Los Angeles, Ca
Some say deputies response excessive after 73 teens detained at Carson mall
After more than 70 juveniles were detained and cited Saturday night in connection with a major disturbance at a mall in Carson, some parents and relatives of the kids are calling the law enforcement presence excessive.
Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the SouthBay Pavillion Mall around 5:30 p.m. on reports of a large and unruly gathering of an estimated 200 minors that prompted the mall to close earlier than normal.
Authorities said that some of the juveniles were setting off illegal fireworks inside a store at the mall and that someone else started a fire inside of a trashcan.
Dispersal orders were issued but the crowd reportedly refused to comply. Officials said that more law enforcement backup was called to the scene as the teens were disrupting business and endangering shoppers.
Sheriff’s deputies set up a perimeter and were, at one point, seen jumping into bushes to detain some of the teens, many of whom were seen scrambling to get out of the mall as law enforcement officers arrived.
Jamila Buie’s 16-year-old nephew was one of the 73 teens detained and told KTLA that she believes the law enforcement response was over the top.
“I feel like they should’ve only detained the ones that started the fire, not all the kids,” she explained to KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo. “It’s only 30 people. They said they had video of the kids that started the fire.”
Deputies issued the minors citations for failure to disperse and disturbing the peace. Parents were forced to come and collect their children, with some saying their kids should never have been held by deputies.
“He’s 11-year-old, exactly,” Amber Lyn, whose son was detained, told KTLA. “No paperwork, never been in trouble. He gets straight A’s and he’s an athlete.”
A similar incident occurred late last year at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance that led to curfews and the requirement that minors be accompanied by adults while in the shopping center.
At the mall in Carson, there were no reports of any injuries or thefts from any shops Saturday night.
On Sunday, the mall was back open for business, though with a visible presence of security on hand.
In a news release on Sunday, Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said:
“Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes commented, “The safety and well-being of our residents and businesses are our top priority. We are taking immediate steps to ensure such incidents do not recur. Our community’s strength lies in our ability to come together and address challenges head-on. I commend the Sheriff’s Department for their quick action and the community for their cooperation.”
While it’s unclear what those steps might entail, there were other shoppers who said they were rattled by the incident.
“I come to the mall often here,” San Pedro resident Michelle Brooks said. “I think it’s ridiculous. Parents need to get a hold of their children at all times.”
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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