Mexico hands over fugitive wanted in 2008 killing of L.A. County sheriff’s deputy

A man wanted in connection with the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy in Cypress Park has been returned to the U.S. from Mexico to face charges. Roberto Salazar, 38, was arrested in March by Mexican authorities and transferred Tuesday into U.S. custody. He is scheduled to be arraigned in a downtown L.A. courthouse Thursday morning. “Justice has been a long time coming, but today we are one step closer,” Sheriff Robert Luna said during a press conference at the Hall of Justice Wednesday afternoon. The L.A. County district attorney’s office will charge Salazar with first-degree murder with special circumstances and conspiracy to commit murder, which carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Salazar was handed over along with 25 other prisoners described by U.S. and Mexican authorities as high-ranking drug cartel members. Mexico long ago abolished capital punishment and reportedly agreed to the mass prisoner transfer on the condition that none face the death penalty. Salazar’s case dates back to Aug. 2, 2008, when Juan Abel Escalante was shot in the back of the head as he was reaching to adjust a child’s seat inside his car outside his parents’ house as he readied to leave for his job at Men’s Central Jail.

Los Angeles Times

Swing for the Officer Needs Help Fund!

Join us for the 43rd Annual Chief Daryl F. Gates Golf Tournament on October 6, 2025 at the beautiful Porter Valley Country Club. This is your chance to tee off for a cause. Every swing helps support the Officer Needs Help Fund. Enjoy a day of friendly competition, scenic fairways, and great company while aiming for exciting prizes and bragging rights. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just out for the fun, you’ll be part of something truly meaningful. Sponsorship opportunities are available, giving you a chance to showcase your support for our law enforcement family. Don’t miss your shot! Register today and help us drive change, one hole at a time!

Register Now!

LAPD detectives search for hit-and-run driver that severely injured pedestrian in Panorama City

Los Angeles police are searching for a hit-and-run driver that struck a pedestrian in Panorama City on Tuesday night, leaving them with severe injuries. It happened at around 11:30 p.m. as the pedestrian was walking in westbound lanes of Roscoe Boulevard near Tobias Avenue, according to an LAPD news release. They say that the victim was "struck by a gold or brown van." The suspect vehicle briefly stopped at the north curb ahead of the collision before continuing westbound on Roscoe, police said. The victim, only identified as a man in his 20s, was hospitalized with severe injuries suffered in the crash. A standing reward of up to $25,000 has been offered by the city of Los Angeles' Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund for anyone with information that helps lead to the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspect. Anyone who knows more is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Officer Takishita at (818) 644-8116.

CBS 2

Police Seek Additional Sexual Assault Victims; Suspect Released On Bond

Police sought possible additional victims Wednesday of a 42-year-old man suspected in a series of sexual assaults in Venice and Santa Monica. Jean Junior Dar, also known as Jean-Que or Que, was arrested May 21 following a report from a 24-year-old man who said in January that Dar had sexually assaulted him, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The ensuing investigation led to two additional male alleged victims, both in their 20s, reporting similar assaults, police said. The victims in each case stated that they had met Dar at a bar, and he invited them to an after-party at his residence near Marina del Rey, where they were given drinks that incapacitated them, culminating in the sexual assaults, according to police. Dar was booked on suspicion of penetration by a foreign object upon an intoxicated person and oral copulation upon an intoxicated person, but he has since been freed on bond. Investigators believe there are additional victims who have not yet come forward. The department released a photo of Dar in hopes that victims will speak with investigators about the alleged assaults.

MyNewsLA

LAPD arrests Van Nuys man who repeatedly blasted horns, alarms from home

After countless complaints from fed up neighbors, Los Angeles police Wednesday evening arrested a Van Nuys man who has been blasting horns and alarms from his home for months. Neighbors along the 6600 block of Peach Avenue say Gary Boyadzhayan has been blasting the sirens intermittently since June. "It's irritating," said Bernarda Phipps, who lives right across the street from Boyadzhayan. "He needs help, but what kind of help does he need?" Video of the arrest shows Boyadzhayan yelling loudly as he was led away in handcuffs by officers. However, he was released early Thursday morning on his own recognizance. Prior to the arrest, LAPD said it had reached out to other city departments to not only get the noise makers shut down, but to get Boyadzhayan whatever help he needs. On Wednesday morning, hours before the arrest, officers gave Boyadzhayan an administrative citation. "They advised him that if he is using the horn, to stop using the horn because of the disturbance it is causing in the community, advising him not to do that," LAPD Capt. Chris Zine said. But that advice only lasted about two hours. By noon, Boyadzhayan was back blaring his horns.

ABC 7

Los Angeles gang members pimped out women, girls as young as 14: DOJ

Eleven alleged members of a street gang based in Los Angeles are facing federal racketeering and other charges for their roles in a suspected prostitution and sex-trafficking ring. Members of the Hoover Criminal Gang are accused of forcing girls and women into prostitution on the Figueroa Corridor of Los Angeles, resulting in a 31-count federal indictment, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release. All 11 people listed below face a count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, otherwise known as RICO: Amaya Armstead, 25, aka “Lady Duck,” of South Los Angeles; Armstead is the case’s lead defendant and the de facto leader of the 112 set of the Hoover Criminal Gang. She is accused of sex trafficking a 14-year-old girl.

KTLA 5

South Carolina trooper dies days after being struck during traffic stop

A trooper has died days after he was hit by a vehicle while he was making a traffic stop in the line of duty, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol. Trooper First Class Dennis D. Ricks died Wednesday night, the Highway Patrol said. “It is with deep sadness that SCDPS announces the loss of one of our own, Trooper First Class Dennis D. Ricks,” the Highway Patrol said Thursday morning on social media. Ricks was critically injured Sunday and had to be airlifted to a hospital after he was hit by a passing box truck while conducting a traffic stop in Orangeburg County, The State previously reported. The trooper had pulled over a vehicle at about 2 a.m. on the eastbound side of Interstate 26 near mile marker 165, according to the Highway Patrol. No other injuries were reported. Ricks, who has been with the Highway Patrol since January 2023, was assigned to Troop 7, Post B, which includes Calhoun and Orangeburg counties, according to the Highway Patrol.

The State

3 Virginia deputies shot at while serving warrants

Three sheriff’s deputies injured in gunfire while executing warrants in southern Virginia on Wednesday were “shaken up” but doing well, officials said. The warrants were for brandishing a firearm and trespassing, said Pittsylvania County Sheriff Michael W. Taylor. They were also serving a protective order, he said. There was an hourslong standoff but it ended peacefully and with the suspected shooter in custody, Taylor told reporters afterward. “All three are well. Of course they’re shaken up. And they’re going through the process now of trying to heal,” Taylor said, adding: “They’re OK.” The officers all appear to have been wounded by shrapnel and none was directly hit, Taylor said. The sheriff asked the Virginia State Police to investigate the shooting. Sgt. Rick Garletts, a spokesperson for the Virginia State Police, said agents would likely be at the scene all night collecting evidence.

Associated Press

LAFD Quickly Extinguishes Recycling Yard Fire

Crews Wednesday put out a fire at a metal recycling yard in Central Los Angeles. Thirty-six firefighters responded and needed just 21 minutes to douse the blaze that was reported at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday amid debris in the yard at 1730 E. Washington Blvd., said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Although the fire threatened a two-story commercial building, no structure damage or injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

MyNewsLA

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 8,700 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.