Suspect Who Ambushed North Dakota Officers Likely Had Bigger And Bloodier Attack In Mind, AG Says

The heavily armed man who ambushed Fargo police officers investigating a fender bender last week likely had a bigger and bloodier attack in mind, with at least two fairs taking place at the time in and around North Dakota's largest city, authorities said Friday. Mohamad Barakat killed one officer and wounded two others and a bystander before a fourth officer shot and killed him, ending the July 14 attack. Over the past five years, Barakat, 37, searched the internet for terms including “kill fast,” “explosive ammo,” “incendiary rounds,” and “mass shooting events,” state Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Friday during a news conference in Fargo, a city of about 125,000 people. But perhaps the most chilling search was for “area events where there are crowds,” which on July 13 brought up a news article with the headline, ”Thousands enjoy first day of Downtown Fargo Street Fair." Had Officer Zach Robinson not killed Barakat, authorities said they shudder to think how much worse the attack might have been. All evidence suggests that Barakat came upon the traffic crash by “happenstance” and that his ensuing ambush was a diversion from his much bigger intended target, Wrigley said.

Associated Press

Police shortage in one Bay Area city may be declared ‘emergency’

City staff members are recommending that Vallejo declare a state of emergency because so few police officers remain in the city. The recommendation, according to city documents, comes as the Vallejo Police Department “has now reached a critical stage in staffing,” with just 43 sworn officers to patrol the entire city. Declaring a state of emergency would broaden City Manager Mike Malone’s responsibilities and obligate him to “take all reasonable and legal steps to ensure that all available resources are provided to the police department.”

Mercury News

Mayor Bass takes over Metro as it undergoes huge expansion, copes with low ridership and crime

Taking the helm of the board charged with the nation's second-largest transit system, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday laid out her priorities at a perilous moment for the agency. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is going through the largest expansion in generations, as ridership sags, unprovoked attacks on operators jumped and its promise of a “car-free” Olympics looms.

Los Angeles Times

Missing 13-Year-Old Girl Found Safe In East Los Angeles

A missing girl who disappeared in East Los Angeles was found safe Saturday afternoon. The critically missing teen was identified as Victoria Berenice Pacheco, 13, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “Thank you to the public, the media, Aero Bureau, and deputy personnel for their tireless efforts in the search for Ms. Pacheco,” said LASD. At the time, Pacheco was last seen on Friday night in the 1300 block of South Downey Road around 11 p.m. She had no history of running away in the past and her family was very concerned for her well-being, officials said. A “critically missing person” is defined as: a person in critical need of medical attention; the victim of a crime or foul play; a person who has no pattern of running away or disappearing; the victim of a kidnapping or parental abduction; or a person who is mentally impaired to the extent that such person is unable to care for him or herself or is an immediate danger to his or her own safety or the safety of others. No further details were released surrounding her disappearance or her discovery.

KTLA 5

Police Search Home Of 2 L.A. City Officials In Connection With Leaked Audio Investigation 

The Los Angeles Police Department searched the home of two more city employees in connection with the investigation into leaked audio recordings that led to resignations and turmoil at Los Angeles City Hall. According to the Los Angeles Times, authorities in Eagle Rock searched the Home of Santos Leon and Karla Vasquez, seizing computers from their property. Both Leon and Vasquez, who are married, worked for the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor when the recordings were made. Neither has been publicly named a suspect in the case. The leaked recordings led to the resignations of then-Council President Nury Martinez and then-President of the L.A. County Labor Federation Ron Herrera. In the leaked audio, Martinez was heard making racist remarks. It is illegal to record conversations without a person’s consent in the state of California. 

KTLA 5

Woman Diagnosed With Dementia Reported Missing In Compton

A 54-year-old woman who authorities say has been diagnosed with dementia was reported missing Saturday in Compton. Varsha Trivedi was last seen at 2:30 p.m. Friday on the 2000 block of East Alondra Boulevard between Long Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, said the Sheriff’s Information Bureau. Trivedi is Indian American, 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, has straight black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black shirt, blue jeans and black shoes. Authorities say Trivedi may be driving a green 2004 Jaguar with a license plate of 5HJF936. Anyone with information about Trivedi or knows of her whereabouts was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or send tips to lacrimestoppers.org.

MyNewsLA

LASD Searching For Missing Boy, 16

Sheriff’s detectives asked for public help to find a 16-year-old boy who suffers from ADHD, bipolar disorder and diabetes, who went missing Saturday from Los Angeles. Jaiden Stephens-Williams was last seen around 10 a.m. Saturday in the 5300 block of Angeles Vista, near Valley Ridge Avenue, in the Windsor Hills area of the city, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Stephens-Williams is medically dependent on insulin. He is Black and stands 5 feet, 7 inches and weighs 150 pounds, the LASD reported. He has brown hair, brown eyes and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a blue-and-brown Scooby-Doo backpack. Anyone who has knowledge of his whereabouts was asked to call 911 or the the LASD’s Marina del Rey station at 310-482-6000. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

MyNewsLA

Woman Allegedly Steals Watch From Man While Begging For Job In L.A. County 

Police are searching for a woman after she allegedly stole a watch from a man in Palos Verdes Estates on Friday. According to a news release from the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, a woman walked up to a home in the 2100 block of Via Visalia and rang the doorbell around 1:45 p.m. When the victim answered the door, the woman began begging for a job, while holding his arm. He then asked her to leave. After the woman left in a silver sedan, the victim noticed his watch was missing, police said The suspect is described as a female, possibly Hispanic, with dark hair and a black dress. Anyone who sees someone matching the description in the area is urged to call Palos Verdes Estates Police Department at 310-378-4211.

KTLA 5

Man Fatally Shot During Robbery On Angeles Crest Highway In Pasadena

Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and robbery that occurred on the Angeles Crest Highway in Pasadena early Saturday morning. California Highway Patrol officers were dispatched to the area, near mile marker 28.36, after around 3:20 a.m. after learning of a single-vehicle collision, according to a statement from Pasadena Police Department. "Upon arrival, they located a sedan with collision damage, which had been occupied by two adults," the statement said. "The driver, an adult male, was unresponsive. While attempting life-saving measures, officers realized the male had sustained multiple gunshot wounds." The victim, identified as 32-year-old Los Angeles resident Jessie Munoz, was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger of the vehicle, a female, was not injured in the incident, police said. Due to the area where the crime occurred, Pasadena Police Department homicide investigators assumed the investigation. 

CBS 2

Video: Fargo Officer Killed In Ambush Remembered As ‘Brave Young Man'

Jake Wallin was once a small boy who sought comfort in the arms of family, terrified of fireworks that lit up the sky. On Saturday, the Fargo police officer was remembered for growing up to be a military veteran and dedicated officer whose “final act of valor” was staring down the face of a man intent on bloodshed. Wallin, 23, was killed July 14 when a man armed with 1,800 rounds of ammunition, multiple guns and explosives ambushed officers responding to a routine traffic crash. Two other officers and a civilian were wounded before a fourth officer returned fire, killing gunman Mohamad Barakat. Police said the actions of the fourth officer likely spared the city a bigger, bloodier attack. Wallin, who had been sworn in as a Fargo police officer in April and was still in field training, was cremated in his uniform. On Saturday, the Fargo Police Department escorted his cremains to Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, for his funeral service, which was attended by loved ones, dignitaries and law enforcement agencies from across the country. The police procession of 10 squad cars and three buses carrying department employees left Fargo early Saturday for Pequot Lakes. Dozens of people were at the memorial honoring Wallin at the site of the shooting as the procession went past, KFGO reported.

Associated Press

North Carolina Police K-9 Hit, Injured During Pursuit Of Suspect In Stolen Pickup Truck

K-9 Officer Dakota, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois working for the Cary Police Department, was injured and hospitalized Friday after being struck by a fleeing robbery suspect’s truck. A man asked to test-drive a Ford Truck at the Rick Hendricks dealership on U.S. 64 Friday and pulled out a gun during the drive, demanding that the sales employee get out, police said in a news release Saturday. Officers tracked the truck to Raleigh and, along with RPD officers, pursued it back to Bliss Convenience Store in Cary. Multiple officers approached the truck, including Animal Control Officer Michael Herrell and Dakota. The suspect ignored police demands and sped toward the officers, forcing Herrell to dive out of the way. He was unable to pull Dakota out of the way in time, police said. The truck was later recovered in Raleigh and the suspect, identified as Joshua Andrei Whittlesey, 24, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals at an apartment complex in Burlington, police said. Dakota remains in stable condition at an emergency veterinarian. 

PoliceOne

Man Found Dead In Dry Riverbed Under Bridge In San Fernando Valley

A man died after plummeting nearly 50 feet from a bridge down to a dry riverbed below in Valley Village Saturday afternoon. Authorities responded to the bridge near the intersection of Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Chandler Boulevard around 12:10 p.m. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, it is unknown whether the man, who has not been identified, jumped off the bridge or simply fell off. He was pronounced dead in the riverbed below, LAFD said. The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will be handling the investigation. 

KTLA 5

2 Female Hikers Hospitalized After Being Rescued In Bell Canyon Area

Two hikers were hospitalized in serious condition Saturday after being rescued in the Bell Canyon area. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, two men and three women were found in a remote area just after 2 p.m. The two women had to be hoisted up to safety and were rushed to the hospital in "at least" serious condition, investigators said. The three other hikers were escorted back down the trail and were evaluated as a precaution, but found to have only mild or no symptoms.

ABC 7

Crews Respond To Small Brush Fire In Tarzana Area

Fire crews are battling a brush fire that burned about three acres of vegetation in the Tarzana area on Monday, July 24. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, crews responded around 1:50 p.m. to an area near the 18600 block of Mulholland Drive. There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage. Fire officials said no structures were immediately threatened by the flames, which were burning in "heavy brush. It was unclear what may have sparked the fire. 

CBS 2

Garage Full Of Cars Catches Fire In Woodland Hills 

A large fire completely engulfed a garage with cars inside it in Woodland Hills late Saturday night. Video posted to the Citizen app shows the blaze, which occurred in the 22500 block of West Styles Street around 10:40 p.m., swallowing cars and beginning to spill into the driveway. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, crews were able to contain the fire before it spread to any adjacent structures. In total, 30 firefighters took around 22 minutes to extinguish the flames. LAFD reported that all the occupants of the home escaped, but one animal was still frightened inside. “Firefighters found the beloved pet and brought it out unharmed,” LAFD said in a statement. A person was treated at the scene for minor injuries but was not transported to a hospital. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

KTLA 5

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.