PSC - Item 3C - LASD Crime Suppression Efforts - December 2023SH-AD-712 (12/21) revised 3/22
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
“A Tradition of Service Since 1850”
DATE: January 18, 2024
FROM: KEVIN TIWARI, LIEUTENANT
ROSEMEAD CHIEF OF POLICE
TO: BEN KIM, CITY MANAGER
CITY OF ROSEMEAD
SUBJECT: Crime Suppression Efforts for the Month of December
On November 30, 2023, Rosemead City Manager Ben Kim and I (Chief Kevin Tiwari)
discussed the rise in violent crime within the San Gabriel Valley. We discussed a
robbery that occurred on the evening of November 26, 2023, at the Costco in the City
of Industry, in which a victim was robbed of her purse while in the parking lot. The
victim was putting away items in her vehicle when the assailant’s vehicle drove next
to the victim and grabbed the woman’s purse. The victim held onto the purse, and
the suspects dragged her about 50 yards through the parking lot, causing her to have
critical but non-life-threatening injuries.
In preparation for the upcoming shopping holiday season, Ben and I discussed the
importance of keeping those who shop in Rosemead safe. We discussed having
deputies specifically assigned to patrol the shopping thoroughfares in Rosemead
(3600 Rosemead Boulevard- Target, Ulta, Ross, Walmart, and Macy’s) and conduct
high visibility patrols (patrol in which a deputy would have their rear amber lights on
while patrolling the parking lot to let their presence be known) as a potential deterrent
to these crimes. Also, utilizing Reserve Deputy Personnel to assist with working these
operations would help offset the burden of the extra patrol hours for the deputies.
We also discussed the recent grant awarded to the County of Los Angeles to combat
organized retail theft. In collaboration with detectives from Los Angeles County’s
Major Crimes Bureau, we would conduct several retail theft operations within
Rosemead, combating the significant increase in retail theft.
Due to the SAO- Motor Deputy item being unfilled from July to November, we utilized
salary-saving funds to fund these suppression efforts. A calendar matrix for
December, in which thirty-two (32) patrol shifts were conducted, totaling 253 hours
for patrol deputies. In addition, eleven (11) patrol shifts were conducted with Reserve
Deputies and Volunteers and Reserve Posse Deputies (Deputies/ Volunteers
patrolling the parking lot on horseback), totaling 64 hours. A combined total of 333
hours were dedicated to this suppression effort.
Action
Discussion
Crime Suppression Efforts -2- January 18, 2024
As a result of these suppression efforts, there was a significant decrease in violent
crime in the areas patrolled. In reviewing the crime statistics, there were five (5)
robberies reported for the Reporting Districts the year prior and two (2) this year. Of
those two, one occurred in the parking lot of 3600 Rosemead Boulevard, only 30
minutes after the deputy assigned to the Saturation Patrol Detail shift was over. On
two separate occasions, Target Loss Prevention Contacted the deputies during their
suppression efforts and advised them there were individuals inside who were exiting
the store with a shopping cart of unpaid merchandise. The deputies detained the
individuals and effected an arrest, and the store recovered their merchandise.
There were also three (3) Organized Retail Theft operations conducted in Rosemead,
in which a total of thirty-five (35) individuals were arrested for various misdemeanor/
felony charges, and a total of $8,964 in merchandise was recovered and returned to
the store (See attached after action reports for further information). On December 29,
2024, Macy’s Senior Asset Protection Manager sent a letter thanking the SAO
Deputies for their effort in combating the retail theft and helping recover over $2,500
in merchandise (See attached letter for further details).
On January 2, 2024, it was announced that the two individuals who allegedly
committed the robbery at the Costco in the City of Industry were arrested. They were
two brothers who lived in the San Gabriel Valley (Diamond Bar). Investigators are still
investigating if the brothers are responsible for other robberies in the San Gabriel
Valley (See attached Los Angeles Times article).
After Action Report- Target- December 13, 2023.
After Action Report- Macys- December 19, 2023.
After Action Report- Walmart- December 29, 2023.
Email from Macy’s Loss Prevention Specialist
Los Angeles Times Article- L.A. Costco shopper was dragged by getaway car; 2
brothers arrested - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
ATTACHMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION