Category: Theft Crimes
Over the past year, the number of inmates in California’s jails and prisons has decreased by about 13,000, largely due to the enactment of Proposition 47. Also known as the Safe Neighborhood and Schools Act, Prop 47 is expected to enrich California state coffers by more than $150 million this fiscal year thanks to reduced prison and jail overcrowding. In November 2014, Californians overwhelmingly passed Prop 47 with the intent of ending long sentences for minor offenses such as drug possession and petty property crimes. Implementation of the new law has proven challenging, however, with some public officials and law enforcement agencies reportedly opposing… Read More
During the first months of 2015, crime in Los Angeles has rapidly increased, with robberies up 19% and felony assaults up 26%. The change is alarming, but the reasons are not surprising. In the view of criminologists, the explanation is simple—sometimes trends take hold despite of what the police force is doing. Some criminologists observe, more specifically, that violent crime in cities like L.A. may have dropped so deeply in recent years that the numbers have nowhere to go but up. It is also possible that the rise can be partly attributed to the L.A. Police Department’s crime numbers being more accurately reported.… Read More
Ahh, technology, the reason we’re cool in summer, connected to long lost crushes on Facebook and….hey, where’s my stuff? Thieves in California are turning to technology to steal the items you’ve secured in your car – and sometimes even the car itself, according to recent reports and warnings from the LAPD. How Thieves Break into Cars The electronic key fob that allows you to unlock your vehicle from afar also makes it easy for tech savvy thieves to gain access to your car, according to the LAPD. An inexpensive device called a power amplifier may be to blame for many… Read More
According to KABC-TV, five men believed to be connected with a string of smash-and-grab robberies in the jewelry district of Los Angeles were recently arrested. The arrest occurred after a merchant alerted authorities to a silver Cadillac that was circling the area. When the vehicle was stopped by police, they discovered gloves, a hammer, a pillow case, and a canister of pepper spray. Police also reported that all of the suspects were wearing hooded sweatshirts, even though it was hot. The article reports that the five men, three minors and two adults, were arrested without confrontation. The two adults were… Read More
A violent robbery occurred at the Port of Los Angeles on Sunday, November 28. Investigators believe the robbery was conducted by an organized gang, reports The Los Angeles Times. Allegedly, the incident began when a man posed as a lost driver and then asked a security guard for directions outside a cargo depot. The guard stepped outside his security booth, and two men reportedly struck him in the face. They then allegedly bound and gagged the security guard and another employee in an office. The employees were warned the men were armed and dangerous. Then, several big rigs pulled into… Read More
According to KCAL 9, Los Angeles’ local CBS News affiliate, a computer believed to contain the names, Social Security numbers, and grades of multiple Cal State students was stolen from Cal State’s Los Angeles campus. The theft occurred on February 22, 2010. The computer, which was stolen from the math department, may contain the personal information of 232 students enrolled in various mathematics courses at CSULA between 1999 and 2005. Although there is currently no evidence that the information has been used in any identity theft in Los Angeles, CSULA officials are warning students to be aware of the possibility.… Read More
Police may have caught a break in a string of robberies that have recently occurred in West Los Angeles. According to a Los Angeles Times article, four suspects were observed driving a white Toyota Sienna around the robbery area late at night. Allegedly, the suspects fled on foot from a gas station once they were approached by police, who attempted to follow and locate the above mentioned vehicle for the better part of an hour. Reportedly, one of the suspects, after brandishing a weapon, was shot in the leg and then apprehended by police officers. A second suspect was taken… Read More
According to ktla.com, two suspects were recently arrested and are being investigated for the theft of catalytic converters from cars and trucks in the Los Angeles area over the last several months. Supposedly, the suspects were seen by officers removing the car part from a parked car on the University of Southern California campus, and were detained for questioning and further investigation as to whether or not they are responsible for the 60-plus incidences to-date involving the stolen piece. The parts are deemed desirable amongst thieves for the precious metal they contain, creating the opportunity to easily sell such an… Read More
According to latimesblogs.latimes.com, a shooting occurred outside of a marijuana dispensary in West Los Angeles. Two people were seriously injured, and were taken to local area hospitals where they are in critical and serious conditions. Police investigating the matter believe that the shooting was an attempted robbery. Los Angeles police officials cited an increase in crime levels occurring around marijuana dispensaries. Although marijuana is legal for medical purposes, the very fact that it is illegal otherwise can cause for some complicated matters pertaining to the law. Marijuana users that need the drug for medicinal purposes might be subject to investigation,… Read More
According to an article posted on howstuffworks.com, law enforcement officers rely on a variety of tactics and devices to reasonably determine whether or not a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Some of the most effective methods of this determination involve devices used to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. Breathalyzers, Intoxilyzers, and Alcosensor III or IV are the three major devices that are used to determine BAC levels. Breathalyzers are the most commonly talked about type of test. This type of test relies on a chemical reaction involving alcohol to determine whether or not a person… Read More
