A beautiful start to the weekend turned extra weird and kind of gross when a woman flagged down an LAPD beach Sergeant and pointed out a man taking photos with his cell phone up the skirts of passing women. When to officer visually located the suspect, he was engaged in the act of taking a photo up the skirt of a female. The officer asked the man to stop and come talk with him, and the suspect took off running - engaging the officer in a foot pursuit across the sand… and into the ocean. The suspect went into the water up to his waist. Lifeguards went into the water and coaxed him out where he was taken into custody. Gross.

Check this out on Chirbit

Last night at around 10:15 p.m. a call came into LAPD regarding a parolee-at-large that was seen in a parking lot and then entering an adjacent home near 6th and Rose. A perimeter was set up and officers surrounded the location for several hours, making calls to the suspect to surrender. After several hours LAPD entered the location and the parolee was not there. He is known to frequent the area, and has friends and family nearby. More information regarding the suspect may be made available shortly.

July 4th Fireworks in Marina del Rey - from visitmarinadelrey.com
The traditional fireworks extravaganza over Marina del Rey takes place annually on July 4th at 9 p.m., and lasts approximately 20 minutes. Celebrate in the marina, as one of few communities still bringing in the 4th with a bang!

The show begins with lively movement and color, intensifying to an explosive skyline display, mirrored by the water below. The event is sponsored by Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors and a host of community supporters.

Where to Watch the Fireworks
Fireworks are launched from a floating barge located in the waters of the main channel between Fisherman’s Village and the Breakwater (the ocean entrance to the harbor). Depending upon weather and cloud cover on the night of the show, the fireworks can usually be seen throughout the marina, and from the waterfront side of most hotels, restaurants, beaches, apartments and anchorages. You may be able to glimpse the fireworks from afar from Playa del Rey and Venice Beach Pier. Popular locations include:

• Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way (2 blocks west of Lincoln Blvd.)
• Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way (1 block west of Admiralty Way)
• Marina Beach (Mother’s Beach), 4101 Admiralty Way (1 block south of Washington Blvd.)

Parking
Come early! Parking lots fill up early on July 4th. There is no on-street parking inside Marina del Rey. Parking is available in 14 self-pay public lots. Most parking lots are full by 6 p.m.

Fisherman’s Village Area Parking:
• Lot #1 - 13737 Fiji Way (423 spaces)
• Dock 52, 13501 Fiji Way (232 spaces)
• Lot #2 – 13465 Fiji Way (225 spaces)

Burton Chace Park Area Parking:
• Lot #2 – 13477 Fiji Way (225 spaces)
• Lot #4 – 13500 Mindanao Way (145 spaces)
• Lot #5 – 4545 Admiralty Way (at Bali Way) (219 spaces)
• Lot EE – 13650 Mindanao Way (60 spaces)

Marina Beach Area Parking:
• Lot #8 – 4220 Admiralty Way (next to Marina International Hotel) (177 spaces)
• Lot #9 - 14110 Palawan Way (181 spaces)
• Lot #10 – 4101 Admiralty Way (across from Marina del Rey Marriott Hotel) (206 spaces)
• Lot #11 – 14101 Panay Way (at Via Marina near Cheesecake Factory) (255 spaces)
• Lot #12 – 14151 Marquesas Way (at Via Marina) (199 spaces)

Street Closures
Streets in and around Marina del Rey are heavily impacted on July 4th, and some streets will be closed to incoming traffic in the hours leading up to the fireworks display, depending upon traffic and parking conditions. Many streets in the Marina Peninsula residential area are closed except to local access only by mid-day on July 4th; Street Closure List.

If you plan to visit a restaurant or hotel by personal car, shuttle or taxi, schedule an early arrival to avoid inconvenience, and call the business in advance of your arrival for traffic advice and instructions.

After the fireworks are over, exiting the Marina may involve substantial delays, and you may not be able to exit the area in the same direction from which you arrived. Be prepared for major detours and street closures.

Beach Shuttle
The Playa Vista – Marina del Rey – Venice Pier Beach ground shuttle operates from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on July 4th. The last shuttle departs Playa Vista at 7:15 p.m. There is no service after 8 p.m. to return to your starting point, so plan your trip accordingly.

WaterBus
Marina del Rey WaterBus is an on-the-water shuttle system, and links seven locations within the marina by boat. It operates from 11 a.m. – midnight on July 4th.

Bike Trail Closure
The bike path in the area of the UCLA Marina Aquatic Center boat ramp to the east side of La Ballona Creek Bridge is closed from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 4th.

Driving Directions To Marina del Rey
Driving into Marina del Rey from other parts of California is simple with its proximity to major freeways. Marina del Rey is convenient to the 405, 10 and 105 freeways, and Lincoln Boulevard (Route 1).

From the northern Los Angeles area, drive south on the San Diego Freeway (405-S), past the junction with the Santa Monica Freeway (10), and exit at the Marina Freeway (90). Take the Marina Freeway for approximately 3 miles. Before the freeway ends, turn left onto Mindanao Way, and drive into the Marina area. Turn left or right onto Admiralty Way to your destination.

From the southern Los Angeles area, drive north on the San Diego Freeway (405-N), past Los Angeles International Airport, and exit at the Marina Freeway (90). Take the Marina Freeway for approximately 3 miles. Before the freeway ends, turn left onto Mindanao Way, and drive into the Marina area. Turn left or right onto Admiralty Way to your destination.

From the eastern Los Angeles area, drive west on the Santa Monica Freeway (10-W) to the San Diego Freeway (405-S). Exit at the Marina Freeway (90). Take the Marina Freeway for approximately 3 miles. Before the freeway ends, turn left onto Mindanao Way, and drive into the Marina area. Turn left or right onto Admiralty Way to your destination.

Viewing the Fireworks Display From a Boat
Fireworks are launched from a floating barge located in the main channel between Fisherman’s Village and the Breakwater. Boats are allowed to idle in the main channel (no anchoring). A designated ‘fall-out’ zone surrounds the fireworks launch site where no is be allowed to enter. Fireworks can also be viewed from Santa Monica Bay.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department Operations West Bureau Sexual Assault Detail is investigating the sexual assault of a female in her 20s that occurred in the afternoon of May 31, 2012.

On May 31, 2012, around 3:30 p.m., the victim was taking a shower in her residence located in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles when an unknown male entered her apartment and forcibly sexually assaulted her.

Investigators reviewed the available surveillance video from the apartment building for evidence of the crime and to possibly identify the suspects and /or any witnesses involved.

Investigators are seeking information from a PERSON OF INTEREST/ POSSIBLE WITNESS who was at the location. Images of that person were captured by surveillance video and are attached to this release.

This appears to be an isolated incident and should not cause the community to be alarmed.

Anyone with information about this crime or recognizing the Person of Interest is asked to contact Operations-West Bureau Sexual Assault Detail, Detective L. Nunez at 213-473-0447. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

Awesome neighbor Susan who lives by Oakwood Park wanted to organize a cleanup for the residue of weekend partying left of the streets in her neighborhood. She rallied a friend, gave us a call and we all met Sunday by Oakwood Park. We brought trash bags, sweepers, paint and it didn’t take long to make the rounds and get things cleaned! Lots of passers by said thanks! Big thanks to Susan for taking the initiative… we’ll be making it a regular thing now thanks to her! If you want to organize a weekend cleanup just shoot us an email to [email protected]

Billy Young, the suspect in the murder of Kevin Hirtle in February of 2011 was sentenced to 6 years in state prison on July 19th. He is required to serve 85% of his sentence - and has already spent 16 months in jail. Apparently the DA’s office had three primary witnesses. One backed out, the other was a transient and was unable to be located, and the third kept changing his story. The State’s case was getting weaker, so a plea was struck resulting in the 6 year sentence. Kind of shocking…

Billy and Kevin were transients, and friends. Witnesses recount the two were in an argument in the hour leading up to the murder when Billy approached Kevin on Westminster and Ocean Front Walk and stabbed him multiple times. Kevin was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

In keeping with the “all change is bad” common reaction to anything in Venice - lots of questions were hanging around when the building on Windward and Pacific which had a mural painted on it - got the equivalent of a full on Liquid Paper bath. We asked around and everyone said it was just staying white - but today we heard on good authority that it will be painted a plain color, maybe a beige or taupe, and will have plain lettering designating each shop. If you hang on that corner for a few minutes, you’ll have enough of a contact high to imagine a wild kalidescope of whatever your imagination can conjure up. At least it looks clean. For now.

Thanks to the contribution of a basketball loving donor - the Venice Beach basketball courts are getting a total facelift starting Monday June 25th. More than 50 parks in the Los Angeles area are going to benefit from the donation, and we are lucky to be one of them! The basketball courts are one of the most used facilities in the park.

One court will remain open during the entire duration of the revamp which is expected to last about 3 weeks. The ground will be torn up, graded and completely new surfaces will be put in with new poles, posts, backboards etc - and bleachers! It is expected that they will close and fence off the joined courts first, and when they are completed work will move to the single large court by 17th Ave. If you have any questions stop by and chat with the friendly folks at the Park Office!

Los Angeles: Detectives from Topanga Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail (NED) served search warrants at two medical marijuana dispensaries and a private residence in the division, resulting in three arrests and a cache of narcotics, money, other evidence of illegal marijuana sales.

On Tuesday, June 19, 2012, around 4:20 p.m., Topanga Area NED detectives converged on two commercial marijuana dispensaries, one in the 22000 block of Ventura Boulevard, and the other in the 23000 block of Ventura Boulevard, as well as a single family residence in the 5700 block of Wilhelmina Avenue, all owned by the same family.

The warrants were obtained after a nearly year-long investigation into the illegal sales of marijuana and hashish from the two dispensaries on Ventura Boulevard. Three Los Angeles residents, 25-year-old Mia Shomer, 37-year-old Fahar Kinhi, and 36-year-old Alexander Blinderman, were arrested for Possession for Sales of Marijuana and booked at Valley Jail Section. Each are being held on $20,000 bail. Additionally, investigators will be seeking arrest warrants through the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for two additional suspects who were not present when the search warrants were served.

Investigators recovered approximately $40,000 in cash from a hidden floor safe at the residence. At the two dispensaries, investigators recovered approximately $2,000 in cash and approximately 30 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated street value of $90,000. Also recovered from the dispensary in the 23000 block of Ventura Boulevard was over 100 individual vials of hashish packaged for sale and over 225 marijuana plants.

Four large commercial safes were located at the dispensaries. Investigators from the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division Safe Detail opened the safes and found large quantities of marijuana and cash.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Topanga Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail Detectives, Detective Carlos Figueira at 818-756-4850. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.
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