UCLA Gateway

2009 News Briefs

UCLA PD Arrests Four for Grand Theft of Bikes in Two Separate Incidents 
On October 25 at 10:40 p.m., officers arrested Alex Zamora, 39, and Jose Hernandez, 25, both of Los Angeles for bike theft. Officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop on Zamora at Westwood Blvd. and Weyburn Ave. Zamora was found to be in possession of bolt cutters and a bike with a coil lock that was cut. Zamora was accompanied by Hernandez who had possession of two bikes and admitted to stealing them. Zamora and Hernandez were taken into custody for grand theft without incident. 

The case has been submitted to the District Attorney Office for further review.

UCLA PD is looking for the owners of the bikes. The bikes are described as a GT Outpost male bike, 6 speed; Ross 18 speed, male bike; and a silver unknown brand 18 speed, male bike.

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On October 26 at 2 p.m. officers arrested Bruce Calvert, 57, of Marina Del Rey and Lorne Murphy, 28, of Los Angeles for grand theft. With his cell phone programmed with UCLA PD dispatch number (310-825-1491), an observant community member notified UCLA PD of a bike theft in progress at the Engineering IV bike racks. A detailed physical description and direction of travel of the suspects was provided to UCLA PD Dispatch. As officers arrived, Calvert was detained immediately. After a brief foot pursuit, Murphy was detained. The witness was able to identify both suspects. Calvert and Murphy were taken into custody without further incident.

The case has been submitted to the District Attorney for further review.

UCLA PD would like to thank the community for being alert and participating in this arrest. 

With the increase in bike thefts, UCLA PD will continue to need the community's help in apprehending thieves. 

UCLA PD would like to remind the community:

• Use a quality lock and case hardened chain or cable lock to protect your bike.
• Consider using a bike locker. To participate, sign up at the Bicycle Parking Network.  See the Link in Related Information box to the right.
• Program your cell phone with UCLA PD dispatch number (310) 825-1491.
• Report suspicious activity such as loitering near bike racks or the use of bolt cutters to UCLA PD immediately.

Suspects Arrested in Thefts of 26 Catalytic Converters on Campus
On September 4, 2009, at about 1 p.m., Juan Carlos Calderon, 28 years old, and Christopher Roy Williams, 36 years old, were arrested for the recent series of catalytic converter thefts at UCLA and surrounding areas. The two may be responsible for stealing at least 60 catalytic converters from Toyota Tacomas and 4Runners in the last few months. 

In a multi-agency collaborative effort, detectives identified a common suspect vehicle description and two suspects, Calderon and Williams. On September 4, Detectives followed Calderon and Williams, driving a 1990s BMW 745 through various parts of Los Angeles and onto the USC campus. When the suspects left USC, Detectives were able to confirm that multiple catalytic converters had just been stolen from a parking structure. 

With the coordinated efforts and outstanding communication between multiple agencies, Calderon and Williams were taken into custody and multiple catalytic converters were recovered from the car they were driving. The suspects are believed to be responsible for thefts from Los Angeles, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, LAX, USC and twenty-six thefts from UCLA. Both suspects face multiple felony charges.

Catalytic Converter Thefts
In the last week (Aug 14-20), UCLA PD has received 7 reports of catalytic converter thefts from Structures 1 & 8. All thefts were from Toyota Tacomas and 4Runners.

There has been a national trend of catalytic converter thefts in recent years. Catalytic converters are targeted for the recyclable metals inside. Although UCLA has experienced a few thefts, we have not experienced the trend. The national trend statistics indicate that catalytic converters from trucks, particularly Toyota Tacomas and 4Runners are the most targeted. Thieves can remove a catalytic converter from the underside of a vehicle within a minute or two.

If you see suspicious activity such as people loitering near vehicles, "working" underneath a vehicle, idling vehicles or other unusual activity, call UCLA PD immediately at (310) 825-1491.

Roland Ruiz—2008 Officer of the Year
UCLA PD is proud to announce that Officer Roland Ruiz is the Police Officer of the Year for 2008. Selection criteria for this prestigious award is based on the individual's performance of duties that demonstrate the highest standards of competence and professionalism, their contribution to the department and commitment to the principles of Community Oriented Policing. Please see Related Information for the article describing Officer Roland's accomplishments.

UCLA PD Recovers Stolen Laptop
On May 5, 2009, at 4:48 p.m., Jessee Dominic Roach of Long Beach, was found to be in possession of a laptop that was stolen from the MacDonald Research Medical Laboratory on April 20. Roach contacted the victim and stated that he wanted to sell the laptop back to him. The victim agreed to meet with Roach and buy back the laptop. UCLA PD was informed of the transaction and arrested Roach as he arrived at the meeting location. Roach was taken into custody without incident for receiving stolen property.

The case has been submitted to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office for review. 

Bio Sciences Research Building Burglars Arrested
On April 11, 2009, at 9:44 a.m., Jesus Casteneda and German Mercado, both from Los Angeles, were arrested for attempted burglary of the Bio Sciences Research Building. While on bike patrol, Officer Washburn observed the two suspects attempting to pry the sliding glass doors. Officer Washburn made contact with the subjects and detained them for further investigation. The two subjects attempted to flee but were subsequently arrested after concerned citizens began calling dispatch regarding the two suspects hiding in the area. Casteneda and Mercado were taken into custody without further incident. UCLA PD recovered a stolen Macintosh computer and janitorial items from a white Chevy 2-door SUV used by the suspects.

The case has been submitted to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for review.

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On April 7, 2009, at 8:39 p.m., Friday Roland of Palmdale was arrested for an attempt residential burglary at the Olive Court Apartment complex located at 925 Weyburn Ave. An alert citizen observed Rowland attempting to open the gate using a metal rod and attempting to pry a window adjacent to the gate. UCLA PD Officers were dispatched to the location and contacted Roland after initiating a vehicle stop at on a black 4-door Mercedes that matched the description given by witnesses. Roland was placed into custody without incident.

The case has been submitted to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for review.

 UCLA PD would like to remind everyone of the following safety tips:

• Program UCLA PD's 24-hour number into personal cell phones (310) 825-1491.
• Secure windows and doors, when the room is not occupied
• Call UCLA PD immediately at (310) 825-1491, if you see suspicious persons or activity.

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UCLA Students Warned Against Travel in Mexico  
Because of a recent increase in crime and violence in various parts of Mexico, UCLA students are strongly advised not to travel there during the March 21–30 spring break, the campus's Office of Student Affairs said. Students are especially advised to avoid travel in Mexican cities near the U.S. border or their neighboring areas. The situation has caused the U.S. State Department to issue a travel alert for Mexico regarding the border areas with the U.S., where conflicts among rival drug cartels and between cartels and Mexican authorities have led to numerous firefights in many cities and towns. The State Department also warned travelers about the risks of travel in any area of the country. 

• Full text of the letter sent to UCLA students by Robert J. Naples, associate vice chancellor and dean of students
• State Department's travel alert for Mexico (in effect through August)

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Bike Thief Arrested
On January 13, 2009, UCLA PD arrested Jorge Luis Delatorriente of Inglewood for Grand Theft. UCLA Detectives contacted Delatorriente during a follow-up investigation of a bicycle that was stolen on January 11, 2009 from the Dykstra Hall bicycle rack adjacent to De Neve Commons.

On January 12, 2009, UCLA Detectives were tipped that a mountain bike matching the description of the stolen bicycle was being advertised for sale on Craigslist. The victim, with the assistance of detectives, contacted the suspect and arranged to meet to complete a potential transaction. Upon identifying his bicycle, detectives placed the suspect into custody without incident. Detectives confirmed that the suspect matched the description of an individual from recorded security camera footage. Detectives served two search warrants at residential locations in Westwood and Inglewood that led to the recovery of 18 bicycles. Detectives are attempting to identify the legal owners of the recovered bicycles. UCLA Community members with reported lost or stolen bicycles may want to check with UCLA Police to determine if their bike has been recovered. Please contact UCLA Detectives (310) 825-9731 for further information.

The case has been submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Since Delatorriente’s arrest, 41 bicycles have been reported stolen campus.

UCLA PD would like to advise all community members of the following safety tips in safeguarding your bicycle. Please record the following information and keep it in a safe place:

• Model Number
• Stamped Serial Number
• Description  (color, brand, number of speeds, customization)
• Personal identifying marks or features
• Pictures
• Utilize commercial bike lock such as a U-Lock (secure to rear wheel and tire)
• If not used on a daily basis, periodically move your bicycle to a different bike rack

For further information contact the Crime Prevention Unit at (310) 825-6111.

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Sexual Battery Suspect Arrested
On February 11, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. Eddy Marroquin was arrested for sexual battery after grabbing the buttocks of a female nurse as she walked through the Arizona Parking Structure adjacent to the Santa Monica Medical Center. A Good Samaritan assisted the victim by detaining Marroquin after a brief foot pursuit. UCLA PD Lead Officer Debbie Mills was flagged down by the victim and notified of the incident. Marroquin was placed into custody without incident and transported to UCLA PD’s Station for booking. Marroquin was released on his own recognizance. 

The case has been submitted to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for review.

 UCLA PD would like to remind everyone of the following safety tips:

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Prowler Arrested
On January 12, 2009, at 9:17 p.m. David Michael Cherkes of Los Angeles, was arrested for prowling after a report of a subject looking into a kitchen window of an apartment on the 10900 Block of Strathmore Ave. After receiving a detailed description of the suspect, UCLA PD officers quickly responded to the area and contacted Cherkes in the vicinity of the victim's apartment. Cherkes was cited and released. The case has been submitted to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for review.

UCLA PD would like to remind the UC community of a few apartment safety tips:

Apartment Safety Tips

• If you rent, contact your landlord to ensure exterior and common doors are locked at all times.
• California Civil Code 1941.3 requires landlords to supply and maintain deadbolts and window locks on first floor apartments. For information, contact the LA City Housing Office at (213) 847-7368.
• Have your keys ready and enter the house as quickly as possible when returning home.
• Put curtains or blinds on all windows and keep them closed at night.
• If door keys have been lost, change locks or re-key immediately.
• Do not hide door keys outside your home and do not loan house keys to anyone other than family members or trusted friends.
• If you hear a prowler inside your house, get out of the house, if possible, through a back door or window. Avoid any confrontation with the prowler.

Notify UCLA PD of suspicious activities or people, call (310) 825-1491 or the Anonymous Tip Message line at (310) 794-5824.

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