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Community Directory - Articles |
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| LAPD Update - September Newsletter |
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by
LAPD
Officer
Catalano
Over the
last few
weeks,
we have
experienced
some
crime
trends
new to
our
area.
Numerous
community
members
discovered
their
vehicle
sitting
on
cement
blocks
with the
tires
and rims
missing
as they
approached
it. All
the
vehicles
involved
were
high-end
models,
mostly
consisting
of BMW’s
and
Mercedes
Benz.
Surprisingly,
the
majority
of
vehicles
were
parked
in
secured
underground
parking
structures.
It was
quickly
determined
that the
problem
was not
just
limited
to North
Hollywood,
but was
citywide.
At some
locations,
we were
able to
obtain
incredible
video
from
various
security
cameras.
The
surveillance
video
provided
crystal
clear
images
of the
suspects
as well
as the
vehicles
involved
in this
elaborate
theft
ring.
Some of
the same
suspects
and
vehicles
were
discovered
on
surveillance
video in
crimes
spanning
from the
San
Fernando
Valley
to the
Venice
Beach
area.
As a
result
of the
number
of
incidents
and the
knowledge
we now
have of
the
vehicles
used,
officers
everywhere
were
looking
for
these
suspects.
As I was
addressing
this
very
issue to
a
Neighborhood
Watch
Group,
who days
prior
had four
residents
victimized,
LAPD
Officers
observed
one of
the
vehicles
and
conducted
a
traffic
stop.
Numerous
cement
blocks
were
discovered
inside
the
vehicle,
and the
occupants
were
detained.
Since
most
people
don’t
regularly
drive
while
carrying
cement
blocks
loaded
in their
vehicle,
we, the
police,
consider
this a
CLUE.
The
suspects
admitted
to the
crimes,
and the
detectives
were
able to
make
multiple
arrests.
The
follow-up
investigation
resulted
in the
recovery
of over
200 sets
of tires
and rims
from
various
locations.
The
suspects
worked
for
someone
who paid
them
$200.00
for each
set they
delivered.
The
stolen
property
was then
sold on
various
internet
sites
for
thousands
more.
We are
currently
working
on
identifying
the
property
and
returning
it to
the
numerous
victims.
The
court
case is
still
pending.
Any
questions,
comments
or
concerns
should
be
forwarded
to
Officer
Catalano
at
32740@lapd.lacity.org
If you
would
like to
receive
crime
statistics,
crime
updates
and
newsletters
via
e-mail,
sign up
at
www.lapdepolicing.org
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