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Suspected catalytic converter thieves who crashed into LASD vehicle charged

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Suspected catalytic converter thieves who crashed into LASD vehicle charged

Two males suspected of stealing catalytic converters from parked automobiles, main authorities on a high-speed chase after which crashing right into a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy’s automobile final week appeared in court docket Tuesday.

The 2 males have been recognized as Vue Xiong, 31, of San Luis Obispo, and Fong Vang, 38, of Merced.

Xiong and Vang have been arrested final Saturday after the automobile they have been in crashed right into a Sheriff’s Division automobile that was concerned in an unrelated pursuit.

Previous to the crash, authorities had been pursuing their automobile on the 5 Freeway after a report of a number of catalytic converter thefts within the Santa Clarita Valley. The pursuit was in the end known as off because the van approached harmful speeds, LASD officers stated on the time.

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On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County District Legal professional’s Workplace launched new particulars in regards to the arrest, together with that their automobile ran a pink gentle earlier than crashing into the deputy’s cruiser, and that eight catalytic converters have been recovered from contained in the van.

Xiong and Vang appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom and have been every charged with three felony counts of grand theft and one felony depend of tried grand theft, the DA’s Workplace stated.

A 3rd individual was detained on the scene of the crash and was transported to the hospital for remedy. They weren’t recognized and no data was launched about any prices they could face, though they have been known as a suspect within the case.

District Legal professional George Gascón stated his workplace is working with regulation enforcement to prosecute catalytic converter thieves to the fullest extent of the regulation, however warned that the thefts are “notoriously tough” to prosecute.

Gascón highlighted his sponsorship of California Senate Invoice 986 which might forestall automobile sellers and retailers from promoting new autos except the automobile identification numbers (VIN) are etched onto the automobile half. The invoice additionally would prohibit recyclers from paying money for recycled converters, the DA’s workplace stated.

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This explicit case continues to be investigated by the Sheriff’s Division.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Traffic chaos unfolds during KTLA reporter's live shot

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Traffic chaos unfolds during KTLA reporter's live shot

Any Los Angeles-area driver can relate — the freeway accidents that cause traffic jams always happen at the worst possible times.

That appeared to be the case on Sunday morning. As KTLA’s Gene Kang was preparing to talk about the holiday travel rush from an overpass over the 110 Freeway near downtown L.A., he witnessed an interesting traffic situation.

While KTLA cameras didn’t catch the collision occur, the aftermath was clear. The driver of a sedan appeared to have crashed into a concrete overpass, causing significant damage to the front end car.

A single-car collision on the 110 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (KTLA)

It wasn’t immediately clear if the driver or any other occupants were injured in the crash.

However, the cleanup forced officials to close two lanes on the 110, making just one lane open.

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The traffic from that situation caused a large backup, as drivers are familiar with in L.A. While Kang was getting ready to report on some holiday travel tips, he witnessed multiple drivers performing illegal mauveurs, including driving right over a center median on the freeway.

That situation was clearly dangerous, as the drivers were steering right onto other lanes of the freeway, where others behind the wheel of their vehicles were going full speed.

Luckily, no other crashes occurred. The situation likely brought back some memories for Kang, who is no stranger to weird incidents while reporting live on KTLA.

In 2022, as he was talking about a hit-and-run on “one of the most dangerous roads in L.A.,” a car wreck happened in the background of one of his live shots. And in a weird twist-of-fate, it was also a hit-and-run. Of course.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Parking scam targeting Festival of Lights visitors in downtown Riverside

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Parking scam targeting Festival of Lights visitors in downtown Riverside

Riverside city officials are warning the public of a parking scam targeting visitors at the Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights.

The scam involves a fake QR code placed at pay stations in and around the downtown area, officials said.

When scanning the fraudulent QR codes, one version simply asks for credit card payment information. Another version offers users $1 parking if they pay with their Bank of America card. 

  • Photo of an fradulent online payment page when scanning the fake QR codes placed on parking kiosks and meters around downtown Riverside. (City of Riverside)
  • Photo of an fradulent online payment page when scanning the fake QR codes placed on parking kiosks and meters around downtown Riverside. (City of Riverside)
  • The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa’s Festival of Lights display in downtown Riverside, California. (Mission Inn Hotel & Spa)
  • Mission Inn Museum in danger of eviction from Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in Riverside

Both versions are not official city payment sites and will compromise users’ personal information.

Authorities are warning visitors to the Festival of Lights to be aware when paying for parking at a kiosk or meter. The fake QR codes are generally smaller than the authentic ones, officials noted.

When making payments, only use the official ParkRiverside app or website to pay. The website can be found here: RiversideCA.gov/Parking. The official app can be downloaded here.

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If something looks suspicious, the public is asked to immediately report it to city staff by calling 311, submitting a tip online, or emailing CallCenter@RiversideCA.gov.

The Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa runs through Dec. 31.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Southern California teen girl stabbed to death, suspect in custody

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Southern California teen girl stabbed to death, suspect in custody

A Southern California teen was stabbed to death on Friday night, and police say an acquaintance of hers is in custody.

Authorities responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon at about 10 p.m. Friday on the 300 Block of North Soldano Avenue in Azusa, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

When Azusa police officers arrived at the scene, they found a girl suffering from stab wounds. She was transported to a local hospital, where she later died.

The victim was identified only as a 17-year-old girl. Her name is yet to be publicly released.

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A suspect, identified only as an 18-year-old acquaintance of the girl, was taken into custody. As of Saturday morning, it wasn’t yet clear whether the suspect would be facing charges.

No additional details were immediately made available.

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