$50K reward offered for info in fatal hit-and-run crash in Canoga Park

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a suspect involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Canoga Park. On December 6, 2024, at approximately 5:15 p.m., a pedestrian was crossing westbound De Soto Avenue, north of Gresham Street, when he was struck by a grey or silver vehicle traveling southbound, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The driver did not stop but rather sped away from the scene. The victim, a man in his early 40s, died at the scene. Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Investigator Olson at (818) 644-8022 or Detective Martinez at (818) 644-8033. Anonymous tips can be submitted via L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or through the "P3 Tips" mobile application. 

FOX 11

Hollywood Hills burglars bail on 101 Freeway after chase with LAPD, causing traffic mess

Major police activity shut down traffic on the 101 Freeway on Monday night. Los Angeles Police Department units followed a burglary crew that had reportedly just hit a home in the Hollywood Hills near the Hollywood Reservoir. A short chase of a silver Mercedes ended when all four occupants bailed out of the vehicle and tried to run from officers in the area of Van Nuys Boulevard and the 101 Freeway. Several of the suspects fled through freeway traffic as officers ran them down one by one. AIR7 flew over the scene as police officers swarmed the area and made several arrests, quickly reopening the freeway to drivers.

ABC 7

LAPD makes several arrests during LA County union worker demonstration in downtown Los Angeles

About 55,000 workers across Los Angeles County are off the job Tuesday morning after a union representing workers approved a two-day strike after failed contract negotiations. Hundreds of thousands of union members hit the picket lines during a demonstration throughout downtown Los Angeles, blocking traffic near Fremont Avenue and 5th Street. The Los Angeles Police Department has made several arrests related to the demonstration. "We can't afford not to get a raise. This is ridiculous. That's why we're here fighting to get this raise," a woman at the rally said. Workers off the job include public works crews, people who work on traffic and lighting on the streets, public and mental health workers and social workers. This is the first time the Service Employees International Union Local 721 has gone on strike in its history. It's a wall-to-wall strike, meaning everyone is on board here within the union. The strike began Monday at 7 p.m. and across multiple locations in the county and will remain in effect until Wednesday. What the union members are hoping for is a fair contract.

CBS 2

Victim recounts frightful carjacking at Los Angeles County car wash

A woman, along with her son and her son’s friend, who were victims of a carjacking at a San Fernando car wash Monday night, are speaking out. The female victim, identified only as Trinity, contacted KTLA to report the incident, which she said happened at Buena Vista Car Wash, a 24-hour business near San Fernando Road and Hubbard Street, around 8:30 p.m. She, her son, and her son’s friend named Jerry – the latter of whom they called to join them at the self-serve car wash – were all washing their cars in different stalls, one of which was Jerry’s baby blue Lexus. According to Trinity, while they were all in the different stalls, she and her son heard Jerry screaming. Upon running over to see what was happening, they saw a man attacking Jerry and attempting to steal his car. “[My son] jumped in to try and help, but he also got assaulted,” Trinity explained. “[I tried] to go through the passenger side of the car and got [my] hand stuck in the door as the suspect got control of the vehicle and started driving off.” She told KTLA that she was dragged for a short distance before the man opened the door to let her free and sped off. 

KTLA 5

LACo Man Pleads Guilty to $10M Financial Fraud Scheme

A Los Angeles County man pleaded guilty Tuesday to helping operate a $10 million financial fraud scheme that targeted more than 100 victims, many of them elderly. Lovert Che, 44, of Lomita entered his plea in downtown Los Angeles to one federal count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sentencing was set for Aug. 8. Prosecutors said that from at least November 2021 and continuing until February, Che and others created fake identification documents of fictitious people, including passports and driver’s licenses. Using the fake documents, the defendant and associates invented at least 36 shell companies in California, which conducted no legitimate business and were created solely to advance their crimes, prosecutors said. “As the indictment alleges, these defendants built a sophisticated fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted and preyed on our most vulnerable citizens,” former Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally said in a statement when the defendants were charged.

MyNewsLA

In a break from progressives, Newsom says soliciting older minors for sex should be a felony

Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke out Tuesday in support of legislation that sought to increase the punishment to a felony for soliciting a 16- or 17-year-old for sex in California after Democrats in the state Assembly watered down the bill. “The law should treat all sex predators who solicit minors the same — as a felony, regardless of the intended victim’s age,” Newsom said in a statement first provided to KCRA. “Full stop. It’s unusual for the Democratic governor to take a position before a bill reaches his desk, but Newsom has interjected in the legislative process a few times to support increasing penalties for sex crimes against minors, opposing members of his own party. The bill sought to criminalize loitering with intent to buy sex and build on existing state law to make it a felony to solicit anyone under 18 for sex. It’s currently a felony in California to pay for sex with a minor under the age of 16. State law also carries stronger felony penalties for sex trafficking a minor under age 18. Democrats refused to allow the proposal to be heard in a public safety committee hearing Tuesday unless Assemblymember Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento), who carried the bill, agreed to remove the felony charge for soliciting 16- and 17-year-olds from the legislation.

Los Angeles Times

Impaired driver who struck and killed Connecticut trooper sentenced to 18 years

A man who was high on drugs when he struck and killed a Connecticut state trooper on a highway last year was sentenced Tuesday to 18 years in prison, punishment not considered long enough by the trooper’s widow. Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 45, of Hartford, apologized and asked for forgiveness from the family of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier during a hearing at New Britain Superior Court. State troopers and Pelletier’s relatives and friends filled the courtroom. Pelletier’s widow, Dominique Pelletier, had called for a 30-year prison sentence. Their two sons were 3 and 5 years old when their father was killed. The 18-year prison term was agreed to by the defense and prosecution when Oyola-Sanchez pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in February. Pelletier, a nine-year veteran of the state police, was working overtime on a traffic enforcement detail on May 30, 2024, 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, his cruiser and the stopped vehicle before driving off. Oyola-Sanchez was arrested several towns away on I-84 and charged with manslaughter, operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs and several other crimes. According to police, he later told investigators that he snorted fentanyl and cocaine earlier that day.

Associated Press

BWC: Man shoots, wounds 2 Oklahoma deputies before fatal OIS

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office released body camera footage from an officer-involved shooting of a man who shot two officers, News 9 reported. Deputies initially responded to a home following a 911 call from a woman who reported her ex-husband was harassing her and mentioned that he had an outstanding warrant, according to the report. Upon arrival, deputies were informed that the man was hiding near a pool. Video shows one deputy approaching the pool area and calling the suspect by name before being shot. Footage captures blood dripping from the deputy’s upper body as he retreats for cover. A second deputy was also struck and radioed for assistance. Additional law enforcement units responded to the scene, and the sheriff’s office later deployed a drone to locate the suspect, who was found deceased, according to the report. Another deputy, who was on the other side of the house, was able to return fire and strike the man, KOKH reported.

PoliceOne

City Council backs plan aimed at helping LA film production. Here's what to know

A proposal aimed at reducing fees and streamlining other processes in a bid to support filmmakers in Los Angeles was approved Tuesday by the Los Angeles City Council. The council's action directs several city departments to report in 30 days with recommendations to adjust city fees, permits, parking and security requirements for shooting on city-owned property and certifying new sound stages. Councilman Adrin Nazarian introduced the motion on March 28. "This motion is focused on revitalizing local filming production, streamlining the city's permitting process, and making it more efficient and less bogged down by bureaucracy," Nazarian said. "Simply put, this is about protecting middle class workers and also the very industry that established Los Angeles on the world map." A former state legislator, Nazarian authored AB 2936 in 2018, which sought to expand statewide production tax credits, but it did not advance. In his motion, the councilman noted that state leaders are currently considering two bills intended to revitalize production.

NBC 4

LA Council Defers Vote to Ban Slurs, Obscenities One Week

The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday postponed until May 6 a vote on a proposal to ban the use of a racial slur and an obscene term for a woman during council and committee meetings. Elected officials deferred their decision for one week, and later entered a closed session to discuss potential legal ramifications of the proposed rule change. City officials did not report any changes or news as a result of the closed session. Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson introduced the motion March 21, which received support from six of his colleagues. It was previously approved by the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. The council and its various committees have been plagued by foul-mouthed gadflies in recent years. A deputy city attorney often explains that City Council members do not condone the remarks, but must allow them under the First Amendment. But the city must also adhere to the Brown Act and the state constitution, which regulate open meetings for local government bodies.

MyNewsLA

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.