Tag: suspects

MALIBU—Authorities from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Malibu/Lost Hills Station reported on August 27, they are searching for suspects involved in a series of purse snatchings in Southern California.

The suspects specifically target victims who leave their purses unattended in high-end restaurants, hotels, and convention centers. Authorities are informing the public to stay alert and never leave belongings unattended. Anyone who sees any of the suspects pictured, they should contact the LASD Malibu/Lost Hills Station.

To provide information anonymously call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

WOODLAND HILLS—On Wednesday, August 14, the Los Angeles Police Department reported that suspects involved in a string of burglaries in the Woodland Hills region were arrested. The LAPD reported on August 13, around 3:30 a.m., Topanga Area patrol units responded to a burglary in progress at a shoe store in the 7200 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

After arriving on the scene, authorities found a white van parked outside of the business. The occupants in the vehicle did not comply with officers’ commands and fled the scene in the van. Officers initiated a vehicle pursuit, which lasted less than a minute before two suspects were observed running from the vehicle in an alley to the rear of 7200 Owensmouth Avenue. Officers initiated a foot pursuit and were able to take the driver of the van, Terry Sutton, 36, into custody. The other suspect continued to flee on foot, and a perimeter was established.

Upon review of surveillance video from the business, it was determined that four suspects were involved in the burglary, and all four were in the van when they fled from the scene. Air Support and patrol resources responded and assisted with the perimeter, but the additional suspects were not located.

During the on-scene investigation, it was discovered that the same suspects burglarized one additional location nearby before burglarizing the shoe store. The secondary location was in the 6400 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Preliminary video evidence depicts the same vehicle used in the burglary at the shoe store. All of the stolen items in the van have been returned to the business owners.

Sutton was booked for 459 PC, Commercial Burglary, booking number 6864575. Commercial Crimes Division has taken over investigative responsibility for this case.

By Trevor

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that four suspects were arrested on a nine-count indictment charging them with committing armed robberies of several businesses – primarily 7-Eleven stores in South Los Angeles – during a nearly two-month crime spree in 2023 which they allegedly posted photographs on Instagram of themselves holding stolen cash.

The indictment, returned July 10, 2024, and unsealed on July 23, with charges for the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to interference with commerce by robbery and one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act):

-Charles Christopher, 24, of Compton;

-D’Angelo Spencer, 26, of South Los Angeles;

-Jordan Leonard, 25, of Torrance; and

-Tazjar Rouse, 22, of Hollywood.

The defendants were charged with various counts of Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Christopher and Leonard were arraigned in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles and were ordered jailed without bond. They pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and a September 17, 2024 trial was scheduled. Rouse made his initial appearance in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri on July 23. Spencer is expected to be arraigned in federal court in Los Angeles, July 24.

“Violent gun crime leaves lasting emotional and psychological scars for victims,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Anyone thinking that violent robberies are a good way to make money should take note that there will be consequences for your actions.”

According to the indictment, from November 4, 2023, to December 24, 2023, the defendants committed a series of armed robberies in South Los Angeles. One victimized store was a CVS in Hollywood. The defendants traveled to the targeted stores in a BMW, jumped over the counters, took money from the stores’ cash registers, and placed the money into a black Nike bag. One of the defendants – usually either Christopher or Leonard – allegedly pointed a firearm at a store employee or customer and demanded either their cellphone or their wallet.

On November 28, 2023, following the robbery of a 7-Eleven store in South Los Angeles earlier that day, Leonard posted a photograph on Instagram with stacks of cash, captioned his post “love my bros we go hit every time,” and tagged the Instagram accounts of Christopher and Spencer, the indictment alleges.

In total, the defendants allegedly netted approximately $7,617 in cash during the crime spree. An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each Hobbs Act-related count and – for each firearm brandishing count – a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments. The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating the case.

By Trevor

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Wednesday, March 6, the Los Angeles Police Department disclosed that several suspects were arrested by Northeast detectives in connection to a series of burglaries.

The LAPD reported on February 29, detectives tracked the burglary suspects across Los Angeles from the San Fernando Valley to West Los Angeles. Based on the suspects’ actions, detectives realized the group was preparing to commit additional burglaries.

Around 1:30 p.m., authorities observed four suspects preparing to commit a burglary. With the help from LAPD’s West Los Angeles officers, the suspects were apprehended in the area of Castellammare Drive and Sunset Boulevard before they could execute the burglary.

Three adults were taken into custody without incident while still inside their vehicle, and a juvenile was detained after attempting to flee on foot. He discarded his cell phone and changed clothing during the foot pursuit. Officers discovered burglary tools and other potential evidence inside the vehicle, which will be recovered following the execution of a search warrant.

Patricio Lian, 20, has been booked under the booking number 6768393 for one felony count of 459 PC-Burglary, and one felony count of 3056 PC-Parole Violation.

Carlos Antonio Gonzalez-Ravest, 20, was booked under the booking number 6768381. He faces charges including an outstanding felony warrant for 459 PC-Burglary, and an outstanding felony warrant for 487 PC-Grand Theft, alongside the initial charge of 182 (A) PC, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.

Joaquin Elias Munoz, 19, was booked under the booking number 6768375 for the charge of 182 (A) PC-Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.

The juvenile, a 17-year-old male was booked under the booking number 6768316 for the charge of 602 WIC/182 PC-Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.

Anyone with additional details is asked to contact Northeast Division detectives at 323-561-3220. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wanting to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters can visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.

By Trevor

MALIBU—Homicide Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced on Friday, October 27 that two suspects responsible for the murder of Javonnta Marshann Murphy, have been arrested and charged. On October 3, Joshua Lee Simmons and Dennis Eugene Vance were arrested in connection with the murder of Murphy, whose body was recovered inside a barrel at Malibu Lagoon State Beach.

At approximately 10:10 a.m., on July 31, a lifeguard from Malibu Beach noticed a 55-gallon plastic barrel drum floating in the lagoon. The lifeguard retrieved the 55-gallon plastic barrel drum, opened it, and discovered a deceased Black male, unclothed.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Simmons was also responsible for an Attempted Robbery in El Monte. On October 5, both suspects were arraigned, and charges were filed against Simmons, 37, and Dennis Vance, 41.

Simmons was charged with Murder – 187 P.C., Personal use of a firearm allegation – 12022.58 P.C., and Criminal Threats – 422(a) P.C. He was also charged with Attempted Robbery – 664/211 P.C., and two counts of Criminal Threats – 422(a) P.C., with a Personal Use of Bear Spray allegation – 12022(b)(1) P.C., in connection with the Attempted Robbery that occurred in El Monte on September 2.

Vance was charged with one count of Accessory After the Fact – 32 P.C., in connection with the murder of Murphy. Both suspects in the case are known to be acquaintances of the victim.

At this time the motive of this case is unknown. There is no additional information available at this time. Anyone with details about the incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

By Trevor

STUDIO CITY—The Log Angeles Police Department announced on September 20 that three suspects were arrested in connection to residential burglaries that transpired in the region. The LAPD reported North Hollywood Division Burglary Detectives on September 15 were informed about 3 residential burglaries in Studio City.

Surveillance footage captured three masked suspects smashing rear glass sliders and entering the residences. Once inside, the suspects ransacked the homes and removed property, jewelry, and handbags. The suspects exited the locations with the property and fled in a black 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio with a stolen license plate.

Officers responded and conducted the initial burglary investigation and discovered one of the suspects took a designer handbag containing a concealed tracking device. A victim from one of the burglaries tracked their property to the community of Mar Vista and drove to the location and observed a burglary in progress and contacted 911 while the suspects were fleeing.

The officers tracked the device to an apartment complex in Inglewood. With the assistance of the LAPD’s Air Support Division, a tactical flight officer observed suspects attempting to pry open a safe that was taken in the Mar Vista burglary. Authorities contained the suspects within a perimeter and all three were arrested. Officers located the victim’s stolen property, as well as three firearms, that were taken during additional residential burglaries in the San Fernando Valley Area.

The Los Angeles District Attorney filed burglary charges on all three suspects who are believed to be members of a burglary crew that are responsible for approximately 20 residential burglaries in West Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley. Taken into custody were: Vernon Harvey, 22, of Los Angeles; Qwaee Wright, 18, of Los Angeles and Bobby Bolton, 21, of Los Angeles.

The LAPD is still investigating the case. Any additional details can be referred to Los Angeles Police Department, North Hollywood Burglary Detectives Timothy Kirkpatrick and Gus Ramirez at (818) 754-8377. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor