Email from Los Angeles Police Protective League Daily News & Updates Law Enforcement News Police Seek Help Locating Larchmont Hit-and-Run Suspect The Los Angeles Police Department asked for the public’s help Monday in identifying the driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision in the Larchmont area that killed a 25-year-old woman. Officers responded near the intersection of Western and Rosewood avenues after receiving reports of a collision involving a pedestrian around 3:20 a.m. on June 22, police said. The woman was hit by a late-model white pickup truck traveling southbound on Western Avenue while she was walking westbound in a crosswalk. Police said the vehicle failed to stop and render aid before it was last seen near Pico Boulevard and Oxford Avenue. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived at the location and took the woman to a hospital, where she died. A reward of up to $50,000 is available for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of a suspect in a hit-and-run death under Los Angeles’ Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund created in 2015. Anyone with information regarding the fatal hit-and-run collision was urged to call LAPD West Traffic Division Detective Holmes at 213-473-0238. Calls during non-business and weekends should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org. MyNewsLA LAPD’s New Chief Checks Out Project Blue Program For Youth Major happenings in Watts this weekend: two public housing developments came together for youth football. Jordan Downs and Nickerson Gardens were united by Project Blue, the parent program to the Watts Rams. Project Blue pairs the LAPD and kids in the community through sports. The LAPD's new chief, Jim McDonnell, was there to witness it all. Meanwhile, FOX 11 continues to track Project Blue. In 2022, the nonprofit was profiled on the station's "Community Champions" segment, along with other nonprofits selected by the NFL and LA's Super Bowl host committee to receive grants of ten and fifty thousand dollars. Among the more recent highlights is Project Blue's quarterly male mentoring program. The latest was on a summer Saturday in Compton. One speaker asked the youth, "Does everyone understand what success is? What's success?" This event was titled "My Brother's Keeper." Project Blue CEO Marc Maye says, "We partner with different organizations in the community. We call ourselves the collective." This was the inaugural conference titled "My Brother's Keeper," but the quarterly male mentoring events are an ongoing requirement for youth involved with Project Blue. It is mentorship for young men with an emphasis on life skills. As one teen said, "I'm here to become a better man." FOX 11 LA Tattoo Artist Arrested For Sexual Assault, Police Looking For More Victims A Los Angeles-based tattoo artist was arrested and charged with sexual assault, the Los Angeles Police Department said Monday. Charles Wayne Wilkerson IV, 28, is currently being held on $300,000 bail after being taken into custody on Oct. 29, police said, adding investigators are looking for additional possible victims. Detectives began investigating two separate sexual assault allegations against Wilkerson, reported on Dec. 18, 2023, and Feb. 16, 2024. The LAPD released a photo of the suspect in hopes of encouraging other possible victims to come forward. LAPD Southwest Division Sexual Assault Detective Robert Smey alleged that Wilkerson would prey upon young women who would hire him for tattoo artistry. "Once he gained their trust, the assault occurred. Now that these brave young women have told their story. Hopefully, more will be encouraged to step forward and seek justice,'' Smey said. "Wilkerson is known on Instagram as Frankokhalifa and also uses the name Franko. In addition, Wilkerson creates rap music under the name Franko Khalifa," police said in a statement. According to court records, he was charged last week with two counts of rape by use of drugs and single counts of forcible oral copulation and oral copulation of an intoxicated victim. He pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to return to court on Dec. 5. Anyone with information about the alleged assaults or additional victims is urged to contact LAPD Southwest Division Sexual Assault detectives at 323-290-2976. NBC 4 1 Person Hospitalized After South Los Angeles Pursuit Ends With Crash One person was injured when a pursuit came to a crashing end in South Los Angeles on Monday. Los Angeles Police Department officers were chasing an alleged domestic violence suspect through the area just after 3 p.m. when they crashed into an uninvolved car at the intersection of Florence Avenue and San Pedro Street, police said. At least one person was rushed to a nearby hospital as a result of the crash, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. They were unable to confirm if it was the suspect or the innocent driver. Police say that the suspect was arrested following the chase. No further information was provided. SkyCal flew over the spot of the crash, where two cars could be seen in the middle of the intersection. They both had considerable damage. The entire intersection was taped off as police investigated. CBS 2 Los Angeles Police Arrest, Cite 22 People In Illegal Gambling Sting Authorities arrested or cited nearly two dozen individuals who were involved in an illegal gambling operation in South Los Angeles last week. According to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department, officials had received multiple anonymous tips to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers regarding a possible illegal gambling operation and narcotics activity at 10122 S. Figueroa St. The address given by police is a small shopping plaza containing a laundromat, a tire store and a smoke shop, among other businesses. The exact location within the plaza where the illegal operation was based was not disclosed. Authorities conducted their sting operation on Thursday evening at 8 p.m. when officers from several LAPD divisions executed a search warrant at the location. “During the search, officers recovered several illegal gambling machines, narcotics and two firearms,” LAPD stated. “As a result of the operation, individuals were arrested or cited for various offenses, including illegal gambling, narcotics possession and firearms violations.” A total of 22 people were arrested or cited, all of whom are Los Angeles residents, police said. KTLA 5 Burglars, Vandals Hit LAUSD 171 Times Since August, ‘Reprehensible’ Acts Against Poor Schools Vandals broke into a South Los Angeles elementary school for the sixth time since July over the weekend, causing an estimated $115,000 in damages and adding to a steady toll of recent losses due to theft and vandalism in the L.A. Unified School District. This semester alone there have been 171 incidents of burglary and vandalism in the nation’s second-largest school system, with Wadsworth Elementary, the site of a Monday news conference, especially hard hit. Districtwide the damage is in the millions of dollars annually, officials said, although they did not release specific figures. L.A. schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho conceded it was a problem that the school system would typically avoid highlighting. “We don’t want negative news, right?” Carvalho said. “We don’t necessarily talk about it, but to target, burglarize, vandalize, steal from poor schools — that is reprehensible. So I want to make sure that the community would know about it, and hopefully somebody provides information.” The damage estimate could rise at Wadsworth once an inventory is completed, which might have to wait for several days because schools have begun their weeklong Thanksgiving break. Los Angeles Times Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Sexually Assaulting UCLA Student In Dorm Room A 42-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday for breaking into a UCLA housing apartment and sexually assaulting a female student. Jeffery Stott Brewer Jr. pleaded no contest to sexual penetration by use of force and burglary. He will also have to pay restitution, which will be determined at a later hearing. According to UCLA Police, Brewer Jr. entered a room at Saxon Residential Suites on July 5 where he allegedly sexually assaulted the student while she was in bed. The woman was "medically treated on scene," according to the statement. Eyewitness News learned campus police arrested Brewer in July 2023 for a misdemeanor, according to inmate records. ABC 7 Suspect In Brutal Santa Monica Assault Arrested Near West LA VA Facility A suspect in the brutal assault of a homeless woman in Santa Monica has been arrested near the West Los Angeles VA facility, authorities announced Monday. Oscar Benn, 27, of Alta Dena, was arrested on November 14 after a community tip identified him as the suspect in the September 22 attack. Surveillance footage captured Benn allegedly beating and strangling a 25-year-old woman in the 1400 block of Alley 5, leaving her with severe facial trauma and other injuries. The unprovoked assault occurred around 12:30 a.m. and was witnessed by a bystander who saw the suspect repeatedly kick and punch the victim. After initial efforts to identify the suspect through the footage proved unsuccessful, detectives released the video to the public on October 16. A tip received on November 3 led investigators to Benn, who was taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with attempted murder and is currently held by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. “This arrest demonstrates the power of community partnership in public safety,” said Lieutenant Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department. “We are grateful for the assistance that helped bring this suspect into custody.” Westside Current Texas Officer Ambushed, Fatally Shot During Foot Pursuit A Greenville police officer was fatally shot while pursuing a suspect on foot, marking the city’s first line-of-duty death in more than a century, FOX 4 reported. Officer Cooper Dawson had stopped a vehicle shortly before 8 p.m. on Nov. 25 when the driver fled on foot, according to the report. Dawson gave chase and followed the suspect into a wooded area behind nearby homes. According to the Greenville Police Department, the suspect ambushed Dawson and shot him multiple times. “Despite his critical injuries, Officer Dawson displayed exceptional courage, returning fire, and striking the suspect,” Greenville police said in a statement. Both Dawson and the suspect were transported to the hospital, according to the report. Dawson, who had sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and side, was airlifted to a different hospital, where he later died. “We are heartbroken over the loss of Officer Cooper Dawson, who selflessly put his life on the line to serve and protect our community,” Greenville Police Chief Chris Smith said in a statement. “We ask that you keep Officer Dawson’s family, our department, and the Greenville community in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.” PoliceOne Third Florida Motorcycle Deputy Dies Days After Being Hit By Vehicle A third motorcycle deputy who was struck by an SUV as he and two other veteran officers awaited help with a disabled vehicle has died, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said Monday afternoon. Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, 51, Cpl. Luis Paez, 58, and Deputy Ralph “Butch” Waller, 54, were hit by a woman in the SUV as they stood on the right shoulder of Southern Boulevard near Loxahatchee. The Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that Diaz died at 12:42 p.m. Monday. Paez and Waller were both pronounced dead at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach shortly after the crash. “(Deputy Sheriff) Diaz bravely fought but ultimately lost his battle due to injuries sustained in the tragic crash that previously claimed the lives of Cpl. Luis Paez and (Deputy Sheriff) Butch Waller,” the news release said. “We again mourn the loss of our brothers who dedicated their lives to serving and protecting Palm Beach County.” Diaz, Paez and Waller were waiting on the shoulder for another deputy to arrive with battery cables for the disabled motorcycle about 9:30 a.m. when the SUV driver, attempting to pass a slower vehicle, swerved from the center lane into the right lane. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said at a news conference last week that the woman “overcompensated” and drove off the road. South Florida Sun-Sentinel Public Safety News Pedestrian Hit, Killed By Freight Train In South Los Angeles A pedestrian died Monday morning after they were hit by a freight train traveling through South Los Angeles. The collision happened around 7:20 a.m. near the intersection of Florence Avenue and Graham Avenue in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood. The pedestrian was hit by a Union Pacific freight train and was declared dead at the scene. Union Pacific, the second-largest railroad operator in the U.S. and one of the most prominent in the world, confirmed to KTLA that a pedestrian was struck and killed by one of its trains, adding that the crew onboard was uninjured. A spokesperson said the company was working with local authorities to “understand what led up to the incident.” The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the L.A. County Fire Department were among the agencies to responded to the scene. Trespassing on train tracks is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States, according to the Transportation Department. It is a misdemeanor in California that can result in jail time or hundreds of dollars in penalties. KTLA 5 Bird Flu Virus Detected In Raw Milk Sold In California; Recall Issued The California Department of Public Health issued a warning Monday to avoid consuming a specific batch of cream top, whole raw milk produced and packaged by Fresno County-based Raw Farm LLC due to a detection of bird flu virus in a retail sample. At the state's request, the company issued a voluntary recall of the affected product with lot code 20241109 and best by date of 11/27/2024 printed on the packaging. Consumers should immediately return any remaining raw milk to the store where it was purchased. The CDPH is also notifying retailers to remove the affected product from their shelves. No illnesses have been reported, but health officials -- out of an abundance of caution -- said consumers should not consume any of the affected raw milk. Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus may also lead to infection. FOX 11 About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 8,900 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. Listen To Our Podcast Los Angeles Police Protective League | 1308 W 8th St | Los Angeles, CA 90017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice