LAPD Chief Addresses Targeted Transphobic Attack on Westlake Store Owner

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell Tuesday said that considerable resources are focused on apprehending the people who repeatedly attacked a transgender store owner in the Westlake District. Police have described a series of assaults against the woman as hate crimes and they are requesting the public’s help in locating two young males suspected of assaulting the 61-year-old victim multiple times. “I think certainly anybody who is the victim of a crime certainly feels that they would like to see more being done, particularly those that are involved in a series of crimes as this individual has,” McDonnell told reporters Tuesday morning. He said one suspect, who was in custody when the latest attack occurred, was arrested by detectives on May 27. Police identified him as Samuel Parros, 30, who was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, not a firearm, with great bodily injury. He remained in sheriff’s department custody at the Men’s Central Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail, according to online jail records Tuesday.

MyNewsLA

Man arrested in string of violent attacks on transgender woman in Westlake; two others at large

One man has been arrested on suspicion of taking part in a string of violent hate crimes against a transgender shopkeeper in Westlake who was sexually assaulted, pepper-sprayed, punched and hit with a skateboard, authorities said. Two other suspects remain at large. Sabrina de la Peña, 61, told The Times that she operated her convenience store across the street from MacArthur Park for nearly three decades without feeling threatened by a customer. That was until April 8, when a man sexually assaulted her after she rejected his advances, and upon discovering she was transgender, he threatened to kill her, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. After the initial assault, police say, he returned to her store and attacked her multiple times alongside two other suspects. “My life has changed a lot. For almost 30 years, I felt safe,” De la Peña said. “Now, I am full of so many fears, so much panic. I don’t think I will ever be the same again.” The LAPD announced Tuesday that Samuel Parros, 30, had been arrested in connection with the attacks and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Police have released photos of the remaining two suspects and are seeking the public’s help in identifying them.

Los Angeles Times

Armed suspect fatally shot by police in Los Angeles neighborhood: LAPD

An investigation is underway after Los Angeles police officers opened fire, fatally striking an armed suspect in the Harvard Heights neighborhood Tuesday night. Police were responding to a “shots fired” call around 10 p.m. at an apartment complex near South Ardmore Avenue and West 11th Street when the incident occurred. “When ofcrs arrived to the area of the call, they encountered the armed suspect and an officer involved shooting occurred. The suspect, described as a male adult, was struck by gunfire and taken into custody,” the LAPD PIO posted on X shortly after 1 a.m. “The suspect’s gun, along with spent casings were recovered at scene and will be booked as evidence,” the post reads. The unidentified suspect was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the PIO said. No officers or other community members were injured.

KTLA 5

Redondo Beach AYSO soccer coach arrested for alleged attempted sex with minor

Los Angeles Police Department investigators are asking for the public's help to identify possible victims of a Redondo Beach AYSO soccer coach who allegedly attempted to have sex with a minor. Redondo Beach resident, Jared Crevar, 37, was arrested on May 1 and was found to have more than 600 images of child pornography, according to LAPD. Crevar is currently out on bail. Police are releasing his photo to the public "because the suspect is in a position of trust working with children." LAPD Harbor Vice Officers are asking anyone who may be a victim or has additional information regarding Crevar, to contact LAPD Harbor Vice at (213) 280-1501. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call 1 (800) 222-8477, or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org. 

CBS 2

School aide arrested for possessing, distributing child pornography

Los Angeles investigators Tuesday sough additional victims after they arrested a school aide from the Long Beach Unified School District for possession and distribution of child pornography, the Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday. Police said investigators learned about 22-year-old Jaylee Brackman while they were looking into a separate child pornography case. Brackman, a Long Beach resident, was arrested Tuesday and held without bail until her arraignment, the LAPD said. "Harbor Vice is releasing the suspect’s booking photo because the suspect is employed in a position of trust working with children who are disabled," police said. "Harbor Vice is requesting that anyone who may have been victimized by this suspect to immediately contact the LAPD." Anyone who may be a victim or has additional information regarding Jaylee Brackman, to contact LAPD Harbor Vice at (213) 280-1501.

NBC 4

Possibly armed man in custody after lengthy standoff in parking lot of Autry Museum

A man possibly armed with a gun was taken into custody in the parking lot of the Autry Museum following a lengthy standoff Tuesday morning. Officers responded to the museum in the 4700 block of Western Heritage Way around 4:30 a.m. over a report of a man with a gun, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. AIR7 was over the scene as police took the man into custody just before 11:30 a.m. Police cordoned off the area around the museum. Exits from the southbound 5 and 134 freeways to Zoo Drive were also closed by the California Highway Patrol at the LAPD's request. The L.A. Zoo was briefly closed and later reopened at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, the Autry Museum remained closed for the day.

ABC 7

Woman does donuts on LA road with kids inside; Witnesses confront driver, pull children out of SUV

Participants at a street takeover Sunday night stopped one driver when they realized she was doing doughnuts in a black SUV with small children in the vehicle. You can see people removing two young kids from the car, which, according to those there, were handed over to relatives. Those sharing the video and talking to us did not want to appear on camera or be identified but said that, as much as the takeovers may be illegal and have a bad reputation, they don't want to see anyone hurt, especially children. We tried to reach out to the woman driving, but she did not answer her door. There is no indication the woman was arrested. LAPD issued the following statement in the wake of the videos of the street takeover: "A radio call was generated at that location for a street takeover. Comment of the call stated up to 50 vehicles blocking intersection. As officers arrived, the crowd dispersed. There were no arrests."

FOX 11

‘Dead man walking’: SoCal man charged with threatening to assassinate Trump

He openly advocated for the death of then-President-elect Donald Trump, hailing himself as an “assassin” and threatening to shoot the would-be 47th commander-in-chief shortly after the election, prosecutors say. Those words, left on Facebook posts, are at the center of a federal grand jury indictment. On Tuesday, Yucca Valley resident Thomas Eugene Streavel, 73, pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of making threats. The San Bernardino County man was arrested Monday just before 11 a.m. by United States Marshals and arraigned the next day inside Central District Court in Riverside. He’s out on a $10,000 bond and is expected back in court July 28. Streavel could serve up to 15 years in prison if found guilty on all counts. “This defendant is charged with threatening the life of our President — a man who has already survived two deranged attempts on his life,” said U.S. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi in a statement. “The Department of Justice takes these threats with the utmost seriousness and will prosecute this crime to the fullest extent of the law.” A number listed for Streavel was not answered, and no attorney was listed for him in court documents.

Los Angeles Times

LAFD to Re-Evaluate Recruitment in Light of Potential Budget Cuts

With the city facing a roughly $1 billion deficit in the coming fiscal year and on the verge of finalizing a budget that limits spending, a commission Tuesday advanced a report detailing ways the Los Angeles Fire Department will have to pivot to meet its recruitment goals. Under the 2025-26 budget, the LAFD is expected to receive funding for two classes of 59 recruits, according to a report from Deputy Fire Chief Kristine Larson, who is responsible for recruitment. She acknowledged there will be some “extreme challenges” with staffing due to budget constraints during Tuesday’s Board of Fire Commissioners meeting. In the short term, the department aims to replace three firefighters who were lost as a result of promotions, and one due to long-term injury. The department still has an active hiring list consisting of about 100 candidates from 2023, which was put on pause due to the city’s budget constraints. Candidates still need to finish background, medical and psychological exams to move forward in the hiring process. 

MyNewsLA

Do you know him? Man in L.A. hospital remains unidentified after nearly 2 weeks

Health officials are asking the public for help on Tuesday in identifying a man who has been hospitalized in Los Angeles for nearly two weeks. The patient was brought to L.A. General Medical Center on May 21, but hospital workers have been unable to locate any friends or relatives who may be able to identify him. The man was found near the Los Angeles area and appeared to have suffered significant facial trauma. The man was described as approximately 30 years old, with a height of 5 feet 9 inches and a weight of 159 pounds. He has dark brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information about this patient was asked to contact Clinical Social Worker Laura Ramos at 323-409-7779 between Monday and Friday. Information can also be provided to the L.A. General Medical Center Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253.

KTLA 5

LA Council Confirms Programs Officer Appointment to LAHSA Commission

The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday confirmed Margarita Lares, chief programs officer for the Housing Authority of Los Angeles, to a commission overseeing the joint city and county homeless agency. Council members voted unanimously to approve Lares for a spot on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Commission, for a term that is scheduled to end on June 30, 2026. She will fill a vacancy left by the departure of Melissa Chincilla. Lares will join Mayor Karen Bass, Wendy Greuel, Tanisha Saunders and Stephanie Graves on the commission as representatives for the city. The commission also includes five members confirmed by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors: Katie Hill, Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, Amy Perkins, Amber Sheikh and Justin Szlasa. “I have a track record of managing, administrating very large operations, very successfully and fully compliant,” Lares said. “I’m very familiar with the recent assessments and audits that have been (conducted) with LAHSA, and I do believe that my experience with transforming organizations, reshaping organizations, will be valuable as a LAHSA commissioner.”

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.