LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has denied the allegations of a Black sheriff’s lieutenant whose lawsuit maintains he was wrongfully demoted by Sheriff Alex Villanueva in 2021 two days after being elevated to a coveted position, saying the plaintiff is trying to influence the outcome of Tuesday’s election in which the sheriff is seeking reelection. Lt. John Lindsay’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges discrimination, retaliation and failure to prevent harassment, discrimination or retaliation. “Under the direction of Sheriff Alexandro Villanueva, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has engaged in systemic racial discrimination against African-Americans by…
Author: City News Service
City News Service
City News Service is a regional wire service covering Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. Its reporting and editing staff cover public safety, courts, local government and general assignment stories.
PICO RIVERA, Calif. – A 50-year-old man riding a motorcycle who died in a crash on the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway in Pico Rivera has been identified, authorities said Thursday. The crash occurred about 8:15 p.m. Sunday on the northbound 605 Freeway at Rose Hills Road, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Elizabeth Kravig. Kyle Schabel was pronounced dead at the scene, Kravig said. A news videographer at the scene said Schabel crashed into the back of a Jeep truck while riding with other motorcyclists. Schabel’s city of residency was not immediately available.
LOS ANGELES – A man in his 20s is hospitalized Thursday after being shot by an assailant near downtown Los Angeles. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division responded at approximately 10:50 p.m. Wednesday to 548 Mateo and Sixth streets west of Santa Fe Avenue where they learned the victim was approached by four men and the victim began arguing with them. At some point one of the suspects drew a handgun and fired multiple shots at the victim. The suspects drove away from the scene. A videographer at the scene said the suspects were later arrested but…
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Several members of the community addressed the William S. Hart Union High School Board about displaying the Thin Blue Line flag at Saugus High football games, but no action was taken and the debate continues Thursday about whether it is appropriate. Representatives from the Santa Clarita branch of the NAACP and the father of the player who carried the Thin Blue Line flag on the field at College of the Canyons before Friday’s football game told the board members at the meeting on Wednesday night their thoughts on displaying the flag. The Hart district superintendent said…
WEST COVINA, Calif. – Two men were shot and killed in West Covina, police said Thursday. The shootings occurred about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 3400 block of South Sentous Avenue, according to the West Covina Police Department. One man died at the scene, and the other man died at a hospital, police said. Their names were withheld, pending notification of their relatives. “West Covina police detectives are actively investigating the incident as a double homicide,” police said in a statement. No arrests were reported, and no suspect information was available. Anyone with information on the case was urged to…
IRVINE, Calif. – A 20-year-old man suspected of robbing a jewelry store in Irvine was in custody Wednesday. The suspect walked into a jewelry store at the Irvine Spectrum on Oct. 17 and after looking at an expensive necklace, he suddenly ran out of the store with the necklace, according to Lt. Cathy Scherer of the Irvine Police Department. The store’s employees unsuccessfully tried to stop him and the suspect drove away in a gray Toyota Corolla, Scherer said. Police posted the description of the car on social media and on Oct. 26 detectives received a tip that led them to…
LOS ANGELES – A man was killed in a single-vehicle crash near Silver Lake, authorities said Thursday. California Highway Patrol officers responded at 11:33 p.m. Wednesday to the Vermont Avenue off-ramp of the southbound Hollywood (101) Freeway, where the vehicle hit a wall, according to the CHP. Witness told authorities that the vehicle had made several lane changes The man, in his 30s, died at the scene. His name was withheld, pending notification of his relatives. The crash prompted closure of the southbound Hollywood Freeway in the area for several hours while the CHP conducted its investigation.
LOS ANGELES – Authorities Thursday identified a 24-year-old woman who was hit by a car and killed on the Santa Monica (10) Freeway in the south Los Angeles area. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office identified Fatima Mirely Castillo Perez as the pedestrian killed in the collision. California Highway Patrol officers responded at 11:46 p.m. Tuesday to the westbound freeway west of Hoover Street, where they found Castillo lying near the center divider, according to the CHP. Castillo died at the scene of multiple traumatic injuries, according to the coroner’s office. The motorist remained at the location and was interviewed…
LOS ANGELES – One day after his department was vilified by members of the county Board of Supervisors as they approved nearly $50 million to settle five lawsuits alleging excessive force or wrongful conduct by deputies, Sheriff Alex Villanueva shot back Wednesday, accusing the county of failing to adequately defend the agency in court. He also accused the board of packing its Tuesday agenda with the five settlement cases one week before Villanueva is facing reelection. He called the vote and the supervisors’ comments about the department “electioneering” and “political theater.” “Each and every case that we’re involved with where…
COMPTON, Calif. – A $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the fatal shooting of a Philadelphia man visiting Compton was announced Wednesday by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff’s deputies responded just after 2 p.m. on March 5, 2021, to 609 N. Long Beach Blvd., between Rosecrans Avenue and Compton Boulevard, on reports of an assault with a deadly weapon and found 30-year-old Donte Lee Johnson on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body, according to a department statement. Paramedics were called and declared Johnson dead at…
LOS ANGELES – Police sought the public’s help Wednesday to locate a 27-year-old man who was last seen in South Los Angeles. Ashton Clemmons was last seen Wednesday in the area of South Broadway and Manchester Avenue, near the Harbor (110) Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Clemmons is Black, 5-feet-8 inches tall and weighs 175 pounds, with brown eyes, short hair dyed blonde and a tattoo under his right eye. Anyone with information on his whereabouts was asked to contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at 213-996-1800. Calls made during non-business hours or on weekends can be…
LOS ANGELES – As regulators review the proposed merger of supermarket giants Albertsons and Kroger, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and two other AGs Wednesday asked a federal court to temporarily block Albertsons’ planned $4 billion payment of a special dividend to shareholders. The payment is planned for Monday, and the AGs expressed concern that it would hamper Albertsons’ ability to compete. Their complaint follows a letter sent to Albertsons and Kroger last week arguing that the planned payout is premature and would substantially deplete Albertsons’ cash flow as inflation drives up prices and an economic downturn appears imminent. The…
LOS ANGELES – A member of the San Fernando Valley-based Vineland Boys who helped run the street gang’s drug trafficking operations has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for federal racketeering and narcotics crimes, the Justice Department announced today. Mark Anthony Espinosa, 43, of Lancaster, was sentenced late Tuesday afternoon by United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald. Espinosa pleaded guilty on April 7 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and one count of conspiracy to distribute drugs, including methamphetamine. According to court documents, from November 2015 to November 2019,…
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – A 21-year-old motorist suspected of causing a fiery crash in Woodland Hills that left two people dead remained hospitalized Wednesday, and police said he was facing possible criminal charges. The two-vehicle collision was reported just after 9 p.m. Tuesday in 23100 block of Mulholland Drive, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, a Toyota Camry driven by Kevin Gonzales collided with a Ford Mustang occupied by two people who died at the scene of the crash. Gonzales survived the crash and was taken to a hospital in good condition,…
HAWAIIAN GARDENS, Calif. – Authorities Wednesday identified a young man who was fatally shot in Hawaiian Gardens. The shooting was reported about 7:40 p.m. Monday in the 21900 block of Arline Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Seth Laning, 18, of Cypress, died at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. No arrests were reported, and no suspect description was available. Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. Tipsters may also use the website lacrimestoppers.org.