SIB Staff

TSB Significant Incidents 07/18 – 07/25, 2024

07/24

Accidental Death
TSB Deputies responded to Memorial Park Metro Passenger Station regarding a medical emergency. Deputies contacted the responding medics, who stated they were treating an adult male for injuries related to a fall. Officers assigned to Pasadena PD conducted the preliminary investigation and stated the male fell from the apartment complex located above the station. After several minutes of attempted lifesaving measures, the male was pronounced deceased. No foul play was suspected, and Pasadena PD will conduct the investigation.

Special Assignment Unit Conducted Training
TSB Deputies assigned to the North Special Assignment Unit (SAU) conducted team movement training at Sybil Brand Institute in East LA. The purpose of the training was to introduce movement as a 3-person team in large, open areas during dynamic situations.

07/23

Indecent Exposure – Suspect Arrested
TSB Deputies responded to Willowbrook Metro Passenger Station regarding an indecent exposure call for service. Deputies contacted two Metro Ambassadors (Victims) who stated an adult male (Suspect) was observed masturbating near the bus bay in public view. Deputies located the suspect and arrested him without incident.

07/21

Assault on a Bus Operator – Suspect Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and El Segundo Boulevard in the City of Hawthorne regarding an assault call for service. Deputies contacted the bus operator (Victim) who stated an adult male (Suspect) became irate when the bus operator was unable to answer the suspect’s questions. The suspect punched the victim and threw an empty plastic bottle toward the victim, which struck the victim. The suspect exited the bus and fled the location. The victim refused medical attention.

Assault – Suspect Arrested
TSB Deputies responded to Indiana Metro Passenger Station regarding an assault call for service. Deputies contacted an adult female (Victim) who stated she was seated on the train when an adult male (Suspect) whom she did not know approached her and started rubbing her thigh. The suspect was located on the train. During his arrest, a use of force occurred. The suspect did not complain of pain, nor display any visible injuries. He was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation prior to booking.

Robbery – Suspect Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to Compton Metro Passenger Station regarding a robbery call for service. Deputies contacted an adult female (Victim) who stated she was seated when the train came to a stop at Compton Metro Passenger Station. An adult male (Suspect) seated behind her stood up, forcefully ripped a gold necklace from her neck, exited the train, and fled the location. The victim declined medical treatment.

07/20

Metro Patrons Assisted
TSB Deputies were conducting end-of-service offloading operations at Citrus/APU Metro Passenger Station in the early morning hours when they were flagged down on the platform by two juveniles who appeared to be lost. The juveniles were transported home.

Train Versus Vehicle Collision
TSB Deputies responded to the grade crossing at the intersection of La Verne Avenue and 3rd Street in the City of Los Angeles regarding a Metro train versus vehicle call for service. Deputies contacted the train operator (Witness) who stated the train was in operation westbound when it collided with a vehicle attempting to make a southbound turn onto La Verne Avenue. There were no injuries reported. An officer assigned to the California Highway Patrol responded to the location and authored a traffic collision report.

07/18

Vandalism – Suspect(s) Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to the Metro Customer Service Center near the Willowbrook Metro Passenger Station regarding a vandalism call for service. Deputies contacted a Metro employee who stated the front window of the service center was shattered by an unknown suspect. The cost of replacing the window was estimated to be $1,000.

Hit and Run – Suspect Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to the intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and Imperial Highway regarding a vehicle versus Metro bus collision. The driver (Suspect) that collided with the Metro bus fled the location. No injuries were reported. Deputies assigned to LASD Century Sheriff’s Station responded and authored a traffic report.

07/17

Plain Clothes Operation Held at Lake Metro Passenger Station
Late Entry: Deputies assigned to the North Special Assignment Unit (SAU) and detectives assigned to the LASD Narcotics Bureau conducted a plain clothes operation at Lake Metro Passenger Station, which yielded one felony arrest and nine misdemeanor arrests including possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, loitering with intent to commit a crime, drinking in public, and several warrants. The purpose of the plain clothes operation was to saturate a high-crime area and reduce narcotic sales and use as well as other crimes.

The TSB Weekly Update is not a complete list of all incidents, arrests, or events that occurred. The details contained within each incident description are preliminary information only and are not meant to replace those of a full investigation. For inquiries, please contact the TSB PIO, Deputy Kari Mercer.

TSB Significant Incidents 07/11 – 07/18, 2024

07/17

Assault on a Bus Operator – Suspect Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to the intersection of Brand Boulevard and Colorado Street in the City of Glendale regarding an assault call for service. Deputies contacted the bus operator (Victim) who stated he stopped the bus at the intersection and an adult male (Suspect) was exiting the bus with a female adult passenger. The operator told the suspect and the female passenger to be careful exiting the bus. The suspect became upset and stated, “You are disrespecting me.” The suspect punched the operator twice. The suspect fled the location. The victim was medically treated in the field and refused transportation to a local hospital. In-Service Training Conducted Deputies assigned to the South Special Assignment Unit (SAU) conducted training on felony traffic stops on buses. The purpose of the training was to refresh deputy skills on approaching Metro buses with potentially violent suspects on board. These skills help TSB deputies take control of dynamic situations to protect and preserve the lives of Metro operators and passengers while capturing the suspect.

07/16

Assault with a Deadly Weapon/Feet – Suspect Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to Norwalk Metro Bus Terminal regarding an assault with a deadly weapon call for service. Deputies contacted an adult male (Victim) who stated an adult male (Suspect) yelled that he was talking too loud on the bus. The suspect kicked the victim in his face. The suspect exited the bus and fled the location. The victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition pending further medical evaluation. 07/15 Robbery – Suspects Outstanding TSB Deputies responded to Fairview Heights Metro Passenger Station regarding a robbery report call for service. Deputies contacted an adult male (Victim) who stated he was approached by three male adults (Suspects). One of the suspects immediately engaged the victim in a physical altercation and took the victim’s cell phone. The suspects fled the location. The victim fell onto the tracks during the altercation and injured his right hand. The victim declined medical treatment. 07/14 Deceased Person TSB Deputies responded to the Irwindale Metro Passenger Station parking structure regarding a deceased person. The deputies found an unresponsive adult female on the street level behind the parking structure. The female was pronounced deceased. LASD Homicide Detectives were notified and responded to the location. The coroner arrived and took possession of the decedent. No foul play was suspected. 07/12 Grand Theft/Copper Wire – Suspect Outstanding Approximately twenty feet of copper wire was stolen from the tracks at Douglas Metro Passenger Station. A male adult was seen on Metro CCTV video footage at 0158 hours walking away from the location with the copper in his hands. The suspect fled the location in an unknown direction.

Arrest Made – Attempted Murder Suspect
TSB Deputies assigned to the South Special Assignment Unit (SAU) conducted an operation at Willowbrook Metro Passenger Station and located an adult male (Suspect) wanted in an attempted murder incident that occurred on May 27th, 2024, at the same location. During the incident, the suspect threatened the victim and then struck the victim repeatedly with a metal pipe. The suspect was arrested without incident.

Assault on a Bus Operator/Pepper Spray – Suspect Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to the intersection of Beach Street and Florence Avenue in the City of Los Angeles regarding an assault call for service. Deputies contacted the bus operator (Victim) who stated an adult male (Suspect 1) and an adult female (Suspect 2) with a baby stroller boarded the bus and began arguing with the bus operator. The arguing escalated as the bus continued its route. The bus stopped at the location where the suspects began to exit, but there were people boarding and exiting. Suspect 1 started to exit from the front door and was told by the operator to use the rear door or wait for the other patrons to board. Suspect 1 was able to exit the bus prior to suspect 2 exiting with the stroller. Suspect 1 stood in front of the bus to prevent the bus from moving while suspect 2 walked over to the operator’s area. Suspect 2 produced a pepper spray canister and sprayed the area causing the bus operator to feel the effects of the chemical. The suspects fled the location toward Florence Metro Passenger Station and boarded a train. The victim was medically treated in the field.

07/11

Battery on Metro Security – Suspect Arrested
TSB Deputies conducting platform checks at the 4th Street Metro Passenger Station in Downtown Santa Monica were flagged down by Metro Security personnel regarding a security guard being assaulted. The Metro Security (Victim) stated he attempted to detain an adult male (Suspect) for fare evasion, but the suspect began to argue over the fare. The suspect became violent and threw a plastic water bottle at the victim, which struck the victim. The victim did not complain of any pain or injury and refused any medical treatment. The suspect was located and arrested without incident.

The TSB Weekly Update is not a complete list of all incidents, arrests, or events that occurred. The details contained within each incident description are preliminary information only and are not meant to replace those of a full investigation. For inquiries please contact the TSB PIO, Deputy Kari Mercer

TSB SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS 07/04 – 07/11, 2024

07/10

Robbery – Suspect Outstanding
TSB Deputies were flagged down at Firestone Metro Passenger Station by an adult female (Victim)
who stated she was seated on the train and using her phone when an adult male (Suspect) forcefully
grabbed her cell phone out of her hand. The suspect exited the train and fled the location. The
victim was not injured during the incident.

07/07

Copper Theft – Suspect(s) Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to a location approximately one mile east of Long Beach Passenger Station
regarding a copper theft call for service. Deputies contacted a Metro Supervisor who stated the Rail
Operations Center (ROC) received a false occupancy alert on the C Line tracks. The Metro
Supervisor responded and discovered suspect(s) had cut approximately one hundred feet of copper
wire at the location, which was left behind by the suspect(s), who fled the location.

07/06

Narcan Deployed
TSB Deputies responded to the intersection of 3rd Street Promenade and Santa Monica Boulevard in
the City of Santa Monica regarding a patron refusing to exit a bus. Deputies contacted an adult male
who was unresponsive, not breathing, and had a faint pulse. Deputies deployed one dose of Narcan
to the patron, which effectively revived him. The male was transported to a local hospital in stable
condition pending further medical evaluation.

07/04

Assault with a Deadly Weapon/Knife – Suspect Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to Rosa Parks Metro Passenger Station regarding a fight call for service.
Deputies contacted an adult male (Victim), who said he was riding the train when he began to be
verbally harassed by another adult male (Suspect). The victim attempted to ignore the suspect, but
the suspect continued to harass him until the suspect used a knife as a blunt object and punched
him. The suspect exited the train and fled the location. The victim refused medical attention.

The TSB Weekly Update is not a complete list of all incidents, arrests, or events that occurred. The
details contained within each incident description are preliminary information only and are not
meant to replace those of a full investigation. For inquiries please contact the TSB PIO, Deputy Kari
Mercer.

TSB SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS 06/20 – 06/27, 2024

06/27

Assault with a Deadly Weapon/Knife, Robbery – Suspect Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to Florence Metro Passenger Station regarding a robbery call for service. Deputies contacted an adult male (Victim) who stated he was exiting the train when an adult male (Suspect) forcefully pulled him from behind and demanded money. A physical altercation occurred on the platform. The suspect stabbed the victim several times during the attack and took the victim’s phone. The suspect fled the location. The victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition pending further medical evaluation. The victim’s cell phone was located on the platform where the incident occurred and was returned to the victim.

06/26

Domestic Assault – Suspect Arrested
TSB Deputies responded to the Santa Monica Metro Passenger Station regarding a family disturbance call for service. Deputies contacted an adult male (Victim) who stated he was involved in a verbal altercation with an adult female (his ex-girlfriend, Suspect). The victim attempted to walk away from the suspect, but the suspect threw an empty glass bottle of tequila toward him which struck him in his back. The suspect was arrested without incident. The victim was medically treated in the field and refused transportation to a local hospital.

06/25

Drug Sales – Suspects Arrested
TSB Deputies assigned to the North Special Assignment Unit (SAU) were conducting a crime suppression operation at the Lake Metro Passenger Station. During the operation, deputies assigned to the Rail Operation Center (ROC) monitoring the passenger station via remote CCTV cameras observed three individuals conducting a hand-to-hand drug transaction in front of the east side elevators on Lake Avenue. Deputies responded to the location and contacted an adult female (Suspect). As the deputies attempted to handcuff the suspect, she pulled away from them and a use of force occurred. The suspect was transported to a local hospital but was not injured during the incident. The other two suspects were arrested without incident.

06/24

Bus Versus Vehicle Collision
TSB Deputies responded to the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue and San Pedro Street in the unincorporated area of Compton regarding a Metro bus versus vehicle traffic collision. The Metro bus was traveling eastbound on Rosecrans Avenue in the #3 lane when it collided with a gray sedan traveling northbound on San Pedro Street. There were no occupants on the bus. The bus operator was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries pending further medical evaluation. The occupants of the vehicle, 3 adult females and 1 juvenile male, were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The juvenile occupant was declared deceased upon arrival. Officers from the California Highway Patrol responded to the incident and assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Robbery/Assault – Suspects Outstanding
TSB Deputies responded to Willowbrook Metro Passenger Station regarding a robbery call for service. Deputies contacted an adult male (Victim) who stated he was standing on the platform when he was approached by three adult males (Suspects) who forcefully pulled his phone from his hand. The victim chased after the suspects in an attempt to retrieve his phone. The suspects began to physically assault the victim. The suspects fled the location. The victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition pending further medical evaluation.

06/21

Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Suspect Arrested
TSB Deputies were conducting a platform check at Crenshaw Metro Passenger Station and were flagged down by an adult male (Victim) who stated an adult male (Suspect) who assaulted him on May 31, 2024 in Culver City was nearby. The incident occurred on May 31, 2024, and a report was authored by Culver City PD. The TSB deputies located and arrested the suspect without incident, and transported him to Culver City PD for booking. Spousal Assault – Suspect Outstanding TSB Deputies responded to Long Beach Metro Passenger Station regarding an assault call for service. Deputies contacted an adult female (Victim) who stated she and her boyfriend (Suspect) were arguing. The argument turned violent when the suspect began to punch the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The suspect fled the location. Based on the location of the incident, the California Highway Patrol was notified and provided a courtesy report.

The TSB Weekly Update is not a complete list of all incidents, arrests, or events that occurred. The details contained within each incident description are preliminary information only and are not meant to replace those of a full investigation. For inquiries please contact the TSB PIO, Deputy Kari Mercer

10/05

TSB Participates in the 2023 Great California Shakeout
TSB Detectives coordinated earthquake response training with Metrolink and manned the TSB Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located at the Irwindale Substation. TSB deputy personnel responded to a call that was dispatched to all TSB units to conduct a critical facility safety check of identified facilities within their reporting districts. After conducting a check, TSB deputies reported their findings back to the EOC.

TSB Personnel Collect, Donate Gently-Used Professional Business Attire for Women Transitioning From the Military
TSB Personnel collected nearly 200 pounds of new and gently used professional business wear, shoes, new makeup, jewelry, and purses to the American Legion as part of the Battle Boutique campaign, which helps women currently serving in the US military transition into the civilian workplace.

10/04

Attempted Robbery (Suspect Outstanding)
TSB Deputies responded to Whittier Boulevard and Ford Boulevard in the City of Los Angeles regarding a panic alarm – possible robbery call for service. They contacted the bus operator (Victim) who stated he was approached by a male adult (Suspect) while he was driving the bus. The suspect began to yell and demanded money from the victim.

The victim was fearful he would be harmed if he did not comply with the suspect’s demands. The victim began reaching for his wallet and told the suspect he had no money. The suspect exited the bus and started walking in an unknown direction. The bus operator stated he was not injured during this incident.

Employee Commendation
A Metro patron called the TSB Watch Commander and wanted to thank the deputies who rode with her on the train on the C/Green Line and for providing her with a safe riding experience. She further stated she felt safe and appreciated the deputy’s presence on the train. The deputies were presented with a written commendation.

10/02

Robbery (Suspect Outstanding)
TSB Deputies responded to a local hospital regarding a robbery report call for service. They contacted the victim who was being treated by the medical staff for her injuries. The victim stated that as she crossed the A-Line pedestrian train tracks grade crossing and walked through the metal gates toward Willowbrook Avenue, an unknown male adult (Suspect) approached her and grabbed her purse. The victim resisted the suspect’s efforts to take her purse and held onto the purse. The suspect then punched the victim and pushed her, causing her to fall to the ground on her back. The suspect took approximately $10 in US currency and ran toward the train station and
out of view. The victim walked to a local hospital to be treated for her injuries.

A/Blue-Line Crime Suppression Operation
The Special Assignment Unit (SAU) and Commuter Enhancement Unit (CET) conducted extra patrol on the A-Line. Uniformed deputies rode trains and patrolled passenger stations. Appropriate law enforcement action was taken for suspects who committed any crime on metro trains or property.

09/30

Train Versus Pedestrian
The LASD TSB Desk received a call from A-Line control regarding a train versus pedestrian at the 92nd Street/ Graham Avenue in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles grade crossing. The northbound train struck a female at the location. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased and a bus bridge was initiated.

Bus Versus Vehicle
A Metro Bus was traveling northbound on Atlantic Boulevard at Garvey Avenue in the City of Monterey Park when it struck a vehicle in the intersection. The bus proceeded northbound through the intersection when a Toyota Matrix moved into the intersection without stopping. The bus struck the Toyota. There were no traffic safety signals operating at the time of the accident due to Southern California Edison performing maintenance in the area. No parties reported injuries and Monterey Park PD responded to take a traffic collision report.

09/29

Assault on a Bus Operator (Suspect Arrested)
TSB Deputies responded to a battery just occurred call for service. Deputies contacted the bus operator (Victim), who told him he was assaulted by a passenger (Suspect) at a stop at the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Ford Boulevard in the City of East Los Angeles. The suspect boarded the bus and began to talk to the bus operator. The suspect reached into his pocket, removed an object, and concealed it in his hand. The suspect yelled, “I’m going to shank you.” The suspect reached around the plexiglass barrier and hit the bus operator in the neck with a closed fist. The suspect lunged at the bus operator again but missed. The bus operator pushed the suspect off the bus and quickly closed the door. Deputy personnel located the suspect and arrested him without incident. The bus operator was not injured during this incident.

The TSB Weekly Update is not a complete list of all incidents, arrests, or events that occurred. The details contained within each incident description are preliminary information only and are not meant to replace those of a full investigation. For inquiries please contact the TSB PIO, Deputy Kari Mercer.