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Sheriff Villanueva Spreads Holiday Cheer at Women’s Jail 1024 798 SIB Staff

Sheriff Villanueva Spreads Holiday Cheer at Women’s Jail

SHERIFF VILLANUEVA SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER AT WOMEN’S JAIL

Holidays are typically a time to spend with family and friends, so for inmates away from their families, a temporary or permanent absence in the lives of their loved ones can magnify a difficult time, both physically and emotionally.

Yes, maybe they’ve done something they shouldn’t have done. But that should not allow us to forget the spirit of the season, where we open our hearts to one another. It’s a lesson in doing the right thing, for the right reason; about sharing acts of kindness and thoughtfulness with others to lift their spirits.

In choosing to be forgiving and compassionate, LASD Sheriff Alex Villanueva invited Mariachi to not only surprise the inmates, but also to remind them that they are not forgotten.

As Mariachi music is often present at important events and celebrations in the lives of Latino people, this beloved music has transcended language, geography and politics and brought people together.

Not only has music always given a voice to the lost and forgotten, for many it has evolved into a sort of soundtrack full of thoughts that turn into emotion. These acoustic harmonies show the power of music to heal.

Sheriff Villanueva’s Mariachi at CRDF, a women’s jail, is about the humanity behind a jail cell. “Every person is worthy and deserves respect as a human being,” said Sheriff Villanueva. “Just because they are here in jail does not mean they stop being human, or they stop feeling or stop thinking about their family members. We all have to think about loved ones that are inside the jails and in the hospitals on this Christmas day. It’s very important.”

For the staff at CRDF and first responders in general, working all if not most of the holidays is part of the job. Deputies and staff assigned to CRDF and scheduled to work during the holidays will miss family events. Although deputies will typically celebrate together by bringing in a dish, oftentimes those meals will be interrupted.

Sheriff Villanueva’s hope is that Mariachi fans among the deputies and staff at CRDF will become enchanted by the sounds of the guitars, trumpets and violins, uplifting their spirits in appreciation of their commitment and dedication in service to others.

LASD Sheriff's Department Logo
Saugus High School Shooting 800 170 SIB Staff

Saugus High School Shooting

Homicide Investigating Saugus High School Shooting

At 7:38 AM, Santa Clarita Station received a call about an Assault with a Deadly Weapon at 21900 Centurion Way in Santa Clarita at Saugus High School. Santa Clarita deputies arrived within 2 minutes and realized it was an Active Shooter situation.

Deputies conducted a rapid deployment onto the school’s premises. Upon their arrival, they discovered 6 students in the quad area suffering from gunshot wounds. The students were triaged and sent to local area hospitals. The suspect was identified as one of students found in the quad. He is identified as a 16 year old male Asian, whose birthday was today.

The weapon recovered on scene was a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, which no longer contained ammunition. The suspect is a resident of the 22900 block of Sycamore Creek Street Drive in Santa Clarita. That location was contained by Sheriff Deputies and a cursory search was conducted to identify any additional victims or suspects. A search warrant for the location was obtained by investigators to process the residence further evidence.

Homicide teams were deployed to several Santa Clarita Valley locations to process evidence and interview witnesses. Students who were possible witnesses to the incident are being interviewed by detectives from the LASD Homicide Bureau. We also have investigators working with the tech crews processing any videos we may receive from the surveillance system at the high school. We’re working and collaborating with the FBI to preserve and capture any cell phone video of this incident.

Detectives have reviewed the video at the scene, which shows the subject in the quad area remove a firearm from his backpack. He then shoots 5 people, and then shoots himself. The suspect is in critical condition at a local hospital. Unfortunately, a 16 year old female victim passed away at 9:23 AM and a male victim passed away at 11:31 AM. Three additional victims, one 15 year old female and one 14 year old female, and one male who is 14 years old are in stable condition at a local hospitals. This is preliminary information.

A social media account has been reported as possibly belonging to the suspect. The social media account stated, “Saugus have fun at school tomorrow.” However, the account has yet to be authenticated and it is unknown if this was posted by the suspect. Detectives have checked recent threats to the high school and have investigated two, but neither had a nexus to this incident. The investigation is on-going and anybody with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call the Los Angeles County Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Chief Haselrig at CSUDH 800 600 SIB Staff

Chief Haselrig at CSUDH

CHIEF HASELRIG AT CSUDH

Chief Lajuana Haselrig spoke to Criminal Justice classes at CSUDH yesterday and today. Sgt Vince Plair is an adjunct Professor at the school. Outstanding talk about leadership adversity and being a servant to others. 

graphic of The great shakeout event
The Great Shakeout 900 900 SIB Staff

The Great Shakeout

THE GREAT SHAKEOUT

300 miles away, on October 15, 2019, a 4.8 mag #earthquake hit Northern California. Now is the perfect time to prepare & participate in the #InternationalShakeOut drill on Oct 17th! Don’t wait until it’s too late! Join #LASD and register at https://shakeout.org

crime time Tuesday: suspect sentenced 1024 1024 SIB Staff

crime time Tuesday: suspect sentenced

CRIME TIME TUESDAY: SUSPECT SENTENCED

#LASD #CrimeTimeTuesday Man Sentenced for Killing Woman and Hiding her Body in a Wall, Unincorporated #Lomita 37 year-old, Raven Campbell, missing since July 2009, will finally be able to Rest in Peace. On Tuesday, October 8, 2019 Suspect Garbutt was sentenced to 11 years in state prison for her 2009 murder. Thursday, July 2, 2015, at 6:30 a.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau detectives discovered human remains on the 26800 block of Western Avenue, Unincorporated Lomita. Detectives along with the Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner – Coroner personnel responded to a tip that human remains were hidden in a residence. Cadaver dogs alerted and detectives assisted Coroner’s Special Operations Response Team in excavating and removing the human remains. Thursday, July 9, 2015, officials from the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner – Coroner conducted a post mortem examination and identified the cause of death as blunt force trauma. Wednesday, February 3, 2016, deputies arrested Randolph Garbutt, male, Black, 43 years-old, for a traffic warrant. At the time of Victim Campbell’s disappearance the suspect and victim shared the residence on Western Avenue. Suspect Garbutt was booked for the murder of Raven Campbell on Thursday, February 4, 2016. Link to press conference re: http://bit.ly/2Mjgrqz

Vintage image of Deputy and kids
LASD and Kids 900 900 SIB Staff

LASD and Kids

#ThrowbackThursday #LASD and Kids

The #LASD deputy response spectrum varies from horrific violent crimes, fatal car accidents, domestic violence, resolving neighbor disputes, and welfare checks to just helping a parent explain to his/her child the importance of wearing the seat-belt. These men and women wearing the badge are serving in a capacity that few others can match. These qualities are exemplified in an LASD recruitment pamphlet from #1970:

“We need you if you will become involved in your work. The Deputies’ work shapes and regulates their lives and its influence extends beyond the normal eight hours limit of most ordinary jobs. A law enforcement career requires life commitment and dedication. It offers you a unique chance to become professionally involved with your community…..”

This summer, West Hollywood Sheriff’s Deputies welcomed 11 kids from the West Hollywood Park Tot Time program. The deputies conducted the Station tour and answered some hard-hitting questions such as, “Do you guys have a dog?” and “Where do the bad guys sleep?”………. After our deputies tried hard to answer these hard hitting questions by the group of five year olds, they were requested to take a photo with fun faces. Well, most of the deputies passed the final test and became fast friends!

Small things count. And we do not underestimate them. One badge has unlimited possibilities, become part of the positive energy brought to our communities. 

credit card over laptop
#FraudFriday-Credit Bureau scam 900 900 SIB Staff

#FraudFriday-Credit Bureau scam

#FraudFriday-Credit Bureau Scam

We’ve all seen well known Credit Bureau Companies are being affected by data breaches. Wouldn’t you know it? People may have already started putting up fake websites meant to look like the official Equifax settlement claims website.
With these types of breaches, fake websites are popping up, making themselves look like legitimate credit bureau companies offering reimbursement for being a victim of a data breach. But beware these offers are fake, and you will be at risk of becoming a victim of identity theft or scammed straight out of your money.

How this scam works:

• Advertisements are posted throughout social media instructing people to file a claim to get money for possibly being a victim of a data breach
• Once a person is convinced, they are directed to click onto a link that will instruct them to enter personal information
• Once the personal information is entered, the scammers will have your information which can be used to open fraudulent bank accounts or credit cards.
• Once the claim has been submitted, the victim might get a response indicating they have not been a victim of a data breach.
There are three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

If you receive an email, advertisement, or phone call advising you may be a victim of a data breach, do not provide personal information until you verify the notification is legitimate.
You may be sure you’re going to the right site by going directly to the actual credit bureau websites or calling the credit bureau directly.

A couple more things to remember. You’ll never have to pay to file a claim for these benefits. And anyone who calls and tries to get you to file a claim is almost certainly a scammer.

#LASD

Vintage Search Rescue Pic
SEARCH AND RESCUE – TBT 900 900 SIB Staff

SEARCH AND RESCUE – TBT

SEARCH AND RESCUE – TBT

#ThrowbackThursday #LASD The Search and Rescue teams function as the Sheriff’s Department’s official emergency response unit. The unit provides services to those citizens who become stranded, lost, or injured in the mountainous areas of Los Angeles County.

There are eight individual teams: Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team, Antelope Valley Search and Rescue, Malibu Search and Rescue Team, Santa Clarita Valley Search and Rescue Team, Montrose Search and Rescue, San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team and Avalon Search and Rescue Team.

Most of the team members are Los Angeles County Sheriff Reserve Deputies, while others are dedicated volunteers from the local communities to assist in search and rescue operations. All teams are under the direction of the local Sheriff’s Stations.

Because team members would go into steep and treacherous terrain, possibly at night or in the rain, it is imperative that all members are well trained. In addition to academy training, Search and Rescue Team members undergo extensive mountaineering training. Also, they must hold a current Emergency Medical Technician license and usually must live within a fifteen or twenty minute response time of the station where they serve. 

Each team member is selected for his or her physical capabilities, maturity, and willingness to respond at a moment’s notice in emergency search and rescue situations. The men and women of the team are highly trained in technical rope rescue, swift water, snow and ice operations search theory and tracking.

As a part of the state of California mutual aid system, the teams also provides support search and rescue efforts throughout California and the United States.

They are ready to respond to emergency 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, to “anywhere in the wilderness that someone needs help”!

**#1951 picture from LASD museum

** Malibu search team picture from their facebook.

#throwBackThursday 900 900 SIB Staff

#throwBackThursday

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY

#ThrowbackThursday LASD has a competitive athletic tradition. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Semi Annual “World Serious” & Sgt. Brian Wilson Memorial Softball Tournament is held twice a year to honor Sgt. Brian Wilson.

This year, on September 6-8, 2019, the tournament took place at Cerritos Regional County Park in the city of Cerritos. There were 25 teams that participated in this event.

Congratulations to the Norwalk Station Softball Team for taking the championship!  After 8 games, they had beaten several teams throughout the County over the weekend-long tournament.  It was a great time to watch the good talent on the field, cheer them on, decompress and meet and enjoy each other’s families.  Deputy Travis Jaime was awarded the MVP for his outstanding defense and solid hitting! It’s the 3rd consecutive time that this team won the championship of this game. Well done Norwalk!

It is an honor to continue a tradition that Wilson had such a passion for. The tournament brings unit/station pride, as well as LASD camaraderie. We would like to thank all those who participated in this event, as well as the family and friends who came out to support the players.

*Carson ball team picture from lasdretired.org

*Norwalk picture from Norwalk Station

Graphic For Crime Time Tuesday 091019
Crime Time Tuesday: In Custody 960 960 SIB Staff

Crime Time Tuesday: In Custody

CRIME TIME TUESDAY: IN CUSTODY

#CrimeTimeTuesday Investigation by #LASD & Help of Several Law Enforcement Agencies, ends in Prison for Kidnapping Suspect that Lead Police on Motorhome Pursuit

An incident that started last year, ended with a man being sentenced to more than 88 years and four months in state prison for kidnapping his two young children and fleeing from law enforcement in a motorhome.

On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Major Crimes Bureau (MCB) detectives attempted to detain a parolee at large, Suspect Stephen Merle Houk, who was believed to be armed and wanted for evading, child abduction, child endangerment, and weapons violations.

The suspect fled the area in a motorhome and MCB initiated a pursuit. Command of the pursuit was assumed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and then by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The pursuit came to an end in an Orchard in Bakersfield.

After a two day man hunt with the joint efforts of the US Marshals Service, Kern County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Barstow Police Department, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF Railway) Police the suspect was located in a rail yard on the 200 block of North Avenue H, Barstow.

MCB detectives were able to take the suspect into custody without further incident.

Due to the collaborative efforts between many law enforcement agencies spanning several counties the suspect was successfully prosecuted, by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Child Abduction Section, for failing to register as a sex offender, kidnapping, child abuse, injuring a spouse, child detention, assault with a firearm, criminal threats, fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a felon.