Police search for at least 4 suspects after burglary, pursuit in Sherman Oaks

The Los Angeles Police Department is looking for at least four suspects who allegedly broke into a cannabis grow business in Sherman Oaks and led police on a pursuit Tuesday morning. The LAPD said they received a call at 3 a.m. for a burglary near the 5900 block of Nobel Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene the suspects were leaving. Police initiated a pursuit but had to discontinue it due to unsafe speeds, the LAPD said. The suspects got away and are still outstanding. It is unknown how much product was stolen during the burglary. 

CBS 2

Pair of armed suspects take luggage from victims outside of LAX hotel, police say

Police are searching for two suspects who allegedly took luggage from victims outside of a Los Angeles International Airport hotel on Monday evening. It happened at around 8:50 p.m. in the 5700 block of Century Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Investigators say that as soon as the victims exited their rideshare outside of the hotel the two suspects quickly approached and took some luggage and trash bags they were holding. They then fled from the area in a grey Mercedes-Benz. The suspects are both described as males. One was wearing a hoodie with black pants and white shoes, while the other had grey pants and a sweatshirt with black shoes. Police say that at least one of the men had a handgun when the robbery occurred. 

CBS 2

BWC: Man stabs bystander in the face, advances toward LAPD officers with knife before fatal OIS

The Los Angeles Police Department released video of a deadly officer-involved shooting that took place near a treatment center, KABC reported. The Jan. 11 incident began when police responded to a report of a stabbing at a residential treatment facility, according to the report.Surveillance footage from the facility’s kitchen shows a man stabbing a staff member in the face. When officers arrived, the suspect exited the building holding a knife and advanced toward them. Police initially fired multiple rounds from a beanbag shotgun in an attempt to subdue him, video shows. Although he went down momentarily, bodycam footage shows him getting back up. The officer again struck him with the less lethal gun. The man fell to the ground once more before getting up and moving toward the officers. Officers then fired their weapons, fatally shooting him.

PoliceOne

Chinese nationals took $13M in ‘pig butchering’ scam: DOJ

Three people, including two Chinese nationals, were arrested Tuesday for allegedly using shell companies to launder more than $13 million taken in investment scams called “pig butchering.”Mingzhi Li, 24, aka “Zheng Lin,” and Zeyue Jia, 23, aka “Jiao Jiao Liu,” both of downtown Los Angeles; and Jun Shi, 55, of San Gabriel, made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release. The scam involves thieves targeting victims who are “gradually lured into making increasing monetary contributions, generally in the form of cryptocurrency, to a seemingly sound investment before the scammer disappears with the contributed monies,” according to the FDIC. In this case, Shi is accused of setting up the companies Magic Location Trading LLC and Stone Water Trading LLC in 2022 to serve as “money service businesses that were formed for the purpose of remitting funds on behalf of third-party customers to other entities,” though they were never registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network or the State of California, as required under federal law, prosecutors said.

KTLA 5

‘I don’t want to die!’ Cal Fire captain begged for mercy during slaying captured on video, officials say

A Cal Fire captain found stabbed to death in her home had told her wife she was ending their marriage shortly before she was killed in a brutal slaying caught on video, according to officials. Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, is a suspect in the slaying of her wife, Rebecca Marodi, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Rebecca Marodi, 49, who helped battle the Eaton fire last month, was found stabbed to death last week at her residence in Ramona. Yolanda Marodi, 53, is currently at large and authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating her. She is described as 5 feet 2, about 166 pounds with brown hair, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release. On Feb. 17, Rebecca Marodi’s mother, Lorena, called 911, saying that her daughter had been stabbed at their home on Rancho Villa Road, according to an arrest warrant obtained by KABC-TV News. Detectives arrived to find Marodi with stab wounds to her neck, chest and abdomen; they attempted life-saving measures but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Los Angeles Times

Hit-and-run driver who killed Connecticut trooper pleads guilty, agrees to 18-year sentence

A hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a Connecticut state trooper on a highway last year pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge Tuesday, agreeing to an 18-year prison sentence over the objection of the trooper’s widow. Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 45, accepted the plea deal during a hearing in New Britain Superior Court. Sentencing was set for April 29. Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, 34, a nine-year veteran of the force, was working overtime on a traffic enforcement detail on May 30 when he pulled over a driver for not wearing a seat belt on Interstate 84 in Southington. As he was talking to the driver, a pickup truck entered the right shoulder and struck Pelletier’s cruiser, Pelletier and the stopped vehicle before driving off. Oyola-Sanchez, of Hartford, was arrested several towns away on I-84 and charged with manslaughter, operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs and several other crimes.

Associated Press

Man fires at Texas officers in 3 different locations, wounding 1 before fatal OIS

Garland police officers early Monday shot to death a man who they said fired on multiple officers at three different locations, Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan said. One officer was wounded by the gunfire and is expected to recover. The shooting happened after officers responded about midnight to a report of gunshots fired in the 100 block of West Wanda Drive, Bryan said in a press conference Monday. Police had received multiple reports of gunshots in the area and at least 10 shots could be heard in the background of one of the 911 calls, Bryan said. The suspect began to shoot at two officers immediately upon their arrival at the scene, Bryan said. The officers were unable to return fire, but escaped. One officer’s vehicle was hit by gunfire multiple times and had its windshield shattered, while the other officer “sustained multiple impacts,” Bryan said. A round passed through that officer’s vehicle, went through one of his legs and lodged in the other leg, Bryan said. Other officers performed first aid, and the injured officer was taken to a hospital.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

LA, OC health officials warn of measles case confirmed in infant traveler

Public health officials in Los Angeles and Orange Counties are warning the public of a confirmed measles case that’s been detected in both regions. The person sickened with the disease is described as an infant who traveled to Los Angeles International Airport to return home to Orange County, according to public health agencies representing both counties. The affected traveler arrived at LAX on Feb. 19 on Korean Air flight KAL11/KE11. Anyone who was at Terminal B of the airport that day from 1 to 4 p.m. may be at risk of contracting the disease due to exposure from the patient. Passengers who were exposed on the flight will be notified by public health officials. “Exposed individuals should confirm if they have been vaccinated against measles,” the Los Angeles Department of Public Health said in a statement. “If they have not had measles in the past and have not yet obtained the measles vaccine, they are at risk of contracting measles if they have been exposed.”

NBC 4

SoCal first responders honored at special event at Dodger Stadium

Thousands of local first responders were honored for their bravery during the recent wildfires at a special event at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. The event, which recognized first responders and their family members, was hosted by First Responders Children's Foundation. First responders and their family members were treated to a wide range of items, including shoes, clothing and giveaways and toys for children. "Always hold all of our police officers, our sheriff's deputies, our firefighters in your prayers. Yes, we went through a horrible natural disaster, but these men and women are out there responding every day," said L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna, who spoke at the event. 

ABC 7

LA Supervisors Unanimously Ratify Local Emergency Proclamation for Winter Storm

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday ratified a local emergency proclamation for this month’s winter storm, which caused damage in areas made vulnerable by January’s wildfires. The board voted 4-0 Tuesday to proclaim a local emergency to allow for faster access to resources and aid. Supervisor Lindsey Horvath was away from the meeting during the vote. “As a result of the winter storm, the County has been impacted by high winds, substantial precipitation, closure and damage to highways and roads, evacuation warnings and orders in areas impacted by burn scars, debris flows, and significant river and urban flooding, land movement incidents, widespread power outages, and other significant damage,” Tuesday’s motion said. The proclamation of a local emergency enables first responders and county departments accelerated procurement of vital supplies. An emergency status can potentially lead to reimbursement and assistance from the state and federal government.

MyNewsLA

Councilmembers McOsker, Park Propose to Reemploy Retired Employees to Aid with Wildfire Recovery

The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved a motion calling for a pathway to rehire retired employees to assist with wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts. In a 13-0 vote, council members instructed the City Administrative Officer (CAO) to report on the feasibility of temporary reemploying retired workers, drawing from lessons learned during the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. The CAO will also provide possible funding sources for these positions. Council members Bob Blumenfield and Imelda Padilla were absent during the vote. There was no prior discussion. Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, and Councilman Tim McOsker introduced the motion Jan. 24. According to the motion, the rehiring of retired employees was a successful strategy during the 1994 earthquake that helped with recovery efforts. 

MyNewsLA

LA City Council committee advances plan to microchip pets

In a bid to reduce the number of lost animals entering the city's six shelters and reduce overcrowding, a City Council committee advanced a proposal Tuesday that could eventually require all pets be microchipped. In a 2-0 vote, the Arts, Parks, Libraries and Community Enrichment Committee moved forward a report for potentially establishing such a policy. Councilman Adrin Nazarian, a member of the three-person committee, was absent during the vote. The committee also instructed the Department of Animal Services, the City Administrative Officer and other related departments to create guidelines for a one-year pilot program to boost animals getting microchipped. The matter will need approval by the City Council. "To make microchipping a requirement, the department would need to increase all staff levels that's in medical, shelter, animal care, field, enforcement and administrative," said Curtis Watts, assistant general manager for the department.

NBC 4

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.