Los Angeles, Ca
L.A. businessman, former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso endorses DA Gascón’s opponent
Victims of crime in Los Angeles County gathered Monday night at an event organized by former L.A. mayoral candidate and businessman Rick Caruso to demand justice for their loved ones and a change in the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office.
Emma Rivas, whose son was murdered in December 2020, said she was traumatized a second time when L.A. County DA George Gascón was elected.
The Torrance mother said Gascón ordered prosecutors to drop the gun and gang enhancements against her son’s killer.
“The guy that murdered my kid got 20 years less sentence than he was supposed to,” Rivas said at the event.
Mary Klein, one of the victims in the Venice Canal sexual attacks, which resulted in the death of the other victim, also spoke, saying crime is out of control in the county and her recent near death by an alleged homeless man should serve as an example.
“Out of the blue was attacked from behind, knocked over, rendered unconscious, kicked in the head numerous times,” she said of the violent assault she endured.
These were just a few of the emotional stories shared at the event Monday night by survivors of violent crime in L.A. County, all of whom feel that the district attorney’s office needs a new tough-on-crime approach.
Longtime victims advocate and founder of Justice for Children Lawanda Hawkins, whose own son was murdered, spoke as well.
“I’m here to address the urgent need for change in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office,” she said, “and to speak out against the harmful policies of the district attorney’s current office.”
Nathan Hochman, former United States Assistant Attorney General and the candidate running against Gascón for L.A. County DA in the November election, was also on hand and called Gascón’s policies a failed social experiment.
“We’ve not run that social experiment for three and a half years and now we have the evidence to show that it has failed,” Hochman said.
Caruso took to the stage to thank those who spoke for sharing their stories and to throw his considerable support behind Hochman for district attorney.
“We’re here in great respect of your courage, of your generosity to share your stories to better L.A. County and get this man elected,” he said.
In a statement from his campaign, Gascón responded:
“Mr. Hochman is clearly still struggling to attract the type of Democratic support that L.A. voters trust. From Mr. Caruso to Steve Cooley, his Rolodex seems mostly composed of longtime Republicans looking to stay relevant after losing their most recent elections.”
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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