Street Racinghttps://lasd.org/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Keep it safe. Keep it legal. Keep it on the track.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has created a new Public Service Announcement to address the rise in street racing takeovers, and let drivers know that there are safe, legal alternatives to the deadly takeover events that have been proliferating throughout Los Angeles County.
There are many racing venues throughout Southern California where drivers can participate in drifting and drag racing events, in front of large crowds, and as part of a vibrant car community. The LASD asks drivers to stick to these venues, rather than contribute to the needless injuries and fatalities that continue to occur at illegal street takeovers.
Twenty-one years ago, our world was drastically changed on September 11, 2001, when the United States was cowardly and viciously attacked by terrorists. In the span of a few moments, our nation’s history was redefined, and the scar of those tragic events will remain etched in our minds forever.
Over three thousand American lives were lost that day, and many more continue to die due to illnesses they have developed over the years from that fateful morning. Today we honor their memory and pray that their families and loved ones find peace.
Today, we remember our heroes; the first responders who ran up the World Trade Center (Twin Towers) stairs. The first responders who went up the many levels of stairs to help people. With 40-plus pounds of equipment and fear in their eyes, they ran up those stairs into the unknown. Imagine, as innocent people ran down the stairs, those first responders kept running up. Not knowing what would come next, those first responders sacrificed their lives to help as many as possible and never got a chance to say goodbye to their families. Many heroes were lost that day and in the days to come.
In the aftermath of September 11, the phrase, ‘Never Forget,” became a symbol. It is now a symbol that reminds all Americans never to forget those we lost. In memory of many, in honor of all, let’s stand united and never forget.
Help to Identify Suspect for the Death of a Metro Passenger https://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Post_Metro-suspect-806x1024.jpeg8061024SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Detectives and Family Members Need the Public’s Help to Identify a Suspect Responsible for the Death of a Metro Blue Line Passenger
On Friday, September 9, 2022, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detectives and Oscar Ayala’s family members asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect responsible for his death.
On Sunday, March 13, 2022, Oscar Ayala was riding the south-bound Blue Line train at about 5:55 p.m. The suspect was riding the same train. Both the victim and the suspect exited the train at the Compton Blue Line Station. There is no indication that they knew each other but as they walked towards the exit, they appeared to be talking. Just beyond the station turnstiles, the suspect assaulted Oscar who fell to the ground. The suspect then rifled through the victim’s pockets, took his cellphone and walked away northbound from the train station.
Compton Fire Department paramedics responded and transported Oscar to the hospital where several days later he succumbed to his injuries.
Oscar was a native of South Los Angeles and grew up near the Los Angeles Coliseum. Two years prior to his death, he moved to Compton. He was passionate about soccer and practiced the sport with his dad since he was a little boy. He graduated from Manual Arts Senior High School in Los Angeles and then attended California State University, Northridge where he majored in Botany. Oscar’s love of his life was his one-year-old boy.
“He can hurt someone else the same way he hurt my boy, that’s why my family is asking for the public’s help to find this man so he doesn’t hurt others and my boy can rest in peace because he is also asking for help to find the man that took his life. The day of his funeral… so many people went, so many people knew him, he had so many friends, he was a good boy,” sobbed Oscar’s mom, Maria Ayala.
Investigators have exhausted all leads in trying to determine the suspect’s identity and are asking for the public’s help to identify him. Anyone with information is urged to contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and continues to be on the rise. On #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, our goal is to raise awareness and hope that the information we provide can help prevent a tragedy from happening.
Recognizing the warning signs and understanding how to respond, can help prevent suicides. Depression, financial problems, abuse, aggression, exploitation, or a life-changing event, can contribute to feelings of pain, despair, and hopelessness. If you or someone you love are in a crisis and suffer from depression, please don’t wait. Help is available, all you have to do is one of the following:
• Call 911
• Go to the nearest hospital
• Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 on your smartphone or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for free confidential emotional support. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the United States.
• Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting the word HELLO to 741741
• Lifeline counselors are available for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing by dialing the 988 number.
• Veterans and service members, the Veterans Crisis Line has crisis line responder readily available to help by texting 838255.
Homicide Detectives Release New Information about the Murder of 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivashttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Post-Rojas-main-1024x633.jpeg1024633SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Homicide Detectives will Release New Information about the Murder of 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas; $20,000 Reward Offered
Homicide Bureau detectives will release new information they received via anonymous tip about the murder of Danah Rojo-Rivas. They will also release a picture of what they believe to be the actual suspect vehicle. On Wednesday, November 23, 2016, 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas was in the backseat of her mother’s car, leaving a church function when suspects were chasing unrelated persons in a vehicle. The intended target exited his vehicle and fled south across Euclid Avenue in the City of Lynwood. The suspect fired several times, missing his target, but striking the car Danah was in. Danah was fatally wounded during the shooting. Homicide Detectives and deputies will go door to door in the neighborhood passing out flyers with a picture of what they believe to be the actual suspect vehicle.
Press Conference
Information wanted posters
$20,000 reward. Information Wanted. The suspects were last seen in a silver Ford Taurus.
$20,000 reward. Information wanted. Victim Danah Rojos-Rivas.
LASD Air Rescue 5 Save a Man And His Doghttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Post_Rescue_5_main-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
The Guardians of the Sky – LASD Air Rescue 5 Save a Man and his Dog.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Emergency Services Detail, also known as Air Rescue 5, rescued a hiker and his beloved dog after the hiker was unable to traverse the trail in the Mount Wilson area.
On August 8, 2022, at approximately 1:30 pm, Air Rescue 5 received a call for service regarding a hiker and his dog who fell 200 feet over the side of the trail near Mount Wilson.
The Air 5 crew responded to the area of the call and located Mr. Dave Santonil and his dog Bubba, who were approximately 200 feet over the side of the Mount Wilson Trail. Mr. Santonil and his dog were standing on a small shelf of soil that protruded from the vertical mountainside and had a very steep drop. Based on Mr. Santonil and his dog’s difficult position, Air Rescue 5 assessed the situation and devised a rescue plan.
The Air Rescue pilots maneuvered the aircraft in the canyon and placed it where the helicopter’s rotors would not blow Mr. Santonil and his dog from their fragile position. With the assistance of his partners, Deputy Belleville using rappelling equipment was lowered from the helicopter to where Mr. Santonil and his dog were. He managed to secure Mr. Santonil & his dog safely and hoisted them up into safety.
Hiker and his dog are sitting in the door of the Helicopter.
“There are dangers in the trails. We have the nation’s largest county, and we have the nation’s largest playground right next to the largest population. So, the mixture of those two leads the crew of Air Rescue 5 to be very busy during the summer months, during the winter months and pretty much all year long.” Sheriff Villanueva stated during the press conference.
LASD’s Air Rescue five motto is “Saving Lives Priority One.” Another incredible rescue from the guardians of the sky.
LASD continues to remind hikers of the dangers of hiking alone and with pets. Have a hiking plan and tell someone your plan. Visit LASD.org for more hiking tips at https://lasd.org/hiking-tips/
LASD’s Special Enforcement Bureau: Emergency Services Detail (SEB/ESD) is a highly trained multi-mission bureau. SEB/ESD deputies operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to their tactical operations, all SEB/ESD deputies are certified, paramedics and rescue divers. They are responsible for coordinating and participating in mountain search & rescue, underwater search & rescue, and swift water & flood rescue operations for the Sheriff’s Department. They staff the Air Rescue 5 Helicopter and the Ocean Rescue Boat and accompany the Special Weapons Teams on all operations.
Los Angeles Man charged with Special Circumstance Murders in a series of Convenience Store Robberieshttps://lasd.org/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
20-Year old Los Angeles Man will be charged with Special Circumstance Murders in Convenience Store Robberies
From Orange County District Attorney Press Release:
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A 20-year-old Los Angeles man will be charged with three felony counts of special circumstances murder in connection with a robbery spree targeting convenience stores that left at least three dead and another three people wounded across several Southern California counties. The man’s 44-year-old neighbor will be charged with felonies in connection with several of the robberies that occurred in Orange County on July 11, 2022.
Authorities across Southern California are continuing to investigate numerous other crimes believed to be connected to the pair, including an attempted murder at a Riverside [convenience store] and robberies in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties.
Department Officials Discuss the Civilian Oversight commission’s Hearing on Deputy Subgroups and Cliques within the Sheriff’s Department
On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco and Chief April Tardy discussed developments and actions taken on alleged deputy subgroups and cliques within the Sheriff’s Department in response to allegations made by the Chair of the Civilian Oversight Commission, Sean Kennedy.
In a news interview last week, Chair Sean Kennedy made the following statement: “It is time to hear from the Sheriff and Undersheriff Murakami and the other LASD officials who have the authority to address deputy gangs, but it appears have done nothing to do so.”
His statement could not be further from the truth. Sheriff Villanueva has addressed and taken various steps to address the problem, build community trust, and counter the false narrative broadcasted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Civilian Oversight Commission (COC). Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco presented factual evidence of Sheriff Villanueva’s steps to address deputy subgroups and cliques.
On his very first day as the Sheriff, Villanueva removed the captain of the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station and replaced the entire command staff. Throughout 2019, 36 East Los Angeles Deputies were transferred to other stations, four were terminated, and 22 that were part of the Kennedy Hall investigation were suspended without pay.
In February of 2020, Sheriff Villanueva successfully implemented a department policy that prohibits employees from participating in any clique or subgroup that promotes conduct that violates the rights of other employees or members of the public, the first sheriff in the department’s history to do so. Department training videos on the topic were created and distributed, personnel viewed these training materials, and mandatory briefings regarding cliques were conducted.
Additionally, Sheriff Villanueva sponsored AB 958 legislation for Peace Officer Cliques with Assembly Member Mike Gipson; AB958 was signed into law on October 2021. The legislation is intended to tackle the issue of “gangs” among peace officers that might undermine the professional standards of policing among California’s law enforcement agencies.
In August 2020, the Kennedy Hall investigation was completed, and Sheriff Villanueva held a press conference to announce the investigation results, including the termination and suspension of the deputies involved. In September 2020, Sheriff Villanueva sent a message to all personnel requesting their participation in the RAND Corporation study on deputy subgroups. Deputies were encouraged to complete the anonymous survey.
In March 2021, a subgroups and cliques policy re-briefing email was sent to department members, including a reminder that all employees would be held accountable for any policy violation. Unit commanders had their personnel sign a copy of the policy stating that they read and understood it.
In February 2022, the department created a portal on the department’s website so that the public could report any evidence of deputy gangs or employee misconduct in the department (https://lasd.org/report-employee-misconduct/).
After Assistant Sheriff Francisco outlined the Sheriff’s actions to dispel rumors of inaction, Chief April Tardy spoke about her experience implementing all the subgroup policies to encourage compliance. “In addition, we’re holding our supervisors accountable to monitor the workplace and encourage our deputies to continue to work hard, rebuild our community relationships and make good decisions,” said Chief April Tardy.
“Our goal today was to truly show the amount of work we have done and negate the headlines that the Sheriff and the department have done nothing regarding the deputy subgroups and cliques. I think you can see that this is the farthest from the truth,” said Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco.
Contrary to what the media or some politicians claim, many policies have been implemented regarding deputy subgroups and cliques so the community can trust that law enforcement and personnel are held accountable.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva is the FIRST Los Angeles County Sheriff to successfully implement a policy banning “deputy cliques.” The policy went into effect.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Active Shooter Training Drillhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8480-1024x839.jpg1024839SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Active Shooter Training Drill at Lakewood Mall
On Monday, June 13, 2022, during the early hours of the morning, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Tactics and Survival Training Unit, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station personnel, and Los Angeles County Fire Department conducted an active shooter response drill at Lakewood Center Mall in the city of Lakewood. Lakewood’s Mayor Steve Croft, Lakewood’s Public Safety Director, Joshua Yordt, and Mall Property Manager, Deena Henry, were also present during the drill.
Deputies wait for training.
Today’s event involved a rapid response by deputies, mall security personnel, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The training simulated a shooting at the mall, and it incorporated simulated gunfire. Although the drill was an organized training, responding deputies were unaware of how many shooters were inside the mall, nor did they know the location of the shooters. To make it even more realistic, “injured” volunteers ran away from the shooter and towards responding deputies.
The goal of the training was to prepare deputies for an actual emergency. The realistic component of the training prepared them to successfully identify and react to threats and articulate their observations and decision-making process.
People are placed in make up to simulate injuries from an active shooter.
The men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department constantly prepare and train for active shooter events. In these unpredictable situations that evolve very quickly, preparation is the key. Preventing these types of tragedies and continuing to maintain a safe environment is a goal of law enforcement. If an active shooter incident does occur, you can be assured that LASD personnel will respond rapidly, efficiently, and decisively.
Sheriff and Homicide Detectives announce a Solved Cold Case from the 1980shttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Post_Homicide_Cold_Case_PC_Main-1024x819.jpg1024819SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Homicide Detectives announce a Solved Cold Case from the 1980’s
On Sunday, October 13, 1985, Victim David R. Evans was brutally beaten to death inside his residence in Claremont, CA. His body was discovered by Claremont Police Officers when neighbors called to report a possible burglary. At the time of the murder, the 57-year-old victim was the Vice President at Pomona First Federal Bank and former Pomona Unified School District Superintendent. David was divorced and lived by himself. In 1985, the investigation had few leads, and no suspects were identified.
In 2006, advancements in forensic technology prompted investigators to re-analyze evidence discovered at the scene of the crime. The analysis led to the identification of Hillery Marcus Dupleasis as a person of interest. Over the next several years, the ongoing investigation failed to further implicate Dupleasis to the case. Investigators were also unable to establish that Dupleasis resided in California at the time of the crime.
In 2020, Detectives Shaun McCarthy and Bill Marsh re-investigated the case with the help of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Scientific Services Bureau and they were able to link Dupleasis, a person of interest identified in 2006, as the suspect in the murder of David Evans.
Investigators were able to definitively determine Dupleasis lived in the San Gabriel Valley during the time of the murder and were also able to link Dupleases to the Victim’s 1980 Chevrolet Monza that was stolen immediately after his murder and abandoned in Covina, approximately two hours later.
Dupleasis is currently incarcerated in a New York State Prison, serving an extensive sentence for an unrelated murder. He will be eligible for parole in that case, in 2033.
On May 2, 2022, 1stdegree murder charges were filed against Dupleasis by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The 36-year-old cold case murder was solved by detectives assigned to the Homicide Bureau’s Unsolved Unit. Detectives worked closely with investigators from the Claremont Police Department, New York State Police, and the New York Department of Corrections.
It is never too late to provide information that will assist detectives solve a case. If someone knows something about a crime, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. They can also provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or use their smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
