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/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?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/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?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.
Major Crimes Bureau Arrested Rowland Heights “99 Ranch Market” Robbery Suspect – Additional Suspects Sought
On Monday, August 15, 2022, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva along with Captain Steven Ruiz from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Major Crimes Bureau, held a press conference to announce the arrest of a suspect in the Rowland Heights “99 Ranch Market” robbery.
On July 9, 2022, Major Crimes Bureau’s – Metro Detail detectives learned of an armed robbery that occurred in the parking lot of the 99 Ranch Market in Rowland Heights, CA. An Asian female adult and an Asian male adult were walking to their vehicle in the parking lot when they were confronted by two male Black adult suspects wearing hoodies. The suspects were armed with handguns, and they demanded a watch one of the victims was wearing. Before the victims could react or comply with the suspects’ demands, they were physically assaulted by the suspects, causing both victims to fall to the ground. The suspects then physically removed the watch from the male’s wrist. The suspects fled in a white-colored Dodge Challenger with paper plates that contained distinctive traffic collision damage to the rear passenger fender.
With the assistance of local law enforcement agencies, investigators were able to identify Demoryie Watts as one of the suspects involved in the robbery.
On Friday, August 12, 2022, Major Crimes Bureau detectives, assisted by the LASD Special Enforcement Bureau, conducted a multi-location search warrant at two residences in Los Angeles and one in Lancaster that were associated with Suspect Watts.
During the search at the residence in Lancaster, Suspect Watts was located and safely taken into custody without incident. It was learned that at the time of the robbery, Suspect Watts was on parole for a prior carjacking arrest. The vehicle used during the robbery was located and a handgun believed to have been used during the robbery was also located and seized. Evidence was taken from the residence. However, the Rolex watch was not recovered during the arrest of the suspect.
Watts was arrested for robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a parole violation. He is currently in custody and a second suspect is still outstanding.
“There is a lot of pieces of the puzzle that the community provides that allows us to turn that one lead into a clue and that clue into an evidentiary value that actually assisted us in capturing the suspect and identify him,” said LASD Major Crimes Bureau, Captain Steven Ruiz.
This specific crime was shocking to all because it occurred during broad daylight and at a peaceful family community in Rowland Heights. According to investigators, there is no evidence to indicate the subjects were motivated by hate.
“Our concern is now the District Attorney is not filing cases. Last year, 13,677 cases where we went to a call, spoke to victims, prepared a report, arrested a suspect, had all the evidence presented to the District Attorney and he refused to file charges because it was a special order and that blanket policy allowed a lot of people to continue harming the community,” said Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
Sheriff Villanueva emphasized the need of more deputies on the streets. The hiring freeze imposed by the Board of Supervisors is shrinking the Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County community is the one most affected by the brazen crime throughout Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles Man charged with Special Circumstance Murders in a series of Convenience Store Robberieshttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Sheriff_Statment_Header_2021-1024x249.jpg1024249SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?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/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?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/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?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/.
Help solve the Murder of Danah Rojo-Rivas Reward Offeredhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_0016-1024x768.jpg1024768SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Homicide Detectives and Victim’s mother ask for the Public’s Help in Solving the Murder of 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas; $20,000 Reward Offered
On Wednesday, November 23, 2016, a mother was driving her two children home from a church function when suddenly, their lives changed forever. 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas was shot to death.
Danah was the backseat passenger in a car driven by her mother. Her brother Ethan sat in the front passenger seat. The family was heading home from a church function the day before Thanksgiving. As they traveled through the city of Lynwood, they waited for the light to turn green on Euclid Avenue at the intersection with Long Beach Boulevard. The family was unaware of a car chase happening right behind them.
The intended targets of the shooting were being chased by a light-colored 4-door sedan occupied by three people. One of the intended targets exited his vehicle and ran behind the Rojo-Rivas car to avoid being hit by bullets. As the intended target ran, the shooter tracked him with a succession of gunfire from a handgun, and a bullet entered the Rojo-Rivas car, striking Danah in the upper torso and fatally wounding her.
Danah loved sports and animals –especially dogs. She played softball and was working toward becoming a volunteer at an animal shelter. At the shooting, Danah’s dog “Luna” was with her in the car. In the confusion after the shooting, when the door was opened to pull Danah from the vehicle, the frightened dog ran out and was hit and killed by a passing car, adding heartache to heartbreak for the grieving family.
On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Danah’s mother made a plea to the public to come forward and help identify the suspect who killed Danah.
“I’m a single mom. My son and my daughter were always with me all the time. My hands were always busy with the hands of my little kids. When that happened that night, and we were taken to the police station, my sister picked me up at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, and I was in denial. And when I went out, I was holding my son’s hand and my other hand… I didn’t have my daughter in my other hand, I realized that it was true. Since then, my hand always feels empty, ‘cause she is not here,” said a sobbing Sandra Rivas, Danah’s mother.
To encourage witnesses to come forward, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors extended the $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Danah’s death. The reward is sponsored by 4th District LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. Unfortunately, Supervisor Hahn was not able to attend the press conference but sent a message to the community: “Danah’s family is still heartbroken and looking for answers. If you know anything about this terrible crime and who may be responsible for Danah’s death, I urge you to come forward.”
There were many witnesses to this murder, and some have come forward. Investigators have enhanced some surveillance video and have determined specific features that match witness and anonymous tipster’s statements.
Investigators also received information from an anonymous tipster who witnessed the shooting up close. Detectives are asking that person to contact Homicide investigators for a follow up interview. Investigators also believe there were other possibly related shootings in the area before and after Danah’s murder.
If you have information about this case, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you may call “L.A. Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google Play or the App Store or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Announces the Beach Patrol Mission
On Saturday, May 28th, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) will officially kick off the LASD Beach Patrol Mission, which will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The beach patrol will consist of members from the Sheriff’s Response Team and the Mounted Enforcement Detail.
The team will perform high visibility patrol to assist LASD beach partners with extra patrol from Playa del Rey to Malibu. The LASD Homeless Outreach and Mental Evaluation Teams will be available and part of the deployment throughout the summer.
“Summer is upon us and the last couple of years have been challenging for everyone. I want to remind the community that we’re doing our best, we’re stretching our resources so that people feel safe wherever they are, including the beach areas of Los Angeles County. This summer, the LASD Beach Patrol Mission will be visible throughout our beaches so that visitors and the community have a great time at the beach,” stated Sheriff Villanueva.
The Sheriff’s Department wants all residents and visitors to our LA County beaches to have a safe, and enjoyable summer. Please visit our social media pages for additional information.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva announcesLASD Operation Safe Travel
Within the last six months, there have been several crimes in the Metro system including people pushed on train tracks, unprovoked attacks on passengers by homeless individuals. Sexual assaults on female passengers, and a patron intentionally set on fire while riding the train have also been reported. Several of these crimes resulted in fatalities.
According to Metro, approximately 5700 homeless people live on the train system and on the Metro platforms. This has created an enormous problem for those whose only transportation option is the train system.
On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to announce a new initiative to keep the public safe while they ride the Metro system.
“The biggest problem we have right now on the entire transit system, is we have a homeless population that are living on the train system and on the platforms. And the intersection of that, and the people that are actually using the trains for their intended purpose, for travel, is colliding and it’s colliding with deadly results,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
To halt the grave problem and to ensure the safety of Metro passengers, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) is launching Operation Safe Travel. This will be a multi-layered approach to conduct targeted operations along the train system. The goal of the operation will be the safety of commuters by having high law enforcement visibility and the removal of homeless individuals from trains and platforms through homeless outreach and early intervention. Right now, security officers request assistance from deputies when a situation is out of their control and sometimes that intervention comes late. With early intervention, deputies can interact with an individual showing distress so that the situation does not escalate.
Resources for the operation will include members of various units and bureaus from the LASD including the Sheriff’s Response Team, Community Oriented Policing Services, Homeless Outreach Services Team, Transportation Services Bureau Special Assignment Team, Mounted Enforcement Detail, Narcotics Bureau, Operation Safe Streets, Human Trafficking Detail and other units and bureaus from the Sheriff’s Department.
Operation Safe Travel will begin on June 1st, 2022, and the first step of the multi-layer approach will be to remove individuals living on the transit system. LASD wants train commuters to see the difference and feel safe while using the Metro.
Train commuters and riders are encouraged to call this number to report any Metro non-emergency concerns: (213) 229-2298.
