Los Angeles, Ca
American and POW-MIA flags burned by vandals at Southern California memorial for veterans
Flags were burned by vandals at a memorial for veterans in Lakewood sometime in the last few days, according to the city’s Mayor.
In a post to Facebook on Saturday afternoon, Mayor Todd Rogers blasted the actions of unknown vandals who allegedly burned American and MIA-POW flags placed at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Lakewood’s Del Valle Park.
“On behalf of the entire Lakewood City Council, I am saddened and angered to report that our American flag and POW-MIA flag were burned by vandals at our beloved Veterans Memorial Plaza at Del Valle Park sometime over the past 48 hours,” Rogers said. “The memorial itself also sustained some minor damage in the form of burn marks to a flag pole and concrete walkway. The flags appear to have then been burned on top of a nearby yellow sawhorse barrier that asks people to treat the memorial with respect.”
Rogers continued to say that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will investigate the incident. He asked any residents or businesses within the vicinity of the park to check any security footage between July 4 and 6 for suspicious-looking individuals.
“I know I speak on behalf of my City Council colleagues and all Lakewood residents in decrying this shameful act of vandalism that shows great disrespect to the men and women who have served our nation, including those honored at the memorial who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms that these cowardly vandals abused,” Rogers said.
According to Rogers, repairs and replacement flags should be in place within the next few days.
Veterans Memorial Plaza, created in 1964 and renovated in 2015, displays a replica of a Korean War-era Douglas jet fighter mounted on top of an aircraft carrier. It hosts Lakewood’s Memorial Day festivities each year.
Los Angeles, Ca
Family desperate to find girl, 13, missing in Los Angeles for nearly a week
(KTLA) – Family, as well as police, are desperate to find a 13-year-old girl missing in Los Angeles for nearly a week, officials announced Wednesday.
Naomi Daniella Santos was last seen by family members when she left her residence in the 8700 block of Langdon Avenue at around 8 a.m. on Dec. 13 to attend school at Magnolia Science Academy in the 18200 block of Sherman Way, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Santos was supposed to take public transportation after school to meet her mother at Parthenia Street and Tobias Avenue in Panorama City but never showed up. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
“Naomi’s parents, friends and family members have not seen or heard from her and are concerned for her safety,” police said.
The teen is described as a Hispanic female with black hair and brown eyes, standing approximately 5 feet tall and weighing around 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a blue sweater and gray pants and was carrying a blue backpack.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact LAPD’s Mission Area Juvenile Detectives at 818-838-9810.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Los Angeles, Ca
Krispy Kreme partners with Los Angeles bakery for Hanukkah treats collection
Krispy Kreme is partnering with Lodge Bread, a Los Angeles-based bakery, for an exclusive holiday collection to celebrate Hanukkah.
For a limited time, Krispy Kreme’s signature fluffy doughnut base will be combined with Lodge Bread’s artisanal, house-made raspberry jam to create traditional Hanukkah sufganiyot or jelly doughnuts.
These special sufganiyot will be available in limited quantities throughout Hanukkah on a first-come, first-served basis. Doughnuts are sold by the half-dozen for $30, with a limit of two boxes per customer.
The treat will be available at Lodge Bread’s Culver City, Woodland Hills, and Beverly Hills locations.
“We’re excited to team up with Krispy Kreme to bring our own spin to this beloved Hanukkah tradition,” Chef Or Amsalam, co-founder of Lodge Bread, said in a statement. “This collaboration is a true celebration of craft, quality and the joy of the season.”
This year, Hanukkah will begin at sundown on Dec. 25 and end at sundown on Jan. 2, 2025.
Los Angeles, Ca
Southern California community plagued by destructive burglaries
An Orange County community is concerned after violent and destructive burglaries continue targeting the same neighborhood over the past several weeks.
The burglaries are centered around an upscale gated community in Irvine called The Groves at Orchard Hills.
Surveillance cameras captured intruders lurking around backyards and searching for opportunities to enter homes.
Residents said eight houses have been burglarized so far with one incident turning violent.
“We’re on our eighth now it’s just mind-boggling,” said a resident, who did not wish to be identified for safety reasons. “It’s scary and it’s unsettling.”
Neighbors have found hidden cameras pointed at homes, appearing to surveil them and likely timing the break-ins to when occupants leave.
“It was installed in the bushes so that they can see our houses,” the resident told KTLA’s Mary Beth McDade.
In a recent break-in, thieves reportedly escaped with millions of dollars worth of jewelry and luxury handbags after accessing a home through a back door.
“When I spoke to [the victims] they were just trembling, shaking and traumatized,” the resident said. “The grandmother was actually inside the house while this all happened.”
In a separate incident, victims said intruders pulled out a gun during the ordeal and held the victims hostage.
“It was at gunpoint and someone was tied up,” another neighbor told KTLA. “It’s really scary.”
Neighbors are scared and frustrated with many asking city officials and the police department to address the concern with increased security and patrols.
“We need to see some action,” a resident said.
“I’m here today to reassure the community that we are working very closely with Irvine Police,” said Dr. Vigor, HOA president of The Groves at Orchard Hills.
Police told KTLA that communities across Southern California have been increasingly targeted by professional thieves who are often linked with international theft rings and crime groups. They told residents they’re aware of the issue and are working to combat future incidents.
“We have dedicated an extreme amount of resources to this issue,” said Kyle Oldoerp with the Irvine Police Department. “Some that are easily seen and some that aren’t. We have officers on extra patrols. We have undercover resources, surveillance teams out here, video cameras using our real-time crime center.”
A town hall meeting will be held on Wednesday night by Irvine Police to discuss and address residents’ concerns.
So far, no suspects have been arrested. Anyone with information on the burglaries can call Irvine Police at 949-724-6000.
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