Los Angeles Local News - ABC News Radio

LAPD Investigating Attemped Abductions

Louis Milman — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:07:45 +0000

(LOS ANGELES) -- Detectives are asking for public assistance in an investigation regarding a suspect or suspects trying to lure female victims into cars.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, four separate incidents have occurred in the Cypress Park area since October, including two cases involving the same victim. The victims reported that a vehicle would pull alongside them while they were walking and offer a ride. Each time, the victim refused and fled the area.

It is not known whether there is one suspect or if there are multiple suspects, according to the LAPD.

The suspect or suspects have been described as a 30- to 45-year-old Hispanic male between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall. Victims have described two different vehicles, a 2007 to 2011 light-colored Honda Accord and a 2007 to 2010 green Toyota Camry.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect or suspects is asked to call (213) 344-5741.

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Los Angeles Tops List for Dog Attacks on Mail Carrier

Louis Milman — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:31:17 +0000

(WASHINGTON) -- Los Angeles has gone to the dogs, as the U.S. Postal Service has ranked it the top city in the country for dog attacks on letter carriers.

On Wednesday, the Postal Service released the list of cities where its employees were most frequently attacked last year. Los Angeles recorded the most attacks with 69 last year.

"If our letter carriers deem your loose dog to be a threat, you'll be asked to pick up your mail at the Post Office until it's safe to deliver," Ken Snavely, acting postmaster of Los Angeles, said in a statement.

The Postal Service says 5,879 postal employees were attacked last year.

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Drunk Man Gets Stuck in Chimney

James Grebey — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:08:01 +0000

(LOS ANGLES) -- Police and firefighters rescued a man who had gotten stuck in a chimney while trying to break into the Sylmar Recreation Center early Tuesday morning.

According to police, 27-year-old Cuauhtli Castillo Lujano called police to tell them he was stuck, saying he had “fallen” into the chimney. When asked why, Lujano told police that he had been jumping from roof to roof because “that’s what people do.”

He smelled heavily of alcohol, police say.

After they got him out of the chimney, police determined that he had no prior criminal record, and technically hadn’t entered the building proper. He was booked for trespassing, and his bail was set at $2,500.

Police say they believe he was attempting to break in to steal something, but they cannot prove that. The do intend to check his fingerprints against unsolved local burglaries.

Police seemed to be somewhat amused by the whole situation.

“This guy could take some lessons from Santa Claus,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of detectives for the Mission Police Station. “Namely, abstain from drink before climbing down chimneys and keep better track of the calendar; there’s still 225 days until Christmas.”

LAPD Warn of Robbers Targeting Joggers Near Silver Lake Reservoir

James Grebey — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:51:56 +0000

(LOS ANGELES) -- Los Angeles robbery detectives are investigating what they think may be a series of robberies targeting joggers in the neighborhood surrounding Silver Lake Reservoir, the department announced Monday.

The first robbery was two weeks ago, shortly before 9:30 p.m. on April 19. The victim was jogging near Silver Lake Boulevard and Armstrong Avenue when two suspects approached him and demanded his property. The jogger initially refused until one of the suspects revealed the handgun tucked away in his waistband. The jogger complied, and the two drove away in their vehicle.

The second incident occurred on May 6 around 8 p.m. Three suspects tackled at jogger from behind, took his property and drove off.

The suspects are described as Hispanics, ages 18-20, all standing between 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall. The two getaway vehicles are described as a tan or silver 1998-2000, Toyota four-door Square back with tinted windows or a silver colored 1999-2002, four-door Honda Accord.

Police are advising residents to jog in pairs, and not to confront the suspects if they are spotted. They are considered armed and dangerous, and anyone who sees them should run away and call the police.

Family of Man Killed by LA County Sheriff's Deputy Disputes Official's Story

James Grebey — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:33:04 +0000

(LOS ANGELES) -- A man was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy on Saturday night in Cudhay, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Officials say Rigoberto Arceo reached for a deputy’s gun after they stopped the car he was in on suspicion that he had fled the scene of a possible fight. The Sheriff’s Department claims that Arceo ignored their commands to stop and reached for the deputy’s weapon, and that the deputy fired due to fear for his life.

Arceo was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

However, Arceo’s sister, Maria Arceo, who was driving the car with Rigoberto Arceo that night, says this isn’t what happened. She claims that her brother got out of the car with his hands in the air, and did not do anything but comply with the officer’s requests.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

Police Search for Missing Girl

Louis Milman — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:41:07 +0000

(LOS ANGELES) -- Police and family are searching for a 20-year-old girl who has been missing since May 1.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Shantell Patricia Chavez-Hardy was last seen at approximately midnight on May 1 on the 22300 block of Welby Way in Topanga. Hardy's family is concerned because she is said to have the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.

Hardy is described as an African-American female with brown hair and hazel eyes. She is approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing lime green pajamas and a white t-shirt.

Anyone with information about Hardy's whereabouts is asked to call (213) 996-1800.

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LA Transit Officials Find $42.6 Million in Unpaid Reimbursements

Louis Milman — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:54:29 +0000

(LOS ANGELES) -- The Los Angeles Transportation Department found over $40 million dollars that should have been paid to the city's general fund in a 17-year period.

According to the Los Angeles Times, $42.6 million that was allocated for a number of projects between 1995 and 2011 should have been returned after federal, state, and other grants were acquired.

In 2011, the Transportation Department's grant fund had a balance of $193 million, which is approximately four times its recommended size, says the Times.

At least $1.5 million will be returned each year in reimbursements to pay off money that the city had fronted for non-salary costs for city employees.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

LAPD Searching for Child Molestation Suspect

Louis Milman — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:29:30 +0000

(LOS ANGELES) -- The Los Angeles Police Department is looking for a man who they believe engaged in illegal sexual activity with underaged females.

According to the LAPD, the suspect is 27-year-old Melvin Ramos. Ramos is believed to have engaged in a number of illicit acts with young girls.

Ramos is a Hispanic male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds. He has a scar above his left eyebrow.

Police advise anyone who may see Ramos not to approach him, but to call 911 immediately. Anyone with information regarding Ramos or his whereabouts is asked to call (213) 473-4807.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Search Continues for Three Missing Hikers in Big Bear Area

James Grebey — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:35:00 +0000

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) -- Officials continued to search on Tuesday for three hikers in the Big Bear Area who have been missing since Saturday, the Los Angeles Times reports.

David Yoder from Carlsbad, and Ryan Shankles and Miguel De La Torre both from Oceanside, left for a hike on Fish Creek Trail in the Big Bear Area on Saturday.

They were reported missing on Sunday morning.

A helicopter search of the men was called off when it got too dark on Sunday. And close to 40 San Bernardino County search and rescue personnel were looking for them on Tuesday, including horseback and dog patrols.

The friend who reported the three hikers missing said they were attempting to summit Mt. San Gorgonio during a one-day hike, and had brought limited food and water with them.

Storm Drain Discharge Threatens to Contaminate Certain Beaches

James Grebey — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:57:52 +0000

(LOS ANGELES) -- A rain advisory has been issued for all Los Angeles County beaches near storm drains, creeks, and rivers until Thursday morning, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Officials are concerned that people who are in the ocean or beach near the discharge from storm drains, creeks and rivers may be exposed to possibly contaminated debris-filled water, flushed to the sea by the recent rains.

Those who come into contact with this contaminated water may become ill. Health officials are urging residents to stay away.

“Fortunately, discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers only comprises a small portion of the beach,” said Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding in a news release. “Therefore, anybody who wants to go to the beach will be able to enjoy their outing.”