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Los Angeles, Ca

Concrete barriers mysteriously placed on streets across the San Fernando Valley 

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Concrete barriers mysteriously placed on streets across the San Fernando Valley 

The mystery remains over who is responsible for placing a series of concrete barriers on streets throughout the West Valley in Southern California.

Some believe the concrete cinder blocks are an effort to prevent homeless encampments and recreational vehicles (RVs) from parking in the area long-term.

Recently, the heavy, bright-colored blocks were installed in an industrial area of Chatsworth, just off Nordhoff Avenue. In other areas, rows of large 60-gallon barrels of water were placed on the street instead. 

Both city officials and the mayor’s office confirmed they did not install the barriers or water barrels. 

Residents in the area remain puzzled. Although the motive remains unclear, homeless advocates said the blocks are not a helpful solution to issues of homelessness.

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However, residents and nearby business owners confirmed the barriers have been an effective deterrent against encampments and excess trash. 

  • Large, 60-gallon barrels filled with water were inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA)
  • Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA)
  • Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA)
  • Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA)
  • Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA)
  • Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA)

Pastor Kathy Huck is the CEO of About My Father’s Business Homeless Outreach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping and advocating for homeless residents.

Huck said the blocks and barrels are actually hurting the unhoused population.

“These barriers are not the answer,” Huck said. “To live in an RV is, I would say, discouraged because there’s no barrier for tents, but there are barriers in streets all over the West Valley for RVs.”

Huck said about 75% of the people she serves across the San Fernando Valley rely on their RV for shelter.

Many of her clients’ vehicles are in danger and subject to towing or destruction on a daily basis. With these blockades in place, they’re essentially displaced because they can’t find a safe place to park. 

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Huck said it also makes the job of homeless outreach workers more difficult because they can’t locate these individuals to help.

“We’re spending money trying to find people so we can get them immediate needs so that they’re taken care of until they are placed,” Huck explained. “How are people finding their clients? So, this undermines the City’s efforts to house people because you can’t house people that you can’t find.”

Tobie Von Bloes and Rob Lowe, a couple who lives in their RV, said it’s been tough to find a safe place to stop and rest.

“I just think people don’t really understand what we’re going through,” Lowe said. “They don’t like us here for some reason.”

“It’s getting really hard to find a place to park,” Von Bloes said. “And we’re just doing the best we can to live our lives. I think there are people that have given us a bad name and so the businesses really frown down on the motor homes.” 

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The L.A. Department of Water and Power also said they are unaware of the barriers. KTLA has reached out to the Department of Transportation and is awaiting a response.

If a private group or citizen is responsible for installing the barriers, the legality of the move remains in question. 

Los Angeles, Ca

Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach

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Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach

A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.

On June 3, the female pedestrian was using the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue around 4:50 a.m.

She had walked against a red light and was hit by a 19-year-old driver in a Chevy sedan, Long Beach police said.

Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach on June 3, 2026. (Long Beach Police Department)

“At this time, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speed are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.

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The woman’s name is being withheld pending identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355. 

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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Los Angeles, Ca

Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

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Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.

The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024. 

Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.

  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on June 2, 2026, in connection with a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles. (California Highway Patrol)

Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan. 

The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.

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In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.

The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.

The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved. 

Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

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Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest. 

“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”

On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge. 

“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

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NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]

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