Crime

M-Bone, Member of "Teach Me How to Dougie" Crew Cali Swag District, Killed in Inglewood

M-Bone is first from the left at the beginning of the video, wearing plaid shirt. Several news outlets are reporting that Montae Talbert, best known as M-Bone, member of the hip-hop crew Cali Swag District, was gunned down yesterday night in Inglewood. The SoCal crew became world-famous thanks to ... More >>

Gabriel Ben Meir: Possible Suspect in MTV Murder Is 35-Year-Old Black Man With Wire Glasses, Gold Jewelry, Shotgun

Los Angeles TimesThe young victim​Update: Destiny Young (see below) was charged today with two counts of murder (one of which was allegedly related to Meir's demise) and five counts of second-degree robbery, the D.A.'s office announced. Jabaar Vincent Thomas and Richard Edward Anderson were hi ... More >>

Venice 13 Gang Busted for Drugs, Guns by Sting Operation Posing as 'Villainz Ink' Tattoo Parlor

Villainz Ink: Come for a tat, leave with criminal charges!​Ever make a trip to Villainz Ink in Venice? If so, as revealed this morning by the L.A. office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, you had the honor of standing in a federal booby trap. Thanks to the sting ... More >>

Dreamiest Mugshot Ever? Rick Springfield Arrested in Malibu

Rick Springfield​Soap star and "Jessie's Girl" singer Rick Springfield was arrested in Malibu last night on suspicion of drunk driving. According to the Sheriff's Department, Springfield, 61, caught the attention of a patrol deputy from the Malibu/Lost Hills Station at approximately 8 PM as ... More >>

Revok, Famed L.A. Graffiti Artist, Arrested at LAX, Held on $320,000 Bail

Gregory BojorquezRevok.​Updated after the jump: Revok gets 180 days for violating his probation. A "free Revok" campaign erupted on Twitter over the weekend after the Fairfax district street artist was nabbed at LAX. Sheriff's officials said the man born Jason Williams was arrested at LAX la ... More >>

Cleaning Out Dodger Stadium

Can the clock be turned back on drunken, violent crowds and 'bad" fans?

Grim Sleeper: Eight More Victims Linked to Case of Alleged Serial Killer Lonnie Franklin Jr., Cops Say

Lonnie Franklin Jr.​Updated: In an exclusive, Christine Pelisek of the Daily Beast has the names and photos of the new victims connected to the investigation -- here. We also update after the jump with some of the names police have subsequently put forward. LAPD detectives say they [added:] m ... More >>

Esteban Navarrete Shot at SoCal Restaurant Following Argument Over Which Mexican State is Best

A fight over Mexican supremacy ended up with a man shot.​Updates: Oh boy, this only gets better. Police told KNX 1070 Newsradio that the suspect was en route to (you guessed it) Mexico when he was arrested and noted that he had never been. Authorities allege his father was taking him there. ... More >>

Jeremy Marks' Home Searched

Camera-wielding student's mother demands probe of LAPD raid

Study Shows More Kids are Murdered in L.A. County Than Anywhere in California, but Only Because We Have More People

​Despite being home to the greatest number of 10- to 24-year-olds murdered in California, Los Angeles County actually ranked No. 6 in the state for the highest youth murder rate per capita in 2009, according to a report released Monday. The study, "Lost Youth: A County-by-County Analysis of 2009 ... More >>

Dear Los Angeles Times, Re: 'Grim Sleeper Didn't "Sleep"': We Know You're Bitter, But the Name's Still Awesome (and Appropriate)

The Weekly's original cover art​The LA Times is giddy with revenge today in the front-page, full-color "Grim Sleeper Didn't 'Sleep'," all but calling Lonnie Franklin Jr. -- the notorious L.A. prostitute-killer now suspected of murdering two more women during his mysterious 14-year hiatus -- th ... More >>

LAPD Gang Cops Leaving Posts Rather Than Disclosing Personal Finances Under New Department Rule

Steve LyonCops are going "code 3" to exit gang units.​Potholes are devouring tires, the city budget is once again a mess, and now there's more bad news this week for the concerned citizens of L.A: Experienced gang cops are abandoning ship. (See the L.A. police union's response, after the jump) ... More >>

Happy Shopping, L.A: City Controller Wendy Greuel Helps Take Fake Designer Crap Off Streets

Pleather is a crime: This is the real deal.​Updated with locations of the busts after the jump. First posted at 12:14 p.m. Ah, it wouldn't be the holidays in L.A. without the man cracking down on two-bit peddlers of exquisite, Chinese-made "Louie Futon" pleather goods. Seeming a little Grinc ... More >>

CHP: Fewer Drunk Drivers Took To L.A. County Highways This Thanksgiving

Washington Injury Attorney BlogL.A. County drivers crashed on the couch instead​While you were scarfing turkey in your Snuggie, the California Highway Patrol was out serving and protecting freeways and state highways (and some unincorporated surface streets) throughout L.A. County. Officers b ... More >>

West Hollywood Sees 20 Robberies In 30 Days: Three Possibly Connected Heists Reported Over The Weekend

LAPDThis suspect robbed a place in downtown L.A., not Weho. We just liked the photo.​Ah, West Hollywood: Swimming pools, movie stars, and lots of robberies. In fact, with 20 take downs in 30 days, it just might be the robbery capital of Southern California. Weho Daily reports the robbery surg ... More >>

Jorge Lorenzo, L.A. Homicide No. 218: 19-Year-Old Drive-By Shooter Killed By Return Fire In Echo Park

Google Maps​A Latino man fatally shot at about 1:50 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7 has been identified as 19-year-old Jorge Lorenzo, according to coroner's reports. Police believe the victim was driving a tan Mercury van involved in a drive-by shooting on the 400 block of North Westlake Avenue when he ... More >>

Santos Velasquez Pastor, L.A. Homicide No. 219: Latino Man Shot Dead Outside Liquor Store In Westlake

Google Maps​A Latino man fatally shot in the chest at 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7, has been identified as Santos Velasquez Pastor. The shooting took place outside a liquor store on the corner of West 8th Street and South Alvarado Street in Westlake. LAPD Sergeant Herb Chang told City News Se ... More >>

Aaron Shannon Jr., L.A. Homicide No. 214: Five-Year-Old Boy In Spiderman Costume Shot In South L.A. Backyard On Halloween

Associated PressFive-year-old Aaron Shannon, Jr.​Update: Two suspects have been arrested for the murder. Known gang members Marcus Denson, 18, and Leonard Hall Jr., 21, are each being held in lieu of $1 million bail. A Black boy fatally shot at about 2 p.m. on Halloween day has been identifie ... More >>

Benjamin Houghton, L.A. Homicide No. 213: 40-Year-Old Man Shot Dead In South L.A.

Google Maps​A black man shot dead just before 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 25, has been identified as 40-year-old Benjamin Houghton. The shooting took place at South Broadway and West 88th Street in South L.A. Houghton was declared dead at at St. Francis Medical Center on Saturday, five days af ... More >>

Halloween Shooter Took Out Four Guys In Hollywood -- Right In Front Of The Cops

AirSplat​West Hollywood -- L.A.'s central Halloween hotspot -- may have stayed relatively tame last night (if you call 8,239 trannies doing the "Time Warp" tame), but Hollywood proper just to the north gave the infamous 2006 Halloween shootings in the Castro a run for their money. It was str ... More >>

Marlin Harvey, L.A. Homicide No. 211: 38-Year-Old Gunned Down Near Westmont

Google Maps​A man fatally shot around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, has been identified as 38-year-old Marlin Harvey. The shooting took place on the 1300 block of West 95th Street, between Vermont and Normandie Avenues, according to City News Service.

Deputy Abel Escalante's Sorrowful Revenge

Carlos Velasquez can't recall the deputy's name. Now he faces murder charges

Douglas Collins, L.A. Homicide No. 207: 47-Year-Old Man Shot Down Outside Home In Vermont Vista

Google Maps​A black man fatally shot outside his residence on Thursday, October 14, has been identified as 47-year-old Douglas Collins. The shooting took place on the 600 block of West 117th Street in Vermont Vista at about 10:30 p.m., the Los Angeles Times reports. LAPD Criminal Gang and Hom ... More >>

Raul Vergara, L.A. Homicide No. 199: Man Shot Dead Near Exposition Park

Google Maps​A Latino man fatally shot on Wednesday, September 29, has been identified as Raul Vergara. The shooting occurred near the corner of West Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and South Hoover Street, according to the LAPD's Southwest Homicide Division.

Deputy Shoots At Innocent West Hollywood Liquor Store Clerk Lincoln Amara Following Robbery

CBS2​A West Hollywood liquor store clerk was robbed at gunpoint early Sunday only be shot at by at least one responding sheriff's deputy. Bad day, yes, but the uninjured man told TV news reporters he was not mad at the law officers and was actually glad to see them -- even with guns blazing. ... More >>

Manuela De Leon, L.A. Homicide No. 196: 34-Year-Old-Woman Fatally Stabbed In Boyle Heights

Google Maps​ A woman fatally stabbed September 17 has been identified as 34-year-old Manuela De Leon. The stabbing occurred in the 3000 block of Rosalind Place around 12:15 a.m., the Los Angeles Times reports. Celso Sante, De Leon's husband, allegedly stabbed her during an argument in the co ... More >>

Jose Martinez, Samuel Martinez, L.A. Homicide No's. 191, 192: Two Brothers Gunned Down And One Man Wounded In Glassell Park

Google Maps​ Two brothers fatally shot September 25 have been identified as 24-year-old Jose Martinez and 20-year-old Samuel Martinez. Another victim,19-year-old Marvin Gonzalez, suffered a gun shot wound to the back of the head and survived. The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. near the corn ... More >>

Steven Lopez, L.A. Homicide No. 193: 22-Year-Old Man Fatally Shot And 10 Others Injured At Birthday Party In Boyle Heights

Google Maps​ Steven Lopez, 22, was fatally shot at a birthday party in the Boyle Heights area September 25, according to a statement by the LAPD. The shooting occurred in the 1300 block of Palos Drive around 2:10 a.m. A dispute between party goers escalated to the point where eight people, i ... More >>

Pinalcchio: Renowned Forensics Experts Say a Pinal County Deputy's High-Profile Tale About Getting Shot After Encountering Drug Smugglers Doesn't Add Up

Earl Hervey, L.A. Homicide No. 187: 19-Year-Old Young Man Stabbed To Death in South L.A.

Google Maps​ Earl Hervey, 19, was found stabbed to death in an apartment building in South Los Angeles around 5:00 p.m. September 13, according to Sergeant Andrew Moody of LAPD's 77th's Criminal Gang Homicide Division. The stabbing occurred at 11400 Menlo Avenue. Police arrived at the apartme ... More >>

A Second Night Of Unrest Near Downtown As LAPD Chief Beck Promises Thorough Investigation Of Shooting Of Manuel Jamines

Twitpic​A second night of unrest erupted Tuesday in a small section of the Westlake district as residents angry over a fatal officer-involved shooting over the weekend took to the streets, lit fires, and tossed debris at officers from turn-of-the-century walk-up apartments in the immigrant nei ... More >>

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Gang Intervention Program: Secrecy, Plagued By Bureaucratic Bungling, Lacking Accountability

​Witness LA and Spot.US deliver part two of a series on the city's, and more specifcially, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's $26 million anti-gang efforts, and it's not encouraging. Reporter Matthew Fleischer indicates the city has put a lot of its hopes -- and nearly all of its intervention doll ... More >>

Asylum Denied

Unlike refugees from other troubled countries, only a fraction of Mexicans seeking U.S. asylum are accepted – no matter how horrible their wounds or their stories

Brandon Lincoln, L.A. Homicide No. 180: Jewelry store owner shoots armed robbers in Wilmington

​A suspect who was fatally shot by a Wilmington jewelry store owner in a robbery gone awry August 18 has been identified as 20-year-old Brandon Lincoln. The store owner also shot another robbery suspect. A third suspect was arrested and a fourth remained at large. The botched robbery attempt o ... More >>

Grim Sleeper Suspect Lonnie Franklin Jr. Pleads Not Guilty

Lonnie David Franklin Jr.​The suspected Grim Sleeper serial killer pleaded not guilty this morning to the murders of 10 women and the attempted murder of another. Lonnie David Franklin Jr., a car mechanic with a long history of car theft, is charged with 10 counts of murder and one count of at ... More >>

L.A. County Board Asks State To Stop Letting Gang Members Out Of Prison Early

Don Knabe.​The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors wants the state to stop releasing gang members from California prisons early. The board voted unanimously this week to ask the state legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to "amend the criteria for the non-revocable parole program so ... More >>

Rudolfo Melendez, L.A. Homicide No. 177: Man Fatally Shot in Car in South Los Angeles

​A man was found shot to death as he sat in his 1994 Chevy Camaro in South Los Angeles August 14. Rudolfo Melendez, 27, was at a party earlier in the evening with friends before he was shot about 11 p.m. Saturday near Main and 84th streets. Police suspect Melendez was on route to a girl friend ... More >>

Seized

Inside the brutal world of America's kidnapping capital

Luis Sevilla, L.A. Homicide No. 174: Man Stabbed to Death inside Hotel Room in Wilmington

​A 36-year-old man was stabbed to death inside a hotel room in Wilmington August 10. According to police reports, Luis Sevilla was stabbed several times in the chest by his 28-year-old wife Angelina after the couple got into an argument at around 12:40 a.m. Tuesday. After Sevilla was stabbed w ... More >>

Maria Fernanda Reyes, L.A. Homicide No. 173: Woman Found Shot Inside Apartment Identified

​A woman who was found shot to death inside her apartment in the Mid-City area August 5 has been identified as 22-year-old Maria Fernanda Reyes. Reyes' boyfriend, Ignacio Perez, is considered to be the main suspect in the murder and is being sought by police. According to law enforcement sourc ... More >>

A 15-Cop Officer-Involved Shooting? LAPD Names Names

​Fifteen officers were identified has having been "involved" in the shooting death of a suspect near San Fernando last month, Los Angeles police reported Tuesday. That the suspect pointed a fake gun at authorities -- making the incident sound like a case of "suicide by cop" -- is not that unu ... More >>

Patrick Ho, L.A. Homicide No. 168: Man Fatally Stabbed in Harbor Gateway

​A man who was stabbed to death in the Harbor Gateway area of Los Angeles has been identified as 45-year-old Patrick Ho. Ho was discovered about 5:40 a.m., in a bathroom in a home in the 1300 block of West Carson Street. He had been stabbed multiple times. According to police, he was discovere ... More >>

Jorge Villatoro, L.A. Homicide No. 164: Teenager Fatally Shot near Pico-Union

​A teenager who was shot to death while visiting a friend in the Pico-Union area July 19 has been identified as Jorge Villatoro. Villatoro, 19, was found dead near 18th and Bonnie Brae streets around 8:50 p.m. last Monday. According to police, Villatoro was helping a female friend move out of ... More >>

Jody Heard, L.A. Homicide No. 155: Man Fatally Shot in Skid Row Identified

​Los Angeles Police Department detectives are investigating an early-morning shooting that claimed the life of 35-year-old Jody Heard. The shooting in Skid Row occurred in the 600 block of South Maple Street, just a few feet from the LAPD's Central Police Station. According to police reports, ... More >>

Marijuana Legalization: L.A. District Attorney Steve Cooley Helps Pen Official Argument Against Prop. 19

Steve Cooley.​Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley helped to write the official ballot argument against Prop. 19, the November ballot initiative in California that would fully legalize marijuana possession for those 21-and-older, the campaign against the measure announced Thursday. Cool ... More >>

Quesi Chavez, L.A. Homicide No. 148: 10-year-old Girl Fatally Stabbed in San Pedro

Google Maps​A young girl that was allegedly stabbed to death by her mother on July 9 has been identified as 10-year-old Quesi Chavez, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Chavez's mother then reportedly stabbed herself. (See map after the jump)

Grim Sleeper Probe Expands To Determine If Suspect Lonnie Franklin Jr. Can Be Connected To Unsolved Murders

LAPDLonnie Franklin Jr.​Los Angeles police on Thursday said detectives were looking into several unsolved homicides -- all with women as the victims -- to see if they might be connected to the Grim Sleeper serial murder case. Lonnie Franklin Jr. was arrested at his home in South Los Angeles W ... More >>

Burbank Police Officers Shot By Handcuffed Suspect Outside Kmart

​Two Burbank police officers were shot and wounded with one of the cop's own guns as they struggled with a shoplifting suspect at a Kmart, according to reports. The shooting was reported around the noon hour Thursday near San Fernando Boulevard and Delaware Road, police said. One of the offic ... More >>

Northridge Pot Shop Worker Forth Medical Marijuana Employee Shot In Last Week In Los Angeles

​A pot shop worker was shot and wounded during the robbery of a Northridge dispensary over the weekend -- the third medical marijuana robbery the ended in gunfire in the last week, police said. The heist at MediMar, 8924 Reseda Blvd., was reproted at 9 p.m. Saturday, said Capt. Kevin McClure ... More >>