Palisades Neighborhood News

Man Assaulted, Vehicle Stolen | Will Rogers State Beach

A group of suspects in a stolen vehicle assaulted a man and took his vehicle at Will Rogers State Beach on Friday morning, January 3, according to Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin.

“The suspects proceeded to our area in Will Rogers Beach where they assaulted and carjacked an elderly man walking his dog along the bike path,” Espin said. “As [the] victim was loading his vehicle to leave, [the] suspects approached the victim and assaulted him and took off with his vehicle.”

A 911 call was made, and officers canvassed the area for the suspects. West Los Angeles Patrol Officers then located and “gave chase to” the suspects fleeing in the stolen vehicle.

“The pursuit went through several jurisdictions of LAPD,” Espin explained. “The suspects were eventually arrested after an hour-long pursuit when they [stopped] the vehicle in Hollywood and attempted to run away.”

A LAPD helicopter kept watch and guided the officers to the suspects’ location, where they were then taken into custody.

—LILY TINOCO

January 1 Brush Fire | The Highlands

Los Angeles Fire Department reported a brush fire early Wednesday morning, January 1, near Via Las Palmas in the Highlands.

The first alert was released at 12:17 a.m., reporting approximately three to four acres of heavy brush burning under 15 mph winds. At 1:41 a.m., LAFD provided an update, revealing that the acreage increased to approximately eight to nine acres.

LAFD Air Ops launched multiple helicopters, and firefighters had structural defense in place at the southeast end of Via Pacifica and Via La Costa and coordinated directly with affected homes.

At 4:46 a.m., LAFD completed the hose line around the perimeter of the fire and declared it fully contained. The fire was held at eight acres, and LAFD reported no structural damage and no injuries.

“The cause of the fire is still undetermined as they did not see any evidence of where the fire started from,” Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer for Pacific Palisades Brian Espin reported.        

—LILY TINOCO