Crime & Safety

Scanner Report: Alleged Motorcycle Thief Evades Police Helicopter

This is the scanner report, detailing some police events that happened early this morning, August 17.

Aug. 17

1:19 a.m.   7800 block of South Vermont Avenue, South Central Los Angeles
LAPD is called to the scene of an "ambulance shooting." It appears the shooting victim was dropped off at LAFD's Fire Station 57, the given address. The victim is described as a 20 year-old male, with a gunshot wound.

1:23 a.m.   7100 block of Bellaire Avenue, North Hollywood
North Hollywood Division LAPD partol units are sent to the scene of a "211 just occurred" (robbery just happened) at the location.  The alleged robbery suspect is described as "male, white, 48 years old, blue jersey, blue jeans" and last seen exiting the rear of the apartment complex and fleeing toward Teesdale Avenue. The robber used "bodily force, and property taken was U.S. currency."

1:26 a.m. Elmer Avenue, Sun Valley
A resident reports "two males, (wearing) light shirts, and light pants, (are seen) pulling goods from the recycling bins." A Foothill Division LAPD patrol unit is called to investigate.

1:46 a.m. Cahuenga Boulevard and Barham Boulevard, Cahuenga Pass
North Hollywood Division LAPD patrol units are called to the scene of an "ADW (assault with a deadly weapon) suspect there now." A man outside of the "gas station mini-mart" is reported to be throwing various items, as well as a bicycle, at passing vehicles.

2:06 a.m.   Whitsett Street and Magnolia Boulevard, Valley Village 
A report of "shots fired" at the location happened earlier in the night. The North Hollywood LAPD patrol unit on the scene radios the dispatcher to advise a "code 4" (all responding units cancel their response, no further assistance needed, incident is under control). After investigating the scene, the officers determine, "no evidence of shots fired."

2:08 a.m.   between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Radford Avenue, North Hollywood
North Hollywood Division LAPD patrol units are called to investigate a "415 juvenile group" (kids or teens creating a disturbance in the area).  The caller reports juveniles running around and jumping on top of things.

2:08 a.m.   Agnes Avenue and Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood
North Hollywood Division LAPD patrol units are called to the scene of a "screaming woman" at the location. The woman is reported to be on a bicycle, and screaming in the street.

2:15 a.m.  Agnes Avenue and Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood
A patrol unit has arrived at the scene, and found the woman. The unit radios dispatch and reports a "code 4," there is no suspect in the "screaming woman" incident.

2:19 a.m.
  Bellaire Avenue and Kittridge Street, North Hollywood
A North Hollywood Division LAPD patrol car reports a "citizen flag down" at the location. No indication on the nature of the flag down.

2:36 a.m.   Somewhere in Shadow Hills, the San Fernando Valley
LAPD ground units and an LAPD helicopter have been trying to follow a known "code 6 Charles suspect" (a person wanted for violent crimes, known to be possibly armed and considered dangerous). The alleged suspect is driving a motorcycle, and was involved in an earlier caper, where several motorcycles were in the act of being stolen by a crew of thieves. The thieves all scattered in different directions, when observed by a police helicopter.

According to the helicopter unit, the suspect they have been chasing "blacked out," meaning the suspect turned off his headlights and drove in darkness to avoid detection.  

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The helicopter unit informs the ground units, through checking his criminal record, that the suspect is known for stealing motorcycles and selling them. The ground officer informs another officer via radio about the nature of this one suspect, telling the other that he's "known to always have a handgun."

At the moment, the ground units are trying to box in the suspect, but only know a very general direction he drove into, considering the hilly and dark location.

2:41 a.m.   Somewhere in Shadow Hills, the San Fernando Valley
The LAPD helicopter believes he has spotted the "code 6 Charles suspect," who has abandoned his vehicle in the dark terrain. Using lights and special image-sensing equipment, the helicopter unit places the alleged suspect hiding under a tree.

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The helicopter unit communicates with the ground units, some in "black-and-white" patrol cars, and some in unmarked vehicles. The helicopter unit is directing the cars to the possible location of the suspect.

2:43 a.m.   Somewhere in Shadow Hills, the San Fernando Valley
A black-and-white patrol car has arrived in the area, and the helicopter unit continues to guide the officers to the possible location of the hiding suspect. The helicopter points them to a patch of trees.  The motorcycle the man was driving is spotted nearby.

The officers get out of their patrol vehicle and approach the trees where the man is possibly hiding. One of the officers see the motorcycle, and radios the dispatcher to find DMV information on the license plate.

2:46 a.m.   Somewhere in Shadow Hills, the San Fernando Valley
The license plate brings back information of the registered owner's address, and it places the residency in Shadow Hills. The helicopter officer responds, "He lives here, so he knows the area, then." The helicopter officer advises the ground unit that the suspect "rolled at least 30 blocks or so, 'blacked out,' at a high rate of speed."

The ground unit officers do not find the alleged suspect under the trees, and the helicopter officer believes that the suspect may have been able to run onto the other side of the dark hilly street and escape, as the helicopter made an aerial rotation. Fortunately for the suspect,  that brief moment provided a good opportunity since the helicopter officer did not have complete sight of the suspect. 

Due to fuel needs, the helicopter unit has to leave the pursuit. 

  


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