On Jan. 27, 2010, at about 1:00 a.m., LAPD Van Nuys Division officers were dispatched to the 14400 block of Sherman Way where a 45-year-old man was robbed of his wallet and shot. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics also responded to the incident and transported the victim to a local hospital where his condition was listed as extremely critical.

The suspects were seen entering a silver Hummer H3 and were last seen northbound on Van Nuys Boulevard.  Both suspects are described as male, Hispanic, 5'5"-6' tall, 148-180 pounds and are in their mid 20's to mid 30's wearing dark clothing.  Both suspects were armed with handguns.

The suspects from the above shooting were also involved in another shooting that occurred earlier that same morning in the 12500 block of Vanowen Street and a robbery that occurred in the 14300 block of Vanowen Street. Neither of those victims was injured.

Images of the suspect were captured by surveillance cameras within the clinic and are available at www.lapdtv.org.

Anyone with information about this robbery is urged to call Van Nuys Division detectives at 818-374-0086.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

When the officers arrived they were confronted by a 35 year-old male, who had in his hands pieces of bricks and threatened to throw them at the officers.  At one point, the male jumped on top of a police car with the bricks in his hands.  Officer Ruiz drew his TASER and warned the man that he would be tazed if he did not stop and submit to arrest.  Officer Ruiz fired his TASER at the man.  The man pulled the darts out and continued to run with the bricks.

Police Officers II Ismael Chaparro, and his partner responded to assist Officer Ruiz, and his partner after a request was made for a non lethal beanbag shotgun.  Officer Chaparro retrieved a beanbag shotgun from his vehicle.  Officer Chaparro chambered a round and gave a verbal warning to the man that he would be shot if he did not stop his actions.  The man refused to comply with the officers’ commands and continued to run around with the bricks.  Officer Chaparro shot him with the beanbag which brought him to the ground.  He was taken into custody and transported to Los Angeles County Hospital by Rescue Ambulance for medical treatment.  He was subsequently transferred to the Psychiatric Ward for additional treatment.

Force Investigation Division personnel responded and are investigating the use of force.

At around midnight, while in the area of Florence and Central Avenue, Officers Ontiveros and his partner heard numerous gunshots.  The officers proceeded to the area where they believed the gunfire had originated and while traveling west on 71st Street from Hooper Avenue they saw an individual, later identified as Antonio Razo Jr., 29 years of age, walking north across the street holding a blue steel semi-automatic pistol in his right hand.  Officers watched as Razo entered the front yard of a residence located in the 1200 block of East 71st Street via a hole in the wrought iron fence.  Ontiveros’ partner stopped the police vehicle along the curb, at this time Razo pointed a pistol at the officers.  An officer-involved shooting occurred.  Razo ran on foot and a perimeter was established.  Razo was later apprehended in the area of 1219 East 71st Street.  The pistol used by Razo was not recovered.     

The suspect was booked at Jail Division, Metropolitan Jail Section, for 245(d)(2) PC (Assault with a Deadly Weapon/Semiautomatic Pistol on a Peace Officer).  The suspect was not injured during the officer-involved shooting. 

Force Investigation Division personnel are investigating the crime against the officers and the officer-involved shooting.

VIOLENT CRIMES                  2010**           2009**          % Chg

Homicide                                18*                 33           -45.5%
Rape                                       57                  70           -18.6%
Robbery                                 955               1144          -16.5%
Agg Assaults **                       746                898          -16.9%
Total Violent Crimes             1776              2145          -17.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                 1385             1532            -9.6%
BTFV                                     2299             2598           -11.5%
Personal/Other Theft             1912             2343           -18.4%
Auto Theft                             1426             1541            -7.5%
Total Property Crimes          7022           8014          -12.4%
Total Part I Crimes               8798         10159          -13.4%

* Numbers reflects a change in reclassification for Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) guidelines and numbers are adjusted accordingly.

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

During the search, police officer I Alexander Tan, one year and two months with the Department, unintentionally discharged one round from his service pistol.

No suspect(s) or victims(s) were located during the search, and there were no injuries as a result of the unintended discharge.

Force Investigation Division personnel are investigating this incident. 

North Hollywood Area Detectives are investigating the crime related to the victim's injuries.  The suspect in this case has not been identified and remains at large.

On January 29, 2010, at about 7 a.m., the suspect approached the victim from behind and grabbed her buttocks.  The suspect then forcibly moved the victim to a nearby shrubbery area and attempted to lay himself on top of the victim but she fought him off.  The victim was able to scream for help which caused the suspect to flee northbound Mansfield Avenue to near Roseland Street.  

The suspect was described as a male Black in his 30's.  He stands about 6 feet tall and weighs about 180 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.
 
The victim was taken to a local hospital where she was treated for minor injuries and released.  
 
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call LAPD's Southwest Division, Sexual Assault Detectives at 213-485-6797.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD."  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

The crime was captured on video.  The video observed a woman walking in the 4800 block of Melrose Avenue about 9:10 p.m. when a suspect later identified as 22-year-old David Victor Thomas, approached her from behind and shot her with a stun gun to the back of her neck.  The suspect then pulled the victim to the ground and attempted to take her purse.  A group of witnesses chased after Thomas and held him until the police arrived.

The victim left the location before the police arrived to interview her.  Detectives believe she suffered burn injuries to her neck.  The victim is described as Hispanic with long hair.  She stands between 5 feet 1 inch and 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs between 130 and 150 pounds.  She's between 17 and 25 years of age and was last seen wearing a white zippered jacket or sweater and blue jeans.  The victim may live in the area and speak only Spanish.

Anyone with information about this attempted robbery is urged to call Hollywood Division detectives at 213-972-2945 or 213-972-2944.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

On January 29, 2010, at about 1:40 PM, a sexual assault suspect entered a residence in the 100 block of South Van Ness Avenue by scaling a wall, climbing onto a garage roof, and gaining access to a balcony where he forced entry through a window.  Once inside the suspect attempted to rape a 56-year-old woman working there.  The woman was able to fight off her attacker and he escaped the same way he entered.

An immediate and intense manhunt was launched by the LAPD that included a Canine search, response from Forensic Criminalists, door to door and electronic notifications to area residents.  Officers from the Olympic Area Police station led the investigation and it was two of their officers who saw a man fitting the description of the suspect near 8th Street and Gramercy the following day.

On January 30, 2010, at around 2 PM Olympic Area Patrol Officers detained the suspect based on his physical description and subsequently arrested him for Attempt Rape and Burglary.  He has been identified as 19-year-old John Christopher Munoz of Hollywood.  Munoz is being held at Parker Center Jail on $375,000 bail.

Detectives believe there may be other victims and are asking that anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Munoz to please call Operations West Bureau Sexual Assault Detail  Detectives A. Mercado or L. Nunez at 213-473-0447.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

On January 30, 2010, at around 7:00 a.m., officers from Wilshire Division responded to a radio call of a burglary that had just occurred in the 800 block of North Laurel Avenue.  Comments of the call stated that the resident was detaining the suspect.  Prior to the officers arrival however, the suspect ran from the scene.  In his haste to escape, the suspect left behind evidence that identified him as the named serial burglar, Dante Hoskins. 

Familiar with crime trends and wanted suspects in their area, the responding officers recognized Hoskins as the same suspect who was arrested in December 2009, for numerous residential burglaries.  Part of Hoskins method of operation was that he targeted houses located north of Melrose Avenue near Fairfax Avenue and that he used the same tactics to commit his crimes.

The investigation led officers to Hoskins' home in LAPD's Southwest Division.  When they arrived, Hoskins was walking out of his house and when he saw the officers approaching, he quickly ran away.  During an extensive search for Hoskins, personnel from the Metropolitan K-9 Unit found Hoskins hiding nearby. 

Dante Hoskins, a 39-year-old resident of Los Angeles was arrested and charged for residential burglary.  His bail was set at $75,000.00.

The Los Angeles Police Department, Wilshire Burglary Detectives are requesting that anyone with information about these crimes contact them at 213-473-0557.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.