Crime & Safety

VIDEO: Deputies Seize Evidence, Car, During Search for Missing Fox Exec

Detectives arrived with guns drawn and used a search dog as they combed Canoga Park house.

Sheriff's detectives  believed to be owned by Chandrika Winata on the 8600 block of Santa Susana Place (map) in Canoga Park Friday in connection with the disappearance of Fox film executive Gavin Smith.

They raided the home at 7:30 a.m. with guns drawn, KCBS2 reported. A man who left the house Friday night told KCBS2 he had no idea why the home was targeted. “Your guess is as good as mine,” he said.  This was the second raid on the house, according to Fox11. Authorities seized cellphones in a search three weeks ago.

Smith, 57, was reported missing May 1 after driving away from a friend's home on the 500 block of Kellwood Court in Oak Park. Smith, who lives in West Hills,  worked in Calabasas. 

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Winata, who owns a Beverly Hills cafe according to KNBC4, was divorced a year ago and filed bankruptcy about the same time.

However, authorities told KABC7 they were looking for Johnny Creech at the address. Neighbors told KABC7 they have not seen Creech for several days. They also said he used to be co-owner of a Hollywood night club, but was recently between jobs and struggling financially, the station reported.

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Although no arrests were made, a black Audi SUV was towed away from the house. A man, woman and child remained inside the home, KNBC4 reported. 

Crime scene technicians used a search dog as they combed the house gathering bags and boxes of evidence as well as computer hard drives and other electronic equipment.


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