Los Angeles, Ca
Los Angeles man charged in Southern California catalytic converter theft spree
A Los Angeles man has been charged in connection with a string of catalytic converter thefts across Ventura County, prosecutors announced Friday.
Efran Esau Flores Alvarez, 20, is facing nine felony grand theft charges after investigators linked him to a series of thefts reported in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley between March 20 and April 23, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said Alvarez was arrested on May 19.
During the arrest, investigators allegedly found a hand saw, impact drills, saw blades and a floor jack inside his vehicle, along with more than $5,600 in cash.
Investigators believe Alvarez may be connected to additional catalytic converter thefts throughout Ventura County, and officials said the investigation remains ongoing, adding that more charges could be filed.
Catalytic converter thefts have remained a persistent issue across Southern California in recent years because the devices contain valuable precious metals, including platinum, palladium and rhodium.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Simi Valley Police Department investigated the case.
Prosecutors also filed a special allegation claiming the crimes showed “planning, sophistication, or professionalism,” according to court documents.
Alvarez pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Thursday in Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with bail set at $75,000 and is scheduled to return to court June 2 for an early disposition conference.
Los Angeles, Ca
Firefighters make progress on wildfires burning across Southern California
Firefighters are making significant progress on the flurry of wildfires that ignited across Southern California within the last week, during a period of dry, windy weather.
Firefighters say they’re now in the mop-up phase of battling the region’s largest active wildfire, the Santa Rosa Island Fire. The fire has grown to nearly 18,400 acres since it started on May 15.
The Santa Rosa Island Fire is the largest ever recorded on the Channel Islands. Investigators say the fire was started by an emergency flare fired by a man who crashed his sailboat into the island.
Two uninhabited historic structures have been lost to the fire: The Johnson’s Lee Equipment Shed on the western end of the island, and Wreck Line Camp Cabin on the eastern end, National Park Service officials said.
The Sandy Fire in Ventura County is now 61% contained after burning nearly 2,200 acres in Simi Valley. The fire started on May 18, and has destroyed at least one home.
The Sandy Fire prompted the Simi Valley Unified School District to shutter all of its schools for almost a week. The district announced Friday that the schools will reopen on May 26. The district said that the closures will not result in a longer school year.
“We will not need to extend the school year to make up for the days schools were closed due to the fire emergency,” the Simi Valley Unified School District announced Friday. “The district intends to seek the appropriate state waiver related to attendance and instructional minutes resulting from a widespread public emergency.”
See details for all the major fires burning across Southern California below:
Santa Rosa Island Fire
- Location: Channel Islands National Park
- Size: 18,379 acres
- Containment: 72% contained
- Date started: May 15
Sandy Fire
- Location: Ventura County
- Size: 2,183 acres
- Containment: 61% contained
- Date started: May 18
Bain Fire
- Location: Riverside County
- Size: 1,497 acres
- Containment: 81% contained
- Date started: May 19
Verona Fire
- Location: Riverside County
- Size: 648 acres
- Containment: 67% contained
- Date started: May 19
Tusil Fire
- Location: San Diego County
- Size: 820 acres
- Containment: 100% contained
- Date started: May 19
Alta Fire
- Location: Los Angeles County
- Size: 334 acres
- Containment: 0% contained
- Date started: May 21
Los Angeles, Ca
Miley Cyrus to receive star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Every time Miley Cyrus walks, it’s a walk of fame. However, on Friday, she’s about to make it official.
She will be cemented in Hollywood history by receiving the 2,845th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Smilers, the nickname for Cyrus’s fan base, have been lining up since Thursday night to see the Grammy winner later in the day to accept the honor. It stretches down the block hours before the ceremony.
The “Flowers” singer’s star will be located on 7011 Hollywood Blvd., which is right next to the Marshalls near Madame Tussauds Hollywood.
KOST 103.5 F.M.’s Ellen K will serve as the host of the ceremony. Actress Aya Taylor Joy and fashion designer Donatella Versace are expected to speak.
The ceremony starts at 11:30 a.m. and will also be livestreamed here.
This is an achievement 20 years in the making for the former Disney darling. In 2006, she burst onto the scene as the fictional pop star, Hannah Montana, who was living a dual life. This year, she honored the 20th anniversary of “Hannah Montana” by reuniting with her former castmates for an hour-long special.
Cyrus then became a singer in her own right, blending rock, country, soul, and alternative within her lengthy catalog.
The three-time Golden Globe nominee is also a songwriter behind many platinum and diamond-certified singles and albums.
In 2024, won record of the year and best pop solo performance for “Flowers” at the Grammys. In 2025, her collaboration with Beyoncé received the Grammy for best country duo/group performance.
Los Angeles, Ca
Loved ones search for missing 21-year-old Southern California man with special needs
Loved ones are searching for a Los Angeles County man with special needs who has been missing for nearly a month.
Davyon Demonte Valencia, 21, was reported missing on April 23, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Valencia, who is considered at-risk, was last seen on the 400 block of East 126th Street in the Willowbrook neighborhood of South L.A.
He is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair and was last seen wearing a black sweater and blue sweatpants.
He may have been heading to the 12000 block of South Broadway or the 900 Block of East El Segundo Boulevard in L.A. when he disappeared.
They have not heard from him since and are very concerned for his well-being.
Anyone who may know Valencia’s whereabouts or has information on the case can call LASD’s Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
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