Van Nuys News Press » Police News

Investment Broker Charged In Rash Of Smashed Windows

Joanne Lewis — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 04:45:40 +0000

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A 58-year-old investment broker has been charged with smashing more than 75 windows in businesses and homes in Beverly Hills and along Ventura Boulevard over a six-month period, the

The slingshot, pictured above, is the chosen weapon of Bart Simpson, David of “David and Goliath” fame, and Michael Poret, Beverly Hills investment broker turned unlikely vandal.

District Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday, September 20. Michael Steven Poret was notified to appear for arraignment on September 28 in Beverly Hills Superior Court, Department 1, said Deputy District Attorney Annemarie Acosta, who filed the case on Tuesday.

The Encino resident is charged with 12 total counts, including six felony counts of vandalism over $400 in damage between Jan. 27 and July 3, five counts of possession of an array of weapons and one felony count of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine. Poret, who works for an investment bank in Beverly Hills, was first arrested July 3 by Beverly Hills police officers after he allegedly vandalized a home for the second time. He was arrested again on July 12 by LAPD officers, Acosta said. He is suspected of using a sling shot to fire metal projectiles through dozens of windows in Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley, causing damage estimated between $65,000 to more than $125,000. Prosecutors will ask that his bail be set at $360,000 when he is arraigned. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years, eight months to be served in county jail.

Joanne Lewis

Owner Of Granada Hills Driving School Charged With Molesting A Minor

Joanne Lewis — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 05:37:02 +0000

Granada Hills, CA — Devonshire Area Detectives have released the name and photograph (right) of the owner of Valleywide Driving School in Granada Hills after the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office charged him with misdemeanor sexual battery of a juvenile. Detectives fear there may be more victims. On August 20, 2012, detectives began an

Joselite Valencia Molesting a Minor

investigation concerning a 17-year-old who was allegedly molested. The victim reported that on August 16, 2012, during a driver’s training lesson with an instructor at Valleywide Driving School, the instructor, later identified as 44-yearold Joselito Valencia Danan, sexually molested the victim through inappropriate touching. Detectives are asking for anyone with information about this incident or who may have been a victim of Danan to cont

act Devonshire Area Detectives Solomon or Dingman at 818-832-0609. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800- 222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

Joanne Lewis

Native American Artifacts Stolen from a Car in Van Nuys

Joanne Lewis — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:09:02 +0000

Caretaker of the items asks for their return, promises forgiveness
VAN NUYS, CA — On the morning of Friday, August 3, a package containing a white dress and jewelry of traditional Plains Indian heritage was stolen from a car at 16707 Gault Street in Van Nuys. Diane Petersen, caretaker of the items, is asking for the return of the worn box containing the treasures. She is asking whoever took the items to return them to St. Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church, 16711 Gault Street in Van Nuys. She says “This is very serious. You have stolen from the poor. For the Plains People this is the same as stealing a Priest’s vestments. I forgive you. Please return the parcel intact.” The LAPD is aware of the situation and has photographs of the items. A reward is being offered.
The white dress contained in the package is a traditional garment that was prayerfully made to keep the memory of Native American people alive in the world, as well as to engender even deeper respect of those from the Gathering of Native Nations to remember their roots. It was en route to its destination at the time of the theft.
The dress was commissioned from Red Cloud School. The best seamstress of Pine Ridge Reservation worked on the museum piece for one full year, eight hours a day in a place with no running water. According to Petersen, “It is sacred to the people of the Pine Ridge Reservation, and few would understand in significance as a lasting symbol of the Original People that many in governments would rather erase from the annals of history. To the honor of the People this work was made to keep their memory alive in the world, as well as to engender even deeper respect of those from the Indian Nations to remember their roots… it is emblematic of the Plains People’s remembrance upon this earth.”
If you have any information about this dress and other treasures enclosed with it, please call St. Bridget’s Church at (818) 782-7180 or call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

Joanne Lewis

Warrants Served/Arrest Made at Medical Marijuana Dispensary In San Fernando Valley

George Thomas — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:15:27 +0000

San Fernando Valley, CA — Detectives from Topanga Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail (NED) served search warrants at a medical marijuana dispensary and at a private residence in the west San Fernando Valley, resulting in one arrest and a cache of narcotics, money, and other evidence of illegal drug sales. On Wednesday, July 11, 2012, around 2:00 p.m., Topanga Area detectives met at a commercial marijuana dispensary in the 21600 block of Ventura Boulevard and at a home in the 7700 block of Tampa Avenue to serve numerous search warrants. The warrants were obtained after an extensive investigation into the illegal sales of marijuana from the dispensary on Ventura Boulevard.

One Los Angeles resident, 31-year-old Corey Plank, was arrested for Possession for Sales of Marijuana and booked at Valley Jail Section. He is being held on $30,000, bail. Additionally, investigators will be seeking arrest warrants through the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for three additional suspects who were not present when the search warrants were served. Investigators recovered approximately $10,000, in cash from the dispensary and the residence. At the dispensary, investigators recovered approximately 22 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $66,000.

Recovered from the residence was a large quantity of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) steroids and 120 Oxycodone pills, commonly sold on the street for $30 each. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Topanga Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail Detectives, Detective Carlos Figueira at 818-756-4850. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers. (www.lapdonline.com)

George Thomas

USC Murder Suspects Arrested

George Thomas — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:24:41 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles Police Department Criminal Gang Homicide Division detectives arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of USC students.
On Friday afternoon around 4:30 p.m., LAPD detectives arrested two men responsible for the killing of USC graduate students Ming Qu and Ying Wu, who were gunned down in their vehicle in the early morning hour of April 11, 2012. Armed with arrest and search warrants, investigators from the LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide Division teamed up with federal agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as they moved in on two locations where the murder suspects were living.
The arrest teams descended upon a residence in the County of Los Angeles south of the USC campus around 4:30 p.m. Investigators and agents surrounded the residence and soon took the first of two suspects into custody without incident. Now in custody and under arrest for the murder of Ming Qu and Ying Wu, was 20 year-old Bryan Barnes of Los Angeles.
Barnes was arrested and transported downtown where he was ultimately booked for 187 PC, Murder.
Immediately following Barnes’ arrest, the arrest teams boarded two awaiting helicopters and flew out to the City of Palmdale, where the second location was under surveillance by additional members from LAPD. The teams hit the ground around 7:30 p.m. and soon, surrounded and called out the second of the two murder suspects, Javier Bolden, a 19 year-old resident of Palmdale. Bolden was taken into custody without incident and transported back to Los Angeles where he too was booked for murder. Bolden and Barnes were booked into the 77th Street Jail where they will be held without bail.
Like many homicide cases this was one that had the full attention of the Los Angeles Police Department. “I am proud of my investigators who worked tirelessly on this case” said Chief Charlie Beck. “This was a case that reverberated throughout Los Angeles as well as internationally; this was a case that needed to be solved”.
The investigation will continue as investigators prepare the case to be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for filing. We are ever grateful to our federal partners who provided their support as we moved forward with this investigation. The Los Angeles Police Department will continue to work with the University of Southern California in a cooperative effort to strive for public safety in and around the campus and throughout the community.
Anyone with information is asked to call Criminal Gang/Homicide Division, Detective Dave Garrido 213-485-1383. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.

George Thomas

City Of Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Employee Arrested

daryl — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:27:42 +0000

A City employee and a City resident were both arrested after a lengthy investigation into gasoline thefts from City fueling facilities. In April 2012 Southeast Detectives received information that someone was stealing gasoline from City fueling facilities and the suspect was possibly a Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks employee. Surveillance was set up on fuel stations at Southeast and 77th Street Area Community Police Stations and a Department of Transportation fueling site.

After many hours of surveillance two suspects were identified. On May 21, 2012, 46-year-old Michael Anthony Lee, a 12-year veteran of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, assigned to Algin Sutton Recreation Center, and an accomplice, 47-year-old Shane Anthony Gansterer, a resident of Los Angeles, were arrested by Southeast Detectives. Lee was booked for Embezzlement and is being held on $50,000 bail. Gansterer was booked for Receiving Stolen Property and is being held on $20,000 bail. Lee was reportedly on duty when the thefts occurred. He is believed responsible for stealing more than 800 gallons of gasoline over a three month period of time.

daryl

Hit and Run Driver Leaves Victim in Grave Condition

daryl — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:08:19 +0000

Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in finding the driver responsible for a hit-and-run that injured a 44-year-old man, a Los Angeles resident. On May 8, 2012, around 6:25 p.m., the victim driving a 1992 Toyota Tercel made a left turn from southbound Densmore Avenue to eastbound Victory Boulevard when a Ford Ranger traveling westbound Victory Boulevard collided with the driver’s side door of the Toyota Tercel. Due to the forces of the impact, the Ford Ranger overturned landing on its wheels and causing damage to the front and shattering its windshield.

The driver of the Ford Ranger left the scene, failed to stop and render aid or identify himself. The victim is in grave condition and attempts are being made to locate relatives who reside out of the country. The driver of the car is described as a male White, late 50’s. The car is described as an early 2000’s Ford Ranger and dark in color. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8000. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877- 527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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 www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”

daryl

Man Arrested For Hate Crime & Assault

daryl — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:13:33 +0000

Los Angeles, CA — A 19-year-old Hispanic man was arrested Monday night after making derogatory statements to three African-Americans walking down the street, and for pointing a shotgun at them. On March 26, 2012, around 6 p.m, Northeast Area Gang Officers responded to a radio call of an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Hate Crime” at Drew Street and Estara Avenue. Three people walking in the 3100 block of Estara Avenue, (an adult male Black, an adult female Black and her adolescent son), became victims of a hate crime when the suspect, Ivan Alquicira, standing on a nearby apartment balcony began yelling racial epithets and making derogatory comments to them. Alquicira then pointed a shotgun at the group and demanded that they leave the neighborhood.

The victims began running in fear for their lives as Alquicira chased after them. Responding officers surrounded the apartment complex that Alquicira went back inside of and refused to come out. Around 7:30 p.m. Alquicira surrendered to police without incident. The shotgun believed used in the assault on the victims, and an additional weapon and ammunition, were recovered from Alquicira’s residence. Alquicira was arrested and booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a Firearm and is being held on $540,000 bail. On March 27, 2012, the Los AngelesDistrict Attorney filed three counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a Firearm, two counts of Terrorist Threats, including enhancements for Hate Crimes, Gang, and Firearms. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Northeast Area Detectives, Detective S. Aguilar at 213-344-5731. Anonymous tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org by clicking on “webtips” and following the prompts.

daryl

Armenian Power Member and Three Other Armenians Convicted in Identity Theft Ring

John Chernesky — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:10:46 +0000

After a five week trial, four defendants have been convicted for their roles in one of the largest bank fraud and identity theft schemes in California history, with dozens of victims in four states and millions of dollars in losses.

The convictions were announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte, Jr. of the Central District of California; Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office Steven Martinez; and Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Joseph Beaty.

Arman Sharopetrosian, Karen Markosian, Artush Margaryan, and Kristine Ogandzhanyan were found guilty of conspiring to commit bank fraud, attempted bank fraud, and various counts of aggravated identity theft. Sharopetrosian, Markosian, and Ogandzhanyan waived a jury trial and consented to trial by the judge, and Margaryan proceeded with a jury trial.

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter found Ogandzhanyan, 28, of Burbank, California, guilty of one count of bank fraud conspiracy, two counts of attempted bank fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft. On March 16, 2012, the judge found Sharopetrosian, 33, of Burbank, guilty of one count of bank fraud conspiracy, four counts of bank fraud, and seven counts of aggravated identify theft. On March 16, 2012, the judge also found Markosian, 39, of Glendale, California, guilty of one count of bank fraud conspiracy, one count of attempted bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. A jury convicted the fourth defendant, Artush Margaryan, 28, of Van Nuys, California, on March 16, 2012 of one count of bank fraud conspiracy, one count of attempted bank fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.

Evidence was presented at trial that Sharopetrosian is a member of the Armenian Power organized crime group, and Margaryan, Markosian, and Ogandzhanyan are Armenian Power associates.

According to evidence presented at trial, Sharopetrosian directed the massive fraud scheme along with co-defendant Angus Brown while the two were incarcerated at Avenal State Prison. Using cellular telephones that were smuggled into the prison, Sharopetrosian and Brown worked from behind bars to coordinate with others, including Ogandzhanyn, Markosian, and Margaryan, to obtain confidential bank profile information and steal money from victim account holders. Often targeting high-value bank accounts, the defendants used account holders’ personal identifying information—including names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth—to impersonate victims in phone calls to the bank. The defendants gathered account information, transferred funds between victims’ accounts, and placed unauthorized check orders for the accounts. They then stole the checks, obtained the victims’ signatures from public documents, and paid conspirators to cash the forged checks. Over the course of the six-year conspiracy, the defendants and their co-conspirators caused more than $10 million dollars in losses to victims in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas.

“These defendants, including two individuals who were operating from a prison cell, perpetrated a massive fraudulent scheme on behalf of a dangerous criminal enterprise,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. “As members and associates of Armenian Power, they stole sensitive personal and financial information from innocent consumers and caused millions of dollars in losses. Whether organized criminal groups traffic in drugs, commit financial fraud or wreak other havoc to keep themselves going, they must be stopped. We are doing everything possible to shut down dangerous gangs like Armenian Power.”

“The safety and sanctity of confidential financial information is paramount in today’s society,” said U.S. Attorney Birotte. “Identity theft is a fundamental invasion of consumer privacy that cannot be tolerated. These convictions demonstrate that violators, whoever and wherever they may be, will be caught and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the federal law.”

“The defendants were convicted in a trial that uncovered a sophisticated and lengthy scheme that targeted victims in multiple states and included disturbing details, such as orders made from within prison walls and assistance from bank insiders enlisted by the defendants,” said FBI Assistant Director Martinez. “This case is also indicative of the growing trend of gang or organized crime-affiliated groups now engaging in identity theft and other financial crimes in furtherance of their enterprise.”

These defendants are four of 20 defendants who were charged with operating the bank fraud and identity theft scheme in one of a series of federal indictments unsealed on February 16, 2011. The indictments allege various federal crimes against members and associates of the Armenian Power criminal organization. To date, 19 of the 20 defendants charged in the bank fraud indictment have been convicted, including Brown. One defendant, Faye Bell, was arrested earlier this year and is still awaiting trial.

Sharopetrosian, Margaryan, Markosian, and Ogandzhanyan face maximum sentences of 30 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud, 30 years for each count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and additional mandatory two year sentences for each count of aggravated identity theft.

Sentencing for all four defendants is scheduled for August 6, 2012 before Judge Carter.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Martin Estrada and Joseph McNally of the Central District of California and Trial Attorney Cristina Moreno of the Organized Crime and Gang Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. The case was investigated by the Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force, which includes the FBI, the USSS, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Glendale Police Department, the Burbank Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

John Chernesky

Sexual Predator on the Prowl: Females Advised to Keep Their Eyes Open

George Thomas — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:12:57 +0000

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CA — Mission Area Detectives have issued a warning to women living in the San Fernando Valley. A sexual predator, believed responsible for two attempt kidnappings and seven incidents of lewd acts since January 2011, is being sought by police. This suspect’s crimes began in January 2011 and include two attempt kidnappings and indecent exposure. During both attempt kidnappings the suspect walked up behind young women walking to their homes, grabbed their legs in an attempt to lift them off the ground. Each victim struggled with the suspect and was able to break away.

The other victims saw the suspect exposing himself and masturbating in a car, attempting to lure them in. He frequents the area around Arleta High School. LAPD has issued a composite drawing (above) of the suspect who is a male Hispanic or Asian, short curly black hair with some gray, brown eyes, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 160-200 pounds, 25 years to 40 years of age, light complexion, and may have some facial hair.

He is believed to be driving a 2000-2010 red or white Honda, Toyota, or Nissan type vehicle. During both kidnap attempts the vehicles license plate was covered with some type of cloth. It is possible that there is a second suspect who drives the suspect around. Listed are the dates and locations of the crimes reported:

• 1/2011 5 p.m. Beachy Avenue and Van Nuys Boulevard
• 8/28/2011 5:50 p.m. Terra Bella and Beachy Avenue
• 9/2011 4 p.m. Beachy Avenue and Claretta Street
• 1/22/2012 8 a.m. Canterbury Avenue and Osborne Street
• 2/24/2012 7:30 a.m. Terra Bella Street and Beachy Avenue
• 2/27/2012 7:10 a.m. A rleta Avenue and Terra Bella Street
• 2/28/2012 4 p.m. Van Nuys Boulevard and Woodman Avenue
• 3/14/2012 9 p.m. 14000 block of Van Nuys Boulevard
• 3/29/2012 4:10 p.m. Beachy Avenue and Bromwich Street

Anyone with information about these incidents or this suspect is asked to contact Mission Area Detectives, Detective Juan Santa at 818-838-9893. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222- 8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.