional funding is being provided by the Housing and Community Development Infill Infrastructure Grant Program and the Housing and Community Development Transit-Oriented Development Housing Program. Councilman Mitch O'Farrell -- in whose 13th District the project is located -- called the development "smart urban planning.'' NBC 4 |
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LA City Council Prepares For 2022 Summit Of The Americas
Los Angeles City Council members on Wednesday, Jan. 26, began steps to prepare the city to host this year's Summit of the Americas, which takes place every three years as an opportunity for leaders of North, South and Central America and the Caribbean to meet. The summit, which will be held in June, will focus on “Building a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future” in the Americas, the White House announced on Jan. 18. In preparation, Councilman Paul Krekorian introduced a series of motions Wednesday. Los Angeles Daily News |
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About the LAPPL - Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at:
www.LAPD.com |
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