Scanner Report: LAPD Hunts Burglary Suspect Along Ventura Blvd.

November 1, 2011

Tuesday

11:00 a.m. 6700 block of Vesper Avenue, Van Nuys

LAFD's Operations Command Dispatch (OCD) sends Rescue Ambulance 909 and Rescue Ambulance 81 to attend to a patient with "chest pains" at the residential address.

11:01 a.m. Ventura Boulevard and Vineland Avenue, Studio City

An North Hollywood Division LAPD patrol officer radios his supervisor about his current call, an attempted "GTA" (grand theft auto) from a residential location. It appears that this particular incident may be related to several other "459 hot prowls" in the area. (A "459" is police code for a burglary, and a "459 hot prowl" is a more dangerous type of burglary, where the crime is committed at a location where the residents are still present.)

The GTA witness described the alleged suspect as a white male, 5'6", 155 lbs., wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans, and carrying possible stolen objects such as a laptop and a large camera. He may have them in a bag or backpack that would fit such things.

But in the other hot prowl burglary cases, witnesses have seen a person that nearly fits the same description, with same physical build and clothing, except the alleged burglar was described as a black man.

An LAPD helicopter is assisting with the search for the attempted GTA suspect, and sees a man fitting the description in an alley west of Vineland Avenue off of Ventura Boulevard. But the man that the helicopter officer sees is wearing a "brown leather jacket" and is bald-headed. The helicopter alerts a patrol unit that just parked near the alley and directs one of the patrol officers to where this man is.

The first LAPD officer radios the dispatcher for another unit to bring a camera to the scene, and to check and make sure that the camera works before responding.

The helicopter officer asks if the witness "got a good look" at the alleged suspect, as there may be some discrepancy due to the "brown jacket" he is wearing, although the man could have put on the jacket after the car theft attempt. The first LAPD officer reviews the suspect description and thinks that the man in the alley may be a "good field show-up" (where the police detain the man in the alley and then see if the witness recognizes him).

11:06 a.m. Ventura Boulevard and Vineland Avenue, Studio City

A North Hollywood LAPD patrol unit has detained the man in the alley. The first LAPD officer asks if the detained man has any "fresh cuts on his hands" or anywhere else, and the detaining officer says he didn't look for that, but he adds that the man had no items with him, other than the clothes he's wearing. The detained man also says he works nearby.

11:11 a.m. 7500 block of Mason Street, Winnetka

LAPD's Valley Traffic Division is called to the scene of a "hit-and-run misdemeanor" incident at the location. The suspect vehicle is described as a "gold-colored Toyota Carolla."

11:12 a.m. Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Vanowen Street, Woodland Hills

LAFD Engine 72 is dispatched to the scene of a traffic accident at the intersection. An LAFD rescue ambulance is also called to the scene, as well as a Valley Traffic Division patrol unit.

11:20 a.m. 14400 block of Delano Street, Reseda

A Van Nuys LAPD patrol unit is called to the scene of a "domestic violence, restraining order violation." A man is reported to be at a residential location where he is prohibited.

11:26 a.m. 4400 block of Fox Street, San Fernando

LAFD Rescue 75 is dispatched to help a person suffering a stroke at the location.

11:31 a.m. 3700 block of Willowcrest Avenue, Studio City

North Hollywood LAPD are still gathering information at the "459 hot prowl" incident, still trying to get a clearer description of the man seen at the last location, on whether or not he was a white male, as reported. The primary patrol unit at the scene provides additional information, noting that the alleged thief may have "taken keys" and was possibly planning to return at a later time to steal a vehicle.

11:42 a.m. 7700 block of Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood

LAFD Rescue 889 is called to the scene of an assault at the location.

11:44 a.m. La Valle Street and DeGarmo Avenue, Sylmar

LAFD's OCD dispatches engine and rescue units to the traffic accident at the location.

11:46 a.m. La Valle Street and DeGarmo Avenue, Sylmar

LAFD Rescue 91 radios OCD and advise that they "find nothing" at the location. OCD gets a correction to the address, and finds it's in fire station 75's district.

11:48 a.m. Rinaldi Street and Indian Hills Road, Mission Hills

OCD dispatches Light Force 75, Engine 18 and Rescue 90 to the corrected address of the traffic accident, originally placed at La Valle Street and DeGarmo Avenue in Sylmar.

11:54 a.m. 7300 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, North Hollywood

North Hollywood LAPD patrol units are called to the scene of a vandalism occurrence at the location.

I2:30 p.m. Somewhere in Los Angeles

Metro Division LAPD SWAT team radios its members about the immediate "scenario" for a training session. An unknown number of gunmen armed with automatic weapons have just driven down a residential street in a dark-colored SUV, firing at multiple houses. There are reports of "four people down" (four gunshot victims).

An LAPD helicopter is now over the scene, and has spotted the suspect vehicle driving away from the area. The LAPD air crew observes the vehicle and sees a gunman point his weapon outside the vehicle window. Then the gunman is observed firing into buildings, as the vehicle drives through a neighborhood.

SWAT personnel, already alerted, have just rolled in and are now in pursuit. Somehow SWAT has managed to box in the vehicle into a street corner, but it appears that the gunmen in the vehicle are not going to surrender. An automatic weapon is again pointed out of the SUV's window and the vehicle begins to move, and gunfire erupts.

At 1 p.m., SWAT finishes the drill, which sounds like it's some sort of "Wild West Shoot-Out" from a moving vehicle, possibly a "scenario" designed to practice tactical engagement with well-armed gangsters.

A request for "new role-players" is broadcast, and this time "snipers" are being staged somewhere.