Back to Schoolhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Post_Back-to-school.jpg900900SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ENCOURAGES THE PUBLIC TO STAY AWARE AND STAY SAFE IN SCHOOL ZONES: As students head back to the classroom, schools and the communities around them are going to be busier than they’ve been since the start of the pandemic. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reminds everyone to stay aware and stay safe with increased traffic returning to school zones.
There are going to be a lot more parents, students and staff out than residents have seen in more than a year. Please drive carefully in school zones, especially during pick-up and drop-off times. This includes remembering what to do around school buses.
The easiest, safest thing to do is to stop the car when you encounter a school bus with a stop sign and flashing red lights. There are going to be students getting on and off the school bus. It’s also the law.
California law requires drivers to stop when a school bus is in front of them and extends its stop sign with flashing red lights. Drivers must remain stopped if the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or a center turn lane.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department offers the following tips to stay safe around schools: • Slow down. • Follow any school rules for dropping off or picking up students. • Stop for school buses. Watch for children rushing to catch the bus or exiting. • Whenever possible, avoid blocking the crosswalk while waiting to make a right-hand turn. • Always look both ways before crossing the street. Make sure cars see you. • Walk on sidewalks, when available. Cross at marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. • Watch for cars entering or backing out of driveways or leaving parking spaces
Centralized LA Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau Connects 3 East LA Unsolved Murders, 2 Persons of Interest Soughthttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/i-pDbHQWK-X2-1024x819.jpg1024819SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, Homicide Bureau detectives announced an $80,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for the murders of 34 year-old Jesse Avalos, 38 year-old Eduardo Robles and 27 year-old Amanda “Nikki” Lopez, who were killed in East Los Angeles in 2014, 2015 and 2018, respectively. The reward was sponsored by Supervisor Hilda Solis, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, First District.
On Monday, February 10, 2014, at approximately 10:50 p.m., Victim Jesse Avalos received a phone call from an acquaintance requesting a jumpstart to his vehicle near the intersection of Telegraph Road and Arizona Avenue in East Los Angeles. Victim Avalos provided the jumpstart approximately 15 minutes later. A few hours later, East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station received a phone call at 3:25 a.m. of an injured person at the 4800 block of Telegraph Road in East Los Angeles. There, deputies found Victim Avalos on the driver’s seat of his blue SUV. He had sustained numerous gunshot wounds. The hood of his SUV was found open and two suspects were seen around the vehicle.
On Monday, July 6, 2015, victim Eduardo Robles was involved in a physical altercation on the driveway of a residence on the 4300 block of Eagle Street in East Los Angeles. Victim Robles was visiting, and approximately 15 people were present when the incident occurred. After the fight, the suspect jumped over a wrought iron fence to the street, walked to Victim Robles’ vehicle and punctured the four tires with a sharp object and fled the location. The same suspect returned to the location five minutes later and shot Victim Robles several times in the upper torso. The suspect was picked up by a Hispanic male in his mid to late forties, five feet eight to five feet nine inches tall, heavy set build, in a light green colored vehicle.
On Sunday, April 22, 2018, at approximately 2:40 a.m., the suspect exited the passenger side of a silver PT Cruiser and began searching for Amanda “Nikki” Lopez in a homeless encampment that was situated in a courtyard in front of the East Los Angeles Courthouse. The suspect located Victim Lopez in a tent in front of the field office of First District Supervisor Hilda Solis. The suspect placed a firearm into the tent and fired at Victim Lopez while she slept, striking her in the upper torso, killing her.
Sheriff’s detectives made a plea to the public, hoping $80,000 will motivate someone to bring that missing piece of the puzzle and bring closure to these families. “We know there were witnesses at every murder,” said Homicide Bureau Captain Joe Mendoza. It was witnesses coupled with surveillance at scenes that allowed a good description of both suspects.
But what led sheriff’s investigators to explore a possible connection in these three murders? Captain Mendoza explained, “One of the things that’s unique about LA County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau is that we are centralized and we commonly speak to other investigators about our cases. So when investigators were comparing notes on cases, they believed they had similar description of the suspects and that’s when they really started to connect the dots. The link was the descriptions of the suspects who were similarly described.”
When the ballistic evidence from the 2014 murder of Victim Avalos was compared to the ballistic evidence from the 2015 murder of Victim Robles, the comparison determined the same handgun was used in both murders.
All three murders occurred within 2.2 miles of each other and within the same general area of East Los Angeles. Although a motive for the murders was unclear, investigators believe the victims were known to the suspects and were specifically targeted based on their relationships with the suspects.
In the three cases, witnesses describe the main suspect as a Hispanic male with short hair in his late twenties, five feet eight inches tall with a medium build. He has a tattoo on his neck with unknown writing.
The second suspect drives the getaway vehicle and is described as a Hispanic male in his mid to late forties, five feet eight to five feet nine inches tall, heavy set build and possibly with a mustache.
“I speak for my family as well as the other two families. We don’t have closure, we don’t have justice and I’m sure all of these families are still suffering. Please help us, please come forward with any information you may have,” said Victim Avalos’ eldest sister, Maria Orozco.
“Our brother is truly missed by our family, by his children,” added Victim Avalos weeping sister, Bertha Avalos.
Justice Deputy Esther Lim, representing LA County Board of Supervisor’s Hilda L. Solis said, “Through this $80,000 reward, the county is counting on our residents to help us bring accountability to the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.”
“We’ve had nobody come forward that can really tell us who these suspects are,” said Captain Mendoza. “So we are trying to get them to come forward because we know those witnesses are out there. And the $80,000 reward may quite possibly help do just that.”
If you have information about these senseless murders, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, East Los Angeles Station at (323) 264-4151 or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced the results of the Marijuana Eradication Operation which began on the early hours of Tuesday, June 8, 2021, and lasted 10 days. The collaborative operation took place in the Antelope Valley and several local, state and federal agencies were involved including: over 400 personnel from multiple Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department units, deputies from the Community Partnerships Bureau, Operation Safe Street and Special Victims Bureau detectives, Lancaster and Palmdale Station deputies, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, California National Guard, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and members from the Kern County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County Sheriff’s Departments.
In 2020, Narcotics Bureau Detectives identified 150 illegal outdoor marijuana grows in the Antelope Valley. In 2021, investigators conducted reconnaissance flights and they identified over 500 illegal cannabis grows.
Violent crime has been linked directly to the grow sites. In July 2020, two murder victims were discovered adjacent to an illegal marijuana grow in the unincorporated area of Lancaster. In March 2021, a murder victim was found buried in the desert near Lake Los Angeles and the suspects wanted in connection with the murder operated an illegal marijuana grow in Lake Los Angeles. Threats by armed individuals against citizens living in close proximity to illegal marijuana grows have occurred on a regular basis and were increasing in frequency.
The threat to the environment and wildlife cannot begin to be calculated as growers consistently use banned pesticides and fertilizers for their illegal crops. Two dead bears were discovered and their death is attributed to pesticide use.
Water theft occurs at an alarming rate and it has threatened the water supply for residents in the eastern portion of the antelope valley. Theft occurs from fire hydrants and unpermitted water wells that were being drilled on the grow sites.
“Most Californians would be shocked and disappointed at the amount of water these unlicensed, illegal grows are using, especially as California suffers from a drought,” said DEA Associate Special Agent in Charge Curt Fallin. “By our calculation, the illegal grows in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties require an astounding 5.4 million gallons of water a day, every day.”
Thanks to public calls for service and multiple complaints from residents, the largest operation in the history of the Los Angeles county Sheriff’s Department was developed to put an end to the hundreds of illegal marijuana cultivations in the Antelope Valley.
As result of this operation, a total of 131 arrests were made; 65 vehicles, including two water trucks were seized; approximately $28,000 dollars in U.S currency were seized; a total of 33,480 pounds of harvested marijuana were seized; 30 locations were demolished, 33 firearms were sized; 180 animals were rescued; and there were19 water theft arrests. The total estimated street value of the plants destroyed is $1.193 billion dollars.
“What we want to do is send a clear and loud message to all the cartels and anyone doing illegal operations in the high desert, ‘your days here are over and we’re coming for you,’” said Sheriff Villanueva.
Anyone who sees activity that appears to be suspicious or criminal in nature should contact their local sheriff’s station, or remain anonymous and call “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS.
LASD HOST Team at Venice Boardwalkhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Post_venice_Host_Team_1.jpg900675SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
LASD Homeless Outreach Services Team on a Humanitarian Mission in Venice
Law enforcement personnel are often the first contact with those experiencing homelessness. For that reason, the Homeless Outreach Service Team (HOST) was created to exemplify the county’s efforts to combat homelessness and preserve public safety. The LASD HOST’s mission is to positively impact the homeless crisis in the county while increasing public safety and preserving the rights and dignity of persons experiencing homelessness.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva visited the Venice Boardwalk recently and promised he would do everything he could to help the homeless community if local politicians failed to act regarding the homeless crisis.
On Tuesday, June 8, 2021 the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (LASD HOST), the Mental Evaluation Team (LASD MET) and the Veterans Affairs Administration, Venice Outreach workers and several other non-profit groups were on Venice Boardwalk assessing the humanitarian crisis in Venice.
Deputies and service workers were on scene contacting the homeless population on the Venice Boardwalk, connecting them with service providers who coordinate housing. In this exchange, we met Robert, a 76 year old Navy veteran, who has spent years living on the street.
Our HOST (Homeless Outreach Services Team) has spent many days talking to Robert, building trust & understanding. After long conversations in person, Robert had finally agreed to accept services from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
LASD’s HOST (Homeless Outreach Services Team) & MET (Mental Evaluation) Deputies are the best at what they do showcasing everyday how leading with compassion & genuine concern makes a difference in solving this public safety crisis.
The LASD’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) continues to assist those experiencing homelessness throughout the County. Los Angeles County has established subsidies to support our most vulnerable residents, and it has proven affordable and effective. The County is redoubling efforts to combat this issue, and as part of the county family, the Sheriff’s Department is as well.
Through our contacts with thousands of homeless neighbors, HOST has earned a reputation for being compassionate, accountable, innovative, and bold. HOST has transcended the role of traditional law enforcement. For years, HOST has accomplished the mission with zero uses of force.
LASD Homeless Outreach Services Team Assessing the Humanitarian Crisis at the Boardwalk in Venice, CA
search warrants lead to 22 arrest in an illegal marijuana/cannabis dispensaries enforcement operationhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ELA-NARCO-1-1024x768.jpg1024768SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
LASD Narcotics Bureau and Additional Teams Served a 10 Location Search Warrant Operation, East Los Angeles
8 people were arrested for weapon charges, 14 people for possession of cannabis for sale, and approximately 220 lbs of cannabis flower, 215 lbs of cannabis edibles, and 227 lbs of cannabis concentrate were seized yesterday in a multiple location search warrant conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
In addition to the multiple arrests and seizures, 4 guns, 1 rifle, 456 grams of methamphetamine, and 56 grams of fentanyl were seized and approximately $28,000 in U.S. currency were recovered.
On Thursday June 3, 2021 at approximately 11:00 a.m. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Bureau with the assistance of Community Partnerships Bureau (COPS), East Los Angeles Station Special Problems Team (SPT), Crime Enforcement Team (CET), Summer Team, Commerce/Maywood Special Assignment Teams, Pico Special Problems Team (PSP) and summer team executed a 10 location search warrant in the East Los Angeles area.
All of the locations were marijuana/cannabis dispensaries operating illegally in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County.
This operation is one of the many to come in which the focus is to take illicit and illegal drugs off the street.
Two inmates are alive today after being saved by two separate doses of Naloxone also known as Narcan, administered by fellow inmates. On Wednesday, May 26th, at approximately 5:37 pm, Deputies assigned to work the North County Correctional Facility (NCCF) were alerted of two inmates in medical distress. Deputies and custody medical staff immediately responded to the dorm and found two inmates on an upper-tier, unconscious, suffering from possible overdoses. However, this potential tragic outcome was averted by fellow inmates housed in the same dorm.
At the direction of Sheriff Alex Villanueva, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recently implemented a program in the custodial environment that provides inmates access to Narcan, a medication that, if administered quickly, can be highly effective in reversing an opioid overdose. Inmates watch an instructional video on administering the medication during their Inmate Orientation program.
When Deputies arrived, the two unconscious inmates had just received a dose of Narcan, administered by fellow inmates. Minutes later, a third inmate began to complain of dizziness. All three inmates were treated by medical staff on scene and subsequently transported to a local hospital for further treatment. Hours later, they returned to their housing facility.
With opioid overdoses on the rise, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department wants to ensure that inmate safety is of utmost priority. Currently, two Narcan doses are being distributed in each of the dorms at NCCF. If the pilot program continues to save lives, the Department plans to expand this program to all custody facilities.
The American Legion Star Post 309 Honors Retired LASD Commander, Thomas Vetterhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Post_Vetter_Tree_2-1024x768.jpg1024768SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
The Tree Planting Ceremony was first introduced in the 1930s as an Arbor Day Project by the American Legion Star Post 309. The Ceremony was later changed to a Memorial Day commemoration. It is one of the longest continuing observance of its kind in Los Angeles County, suspended only during World War II.
This year the Star Post 309 celebrated the life achievements of one of their very own Past Commanders, Thomas Vetter who retired as an LASD Commander and served as Star Post Commander in 1966. His End of Watch was January 16, 2021.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Star Post 309 was founded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies who were also World War I veterans. One of the founders was William I. Traeger who served as the 26th Sheriff of Los Angeles County.
In later years, memorial plaques were added to the newly planted trees in commemoration of Past Commanders and Worthy Members of Star Post 309. Trees were planted as a permanent and living memorial to the military veterans of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, and other notable law enforcement officers in the State of California.
During this month of May, we celebrate the lives and memories of those who have died in the line of duty as law enforcement officers and as Memorial Day is upon us, we shall honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice of service to our great Nation. #MilitaryAppreciationMonth
On Thursday, May 20, 2021, Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Temple Station Captain Mark Reyes, Detective Sergeant Richard Lewis, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Frankie Sanchez, US Marshalls Service; and South El Monte Mayor Gloria Olmos, announced the arrest of the individual responsible for the brutal assault of an elderly Asian rideshare driver.
On Monday, May 10, 2021, at approximately 9:20 p.m. a gunman slid into the backseat of an elderly Asian ride share driver as he waited for his next ride at a gas station near the intersection of Rosemead Boulevard and Rush Street in South El Monte. The driver was struck in the face multiple times with a gun and robbed of more than $1,500 in cash. The victim suffered severe facial trauma and received medical treatment.
Since the attack was caught on dash cam video and was circulated widely on news outlets and social media, the public called in with information and made anonymous reports. Crime analysts began working on the case and identified the suspect. Within five days of learning of the crime, through a collaborative effort with the US Marshalls Service, 26 year-old Dandre Lorenz Powell, a resident of Downey, was arrested on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in the city of Paramount.
“A dangerous individual has been captured and taken off the streets. He has an extensive criminal history, is known to law enforcement and is currently on probation,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
If you have information about this senseless attack, or any other incidents involving the suspect, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station at (626) 292-3300. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Deputy York honored by Buena Park Police Departmenthttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Post_York_0.jpg900715SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
LASD Deputy Shayne Daniel York honored by The Buena Park Police Department
There is no pain greater than losing your best friend or someone you love and admire. It can leave behind a void in your life that seems impossible to fill and you are left with a broken heart for a lifetime.
For the last 24 years, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, along with his family, friends, and at the time his fiancée, have felt those exact emotions after losing Deputy Shayne Daniel York in 1997, when he was brutally murdered during a robbery in the city of Buena Park.
In a true act of brotherhood that exists in law enforcement, the LASD was humbled and appreciative to hear Deputy Shayne York was being memorialized by the Buena Park Police Department.
On Thursday, May 13, 2021, at approximately 9 a.m., the Buena Park Police Department unveiled a new Buena Park Police Department Fallen Officer’s Memorial site.
The memorial was created and dedicated to honor Buena Park’s Fallen officers: Detective Darrel “Bud” Cate, Corporal Tyler Matthew Pinchot, Officer Daniel Ryan Ackerman and Deputy Shayne Daniel York because he was murdered in the City of Buena Park.
Family, friends, and law enforcement officers attended the memorial to remember our fallen heroes. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Honor Guard performed a 21 gun salute while Buena Park’s Police Honor Guard guarded the memorial.
Sergeant Roger Plumlee, President of the Buena Park Police Association and one of the collaborators of the memorial said, “When we unveil this memorial, we will see something very beautiful made of stone, granite and bronze. The symbolism of the memorial is to remind the community and all who see it, of the loss we have suffered and the loss the families have suffered and who continue to do it today. When I look out and see everyone in uniform, I see a living memorial and its incumbent on of all us to keep the memory of these four men alive and share their stories.”
Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who attended the ceremony, started his speech by thanking Buena Park Police Chief Corey S. Sianez, distinguished guests and the families of the fallen Police Officers in the audience. “It’s a touching tribute to the sacrifice of each and everyone one of them (fallen officers) and of you the families,” he said. “First and foremost you will always be in our thoughts and prayers; it’s a tribute we will never forget. Everything we do is a testament to their sacrifice and everyone here standing in uniform, everyone doing the job runs the risk of losing their life. It’s a testament of just the difficulties of the job and the times we live in.”
Chief Corey S. Sianez said, “This unveiling could not have happened at a better time during National Peace Officers Memorial Week. The week set aside to remember and recognize those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. The names on this memorial represent not only those that have sacrifice their own lives, doing what they love to do and serving their communities, but also those that remember the Buena Park Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Family. We are brothers and we knew them well. Although you have not seen the memorial yet, but you will very soon. We designed it to reflect the diversity of our department.”
The memorial depicts a touching and embracing moment when police officers comfort a fallen officer’s child with the plaques engraved with the names of the fallen officers below it. The memorial reads, “Remembering Their Service, Honoring Their Sacrifice.”
Deputy Shayne York was brutally murdered on the night of August 14, 1997 in the city of Buena Park. Deputy York and his fiancée, who was also a deputy, were both off-duty and unarmed. They were in a hair salon when two suspects stormed into the location and ordered everyone to lie on the floor as they took their purses and wallets.
When the suspects discovered a badge in Deputy York’s wallet, they immediately executed him by shooting him in the back of the head. Deputy York was rushed to the hospital where he died from his wounds. Both suspects were caught a short time later and were convicted for the murder of Deputy York.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department would like to send our sincerest thanks to the Buena Park Police Department for honoring our very own, Deputy Shayne York. The new memorial is a collaboration between Buena Park Police Department, Buena Park Police Association and the City of Buena Park. The goal of the new memorial is to capture the solemnity of the fallen officers but also the loss created from their ultimate sacrifice; leaving behind family, a law enforcement family and friends.
The new memorial stands directly in front of the Buena Park’s police station, and serves as a bitter reminder of the ultimate sacrifice police officers often take.
Antelope Valley Illegal Marijuana Grow Operation Nets 3800 plants
The proliferation of illegal Marijuana cultivation operations throughout the high desert area has become an ever-growing problem in the Antelope Valley. As a result of information received through public calls for service, and the office of Supervisor Barger, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies assigned to Community Partnerships Bureau (COPS) served two search warrants in the Fort Tejon area of Palmdale targeting some of these illegal operations.
On Tuesday, May 4th, 2021, a suspect was taken into custody for the illegal cultivation of marijuana during these warrant services. Additionally, approximately 3,800 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. Due to the fact these operations were being conducted on public lands, members of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were also present. Their office will seek additional charges related to the destruction and contamination of local wildlife.
Illegal marijuana grows are not only illegal, but are harmful to the environment and wildlife due to the hazardous chemicals and toxic pesticides used. The illegal marijuana grows are also dangerous for residents who may stumble upon them. There could be toxic molds and fungus, faulty electrical hook ups and booby traps that can be life threatening to those who wander onto the land where these illegal marijuana grows are.
We thank those residents who contacted the LASD to provide the information which led to the apprehension of the suspect, the seizure of the illegal narcotics, and the return of these public lands to the residents of the Antelope Valley.
If you know of any illegal marijuana grow operations in your area, please contact your local law enforcement agency to report it. 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.
