NEWS

LBPD Seeks College Assault Suspect

LONG BEACH — The Long Beach Police Department is requesting the community’s help in identifying and providing information on the whereabouts of a suspect who attempted to sexually assault a woman, at about 9 p.m. Sept. 15, on the Liberal Arts Campus of Long Beach City Campus.

The 18-year-old woman was inside of a stall when the suspect forced his way in and attempted to sexually assault her before fleeing. The woman was treated and released from a local hospital for related injuries.

Detectives released composite sketch. The suspect was described was about 18 to 25 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a thin build and wearing dark clothing.

Police believe the incident was isolated because a similar sexual assault has not been taken place on campus since September of 2006.

Students, faculty and all members of the community are encouraged to:

• Keep your cell phone accessible
• Report suspicious activity
• To receive contact campus police at (562) 435-6711 for an escort
• Always be alert to your surroundings
• Whenever possible, travel with a friend
• Stay in well-lighted areas whenever possible
• Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys
• Walk confidently and make eye contact with people
• Keep your keys in your hand when walking to your vehicle
• Park in well-lighted areas whenever possible
• Keep windows and doors locked
• If followed, do not drive home
• Sign up for LBPD alerts at www.nixle.com

Details: (562) 570-7368

Crime Suspects Sought in Long Beach

LONG BEACH — The Long Beach Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the two suspects who they believe may be responsible for the murder of Franklin Robles, who was killed during a robbery on Aug. 9, 2010, in the 1400 Block of W. 16th Street in Long Beach.

The preliminary investigation revealed that victim Robles, who is from Lake Elsinore, had come to Long Beach to purchase a vehicle. Once at the location, he was approached and robbed by two male suspects. Witnesses said the suspects then fled in a dark colored van.

Several hours after the murder, a witness in Lake Elsinore reported seeing a tan Chevy Suburban with four men at the victim’s residence. Detectives believe these suspects are responsible for the burglary that occurred to Robles’ home within hours of his murder, and may also be connected to his death.

The burglary suspects were described as:

Suspect 1: 35 to 40 years old, 5’11” to 6’0” tall, 220 to 230 pounds, with short black hair.
Suspect 2: 40 to 45 years old, 6’0 to 6’1” tall, 200 to 210 pounds, with short grayish- black hair.

These descriptions are similar to the suspect descriptions provided in the Robles murder.

Anyone who may any information on the identities or whereabouts of the suspects is urged to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives at (562) 570-7244.

Anonymous tips may be submitted at www.tipsoft.com.

Green Affordable Senior Housing Opens in Wilmington

WILMINGTON — The Harbor Area welcomed the grand opening of Dana Strand Senior Apartments, Oct. 6, on the 400 block of Hawaiian Avenue Wilmington.

Dana Strand Senior Housing represents the third phase of the redevelopment of Dana Strand Village, the former public housing site.

The new Dana Strand is designed to provide 100 affordable, one-bedroom senior apartments to house seniors with annual incomes at or below 30 percent of the Los Angeles County Area Median Income.

The development is a three story building, with 82 parking spaces. Project amenities include a computer center, a community room and energy-efficient appliances along with a wide array of resident services, including computer classes, ESL classes, and resident events.

This development is environmentally-sensitive and transformed the underutilized infill site into a beautiful residential development. The project is constructed using sustainable building methods and also incorporates a number of “green” features designed to ensure its long-term energy-efficiency and sustainability.

The apartment community features sustainable strategies and technology to reduce residents' utility costs.

“The City of Los Angeles actively engages private partners that focus on solving the complex urban housing issues in Los Angeles,” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. “We believe that our residents are the ones who benefit the most from these public- private collaborations.”

Dana Strand Senior Apartments is financed with 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and tax-exempt bond financing made possible by Freddie Mac Credit Enhancement Program. The project cost about $22.3 million.

Pro-Veterans Measure Extends Higher Education Eligibility

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown signed a measure, Sept. 30 that would help veterans returning to college.

Details: www.senate.ca.gov/lieu

Two Families Ask Cooley to take on the LBPD

LONG BEACH — On Sept. 28, the families of Doug Zerby and Ismael Lopez, two men who were killed by Long Beach PoIice in unrelated incidents are asking Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley to follow suit against department.

The families were prompted to take this action, soon after Orange County’s District Attorney Tony Rackauckas made the decision to charge two on-duty policemen in the beating and killing of Kelly Thomas a homeless man in Fullerton.

Ismael Lopez was shot to death Aug. 26, near 10th Street and Long Beach Boulevard after police were dispatched on an “unknown trouble call” that may have been gang related.

Family members and their attorney maintain that Lopez was partially paralyzed from being robbed and jumped several years ago and walked with a pronounced limp that left him unable to run. He was on parole for auto theft and visiting friends in the 200 block of 10th Street when a gang fight broke out and two men were stabbed.

LBPD alleges that he was running away from officers when he took some action that caused a motor officer to feel threatened. The officer fired five rounds, striking Lopez once in the upper body. A knife was found in the path that he ran but that it was not clear whether Lopez had been carrying it, officials said. The family said he was not a gang member.

On Dec. 12, 2010, LBPD officers shot and killed Doug Zerby, who was holding a garden hose nozzle, which police mistook for a gun. Almost a year later, the police department has yet to complete its internal investigation.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office usually waits for the internal investigation is complete. But the LBPD maintains the cases are ongoing and they have no timeline as to when the department will complete its investigation.

Three Slots Open at Long Beach Airport

LONG BEACH — On Oct. 4, the Long Beach Airport announced the opening of three air carrier flight slots that will be freed up after Allegiant airlines discontinues its service effective Nov. 3, following a shift in business direction.

The airport currently has 41 air carrier slots.

Allegiant will be serving other markets with their fleet of MD-80's. The Airport will reallocate flight slots to increase the potential to broaden flight service and better serve travelers.

Passenger seat totals from Long Beach Airport have increased 4 percent since the past year.