LAPD Investigating Mar Vista Shooting Incident

Police are investigating a shooting incident in Mar Vista that occurred Monday, with a suspect still at large. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the 12700 block of Washington Place around 5:41 p.m. after two individuals reported being shot at by someone in a passing vehicle. The victims, who were inside their vehicle when struck, initially thought they had been hit by gunfire. However, an investigation revealed the damage was likely caused by a BB gun pellet, not a firearm. Police recorded a report of felony vandalism due to the damage to the vehicle. As of now, LAPD has not provided a description of the suspect or the vehicle involved. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist in the identification and arrest of the suspect.

Westside Current

Two Men Suspected Of Selling Cocaine At Homeless Encampment Arrested

Two men suspected of selling cocaine at a homeless encampment in the Westlake district were arrested, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Monday. Rampart Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail investigators and members of the Rampart Area Gang Impact Team served a search warrant in the 1400 block of North Sierra Bonita Avenue, between Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue, in Hollywood on Wednesday, which led investigators to a recreational vehicle parked in the 900 block of South Beacon Avenue, between Ninth Street and Olympic Boulevard, in the Westlake district, adjacent to a homeless encampment, police said. Based on the investigation, it was determined that the recreational vehicle was not being used by any unhoused individual as a living quarter, but instead was being used for the sole purpose of engaging in narcotics sales and consumption, according to police. During the service of the search warrant, 439.4 gross grams of powder cocaine, 29.2 gross grams of cocaine base, an unregistered handgun, and $147,987 in U.S. currency were seized, police said. Tony Walden, 55, of Los Angeles, was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine for sale. Marlon Price, 56, of Los Angeles, was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine base for sale, according to police.

NBC 4

Man Gets 10 Years For Selling Guns, Meth Out Of Downtown L.A. Hookah Lounge

A 42-year-old man from Burbank has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for selling illegal firearms, with the intent of also selling illicit narcotics, out of a hookah lounge he owned in downtown Los Angeles, authorities announced Monday. Arrested in Jan. 2021, Hovik Dagesian pleaded guilty in Sept. 2023 to one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. A search warrant executed at the time of his arrest revealed nearly six ounces of methamphetamine, a digital scale, some 215 rounds of ammunition and a range of firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun he had available for sale, prosecutors said. “From October 2020 to January 2021, Dagesian illegally sold 11 firearms – including firearms not bearing serial numbers, weapons that are referred to as “ghost guns,” a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Central California District, stated.  

KTLA 5

2 Men Arrested For Vandalizing Abandoned Luxury Apartments In Downtown Los Angeles

Police announced the arrest of two people who allegedly vandalized the unfinished Oceanwide Plaza in downtown Los Angeles Thursday. At least 27 floors of the deserted three-building project were covered with various multi-color tags. In a tweet sent on Jan.31, the Los Angeles Police Department stated it has teamed up with the district representatives to develop a plan to secure the property. A day later, officers responded to the abandoned project after hearing about more vandals tagging the 30th floor of one of the towers. When they arrived, on-site security told the police that the suspects were driving away from the building. Authorities tracked down the suspects and tried to pull them over but the driver refused to stop. The officer briefly lost the suspect and eventually found the car again and conducted another traffic stop. They only cited the driver for failure to yield and let the passenger go. 

CBS 2

Secretary To Southern California Gangleader Sentenced To 7 Years In Prison

A woman identified by federal authorities as the “secretary” to an imprisoned gang leader whose turf included parts of East Los Angeles has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison. Kelly Deshannon, 42, of La Verne, was sentenced to 85 months in federal prison for conspiracy and violent crimes related to her role as the gang leader’s representative. Deshannon served as the secretary to a member of the Mexican Mafia who controlled Latino gangs and drug trafficking operations in Pomona while behind bars, officials said. According to the United States Department of Justice, Deshannon helped facilitate an armed robbery that led to a victim being shot. Officials said Deshannon provided gang members the victim’s address as part of a plan to steal keys to the victim’s luxury SUV. Deshannon knew intimate details about the victim and even brought a gang member to the victim’s home to point out their target. That same gang member later shot the victim during the robbery. The victim was wounded but survived the attack, DOJ officials said. Deshannon was also found guilty of brokering drug sales and collecting gang “taxes” from the gang’s turf on behalf of its leader.

KTLA 5

Newsom To Send 120 CHP Officers To Fight Crime In Oakland

Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to announce Tuesday that he’s sending 120 Highway Patrol officers to Oakland under a new state law enforcement campaign targeting an uptick in violent crime and theft that has placed political pressure on politicians, divided Democrats and bolstered criticism of California’s criminal justice policies. Newsom’s anticipated announcement comes amid a barrage of recent headlines on Oakland’s crime rates, business closures and campaigns to oust the city’s mayor and Alameda County’s chief prosecutor from office. The problems in Oakland and blatant smash-and-grab retail crime in big cities across California have inspired debate about whether to reform Proposition 47, a ballot measure voters approved in 2014 that reduced some drug and theft felonies to misdemeanors as a way to lower incarceration rates and encourage people to seek treatment. “What’s happening in this beautiful city and surrounding area is alarming and unacceptable,” Newsom said in a statement. “I’m sending the California Highway Patrol to assist local efforts to restore a sense of safety that the hardworking people of Oakland and the East Bay demand and deserve.”

Los Angeles Times

Suspect Bites Off Part Of Colorado Officer’s Finger During Arrest

A 48-year-old man was accused of biting off part an officer’s finger during an arrest in an alley, Colorado authorities said. Denver police officers responding to reports of a domestic violence incident found a man, later identified as Tyron Brooks, yelling at a “terrified” woman, according to the probable cause statement. Brooks was in a “fight stance,” standing over the woman who was “paralyzed with fear,” police said. Officers asked Brooks to speak with them, but he refused, police said. Then, officers asked the woman to come over and speak to them, but Brooks is accused of blocking the way and telling cops she “could not talk to them,” the document said. When police tried to ask the woman questions, Brooks covered her mouth, police said. That’s when officers attempted to detain Brooks by “grabbing both of his arms,” police said. In an attempt to free himself, Brooks grabbed ahold of a wooden fence, but officers pulled his hands from it and took him to the ground, the document stated. While on the ground, Brooks is accused of biting through the officer’s “left ring finger between the last knuckle and the finger nail,” police said. Police said Brooks then spit out the amputated finger. Brooks was eventually arrested after officers rolled him over onto his stomach to handcuff him, police said.

PoliceOne

Massachusetts K-9 Finds Child Who Vanished In Frigid Temperatures

A child who went missing after dark in frigid weather was found after a police K-9 tracked their scent, Massachusetts authorities say. Auburn Police said they received a call about a missing 12-year-old at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, according to a Feb. 1 Facebook post. The child left their home about two hours earlier and was last seen “in the Pakachoag Hill area of Auburn,” police said. Given the “freezing temperatures” in the area, police said multiple agencies responded to search for the child. A K-9 named Biza tracked the child’s scent for more than 2 miles to where the child had been a short time earlier, police said. Officers searched the area and found the child, who was reunited with family, police said. “We are proud of the hard work put in by K9 Biza,” police said. Auburn is about 50 miles southwest of Boston.

Charlotte Observer

Man Rescued From Pacoima Wash After Jumping In To Save Dog

A dramatic rescue was captured on video after a man got stuck in the Pacoima Wash Monday while trying to save his dog. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, crews responded to several bridges and access points and found the dog, a female German Shepherd who managed to swim safely to the edge. The dog owner, however, couldn't get out. LAFD Air Ops lowered a rescuer into the water, who was able to grab the man. Authorities said he was conscious and alert and did not appear to have any serious injuries. He was hoisted into the aircraft and rushed to a local hospital. His dog was taken to a local shelter for temporary care for minor injuries. Authorities said she's in good condition and will be reunited with her owner as soon as possible. 

ABC 7

Homeless Man Found In South Bay Hospitalized For Weeks, Officials Say

Los Angeles County health officials are asking for the public’s help to identify a man who has been hospitalized for more than two weeks. The man was brought into a hospital operated by Los Angeles County Department of Health Services on Jan. 18 around 11:40 p.m. Health Department officials say the unidentified man was found in Redondo Beach at the intersection of Diamond Street and North Maria Avenue. Details about the patient are limited, but officials believe he is homeless. He has no documentation or evidence on his person that could help identify him, they said. He’s described only as a Latino man possibly in his 50s or 60s, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds. He has brown eyes, short gray hair and a gray beard. He does not have any tattoos or other identifiable features, officials said. Anyone who might recognize the man is urged to contact Harbor-UCLA Medical Center at 424-306-6310.

KTLA 5

First Measles Case Since 2020 Confirmed In L.A. County. Here Are Steps To Prevent Exposure

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed on Thursday the county's first measles case this year from a resident who traveled through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) while infectious. The department said Thursday the infected person arrived on a Turkish Airlines 009 flight at Tom Bradley International Airport (TBIT) Terminal B, Gate 157 on Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. According to the press release, the person also visited a Chick-fil-A establishment located at 18521 Devonshire St., Northridge, Calif., 91324. “Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know you have it and can lead to severe disease,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “Measles is highly contagious…it can result in serious complications for young children and vulnerable adults.” L.A. Public Health believes people who were at the restaurant between 8 to 10:30 p.m. may be at risk of developing measles. Other locations where possible exposures may have occurred are still being investigated. This marks the first case of measles since 2020 in L.A. County. In 2019, the county reported an outbreak of 20 cases, followed by five cases in 2020. According to L.A. Public Health, most of these cases were not immunized or were unaware they had never been immunized or affected by the virus. 

NBC 4

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.