Woodland Hills doctor killed: Ex-wife charged with murder after hiring hitman

The ex-wife of a doctor who was fatally shot outside his medical practice in Woodland Hills -- in a killing prosecutors believe was a murder-for-hire -- was charged Monday with murder. The murder charge against Ahang Mirshojae, 53, includes special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and murder for financial gain, according to the District Attorney's Office. She is also facing an assault charge stemming from her alleged involvement in a May 3 baseball attack on Dr. Hamid Mirshojae, 61. According to the DA's office, Mirshojae hired a hitman to kill her ex-husband. Prosecutors declined to immediately file any charges against another man who was arrested last week in the case, Shawn Randolph, 46, of Valley Village, pending further investigation by police. Ahang Mirshojae is expected to be arraigned Tuesday. Co-defendant Sarallah Jawed, 26, who is also charged with murder, had his arraignment delayed till Jan. 6. A total of four defendants are charged in connection with the Aug. 23 slaying of Dr. Hamid Mirshojae, who authorities say was ambushed as he walked to his vehicle in the parking lot outside his clinic in the 5900 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, near Warner Center Park.

FOX 11

DUI suspect leads LAPD on pursuit through San Fernando Valley

A DUI suspect led the Los Angeles Police Department on a pursuit through the San Fernando Valley Monday night. The driver headed northbound on the I-5 Freeway while police dropped back but continued to track it from a helicopter. The suspect exited the freeway in Sun Valley, after reaching more than 100 mph on the 5 Freeway. The suspect continued the fast speed despite going down tight streets. 

CBS 2

LAPD says Hannah Kobayashi missing person case is now closed

The case of a Hawaii woman reported missing about one month ago after she landed at Los Angeles International Airport is now closed, the LAPD said Monday. The department was notified by Customs Border Protection that Hannah Kobayashi presented herself Sunday for entry into the United States and appeared in good health, the LAPD said Monday. Last week, a family attorney said the 30-year-old Kobayashi, reported missing Nov. 11, was safe in Mexico and had contacted her family. "This case is now closed. Hannah Kobayashi has been removed from the Missing and Unidentified Persons System (MUPS)," the statement continued. The high-profile search for Kobayashi began after the photographer from Maui missed a flight Nov. 8 connecting from LAX to New York, where she was headed for a new job and to visit relatives. The family reported her missing to law enforcement on Nov. 11, and local volunteers joined family and friends in the search for Kobayashi in Los Angeles. At the beginning of December, the LAPD had classified Kobayashi’s case as a voluntary missing persons case, saying that she had willingly crossed the border in November into Mexico. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters Kobayashi appeared unharmed and that authorities have found no evidence she was being trafficked or the victim of a crime.

NBC 4

Loved ones continue search for at-risk woman missing in Los Angeles County

Authorities and loved ones are asking for the public’s help finding an at-risk woman who was last seen about 20 days ago in Los Angeles County, LAPD said. Although 47-year-old Myrisa Newson Holcomb was purportedly last seen on Nov. 26, her family last had contact with her on March 1, 2023. LAPD described Holcomb as a Black female who stands 5 feet and 7 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She also has short black hair, brown eyes and a tooth gap. On Nov. 26, Holcomb was last seen on the 6000 block of Rosemead Boulevard in the city of Pico Rivera, according to LAPD. LAPD said Holcomb has a mental health disorder, and that her family is concerned for her well-being. Details are limited and officials did not immediately provide any further information on the missing woman’s condition or possible whereabouts. Officials encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500.  

KTLA 5

Inglewood man found guilty of re-offending same crime after compassionate release

An Inglewood man granted a compassionate release just two years ago after spending 26 years behind bars will return to prison for the same crime he was originally put away for. Markham David Bond, 61, was found guilty late Thursday afternoon of robbing a Brinks courier at gunpoint in a bank parking lot near LAX on Aug. 18, 2023, according to the Justice Department. Bond stole approximately $145,000 in cash from a Brinks armored carrier outside a Chase bank. According to court documents, Bond approached the driver of the armored vehicle, pointed a handgun at him and demanded the money. The employee dropped the duffle bag of money, which Bond subsequently fled with. He was later arrested at his residence on Nov. 22, 2023. Bond was charged on one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Bond originally served time beginning in 1995 for armed robberies of armed couriers. His original sentence totaled just short of 47 years. 

NBC 4

Southern California doctor sentenced to prison in multimillion-dollar hospice fraud scheme

A Southern California doctor accused of bilking Medicare out of millions by billing for unnecessary hospice services has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, federal prosecutors said. Dr. Victor Contreras, 69, of Santa Paula was charged with falsifying medical claims for hospice care between July 2016 and February 2019 — billing the federal insurance program nearly $4 million during that time, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. He pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud on July 24, and will have to pay nearly $3.3 million in restitution in addition to prison time. Federal prosecutors say Contreras and 62-year-old Juanita Antenor submitted fraudulent claims through two hospice companies: Arcadia Hospice Provider Inc. and Saint Mariam Hospice Inc. Antenor, who controlled both companies, paid illegal kickbacks to marketers in exchange for referring patients to these companies, authorities said. Among those alleged marketers was 66-year-old Callie Black of Lancaster, who was charged in 2022 with 10 federal counts of healthcare fraud and paying illegal kickbacks for healthcare referrals. Black has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in March.

Los Angeles Times

2 killed, suspect dead in school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say

Two people were killed and a suspect was found dead in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday morning. Just before 11 a.m., Madison police responded to the mass shooting at the private school located at 4901 E. Buckeye Rd. on the east side of Madison. Madison Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes said a second-grade student called 911 at 10:57 a.m. to report the shooting. The shooting took place inside a classroom and study hall occupied by students in various grades, Barnes said. The shooter has been identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, a student at the school who lived in Madison and went by the name Samantha. It is believed she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after opening fire in the school. Police said the two people who died in the shooting were a teenage student and a teacher. According to Pastor Chris Dolson, who was speaking at a vigil for the victims on Monday night, the teacher who was killed may have been a substitute.

CBS 2

Return of fire weather in Southern California prompts new Red Flag Warning

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning on Monday afternoon for the return of fire weather in Southern California. The warning goes into effect from 3 p.m. Tuesday through 6 p.m. Wednesday for another Santa Ana wind event in much of Ventura and western Los Angeles counties, according to NWS. NWS forecasted the winds to peak on Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, with northeast gusts ranging from 40 to 60 mph, strongest in the mountains. “These winds will bring dry air with minimum relative humidities in the 10-20% range leading to the potential for critical fire weather conditions,” wrote the NWS in an online message. “Winds will be focused on Santa Ana and Santa Lucia wind prone areas.” A similar warning was issued nearly a week ago for a dangerous stretch of fire weather in the same areas, during which the Franklin Fire erupted in Malibu. As of 6 p.m. on Monday, the Franklin Fire was at 56% containment and being held at 4,037 acres.

KTLA 5

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.