14-Year-Old Boy Charged with Attempted Murder of Another Teen at DTLA Protest

A 14-year-old boy suspected of stabbing another teen during an immigration protest in downtown Los Angeles was charged in juvenile court with attempted murder, the District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday. The stabbing occurred around 1:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Grand Park across from Los Angeles City Hall when a fight erupted amid a boisterous student protest of federal immigration policies. The victim, a 17-year-old boy, was taken to a hospital for treatment of a stab wound. The juvenile accused in the stabbing denied the attempted murder charge during his arraignment Tuesday in juvenile court. The defendant’s name was not released due to his age. He is due back in court March 7. “Violence has no place in our public spaces,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “We understand that people have the right to express their views, but this right must be exercised with respect for others’ safety and well-being. Our support is with the victim and their family as they navigate this difficult time and begin the recovery process.”

MyNewsLA

Police dog rescued after falling in pool during search of Los Angeles property

Body-worn camera footage captured the moment a Los Angeles police K9 was rescued after falling into a pool during an evening search of a property. It’s unclear what time the Feb. 6 incident occurred or what it was that officers were responding to, but video shows several officers moving slowly into what appears to be a backyard or courtyard area with a bar and pool, with guns drawn and flashlights on. Moments after police clear the gate, a splash is heard. “I hear water,” one of the officers says. Moments later, the footage shows the dog in the pool, splashing around and, well, doggie paddling. One of the officers begins clapping, whistling and calling out to the K9, saying, “Here, here, come here.” It was, however, dark and cold and the dog was unfamiliar with where to get out of the pool. And let’s be honest, not every dog enjoys a bath, much less a surprise one. So, the splashing continued. “When your LAPD K9 partner falls into a cold pool during a search, what do you do?” police officials said in a post to Instagram. “K9-1 Officer Jenkins jumped into the pool without hesitation.”  

KTLA 5

Adult hospitalized in stabbing outside Crenshaw High School

One person was hospitalized in a stabbing Thursday that followed a dispute outside Crenshaw High School in Hyde Park. The Los Angeles School Police Department requested LAPD perimeter support in the 5100 block of 11th Avenue around 9 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Division. In a statement, a LAUSD spokesperson said an "adult caregiver" was stabbed outside the school after an altercation between a group of people and a student on the campus. Crenshaw High School was briefly locked down during the police search, which led to at least one arrest. "This morning, individuals came on to campus and were involved in a physical altercation with one of our students before school," according to a LAUSD spokesperson. "The altercation escalated and unfortunately resulted in stabbing of an adult caregiver outside of the school. The adult victim transported himself to a nearby hospital. The school immediately contacted the Los Angeles Unified School Police who responded to the school to support. "School Police has apprehended suspects that were involved in the incident."

NBC 4

Woman said to run Hollywood drug delivery service faces trial — but not for fatal overdose

Three years ago, a federal grand jury indicted Mirela Todorova on charges of running a drug delivery business out of her Hollywood apartment that supplied one customer with a deadly dose of fentanyl. Authorities said the overdose of Beverly Hills resident Ray Mascolo, 37, is what led them to uncover the operation allegedly run by Todorova. But with her trial beginning this week, Todorova, 36, is no longer directly charged with causing Mascolo’s death — although she could still face life in prison for three nonfatal overdoses caused by drugs allegedly supplied by her. “Each of these victims thought they were getting clean oxy pills. Instead, they got fentanyl,” prosecutor Suria Bahadue said during opening arguments Wednesday morning. “The same deadly drug, from the same deadly person.” Defense attorney Charles Brown told the jury that Todorova is not the “drug lord” the government has portrayed her to be. He pointed to Todorova’s ex-boyfriend as the true ringleader of the Hollywood drug operation. “‘Forrest Gump’ is being accused of being ‘Scarface,’” Brown said. A former drug delivery driver testified Wednesday that he worked for the boyfriend “from time to time” but also did the same work “under Mimi’s order,” using a nickname for Todorova.

Los Angeles Times

Police searching for suspect in Sherman Oaks armed robbery

The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in an armed robbery at a gas station in Sherman Oaks earlier this month. It happened on Feb. 11 around 4 p.m. in the 12800 block of Riverside Drive, police said, when a man entered the gas station, approached the cashier counter and pointed a handgun at the cashier while demanding money. The cashier eventually handed over an undisclosed amount of cash and the suspect fled in a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. Fearing for his life, the cashier complied, and the suspect fled eastbound in a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male between 40 and 50 years old, standing about 5 feet 6 inches and weighing about 200 pounds. At the time of the robbery, he was wearing a black beanie, black glasses, a black long-sleeve sweater, gray pants, tan boots and a white N95 respirator mask.

KTLA 5

In exchange for a free vacation, she agreed to fly with 44 pounds of meth, prosecutors say

A 25-year-old Australian woman is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she tried to fly back home with 44 pounds of methamphetamine she was paid to carry from an acquaintance in Los Angeles. Last week, Yasmin Vantongeren was arrested at San Francisco International Airport on suspicion of possessing meth with the intent to sell, according to court documents. San Mateo County prosecutors say Vantongeren stayed in a Los Angeles Airbnb in Koreatown, where she met up with an acquaintance from years earlier who offered to pay for her travel in exchange for Vantongeren flying a suitcase back to Brisbane with her. Vantongeren was allegedly promised up to $15,000 for completing the delivery — which included 20 sealed bags of meth and 40 vacuum-sealed packing bags. Her bags were searched at SFO at random by Transportation Security Administration agents as Vantongeren attempted to board a flight. “She’s unlucky,” San Mateo Dist. Atty. Steve Wagstaffe told SF Gate. “They don’t screen all luggage. It’s random. It was not a victory for her.” San Mateo County told SF Gate they are investigating whether Vantongeren is part of a larger smuggling operation, after they found Western Union receipts in her name.

Los Angeles Times

Partners in crime get hitched in Vegas in middle of SoCal armed robbery spree, authorities say

An alleged modern-day Bonnie and Clyde have been charged with going on a two-week armed robbery spree across Los Angeles and Orange counties, pausing briefly to get married in Las Vegas before getting busted in Downey on Valentine’s Day, authorities said. The North Hollywood couple — 36-year-old Antonio Lamar Bland and 49-year-old Abigail Luckey — were charged in a federal grand jury indictment with robbing 12 stores last year between Jan. 29 and Feb. 14, the Department of Justice announced. A third accomplice, Ronnie Tucker, 23, of Long Beach, was also charged in the indictment and is accused of participating in the same dozen robberies. The trio collectively targeted nine 7-Eleven stores in North Hollywood, Burbank, Torrance, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Glendale and Pasadena; two doughnut shops in Los Angeles and Downey; and one smoke shop in Tustin, according to the criminal complaint. The robberies followed a predictable pattern, according to the criminal complaint. They all occurred after dark, with the earliest taking place at 10:35 p.m. and the latest at 3:43 a.m.

Los Angeles Times

Wife identified as suspect in stabbing death of Cal Fire captain who battled Eaton fire

Deputies have asked for the public’s help in finding the suspect identified in the killing of a Cal Fire captain who battled the Eaton fire last month. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday that they believe Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, is responsible for killing her wife, Rebecca Marodi. The 49-year-old Cal Fire captain was found dead Monday at a residence on Rancho Villa Road in Ramona. The suspect and the victim were married for just over two years, according to a sheriff’s homicide investigator, who cited family members. According to public records, the suspect and the victim shared the same address. Olejniczak, 53, is described as 5 feet 2, about 166 pounds and having brown hair, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release. Olejniczak’s current location is unknown. In 2003, Olejniczak pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter after killing someone in 2000. She was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2004.

Los Angeles Times

California drivers warned about predatory towing scam sweeping across state

The California Department of Insurance is warning drivers across the state about a new scam targeting people who were just in a car crash. They say that tow truck companies are targeting drivers involved in collisions, picking up their cars and then holding them hostage for large amounts of money. "The scam has become prevalent in Southern California and the Department's Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force, has investigated multiple cases including one that has resulted in the arraignment and charges against 16 Southern California residents," the department's statement said. They say the the auto fraud ring "allegedly conspired together to create fraudulent insurance claims to illegally collect over $216,932." While looking into the matter, they found that there were multiple schemes underway from the fraud ring, which included collusive collisions and holding cars hostages. Investigators found that the same ring was previously charged for a similar scheme that stemmed from cars being stolen under false pretenses and brought to California Collision in San Bernardino. 

CBS 2

BWC: Suspect attempting to hide during home search points gun at Iowa officers before fatal OIS

The Des Moines Police Department released body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting of a man who pointed a gun at an officer while hiding during a home search, KCCI reported. The footage shows officers Nicholas Rude and Brian Stern entering a home where a woman at the door initially denied that the suspect was inside. Moments later, the suspect was seen running from one bedroom to another. As Rude pursued him, the man told the officer to back up before pointing a firearm at him, prompting an exchange of gunfire. Rude retreated to a bedroom, where a woman and her child were also present. The suspect followed, and Rude fired multiple shots, killing him. Investigators determined that officers Rude and Stern fired a total of 26 rounds — Rude fired 17, while Stern fired nine, according to the report. The suspect fired four shots at police. Authorities stated that both officers had a clear line of sight and took action to protect those in the room.

PoliceOne

'Uber with guns': App available in LA provides armed security with click of a button

Need armed security? There's an app for that. A new app called Protector is being described as "Uber with guns." With a click of a button, app users can hire a bodyguard specific to their needs. The app comes after several high-profile robberies. Currently, the service is only available in Los Angeles and New York. Users get to choose the type of bodyguard they want, how they should dress and what type of black car is needed for the occasion. The elite service provides private security from active or veteran law enforcement and members of the military. The company says all protectors are vetted, but they're not cheap. The standard rate is $1,000 an hour with a five-hour minimum. Law enforcement expert Bruce Thomas says that's a standard timeframe. "Anytime you have a service like this, like anything, they have to be fully licensed. In the state of California, BSIS - (Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) - has to license you. You have to have what's called a guard card to do this type of business. Then you also have what's called a firearms permit, which allows you to carry a weapon."

ABC 7

Los Angeles hospital breaks ground on youth psychiatric center

Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Centers in Los Angeles held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for a new hospital wing to service at-risk youth with mental health needs. "We stand here today not to just break ground on a new adolescent, in-patient, psychiatric center, but we're breaking ground on a new era. A new era of hope and healing for our young people in our community," said Dr. Phil Wong, CEO, Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Centers. The 27,000-square-foot Echo Park hospital wing will include 37 adolescent inpatient beds. Wong said the center will reach at-risk youth battling eating disorders, substance abuse, gender identity issues, and trauma. "Today we take a giant leap in addressing these critical needs," he said. The expansion project is supported by a $19.2 million grant from the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program. Wong said that every adolescent regardless of background, circumstance, or immigration status, will have access to state-of-the-art services so they have the tools needed for their path to adulthood.

CBS 2

More eggs are being confiscated at the U.S.-Mexico border amid the bird flu outbreak

As the cost of eggs in the U.S. surges, more people are attempting to bring eggs across the U.S.-Mexico border, authorities say. Amid a bird flu outbreak that has caused chicken populations to decline, eggs are disappearing from store shelves. And more people are popping across the border to do their egg buying. There was a 29% increase in eggs being confiscated at ports of entry between October 2024 and February compared with the same time period last year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “It’s common practice to get some groceries or medication and cross the border,” Joaquin Luken, executive director of the Smart Border Coalition, told NBC San Diego, and he said people may not realize raw eggs are on the prohibited list. But he advised that anyone with eggs declare them at the border. The eggs will remain with agents, but he said the shopper is more likely to be warned rather than fined. “Importation of raw/fresh eggs from Mexico into [the] United States is generally prohibited due to concerns about diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Virulent Newcastle disease,” according to a statement from the CBP.

Los Angeles Times

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.