‘Dead girls don’t talk’: Alleged rapist left drugged L.A. women to die, witness testifies

Michael Ansbach said he had been snorting cocaine with David Pearce for hours, but he knew something was wrong with the last bump he took. After a day spent filming material for a documentary Pearce was supposedly producing, the pair went out to a Koreatown nightclub, then an East L.A. warehouse rave, where Ansbach said they met two young women — Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales Arzola. The two women later died from drug overdoses, with Pearce now standing trial, charged with murder in their deaths, along with several rapes prosecutors say he committed between 2007 and 2021. Ansbach testified Friday that Pearce was generously doling out coke to the women, and that the group eventually made their way back to Pearce’s Olympic Boulevard apartment. At some point, Ansbach testified, Pearce served him a vodka drink that tasted “awful” and made him feel “immediately dizzy.” Then, he said, Pearce brought out a batch of coke he deemed “the good stuff,” according to Ansbach. He said he joined Giles and Arzola in trying the new supply, but in an instant, his nostrils were burning and he was in serious pain. Ansbach said he asked Pearce what he just snorted. In reply, Ansbach said, Pearce began laughing and looked like “the devil personified right in front of me.”

Los Angeles Times

Elderly woman killed in Los Angeles hit-and-run crash

An elderly woman died after a driver hit her and fled the scene in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, authorities said. The crash was reported at about 6:50 p.m. on Monday. The woman, 87, was walking westbound at the intersection of Berkeley Avenue and Allesandro Street when the driver of a dark-colored Ford Transit van collided with her. The driver of the van, who was going southbound on Allesandro at the time of the collision, fled the area without stopping to check on the woman or speak to police, according to the LAPD. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. She’s yet to be identified publicly. As of Saturday, there was no information regarding a possible suspect available. A reward of up to $50,000 is available for information leading to the identification and conviction of the hit-and-run suspect. Those with information can reach out to the LAPD at 213-833-3713.

KTLA 5

Therapy dogs comfort first responders during fires

LAPD therapy dogs are helping bring comfort to first responders on the front lines battling the ongoing LA County fires.

FOX 11 Video

Griffith Park Fire: Arson suspect arrested, LAPD says

A man is accused of setting off an arson fire in Los Angeles' Griffith Park neighborhood. The Los Angeles City's fire and police departments responded to a brush fire off the Boy Scout Trail near the Griffith Observatory around 1 p.m. on Monday, January 20. A witness told the LAPD a man, possibly a homeless person, setting fire in the area. Around 3 p.m., FOX 11 was told a man has since been taken into custody. Officials did not give the suspect's identity. The fire has since been taken down by LAFD. No buildings ended up getting damaged in the fire.

FOX 11

Thief steals pet supplies from nonprofit helping animal rescues impacted by the wildfires

The devastating wildfires have uprooted countless lives, including families, pets and the animal rescues that care for them. "We have lost at least six rescues and sanctuaries," said Yvette Berke, an outreach coordinator for Cope Preparedness Pet Program. During this crisis, Berke has stepped up to help, turning her Valley Glen driveway into a grab-and-go site for rescuers in need. "I had offered up my home as a site for the rescues to be able to come any hour that they wanted," Berke said. Filled with food, cages and pet essentials, Berke's driveway quickly became a critical hub for rescues across the county. But tragedy struck when a thief arrived early in the morning and stole everything. Surveillance video captured the moment when a thief pulled up to Berke's house and started loading items into his pickup truck. An estimated supplies worth of $8,000 to $10,000 was taken.

ABC 7

Infamous Southern California art dealer jailed, ordered to pay nearly $13M

An 80-year-old internationally known art dealer from Los Angeles has been sentenced to two years in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $13 million in restitution, officials announced earlier this month. Douglas J. Chrismas, president and CEO of Art and Architecture Books of the 21st Century, which operated out of Miracle Mile and Beverly Hills offices as Ace Gallery, was convicted in May 2024 by a jury of three counts of embezzlement of an estate in bankruptcy, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. The now 80-year-old opened his first gallery at the age of 17 in Los Angeles where he’s lived since 1969 and has reportedly been embroiled in legal troubles ever since, the Los Angeles Times reported. Nearly 40 years ago, he pleaded no contest to charges that he stole some $1.3 million worth of contemporary artworks, including one from Andy Warhol, who The New York Times reported had complained about not receiving payments from the art dealer. 

KTLA 5

South Carolina man pleads guilty to the carjacking and killing of a New Mexico police officer

A South Carolina man pleaded guilty Friday to charges that he gunned down a New Mexico state police officer who had stopped to help him, marking a turning point in a case that had been set for trial later this year. Jaremy Smith entered the new plea during a hearing Friday in U.S. district court in Albuquerque as part of an agreement reached with federal prosecutors. Smith will face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled. Dozens of state police officers packed the courtroom during the hearing and later gathered on the steps outside. They were joined by top state and federal law enforcement officials and the parents of the fallen officer. “I just want to say that I’m glad this sorry excuse of a human being owned up to what he did. It’s been 10 long months to get to this point,” said Jim Hare, the father of State Police Officer Justin Hare. Smith had pleaded not guilty last year to several charges that included kidnapping resulting in a death; carjacking resulting in a death; using a firearm during the commission of violent crime; and possession of a stolen firearm. A charge related to driving a stolen vehicle across state lines was dropped as part of the agreement.

Associated Press

BWC: New Jersey officer, paramedic save unresponsive infant

A South Jersey police department recently shared body-worn camera footage of a patrolman helping revive a newborn. The mother of the week-old infant was met by first responders outside their Middle Township home on Thanksgiving night, turning to a police officer, Chris Rudy, for help after unsuccessfully trying CPR on the infant herself, Police Chief Tracy Super said. The newborn began breathing again at the scene and was taken to Cooper at Cape Regional and later released, Super said. The call demonstrated the speed at which a first responder must assess the situation to properly care for a baby of that age, Super said. His force is regularly trained on various CPR techniques for patients of varying ages. “What he and the EMT did was just outstanding,” Super said. “That was more than part of their job. It was exceeding the standard.” Police responded to the home around 5:40 p.m. Nov. 28 after the newborn became unresponsive, police said. What caused the child to lose consciousness was unclear. “As a parent myself ... just to know that he was able to step into that without any hesitation is incredible,” Super said.

PoliceOne

Progress made in containment of deadly Southern California Eaton and Palisades fires

Over a week after destructive wildfires erupted in the Los Angeles area, fire crews have made progress with containment and stopped the growth of the Eaton and Palisades fires. After several "Particularly Dangerous Situation" red flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service expired, firefighters were able to work in favorable conditions. Cooler temperatures are expected over the weekend, increasing humidity levels. Forecasters predict another moderate Santa Ana wind event will develop at the beginning of next week. A fire weather watch will be in effect Monday into Tuesday. CBS News Los Angeles Meteorologist Paul Deanno said the strongest winds should be expected Tuesday and Thursday. On Jan 7., a "life-threatening" windstorm caused by powerful Santa Ana winds fueled the Palisades Fire in the community of Pacific Palisades and a few hours later helped exacerbate the Eaton Fire in the northeast portion of the county near Pasadena. Search and rescue crews have found human remains in debris and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed 27 deaths in connection to the fires.

CBS 2

Man hospitalized in L.A. for over a month still unidentified

Hospital officials are asking the public for help Friday in identifying a man who has been hospitalized in Los Angeles for more than a month. The unidentified patient was “found down” and brought to Los Angeles General Medical Center on Dec. 15, the L.A. County Department of Health and Services stated. No further details regarding the cause of the man’s condition were provided. The patient was described as a 25-year-old man who stands 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 92 pounds. He has a thin build with black hair and dark brown eyes. Anyone with information about the man’s identity was asked to contact Clinical Social Worker Karmen Wiseman at 323-409-7715 or the Los Angeles General Medical Center Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253.

KTLA 5

Firefighters quickly knock down Los Angeles vegetation fire in Griffith Park

Firefighters quickly knocked down a half-acre grass fire in Griffith Park Monday afternoon amid a Particularly Dangerous Situation weather warning for the region. Officials later downgraded the fire's size to one-quarter acre. The Los Angeles Police Department said officers detained a possible arson suspect at Griffith Park, but had not booked the suspect for anything as of Monday afternoon. The fire was reported around 1 p.m., just below the East Griffith Observatory Trail, on a hillside. Aerial footage showed crews on the ground and firefighting aircraft quickly getting the blaze under control. The Los Angeles region is on high alert as a Particularly Dangerous Situation warning is in effect Monday through Tuesday. While winds in some areas could reach up to 100 mph, KCAL News meteorologist Paul Deanno said wind gusts in the Griffith Park area are between 15 to 25 mph Monday afternoon.

CBS 2

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.