Crime News
LA deputy mayor investigated for bomb threat as wildfires devastate los angeles

As wildfires wreaked devastation across Los Angeles, the city official in charge of the fire department was out of the picture – placed on administrative leave in December while he remains under investigation for an alleged bomb threat against City Hall earlier this year.
LA Deputy Mayor Brian Williams’ Pasadena, California home was raided by the FBI last month in connection to the investigation of a bomb threat which was made against City Hall in September. The Los Angeles Police Department referred the case to the FBI after it determined Williams was likely the “source of the threat,” FOX 11 Los Angeles reported.
“Due to the department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI,” the LAPD said in a statement at the time. “The FBI remains the investigating agency.”
Embattled Mayor Karen Bass’ office said Williams was placed on administrative leave immediately after the FBI notified the mayor of the search. That happened three weeks before the fires erupted in Los Angeles County, scorching nearly four square miles of urban area, according to the Associated Press.
The Palisades and Eaton Fires are still burning, though heroic efforts by firefighters and calming winds have greatly reduced the rate of spread. At least 27 people have been killed and more than 12,000 buildings and homes destroyed in the blazes. The fires are likely to be among the most destructive in California history, the state fire agency CalFire said.
When the first flames ignited, Bass, 71, was overseas on a diplomatic mission to Ghana. She was part of a delegation President Biden sent to the African nation for the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. She hurried home on a military plane soon after news of the fire emergency reached her, but she did not return to Los Angeles for a full 24 hours after disaster struck.
Her initial absence has prompted harsh criticism from LA residents, who are questioning Bass’ leadership amid the crisis. In that context, her decision to put Williams on administrative leave is also under fresh scrutiny.
The Los Angeles mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Bass appointed Williams to be deputy mayor in February 2023 and charged him with overseeing public safety in the city.
Williams was placed in charge of the city’s police department, fire department, the Port of Los Angeles Police, the Los Angeles World Airport Police and the city’s Emergency Management Department, local news station KABC reported. Williams previously served seven years as the executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission.
He also served as deputy mayor under Mayor James Hahn, during which time he oversaw the Department of Transportation, Public Works and Information Technology Agency.
Williams’ attorney Dmitry Gorin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gorin previously released a statement denying that his client had anything to do with the bomb threat made against City Hall.
“Mr. Williams strongly maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight the allegations. Importantly, he has not been arrested, nor charged, and will continue cooperating with the investigation through attorneys. He has a lengthy career of public service and is presumed innocent of these allegations. We urge the public to allow the investigation process to play out and not to prejudge the facts of this case before they are known,” Gorin said last month.
The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.

Crime News
San francisco man faces felony theft charges after shoplifting in colma

A suspected thief gave police officers his brother’s name during arrest, according to the Colma Police Department.
At 4:35 p.m. on Jan. 10, Colma police officers responded to a store on Colma Boulevard for the report of a theft. Police dispatch was informed that a man took multiple items and fled the store on foot.
Responding officers detained a man who matched the suspect’s description. The man was later identified as San Francisco resident Marcus Montalvo. After store employees identified the suspect, he was arrested.
According to police, Montalvo, 38, gave his brother’s name as identification.
Police learned Montalvo’s actual name, officers discovered he has a $40,000 misdemeanor warrant for his arrest from a neighboring agency. Montalvo also has two prior theft convictions that occurred more than 16 years prior to this theft.
Colma PD said Montalvo shoplifted approximately $217.02 worth of merchandise. In searching Montalvo, officers said they found a California license not belonging to Montalvo.
Montalvo was arrested and booked in the San Mateo County Jail for felony theft with priors, shoplifting, giving false identification to police officers, misappropriation of found property, and his warrant.
Crime News
San francisco sees major crime drop: 601 arrests and 73 firearms seized in 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, California — The San Francisco Police Department’s Citywide Plainclothes team made 601 felony arrests and seized 73 firearms in 2024, contributing to a significant drop in crime, Chief Bill Scott announced Thursday.The Citywide Plainclothes team, composed of officers in street clothes, focuses on challenging crimes such as auto burglaries, drug dealing, retail theft, and violent crime, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
These officers collaborate with investigations bureaus, uniformed patrol officers, analysts, and drone operators. In 2023, the unit made 500 arrests and seized 60 firearms, marking an increase in 2024. The department credits new technologies like Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) and drones for assisting officers in their operations.
The team’s efforts continue into 2025, with a notable incident on January 14, when officers used an ALPR hit to track a stolen Acura in the South of Market neighborhood. The officers deployed a tire deflation device and arrested two occupants on charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, burglary tools, and methamphetamine.
The increase in arrests coincided with a significant drop in crime in San Francisco, with the homicide rate at its lowest since 1960 and property crimes like auto burglaries decreasing by 54%. Overall, crime was the lowest in 20 years.
“Our Citywide Plainclothes officers are working harder than ever and doing a fantastic job making important arrests to keep our city safe,” Chief Scott said. “With new technologies like ALPR and drones, our officers are empowered like never before. I want to thank them for their tremendous work.”
Crime News
San diego woman struck and killed by pickup truck in hit-and-run

SAN DIEGO — A female pedestrian was struck and killed by a pickup truck in Clairemont Friday evening and the driver fled.
The collision occurred at 9:02 p.m. near the intersection of Genesee Avenue and Mount Etna Drive, San Diego Police Department Officer Anthony Carrasco told City News Service.
Responding police officers found the pedestrian lying in the street. She was taken by paramedics to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Carrasco said camera footage showed a dark-colored pickup truck driving away from the scene without stopping. Police ask anyone who witnessed the collision to call 619-231-2900.
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