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Law Enforcement News

1 Killed, 2 Others Injured In Shooting At Restaurant In Beverly Grove, LAPD Says

At least one person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting at a restaurant in the Beverly Grove area. The shooting happened near Berri's Cafe on 3rd Street and Orlando Avenue just before 4 a.m. Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. One person died at the scene and the two other victims were taken to the hospital in unknown condition. Details about what led up to the shooting have not been released. No arrests have been made. 

ABC 7

Man Accused Of Driving Around Boyle Heights Shooting People Arrested

A man suspected of driving around the Boyle Heights area firing a rifle at people Saturday was arrested and the condition of one victim improved, authorities said. One man was critically wounded at 6:19 a.m. at Mission Road and Donal Avenue, said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Drake Madison. His condition stabilized by evening. The suspect fired at several other people at different locations until 7:20 a.m., according to a Los Angeles Police Department press release. Central Bureau Operations Commander Lillian Carranza tweeted earlier Saturday that: “This morning a suspect drove throughout the Hollenbeck community and terrorized victims when he shot at 3 persons, striking one and pointed his #rifle at several others at multiple locations. Your @LAPDHollenbeck officers quickly went to work to identify, locate and arrest the suspect. Code 4 suspect in custody! Doing their part to keep the community safe!” Patrol officers and detectives located an unoccupied silver vehicle matching the description of the suspect's vehicle at about 11:20 a.m. outside a residence at Third and Gertrude streets, between the 101 and 10 freeways also in Boyle Heights, according to the press release. The suspect was spotted leaving the residence and taken into custody.

NBC 4

Man Tried To Bring Trunk Full Of Firearms, Ammo To San Pedro Beach On Fourth Of July, LAPD Says

A man was arrested after several firearms and a cache of ammunition were found in the trunk of his vehicle, which he was trying to bring to San Pedro's Cabrillo Beach during Fourth of July activities, authorities said. The suspect's identity has not been released by the Los Angeles Police Department, which announced the arrest in a tweet published Thursday. The LAPD credited the arrest to "the trained eye of an LAPD Harbor Division officer," who initially detained the suspect. A photo released by police appear to show a rifle, shotgun and a holstered handgun that were confiscated. Another photo shows several boxes of ammunition and gun magazines that were seized. "I'm grateful for the women and men of the Harbor Division for their readiness and efforts to keep our community safe every day," Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker, whose district includes San Pedro, said in a statement. "What could have been a horrific event was prevented because of smart, thoughtful police work." 

ABC 7

Man Gets Life Without Parole For Brutal Slaying Of Renowned Woodland Hills Hairdresser

A man has pleaded no contest in the 2017 killing of a renowned Woodland Hills hairdresser and beauty company executive. Robert Baker was sentenced to life without parole in the brutal stabbing death of Fabio Sementilli, which he is accused of doing alongside the hairdresser's wife. Sementilli's loved ones spoke and shared their grief at the courthouse. "We miss him so much, I think about him every damn day," said Gessica Sementilli, the victim's daughter. "For the last 6 years, my family has suffered a tremendously because two people found in their hearts the capacity to brutally murder someone we loved dearly," said Luigi Sementilli, the victim's son. Baker was arrested and charged with the murder in June 2017. The victim's wife, Monica Sonia Sementilli, was also arrested and investigators said she and Baker were having an affair. Baker sat and listened to his victim's loved ones as they petitioned the judge to give him the maximum, which he did. "I realize that that will not mend the hearts of anyone. I am sorry, we are done," said Judge Ronald S. Coen.

ABC 7

Northridge Cafe Hit By Smash-and-Grab Burglars

The owners of a Northridge café were tallying up their losses after the business was targeted in a smash-and-grab burglary. The incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. Friday at Urbane Café at the intersection of Reseda Boulevard and Nordhoff Street. The burglars appeared to have broken through the glass on a door before they ransacked the eatery. Investigators said the suspects moved quickly, went through a safe, and dragged it across the business and into their vehicle. They also took what they could from the cash register. Los Angeles Police Department detectives estimate at least $1,000 was taken from the restaurant. A description of the suspects was not available and they were all covered up. Just a few weeks ago, burglars hit a Peruvian market and a barbershop in a similar manner in the Los Angeles neighborhood.

FOX 11

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2 Girls Recovering After Being Shot At Gathering On Santa Monica Beach

Two girls were recovering a day after being wounded in a shooting at a beach parking lot in Santa Monica. The shooting Friday night unfolded along Ocean Front Walk on the north-end of Santa Monica. There, officers had responded to a large party, according to police. "As they were approaching, officers heard multiple gunshots and the group scattered, including the shooter," Lt. Erika Aklufi said. Two victims, described as a 14-year-old and 17-year-old, suffered gunshot wounds to their lower legs. Both were rushed to the hospital and are expected to survive. "The victims did not see who fired the weapon or which direction the person fled," Lt. Aklufi said. Santa Monica police urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to call them at 310-458-8451 or 310-458-8427.

CBS 2

Authorities Arrest L.A. County Man Suspected Of Femicide In Tijuana

A Los Angeles County man was arrested this week on suspicion of killing a dancer and sex worker last week in Tijuana, and Mexican authorities allege that he could be linked to other slayings in the city. Bryant Rivera, 30, of Downey was taken into custody by U.S. officials in connection with the death of one woman. However, Baja California Atty. Gen. Ricardo Iván Carpio Sánchez said Rivera is a suspect in the murders of three women, all in Tijuana. The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Rivera at his home Thursday. He is scheduled to appear Monday in federal court in Los Angeles. According to a complaint filed in U.S. federal court, the Baja California attorney general’s office has charged Rivera with femicide in the death of Ángela Carolina Acosta Flores, who was strangled in January 2022 in a Tijuana hotel room. Acosta Flores began working as a dancer and “on some occasions as a sex worker” at the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in 2021, her mother told Mexican officials. On the night of Jan. 24, 2022, Acosta Flores texted her mother that she would be with a client in a hotel room for 30 minutes. The mother said that after the time elapsed, she texted and called her daughter multiple times but received no response.

Los Angeles Times

Man Sentenced For ATM Fraud Targeting Low-Income Southern Californians

A Romanian citizen was sentenced to jail for ATM skimming thefts targeting low-income Southern Californians. Virgil Toader Negru, 40, was found guilty of one count of felony identity theft and one count of forgery related to card skimming government fraud schemes. He faces 240 days in jail and two years of felony probation, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. On April 1, 2023, Negru was seen “engaging in suspicious activity at two ATM sites in Simi Valley” by authorities investigating Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card skimming fraud. EBT cards allow participants to pay for food using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps. Employment Development Department (EDD) cards are used for distributing state funds such as unemployment, disability insurance, and paid family leave. Negru was found in possession of 12 gift cards that were cloned into EBT and EDD cards. Negru attempted to use the cloned cards to withdraw money from EBT/EDD recipients, authorities said.

KTLA 5

Vermont Officer, Aged 19, Killed After Suspect Crashed Into Police Cruiser During Pursuit

A Vermont police officer was killed and two other officers were injured when a burglary suspect crashed into two police cruisers pursuing him, Vermont State Police said. Rutland City Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen, 19, was killed on Friday afternoon. The crash happened as police chased a vehicle driven by Tate Rheaume, 20, a suspect in an attempted break-in at a house, state police said. Evidence indicates that Rheaume crossed the centerline and collided head-on with Ebbighausen's cruiser, police said. The suspect's truck also hit another police cruiser. Ebbighausen was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other officers and Rheaume were taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Rheaume was transferred to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. State police said they are investigating the role impairment and speed played in the crash and are working with the Rutland County state's attorney on potential charges. It was not immediately known if Rheaume is being represented by an attorney.

Associated Press

Ohio Officer Critically Wounded, Suspect Killed As Robbery Spree Ends With Pursuit, Shootout

An armed robbery spree in Ohio ended with a police chase and shootout that left one suspect dead and an officer critically wounded, authorities said. Two other suspects who fled on foot from the shootout were later captured. The spree began around 2:15 p.m. Thursday, when a man stole the keys to an SUV at gunpoint from a worker at a Porsche dealership in Whitehall, according to Whitehall Deputy Police Chief Dan Kelso. That suspect and two other men then robbed a bank in Columbus but were confronted by police. The trio fled in the SUV and the police pursuit began, eventually winding up on Interstate 70 in Columbus. Greg Bodker, the city's assistant police chief, said the suspects then began shooting at officers, who returned fire. One suspect wounded in the shootout was pronounced dead at the scene. The wounded officer’s partner took him to a hospital, where he underwent surgery and was later upgraded to stable condition. Authorities did not release the name of the officer, who has served on the Columbus force for less than five years.

Associated Press

Watch: Georgia Deputy Rescues Driver Trapped In Burning Vehicle

A deputy responded to a vehicle crash that quickly turned into a potentially life or death situation. According to the Candler County Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Sergeant Ashleigh Taylor responded to the crash and discovered the vehicle was on fire in the woods. Body-worn camera video shows Taylor breaching the window and removing the driver, potentially saving the driver's life. "Due to Sergeant Taylor’s swift actions, the driver was removed from a dangerous situation before it escalated. We would also like to thank the number of motorists that stopped to assist," Sheriff John Miles said in a statement.

PoliceOne

Public Safety News

4 Hospitalized In Violent Woodland Hills Crash

Four people were critically injured after a violent high-speed crash in Woodland Hills on Friday night. The collision happened on the 6200 block of North Owensmouth Avenue around 10:37 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. All four victims required extrication — two people from each vehicle, officials said. Citizen video at the scene shows the crash sheared a fire hydrant and left one SUV overturned and a sedan completely destroyed on a sidewalk near a tree. The collision left a trail of destruction in its wake, with flooded roads from the sheared hydrant and auto debris strewn across the roadway. All victims were transported to the hospital in critical condition. One victim was identified as a male. The ages and genders of the other victims were not released. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

KTLA 5

Firefighters Put Out Attic Fire In Van Nuys Apartment Building

A team of 36 firefighters put out flames in the attic of a Van Nuys apartment building Saturday in under half an hour. The fire was reported at 4:32 p.m. at 13858 W. Sylvan St., near Kester Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Margaret Stewart. It was out at 5 p.m. “Crews contained the fire primarily to the eves of the attic, preventing it from extending down into the apartments,” Stewart said. No injuries were reported. The three-story, garden-style building had two residential floors over one level of parking, she said.

MyNewsLA

Los Angeles General Medical Center Asking For Public's Help In Identifying One Of Its Patients

Los Angeles General Medical Center is asking for the public's help in identifying one of its patients. Hospital officials said the man has been hospitalized for more than week. The man, who is believed to be in his 60s, is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 153 pounds. He has greying brown hair and blue eyes and has no visible tattoos. The man's name may be Matthew, Martin, Mark or John Smith, according to officials. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles General Medical Center. 

ABC 7

12 Homes Evacuated After Landslide In Rolling Hills Estates

A portion of hillside gave way in Rolling Hills Estates Saturday night, threatening multiple homes in the area. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn reported that multiple homes on Peartree Lane next to a canyon were threatened by the slide around 11 p.m. Saturday. The Los Angeles County Fire Department ordered 12 homes be evacuated, but according to Hahn, everyone was able to get out of the homes unharmed. "Had the chance to speak to residents who are being evacuated," Hahn tweeted. "Everyone is safe but right now these homes are too unstable to enter. I've already spoken with our Public Works Director Mark Pastrella and are offering the city and our residents our full support." Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Lomita Station were set to patrol the neighborhood "to ensure the evacuated homes are secure," Hahn added. "It is hard to see in this photo, but there are homes here in Rolling Hills Estates that are physically leaning -- like this garage -- following the landslide," she tweeted. 

FOX 11

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.

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