Email from Los Angeles Police Protective League Daily News & Updates   Law Enforcement News Reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw killed in news helicopter crash Journalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were among three people killed Tuesday when the helicopter they were in crashed as they provided coverage for NBCLA and Telemundo 52 in the Los Angeles community of Chatsworth. Moreno and Marciniw frequently worked together, particularly in the evening, providing the latest information to residents in Southern California from NewsChopper, owned and operated by Angel City Air. Often referred as “the eyes and ears in the sky” for the two newsrooms, viewers also got to know the duo through their coverage. Moreno and Marciniw logged hundreds of hours together in the sky since flying together since 2023. From the devastating wildfires that burned in January of 2025 to countless police pursuits, Moreno and Marciniw worked diligently to deliver urgent information on pressing matters to Southern California. Moreno hailed from Orange County and earned a degree in broadcast journalism and political science from Chapman University. She is survived by her fiancé. Known as “Eli in the heli” on Instagram, Moreno was the voice in the sky for NBCLA and Telemundo 52, providing coverage of Los Angeles pursuits, wildfires, other breaking news and “beauty shots” of the dramatic Southern California landscape. Marciniw also grew up in Southern California, graduating from Burbank High School in 1974. In addition to piloting, Marciniw was a flight instructor for aspiring pilots. NBC 4 Arrest Made in Deadly Metro Bus Crash in Chatsworth A woman who allegedly slammed an SUV into a Metro bus in Chatsworth, killing two people and injuring six others — in a collision that was later the scene of a deadly TV news helicopter crash — was behind bars Wednesday. The crash occurred just after 5 p.m. in the 20900 block of Nordhoff Street, near De Soto Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The Metro Line 166 bus was traveling eastbound on Nordhoff Street when it was hit by the SUV traveling southbound on De Soto Avenue, according to Metro. The SUV driver was identified by Fox11 as Bailee Rios, 36, of Simi Valley. The Los Angeles Police Department did not immediately confirm the driver’s identity, but Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department online jail records indicate a person with that name and age was arrested Tuesday night by investigators with the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division and was booked on suspicion of murder with bail set at $4.03 million. Jennifer Middleton of the Los Angeles Fire Department said two people died at the scene of the crash and six others were taken to a hospital. MyNewsLA Gunfire on Sunset Boulevard sends diners running in Los Angeles The shooting of a man on a popular restaurant-lined stretch of Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood drew a massive police response Tuesday night. Witnesses called police after hearing multiple gunshots around 8 p.m. near Sunset Boulevard and Golden Gate Avenue. “This is a very popular dining destination with all kinds of restaurants,” KTLA’s Chris Wolfe reported from the scene. Wolfe said some people told him they initially thought the loud banging sounds were fireworks or a car backfiring, but later realized they were hearing gunshots. Visitors quickly ran down side streets or took shelter in the backs of restaurants and stores. Hoon Kang, owner of the Sonmari sushi restaurant on Sunset Boulevard, said all of his patrons ran to the back of the business to hide. KTLA 5 1 Injured in South LA Shooting One person was being treated in a hospital Wednesday after being injured in a shooting while shitting on a porch in South Los Angeles. A suspect got out of the passenger seat of a vehicle around 10:00 p.m. Tuesday and fired multiple shots at the victim who was sitting on the porch of a residence at 609 W. 51st St., a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson said. The victim was transported to the hospital and was in a stable condition, the LAPD said. The suspect returned to the vehicle and fled eastbound toward Figueroa Street, police said. Further details on the identities of the victim and the suspect or suspects were not available. MyNewsLA Stalking suspect arrested at LA-area home of model and influencer Lindsey Pelas A man suspected of stalking was arrested Monday afternoon at the Los Angeles-area home of model, actor and social media influencer Lindsey Pelas, law enforcement told NBC4 Investigates. Los Angeles police responded to the home at about 2:30 p.m. after a man was see in her yard, authorities said. Officers arrested a man who has previously been accused of stalking Pelas, law enforcement said. The suspect, whom Pelas obtained a restraining order again, was arrested on suspicion of felony stalking with a prior and remained jailed on $170,000 bond. "Ms. Pelas is grateful to the Los Angeles Police Department and the professionals involved for their continued attention to this matter and for taking her safety seriously," a rep for Pelas told NBC4. "Given that this remains an active investigation, she does not believe it would be appropriate to comment at this time. She respects the legal process and remains hopeful that the appropriate measures will be taken to ensure her safety and that the protections already ordered by the court are respected. NBC 4 UCLA study: ‘Kia Boys’ will be around in Los Angeles until at least 2042 Researchers have determined that the “Kia Boys” — car thieves who post their activities on social media under that moniker or under the “Kia Challenge” — will be causing chaos for Los Angeles residents for at least 16 more years. The trend began around 2020, when a nationwide uptick in car thefts involving certain Kia and Hyundai models. According to technology publication The Verge, the affected vehicles – produced between 2010 and 2022 (see a full list below) – lack electronic key immobilizers that prevent would-be thieves from breaking in and bypassing the car’s security system by using something as simple as a USB cable or flathead screwdriver to start the engine. Immobilizers are standard equipment on nearly all vehicles of that vintage made by other manufacturers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes. Key immobilizers are still not required in the U.S., but they have been a requirement in other countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada, for years. In response to the nationwide rise in thefts, Kia and Hyundai agreed to a $200 million settlement stemming from a class-action lawsuit related to the viral social media trend in May of 2023. The settlement covered about nine million car owners and included up to $145 million for out-of-pocket losses for consumers who had cars stolen, lawyers for the car owners told Reuters at the time of the settlement. KTLA 5 Feds arrest LA homelessness nonprofit executives in $7.5M fraud takedown Federal authorities staged an early morning sweep across Los Angeles on Wednesday, taking two homelessness nonprofit figures into custody during a high-profile crackdown on public corruption. Officials announced the charges at a downtown press conference, revealing that millions of dollars allocated to solve Southern California's homelessness crisis were instead funneled into private luxuries, real estate, and empty shell accounts. Federal agents arrested 46-year-old Michael Young of Baldwin Hills early Wednesday morning for allegedly orchestrating a multi-year scheme to divert over $7.5 million in public funds from his Culver City-based nonprofit, Home At Last. Prosecutors allege Young spent more than $1 million to open Six Seven Five Lounge, a high-end restaurant and nightclub in Inglewood, alongside commercial real estate and a bingo hall. Also arrested Wednesday was 48-year-old Lakiya Malone of Westmont, an employee at Special Service for Groups who was seen being led out of a home in handcuffs accompanied by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. FOX 11 Video: Missouri undercover officer dragged by suspect vehicle before police fire shots Florissant police shot out a car window of a suspect Monday after a detective was dragged by the car. The detective suffered minor injuries in the 3:30 p.m. incident at a gas station in the 8400 block of Page Avenue. As the suspect drove away, a second Florissant detective fired one round through the rear window of the vehicle, authorities said. It wasn’t clear if the suspect was hit. Police said he drove east on Page before abandoning the vehicle about a mile away. Police said he was captured early Tuesday in St. Charles County but didn’t say if he had been shot. The incident began when the Florissant detectives were trying to arrest the man for felony warrants. Authorities didn’t elaborate on what crimes the warrants covered. The man put the car in reverse and dragged one of the detectives who was near the car. Police didn’t say how far the detective was dragged. Florissant police Chief Tim Fagan asked the St. Louis County Police Department to investigate the case. Anyone with information is asked to call county police at 636-529-8210. Florissant police said on social media that the officer was struck by the vehicle; St. Louis County police said the officer was dragged. St. Louis Post Dispatch 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. Listen To Our Podcast Los Angeles Police Protective League | 1308 W 8th St | Los Angeles, CA 90017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice