Category Archives: LAPD

A Humiliating Night in Jail

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Feb. 12, 1910: John L. Grant and his wife, Margie, are in jail on charges of obtaining money under false pretenses, accused of selling their five-year lease and the furniture in a rooming house at 1401 N. Winfield … Continue reading →

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Woman Refuses to Testify Against Husband in Prostitution Case

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 11, 1910: A.C. Berchtold, onetime head of the police "purity squad," is found hiding in the closet when detectives serve a search warrant on Myrtle Booth. "His costume was not suitable for a polite social call," The Times … Continue reading →

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Teenage War Hero Arrested in Los Angeles

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 10, 1910: The Times reports the adventures of Ian (possibly Jan) Koutnik, described as a “hero of the Czech-Slovak troops.” Young Ian, loose in the city en route to be adopted in Chicago,  was arrested on suspicion of … Continue reading →

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The Underbelly of California

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

Christina House / For The Times Richard Rayner at the Festival of Books, 2009 If you have a good memory, you may recall a panel at last year’s Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on “The Underbelly of California,” moderated … Continue reading →

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Harry Raymond Quits LAPD

Posted on February 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 4, 1920: Ted Shawn, Martha Graham and dancers from Denishawn. But separate performances for men and women? Crime has increased dramatically, but no one knows why, the district attorney’s office says.  Feb. 4, 1920: Harry Raymond resigns as … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 3, 1960

Posted on February 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Crash!” The Foundry     Almost everyone at one time or another aspires to be a writer and perhaps reshape the world with a literary effort so filled with truth and wisdom that fame and riches are inevitable.     When they … Continue reading →

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February 8, 1920: Police Arrest Men in Girls’ Garb

Posted on February 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  February 1, 1920: The purity squad raids a party at the home of former Mayor Arthur Harper.

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 1, 1960

Posted on February 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

Different Way to Lose     Those who have learned the hard way will stipulate that race track betting is a snare and a delusion.  Today we have with us reader G.S., who has a dynamic idea to unsnare and undelude … Continue reading →

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Woman Attempts Suicide Rather Than Return to Prison

Posted on February 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Fire Is a Good and Blessed Thing, but if You Put Your Hand in It You’ll Get Burnt.” Feb. 1, 1920: Police respond to a call at 5032 Hollywood Blvd. and arrest Alice Lowry, a burglar who scouted apartment … Continue reading →

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Chief Says He Was Misquoted on Latinos

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Two youths are questioned in the killing of honor student Leonard Moore. Former homicide Detective Aldo Corsini dies at the age of 65. He handled many gruesome ax murders and poisonings of the 1930s and early 1940s and as an … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Councilman Criticizes Chief Over Views Toward Latinos

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Those Telegrams Were Fake.” Councilman Edward R. Roybal criticizes Police Chief William H. Parker over the alleged statement at a Jan. 26, 1960, civil rights hearing: "Some of these people [Mexican Americans] have been here since before we were … Continue reading →

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Police Commission to Select New Chief

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 29, 1910: The Times reports on possible candidates to replace Police Chief Edward F. Dishman, who was removed without explanation by the Police Commission on Jan. 25, 1910. Dishman was succeeded by Police Chief Alexander Galloway. Galloway … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 28, 1960

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

Petite Con Lady Now Flipping Owl Feathers     She's 70, at least.  She likes wide-brimmed owl-feather hats, bright chiffon scarves and Oriental necklaces.     She always wears these to compliment her outlandish 1920 outfits when she goes to pull a  … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, LAPD, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

School for Shoplifters

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs.   Jan. 28, 1920: George Sutton is charged with teaching his wife and daughters how to shoplift. According to The Times, Sutton’s wife, Elsie, and daughters Dessie and Doretta would enter … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 27, 1960

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Costly Wrong Number       Mrs. Margaret Guevara, 742 W 144th St., was going about her household chores the other day when her daughter Diana, 9, called, "Mommy,  a lady on the phone wants to talk to you."     The … Continue reading →

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Joseph Wambaugh on the ‘Onion Field’ [Updated]

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing. From left, Sgt. Danny Galindo as Officer Karl Hettinger;  Sgt. G.H. Bates as Officer Ian … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Nixon Leads Stevenson, Kennedy in Poll

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 27, 1960: A letter by the Finch family’s maid to her mother in Sweden recounts a conversation with victim Barbara Jean Finch:  “During the night, Dr. Finch tried to kill Mrs. Finch, who now absolutely wanted to have her … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 26, 1960

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Patient's Prescription       A doctor who has been overworked treating flu patients came down himself the other day with the old virus.  He was home in bed, sniffing and coughing, when a woman patient phoned through his … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 25, 1960

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Earthy language from Eva Marie Saint shocks Hollywood bash! It's Yo Ho Ho for Seafarer       The current national insanity for small boats, and its consequent problems, is nothing new to me, matey.     So avast, you lubbers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, LAPD, Paul Coates | 2 Comments

The ‘Onion Field’ Remembered [Update]

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing with Sgt. G.H. Bates, left, as Officer Ian Campbell; Sgt. Danny Galindo, center, as Officer … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1963, books, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Photography | 7 Comments