By Aaron Blevins, 2/03/2012
In the latest installment of character conflicts on Hollywood Boulevard, the Los Angeles Police Department recently investigated an incident in front of the Kodak Theatre involving people dressed as âCatwomanâ, âCaptain Jack Sparrowâ and an alien. According to Officer Rosario Herrera, of LAPDâs media relations, a fight ensued early Wednesday night involving all three characters. [...] [...more]
By Aaron Blevins, 2/03/2012
A Sylmar man was arrested in Glendale on Wednesday after allegedly using his cell phone to take upskirt photos of women as they shopped at the Glendale Galleria, according to Sgt. Tom Lorenz, of the Glendale Police Department. John Puncel, 49, was arrested after Glendale police witnessed him allegedly âupskirtâ a 47-year-old woman as she [...] [...more]
By Edwin Folven, 2/02/2012
A Male Victim Was Also Shot But is Expected to Survive
A 44-year-old woman was shot and killed on Jan. 27, and an unidentified man was seriously wounded, at the Pink Pepper Thai restaurant in Hollywood. No motive has been established for the shooting, and police have not released any information about potential suspects. Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson Norma Eisenman said the shooting occurred around [...] [...more]
By Edwin Folven, 2/02/2012
An increase in prostitution during the past three months on Western Avenue between Melrose Avenue and 2nd Street has prompted extra police patrols and a heightened crackdown along the busy thoroughfare. Authorities said prostitution has been a problem for decades on Western Avenue, but in November, officials and community members began noticing more activity, particularly [...] [...more]
By Edwin Folven, 2/02/2012
A 25-year veteran detective from the Los Angeles Police Department was arrested on Jan. 27 for grand theft. Det. Ramon Alvarez, who was assigned to the LAPDâs Gang and Narcotics Division, was taken into custody at an undisclosed location in Los Angeles based on an investigation conducted by the departmentâs Internal Affairs Criminal Investigation Division. [...] [...more]
By Edwin Folven, 2/02/2012
A second suspect wanted in a shooting on La Cienega Boulevard that seriously injured two people was arrested on Jan. 26 by officers from the LAPD Wilshire Divisionâs Special Problems Unit. The suspect, Ashlee Beidleman, was taken into custody at an undisclosed location in south Los Angeles as an accessory to the shooting on Jan. [...] [...more]
By Aaron Blevins, 2/02/2012
A man convicted for a string of break-ins at the homes of several elderly women in the areas of West Los Angeles and Santa Monica was sentenced on Jan. 27 to 210 years to life in state prison. Jeffery Wayne Langford, 56, was convicted on Feb. 15, 2011, of eight counts of first-degree burglary, six [...] [...more]
By Aaron Blevins, 2/02/2012
During Super Bowl weekend, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will conduct driving-under-the-influence (DUI) enforcement activities. DUI Saturation Patrols will be held from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday in the Olympic area and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday in the 77th Street area. Sobriety Checkpoints will be held from 8 p.m. [...] [...more]
By Edwin Folven, 1/26/2012
Man Whose Body Parts Were Found Near Hollywood Sign Was Local Resident
Detectives are still searching for suspects in the murder and dismemberment of a 66-year-old Hollywood resident whose head, hands and feet were found last week off a trail near the Hollywood sign. The victim, identified as Hervey Medellin, was reported missing eight days before his head was discovered on Jan. 17 by two women walking [...] [...more]
By Edwin Folven, 1/26/2012
Suspect Enters Not Guilty Plea
The 24-year-old German national accused of setting almost 50 fires in Hollywood, West Hollywood and other parts of Los Angeles over the New Yearâs weekend pleaded not guilty Tuesday to nearly 100 felony counts. Bail was also increased to $7.5 million for Harry Burkhart, who has been in custody since he was arrested on Jan. [...] [...more]