events

Crime Alerts
current area crime stats: www.lapdonline.org/crimemap
LAPD Northeast Division and Senior Lead Officers
Al Polehonki 213-793-0763--Sam Salazar 213-793-0762--Gina Chovan- 213-793-0713
Have reported the following crime trends...

In late July 2007 we received reports of home burglaries in the Franklin Hills and Silver Lake where neighbors have spotted a Black Mercedes sedan with tinted windows and 3 male occupants. Additional reports indicate others have seen such a car loitering in the area recently perhaps its occupants planning their next caper.

Also in late July 2007 we received the report below written by a resident on Vermont north of Los Feliz

"While my husband and I were at work two guys showed up at around 2 p.m. at our house. They were wearing white construction hard hats. They were driving an off white large pick up truck - possibly a Ford or Toyota truck." (The men were described as being in their late 40's one an African-American with a pock marked face, the other a white man had a short beard.)

"They told my housekeeper they had an appointment and needed to inspect the house and did not give a company name. She asked for their business card but they refused but still wanted to inspect the house. She said that the owner was not available and to come back in 15 minutes. They didn't come back.

"Our neighbors' housekeeper had the same experience on the same day except she let them into the house where they went about checking doors and general security. The owners were not there and when they found out they were quite upset.

'Obviously these people were not who they said they were and could be a danger to the neighborhood. We did not get a chance to photograph them but we are going to keep a camera at the front door in case they return. If anyone could get one - that would be helpful."

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Restaurant and bar owners, recently there has been a rash of restaurant and bar robbery take downs. The method used by suspects are, they come in two or three at a time. They prefer restaurants with alleys to the rear. They appear at closing time when employees are closing businesses and there are few customers in the restaurant.

Suspects enter OPENED back doors. They come in armed, very calm ordering employees and customers to the kitchen. One suspect is a lookout and the other suspect(s) orders everyone to remove jewelry, money, property and place on the table. Sometimes suspects go through victims personal pockets. All suspects are wear ski masks. Once suspects remove property they leave in a vehicle.

Approximately 15 robberies have taken place since March 2006 to August 2006. And 49 restaurants in total, in the past two years. The most recent occurred on the 4600 block of Hollywood Blvd. Suspects prefer restaurants/bars that are local (attempting to avoid sophisticated surveillance equipment). No definite suspect information at this time.

Halloween evening, about 9:30 PM, an alert community member observed a tagger spray painting on numerous garages in the alley that parallels St. George St. just off Rowena. A radio call was generated and the tagger was followed as he continued to tag along Rowena heading toward Ivanhoe Elementary School. Officers responded and captured the 15 year old male subject whose hands were covered with paint. The officers photographed 16 locations that had been tagged. He admitted to each one.

He was cited and will soon be working off his community service hours with Officer Colenzo painting out graffiti. This subject appears to have been working the Marshall High School area for quite some time. He is now retired. Our continued thanks to community members that share in our frustration with this type of criminal activity and go the extra step by making that call.
Just thought Id let everyone know about this one,
SLO Al Polehonki

The LAPD is asking for the public’s help in stopping a recent rash of residential burglaries in the Los Feliz and Franklin Hills areas.

Senior Lead Officer Gina Chovan reports there have been a dozen burglaries in just the last two weeks, committed during daytime hours…between 7am and 5pm. Additional police reports indicate that in some cases the thieves shut off electric power and ransacked the homes.

The current description of the suspects is “two black males between the ages of 14 and 20.” They have been seen in a “green late model Toyota,” but the police don’t have a license plate number. That’s why Northeast detectives are seeking your help. If you have seen, or do see, such a vehicle and occupants you are asked to call the LAPD’s Northeast Division 213-485-2563 with a license number and any other information such as location and more descriptive details of the car’s occupants. As always, do not approach any possible suspects, or put yourself in any dangerous situation.
POSTED 8/23/05 6:50PM

TWO TYPES OF ROBBERY TARGETING ELDERLY:

1) Elderly Distraction Burglaries have been increasing lately. Senior Lead Officer Al Polehoni reports on February 22,2005, “a 90 year old female was approached at her residence by a female white in her mid 30`s that claimed to be looking for her lost cat. While the victim was distracted, a male in his mid to late 30`s entered her residence and began to ransack the bedroom. When the victim realized what was happening, she confronted the male suspect and a struggle ensued. The victim sustained a cut on her arm but was able to flee and obtain help at a neighbors residence. " Decoys also pretend to be utility workers or other service personnel.

“Witnesses describe the suspects’ vehicle as a white full size GMC pick up truck with an unknown California license plate. It also appears that the suspects may have actually prowled around the victims property before making contact with her. Although this crime occurred in another part of our division, the suspects / vehicle may be seen again. Should anyone see a similar vehicle and suspects loitering and or / prowling around please call 911. Anyone with license plate information on full size GMC pick up trucks that are white in color can contact:
Det. Martha Ramos at (213)847-4270, Det. Escontrias at (213)485-2524 or
SLO Al Polehonki at (213)793-0763.”

Take a look at the flyer the LAPD put out last fall with 3 suspects pictures and more details.

2) Senior women leaving banks and supermarkets (Albertsons most recently) have been the target of a robbery suspect described as a 6' tall, 300lb black man who follows victims on their way home and picks a secluded spot to attack. Crimes have occurred at midday. Suspect has been seen on Commonwealth Ave.

AUTO THEFT AND THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLES:
A rash of Thefts from Motor Vehicles may have ended with the October 9th arrest of a white male/ female couple in a stolen Audi. They are believed responsible for our area's sharp increase in car break-ins, but they were helped by many of their victims who left valuables...purses, cell phones, cameras, etc...in plain view inside their cars. Checkout the LAPD flyer on how to reduce the chances of such a crime.

LAPD's Northeast Division also has some help on making your whole vehicle harder to steal. They have theft deterring clubs available to the public. For details click here for the LAPD flyer.

$50,000 REWARD FOR THE HYPERION BRIDGE RAPIST:
The suspect is still eluding capture after several attacks, many on area students heading to school. Councilmember Tom LaBonge through the GGPNC has financed a surveillance camera on the Hyperion Avenue Bridge to help in the hunt. For the suspect's sketch and more details click here.

FRANKLIN HILLS HOME BREAK-INS
An FHRA member reports there were homes broken into the week of July 19, 2004, on Monday, Tuesday and Friday in the area around DeLongpre and Mayview. All the break-ins were during daylight hours and the suspect is described by one of the victims as being: “about 20, Latino, with a mustache and possibly a long ponytail. He wears a hooded sweatshirt in the warm PM, and is very bold. He will probably continue to hit our neighborhood until he's caught.”

It is also reported that he has stolen items such as CD’s a calculator, water from a refrigerator, but has passed up more valuable items in plain view. He has broken in by forcing open gates, breaking windows etc. The crimes have been reported to the LAPD.

If you actually see a potential crime in progress call 911.
If you have less urgent info call the LAPD’s Northeast station at 213-485-2563,
or our Senior Lead Officer, Al Polehonki at 213-793-0763

Keep your eyes and ears open and your gates, windows and doors securely closed and locked and we’ll all be safer. If you'd like to form or join a Neighborhood Watch group email: FHRA@FranklinHills.org

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