Latest news with #L.A.CountySheriff'sDepartment
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Sheriff's deputies flee moving truck as man hijacks department vehicle in downtown L.A.
A man carjacked an L.A. County Sheriff's Department bucket truck early Wednesday morning while a sheriff's deputy was precariously positioned high above the ground in the bucket, authorities said. The suspect conducted a hostile takeover of a 2011 White Ford F550 utility bucket truck on the corner of Spring and Temple streets at 5:40 a.m. while two deputies were in the vehicle, according to a department bulletin. Authorities are now searching for the suspect and the stolen vehicle, which has the deputies' personal and county-issued cellphones inside, the bulletin stated. A bucket truck, also known as a cherry picker, is a vehicle equipped with a hydraulic lift system and an extendable arm that ends in a bucket where a person can stand. It's used to lift workers to hard-to-reach areas. Two undercover deputies were using the truck to remove concealed cameras when a man believed to be in his 20s jumped into the vehicle, said he had to go to the hospital and began to drive away, law enforcement sources told The Times. Read more: Man 'turns into a beast,' holds woman captive for two years, prosecutor says. He gets 394 years in prison When the carjacking took place, one of the deputies was suspended in the bucket. The other deputy, seated in the passenger area, realized his colleague was in danger and was able to lower the bucket to the ground, allowing his partner to jump from the truck. The second deputy then also jumped from the truck, according to law enforcement sources. The Sheriff's Department is looking for the stolen truck and the suspect, who was described as a Black male, 6 feet, 2 inches tall,180 pounds and with a shaven head. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, according to the department's bulletin. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Sheriff's deputies flee moving truck as man hijacks department vehicle in downtown L.A.
A man carjacked an L.A. County Sheriff's Department bucket truck early Wednesday morning while a sheriff's deputy was precariously positioned high above the ground in the bucket, authorities said. The suspect conducted a hostile takeover of a 2011 White Ford F550 utility bucket truck on the corner of Spring and Temple streets at 5:40 a.m. while two deputies were in the vehicle, according to a department bulletin. Authorities are now searching for the suspect and the stolen vehicle, which has the deputies' personal and county-issued cellphones inside, the bulletin stated. A bucket truck, also known as a cherry picker, is a vehicle equipped with a hydraulic lift system and an extendable arm that ends in a bucket where a person can stand. It's used to lift workers to hard-to-reach areas. Two undercover deputies were using the truck to remove concealed cameras when a man believed to be in his 20s jumped into the vehicle, said he had to go to the hospital and began to drive away, law enforcement sources told The Times. When the carjacking took place, one of the deputies was suspended in the bucket. The other deputy, seated in the passenger area, realized his colleague was in danger and was able to lower the bucket to the ground, allowing his partner to jump from the truck. The second deputy then also jumped from the truck, according to law enforcement sources. The Sheriff's Department is looking for the stolen truck and the suspect, who was described as a Black male, 6 feet, 2 inches tall,180 pounds and with a shaven head. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, according to the department's bulletin.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Distraction scam' targeting elderly residents; La Mirada family out $50,000 worth of valuables
The Brief Allison Kim's 78-year-old mother was distracted by a woman while two others burglarized her home, stealing $50,000 worth of valuables. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is investigating similar distraction scams targeting seniors across Southern California. The LASD Industry Station is advising the public on safety measures to prevent such burglaries. LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - It happened in a matter of minutes and in broad daylight. Allison Kim says her 78-year-old mother was gardening outside her La Mirada home when a woman, caught on security camera, walked up and began asking questions, keeping her distracted. Meanwhile, two other women quietly slipped through a side gate and into the house. "They were very good. They were very organized," Kim said. "They knew where to go, they knew what to take. They knew how to hide it. They knew what was valuable, what wasn't valuable. They took all the right stuff." Kim says the women made off with high-end purses like Louis Vuitton and Chanel, expensive jewelry, and cash—totaling around $50,000. One of the suspects even concealed the stolen items under her dress to appear pregnant. "It was awful," Kim said. "The violation that you feel…" Investigators say this is part of a larger trend: distraction scams targeting vulnerable seniors. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating several similar burglaries across Southern California. "They normally come between the hours of eleven and three," said a deputy during a recent community meeting. "Usually four or five women. One distracts you out front while the others go around the back." In response, the LASD Industry Station has been holding outreach meetings and posting videos on social media to alert the public. They've also issued these community safety tips: Keep all doors and windows locked at all times. Don't open the door for strangers. Use a doorbell camera when dealing with unknown visitors. Never let unfamiliar people into your home. Report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately. Allison is now urging others to protect elderly neighbors. "Just look out for your neighbors," she said. "There's a lot of elderly people that don't have anyone checking on them." Because, as Allison puts it, what happened to her mother could happen to anyone. A GoFundMe page has since been launched for Allison and her mom. Those looking to help can click here.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Overturned Castaic Lake paddleboarder identified but still missing
Authorities have identified a paddleboarder who overturned amid strong winds on Castaic Lake Sunday afternoon, prompting an ongoing search. Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the 32000 block of Castaic Lake Drive after receiving reports that a man and a woman had flipped over in the lake's lower lagoon area. The woman, who was wearing a life jacket, was quickly pulled out of the water to safety, but her companion was not seen after the incident. He was identified as 61-year-old Espiridion Philip 'Speedy' Camez by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department on Monday. Camez was described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 210 pounds. He has hazel eyes and was last seen wearing a black tank top, blue shorts and white water shoes. Footage of the incident posted to the Citizen App showed onlookers, as well as first responders, scanning the lake as rescue crews conducted their search on Sunday. A Sheriff's Department helicopter was also circling the lake, looking for signs of the missing man. Officials on Monday said that the call initially came out as a missing kayaker, but investigators discovered it was a paddleboarder after arriving at the scene. The Sheriff's Department also confirmed Monday that Camez remained missing. Anyone with further information was encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Department's Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson Under Criminal Investigation for Sexual Assault Following $50 Million Lawsuit
Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation for sexual assault after three women filed police reports on May 9 in Los Angeles County. The special victims' unit of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department were in the early stages of the investigation as of Thursday, TheWrap has learned. The criminal probe followed a $50 million lawsuit against the music industry legend and his wife Frances Gladney filed May 5 by four former employees claiming sexual battery and assault. 'We are pleased to learn that the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. has opened a criminal investigation into our clients' claims of sexual assault against Smokey Robinson,' attorneys John Harris and Herbert Hayden said in a statement to TheWrap. 'Our clients intend to fully cooperate with LASD's ongoing investigation in the pursuit of seeking justice for themselves and others that may have been similarly assaulted by him.' Robinson's attorney told TheWrap, 'We welcome that investigation, which involves Plaintiffs who continue to hide their identities, because exposure to the truth is a powerful thing. We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong, and that this is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a media circus than the Plaintiffs were previously able to create. The record will ultimately demonstrate that this is nothing more than a manufactured lawsuit intended to tarnish the good names of Smokey and Frances Robinson, for no other reason than unadulterated avarice.' Responding to the allegations found within the lawsuit last week, Robinson and Gladney's attorney Christopher Frost said the effort was 'an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon.' 'We ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold,' he said. 'We will be asking the Court to dismiss the lawsuit.' The first Jane Doe in the lawsuit stated that she started working for the Robinsons as their housekeeper at their Chatsworth home from Jan. 3, 2023 to February 2024, and was forced to resign after Smokey's repeated sexual assaults and sexual harassment against her. The joint lawsuit also alleges sexual battery, assault, fostering a hostile work environment, false imprisonment and gender violence. The R&B legend is known for his time fronting the Motown group The Miracles, and for penning hits for other artists, including 'My Girl' for 'The Temptations.' TMZ first reported the news of the criminal investigation. The post Smokey Robinson Under Criminal Investigation for Sexual Assault Following $50 Million Lawsuit appeared first on TheWrap.
