Good morning! On April 15, 2023, Officer B. Jerry Sandoval was killed in a traffic collision. Please consider donating to the Blue-Ribbon account established for Jerry to support his wife, Christine and twin sons, Logan and Jacob. Click here for more details.

LAPD Holds Fundraiser For Family Of Off-Duty Police Officer Killed In Glendora Crash

The Los Angeles Police Department gathered Wednesday in memory of Officer Baldemar "Jerry" Sandoval, who died when he crashed into a tractor-trailer that was stalled on the 210 Freeway in Glendora. A barbecue fundraiser for the officer's family was held at LAPD's Central Division station. "The guy had the greatest work ethic, always did it with a smile on his face," LAPD Capt. Chris Mayberry said about Sandoval. Sandoval is survived by his wife and his 4-year-old twin boys. Investigators said the eight-year-veteran was off duty and on his way home when he slammed into a tractor-trailer Saturday morning. The cause of the crash is under investigation. His peers remember Sandoval as a caring and loving person. "It's encouraging to see the love and support of the members of this organization come together in the aftermath of such a tragic loss," LAPD Chief Michel Moore said. "Jerry led with his heart. He was professional, a man who was dedicated to this city." At the fundraiser, it was $15 for a hefty plate of food with tacos, a burger, sides and a drink. Plus, shirts with a logo designed by Sandoval were available for a donation.

ABC 7

‘A Tragedy Beyond Anybody’s Imagination’: Mom Killed, Child Injured Walking To L.A. School

A mother was killed and her 6-year-old daughter critically injured when they were hit by a likely impaired driver as they walked in a crosswalk near Hancock Park Elementary School on Tuesday morning, officials said. Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said officers took the driver of the white pickup truck into custody after the fatal collision about 8 a.m in the Mid-Wilshire area. “There are early signs that he is impaired, and that is a contributing factor in this horrific collision that resulted in the loss of this mother and the critical injuries to this young child,” Moore said. After hitting the mother and daughter, the truck plowed into a two-story apartment complex in the 6200 block of Colgate Avenue, authorities said. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics declared the 35-year-old mother dead at the scene and rushed the 6-year-old girl to a hospital. The truck driver was also taken to a hospital in “moderate condition,” according to LAFD officials.

Los Angeles Times

Man Found Unresponsive After South L.A. Shooting

Police found an man in his 20s unresponsive after a reported shooting in the Vermont-Slauson neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday, authorities said. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the 600 block of West 62nd Street just before 3:30 p.m. on reports of assault with a deadly weapon and shots fired. Police requested a rescue ambulance for the victim, who was not conscious or breathing at the time. Video from the scene showed a large presence of police and firefighters, along with a dark colored sedan with damage to the driver’s side door. Police confirmed that the victim is in stable condition, but were unable to confirm if the incident was gang related or not.

KTLA 5

Man Shot While Driving, Crashes Car Into Wall In Chatsworth: LAPD

A teenaged man crashed his car into a wall after he was shot while driving in Chatsworth Tuesday night. The 18-year-old was behind the wheel of a white Toyota Corolla in the 21000 block of Plummer Street a few minutes before 8 p.m. when another man who was standing on the sidewalk opened fire on the teen’s vehicle, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The teen was struck at least one time and crashed his vehicle into a low wall, which did not appear to be damaged. The man was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The shooter was an adult man, possibly of Armenian heritage, the LAPD said.

KTLA 5

Robbers Target Lucy's Drive-In In Mid-City; Good Samaritan Gets Head Slammed Trying To Stop Suspects

An armed robbery left Lucy's Drive-In in Los Angeles' Mid-City neighborhood ended with the suspects getting away with an underwhelming amount of cash and a Good Samaritan suffering a head injury. The suspects, appeared to order their food, snuck under the counter's Plexiglas early Tuesday morning – close to midnight – and grabbed the cash register. As the suspect tried to get away, a customer tried to stop the robber, but the good Samaritan got knocked down after a brief struggle. The staff with the LA institution questions if the suspects, one of them being armed, intended to specifically target Lucy's. This comes as the suspects ran off with only $400. As of late Tuesday night, the search remains on for the two suspects involved in the violent armed robbery. 

FOX 11

Ten Burglars Smash Van Into Sherman Oaks Marijuana Dispensary

A marijuana dispensary was burglarized early Tuesday by approximately 10 to 12 suspects who drove a van into the building, police said. Suspects backed a van into the front of Off The Charts Cannabis Dispensary, located at 5242 Van Nuys Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, at about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. About 10 to 12 suspects ransacked the business, then fled in multiple other vehicles that were last seen heading toward the 101 Freeway. The van was left behind at the scene. The burglars got away with nearly $200,000 worth of product from the store, according to the Los Angeles Police Dept. Police said the van was stolen.

CBS 2

Mother Of Anthony Avalos, Boyfriend Sentenced To Life In Prison In 10-Year-Old Boy's Torture, Murder

The mother of Anthony Avalos and her boyfriend were sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the torture and murder of the 10-year-old Lancaster boy. Heather Maxine Barron, 33, and Kareem Ernesto Leiva, 37, were found guilty of first-degree murder in March during a non-jury trial. They sat in court during a sentencing hearing that included nearly two hours of emotional, sometimes tearful, victim impact statements from Anthony's family members and others. Speakers included 8-year-old cousin Matthew. "He always played with me and made me laugh," Matthew said. "I have a video I like to play over and over again of him making me laugh when I was little. We will never get to see Anthony grow up. I will never get to play again with my older cousin." Another cousin, Dana, said the boy's death devastated her family. "Every since the death of my cousin, things have never been the same," said Dana. "I used to call (Barron) my aunt. Now, I only call her a monster." Diane Ravago, a paramedic and first responder of nine years who testified at the trial, said she often thinks of Anthony and the agony inflicted on the young child.

NBC 4

LASD Searching For Kidnapping Suspect Who Pistol-Whipped Woman, Dragged Her Into Car In Commerce

Authorities are searching for a suspect who they believe kidnapped a woman in Commerce. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the woman was walking down the 2200 block of Couts Avenue Tuesday afternoon while talking on her phone. That's when a man jumped out of a car and hit her with a pistol. Investigators say the man then dragged her into the car, described as a 2016 or 2017 silver Kia Rio, and drove off. It's not clear if the suspect and victim know each other. The sheriff's department released images of the unidentified suspect, which show him wearing a white tank top and black shorts. The alleged victim was wearing a black dress and sandals. Anyone with information is urged to call detectives at (213) 229-1700.

ABC 7

Cyber Thieves Target New Victims With More Sophisticated Card-Skimming Devices

Michael Perez never planned on becoming a cybercriminal. In the 1980's, as personal computers were just starting to appear in homes across the country, Perez was a young boy who found tinkering with technology much more entertaining than toys. By the time he was 12 years old, he was building his own computers. "My uncle would bring the parts, buy them and [I'd] start building it," said the Miami native. "I've always loved computers. I've been fascinated by programming, but I never had the time to actually dedicate to educate myself on it or learn it." But growing up in a poor, mostly Hispanic neighborhood, Perez says he found little financial opportunity outside of the occasional electronics or cell phone repair job. "I would micro solder stuff and fix the components on the boards. And I got to a point where I started doing these things, but I wasn't being profitable at the time," said Perez. 

CBS 2

Graphic Video Shows A Hit-and-Run Driver Striking A New Jersey Officer

Authorities have released dashboard camera video of a Robbinsville police officer being struck and injured by a hit-and-run driver, a day after the patrolman was released from a local hospital. Connor Boyle, 25, left Capital Health’s trauma center in Trenton on Monday and is expected to make a full recovery, Robbinsville police said in thanking first responders, doctors and nurses for taking care of the officer. Boyle was aiding the driver of a disabled vehicle on Route 130 south near Voelbel Road at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, police said. As Boyle was standing on the side of the road speaking to the driver, a car struck him as well as his patrol car and the disabled vehicle before continuing to travel south. A 16-second video released by Robbinsville police on Tuesday shows the out-of-control vehicle scrape the left side of Boyle’s patrol car before it struck the Boyle and the partially open driver’s side door of the pulled-over vehicle. The motorist to whom Boyle was speaking was not hit. 

PoliceOne

Hospital Seeks Help Identifying Patient Found In Los Angeles County

Hospital staff are hoping the public can help identify an unknown patient found in Los Angeles County. The male patient is currently at the LAC+USC Medical Center. Officials said he was found on 1600 South Santee Street on Monday. He is described as a man in his 60s, standing 5 feet tall and weighing 101 pounds with a small frame. He has black hair and brown eyes. Officials are searching for the man’s family or acquaintances. No other identifying descriptions were released. Anyone with information is asked to contact Daisy Rivera at 323-409-3754 or Nicole Crayon at 323-409-3877.

KTLA 5

LAFD’s `Fill The Boot’ Fundraiser Getting Underway

Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department will begin their annual “Fill the Boot” fundraising program Wednesday — seeking donations at numerous intersections throughout the city to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. “The United Firefighters of Los Angeles Local 112 has collected critical funds in the community since 1954 — one dollar at a time — as part of the `Fill the Boot’ program for the Muscular Dystrophy Association,” LAFD Capt. Erik Scott said. “Firefighters with the Los Angeles City Fire Department will be continuing this longstanding tradition as its members kick off the annual program raising funds to support MDA’s vision to accelerate research, advance care and advocate for the support of MDA families.” 

MyNewsLA

LA Council Members Seek Report On Power Pole Repair Efforts

On the heels of a $38 million settlement being reached with a Panorama City family who lost a daughter and father in a fatal electrocution caused by a downed power line in 2021, two Los Angeles City Council members introduced a motion Tuesday requesting a report on the status of pole repairs and other efforts to prevent a repeat of the tragedy. The motion by Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky and Council President Paul Krekorian instructs the Department of Water and Power to provide a status report on “priority one” pole repairs, which are poles in need of urgent care or replacement; a plan and timeline for completing the needed repairs; and the status and location of “priority two”, or less urgent, pole repairs, and how the council and residents can be assured the agency is prioritizing potential hazards. The motion also asks for information on investments and resources needed to ensure an improved power distribution infrastructure and pole inspection and repair program.

MyNewsLA

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 9,200 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.