INTRADEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE August 17, 2011 TO: The Honorable Board of Police Commissioners FROM: Chief of Police SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR PAYMENT OF REWARD OFFER ON CITY COUNCIL FILE NO. 10-0010-S3, CD1 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 1. That the Board of Police Commissioners REVIEW and APPROVE the attached Application for Special Reward Payment. 2. That the Board of Police Commissioners TRANSMIT to the Mayor and City Council the Application for Special Reward Payment for review and approval. DISCUSSION On December 21, 2009 at approximately 4:10 PM, Fereidoun Kohanim, age 72, was working the front counter of his 98 Cent Store located at 1316 West Venice Boulevard in the City of Los Angeles, (also referred to as the Pico/Union Community). Suddenly, three men entered the store and demanded money. One suspect produced a handgun and pointed it at Mr. Kohanim while another suspect remained by the entry door with a backpack open and motioning for Mr. Kohanim to place money and items into the backpack. Another of the three suspects went behind the counter and attempted to attack Mr. Kohanim from behind. As Mr. Kohanim turned to defend himself, the suspect with the handgun shot Mr. Kohanim in the back of the head. In a horribly tragic and senseless act, Mr. Kohanim, who just minutes before was simply working at the counter of his small market was murdered in front of his wife (who is legally blind) with his two adult sons in an office to the rear of the market. December 21, 2009, Los Angeles Police Department, Rampart Homicide Detectives Jeff Cortina, Serial No. 35632 and Julian Pere, Serial No. 27434, were assigned the investigation. December 22, 2009, Detective Cortina contacted Councilmen Ed Reyes' office to request that a reward be offered to assist in obtaining information from the community that would lead to the identification of the suspects responsible for the murder. A media briefing which included video from the victim's market was conducted at the Rampart Community Police Station.
Honorable Board of Police Commissioners Page 2 4.10 December 28, 2009, Detective Cortina received a call from an "anonymous caller" who stated they had seen the news and video from the victim's market and had information about the suspects of the murder. Detectives Cortina and Pere met with the person who provided information that led to the identification and arrest of subject Jesse Galvan, a "Clanton" gang member with a moniker of "Youngster." The Los Angeles City Council passed a motion authorizing a $50,000.00 reward as an inducement for persons to come forward with information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Fereidoun Kohanim. June 29, 2010, a Search and Arrest Warrant were issued by the Honorable Judge Terry Bork for Jesse Galvan at his residence with the address of 4944 Bleeker Street, Baldwin Park, CA. July 7, 2010, subject Jesse Galvan was taken into custody and the search warrant served for his residence. Two handguns were obtained as a result of the search along with items that showed Galvan's involvement in the street gang "Clanton." Eastlake Juvenile Hall Deputy District Attorney Buckley filed one count 187(A) PC Murder. Jesse Galvan remains in custody awaiting adjudication. It is the opinion of the investigating detectives that, if the "Anonymous Person" had not come forward with the information that was provided, detectives would not, to date, have been able to identify and arrest one of the persons responsible for the murder of Fereidoun Kohanim. We are respectfully requesting that $15,000.00 (a portion) of the reward be made available to the "Anonymous Person." If you have any questions, please contact Captain Steven Ruiz, Commanding Officer, Rampart Area, at 213-484-3010. CHARLI Chief of Attachment: Motion for Reward, 10-0010-S3, CD1
CITY OF LOS ANGELES REWARD CLAIM CHECKLIST This form must be submitted with the Departments recommendation concerning payment of the reward. One checklist must be submitted for each claimant. COUNCIL FILE NUMBER: 10-0010- S3 DR/AGENCY FILE NUMBER: 0902-22968 TYPE OF CRIME/INVESTIGATION: Murder REWARD AMOUNT: $ 50,000.00 REWARD EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/12/2010 REWARD EXPIRATION DATE: 06/11/2010 INFO RECEIVED WHILE REWARD IN EFFECT: MI YES (Check one) CLAIMANT: Anonymous CLAIMANTS OCCUPATION: (Name or "Anonymous." If multiple anonymous claimants, indicate as "Claimant A, Claimant B," etc.). CASE INVEST. BY: LAPD Rampart - Homicide Unit (Div/Section) NO DATE RECEIVED: 12/28/2010 OTHER CITY DEPARMENT: house keeper Investigator(s) Assigned: Det. Jeff Cortina #35632 Det. J. Pere #27434 (Name and Serial No.) Telephone: (213) 484-3634 Telephone: (213) 484-3638 The above claimant is E ELIGIBLE Ei NOT ELIGIBLE to receive payment of a reward pursuant to the Los Angeles Administrative Code Division 19, Chapter 12, Sections 19.120 through 19.129.4. Reason(s) for claimant being NOT ELIGIBLE to receive payment Claimant is a City Officer, employee, or public officer or employee whose employment includes duties of law enforcement. Claimant obtained information for a relative who is a City Officer, employee, or public officer or employee, and that person obtained the information in the course of his/her employment. Claimant is a dependent of a City Officer, employee, or public officer or employee whose duties include law enforcement. Claimant has already been compensated by his/her employer in some other manner for the actions which are the basis for claiming the reward. The suspect would benefit from payment of the reward to the claimant. Claimant has not provided continued cooperation within the criminal justice system relative to the case for which the offer of reward is made. P1 Claimant is co-suspect in the crime for which the reward is offered. 7 Other: The claimant is acting as an agent for the suspect. Explanation: (If additional space is needed, use next page.) APPROVED BY RANK/TITLE
DISTRIBUTION ORIG LAPD DUPE -- City Clerk DUPE -- Claimant CITY OF LOS ANGELES APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL REWARD PAYMENT Neither the filing nor submitting of information, nor the receipt or consideration thereof by the City, shall establish legal claim to, or right of recovery of, any reward offered. The provision of payment shall be governed by Chapter 12, Division 19 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code. 1. PRINT NAME OF APPLICANT: Last, Anonymous First, Middle 2. ADDRESS: (Street) Care of I/O Rampart Station (City) Los Angeles (State - Zip) CA Daytime Phone & Contact Person 3. TODAY'S DATE: 4. OCCUPATION: 05/11/2011 5. DRIVER'S LICENSE # or CALIF ID #: 6. SOCIAL SECURITY #: (For payment purposes) DESCRIPTION OF CIRCUMSTANCES: (Fill in or mark ALL that apply) NOTE: The applicant is responsible for providing ALL of the following required information. A claim that does not provide the following required information may be disapproved for insufficient information. 7. DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/21/2009 8. TIME OF INCIDENT: 1610 E AM IN PM E NOON E MIDNIGHT LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 1316 W. Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA TYPE OF CRIME/INVESTIGATION: Murder 187 (A) PC 9. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: Victim (owner of store) was working at front counter. Three suspects entered store and attempted to rob vict. Susp s ots victim in the back of his head. Vict pronounced at scene. 12. X 45-7[. 4%14? /4 1 - Y ZAJ' 7 APPLICANT SIGNATURE 13. X PARENT OR GUARDIAN SIGNATURE (under 18 years) DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY INVESTIGATING OFFICER: Name Det. Jeff Cortina Serial # 35632 Agency LAPD Phone # (213)484-3634 NAME OF VICTIM OR CASE: Mr. Fereidoun Kohanim RECOMMENDATION: 151 APPROVAL E DISAPPROVAL INVESTIGATION CHECKLIST ATTACHED: Yes No E INSUFFICIENT INVOLVEMENT E INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION BRIEF EXPLANATION OR COMMENTS: The only evidence to help solve the crime was a video that depicted the murder. A media brefing which included portions of the video was conducted and the incident was broadcast on all of the major stations the same evening. An anonymous caller called and provided detectives with the only leads that resulted in the identification of one suspect. REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
PAGE 2 OF 2 ITEM NO. QUAN. TYPE OF REPORT CONTINUATION SHEET BOOKING NO. DR NO. APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL REWARD PAYMENT 09-02-22967 MISC. DESCRIPTION (COLOR, SIZE, ARTICLE SERIAL NO. BRAND MODEL NO. INSCRIPTIONS, CALIBER, REVOLVER, ETC.) DOLLAR VALUE December 21, 2009, The murder of Fereidoun Kohanim at his 98 cent store located at 1316 W. Venice Blvd occured on. December 22, 2009, A request was put into Councilmen Ed Reyes Office, Council District 1, requesting a reward be issued for information that would lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect/s responsible for the murder of Mr. Kohanim. A media breifing was conducted at Rampart Community Police Station which included portions of the video that depicted the suspects, their actions and ultimately, the murder of Mr. Kohanim. December 28, 2009, As a result of viewing the video depicting the murder on the evening news, an anonymous caller contacted Rampart Detectives Cortina & Pere. The caller was able to provide enough detail about the identity of one of the suspects that allowed Detectives to ultimately obtain a Search and Arrest Warrant. January 12, 2010, Los Angeles City Council approves the "Request for Reward." (Det Cortina was told the primary reason for the delay in obtaining the reward was the Winter break for the Council). June 29, 2010, Search warrant completed and signed by the Honorable Judge Bork for the arrest of Jesse Galvan and the search of his residence located at 4944 Bleeker, Baldwin Park, CA. July 7, 2010, The warrant was served, suspect was taken into custody and (2) handguns were taken into custody. Because Jesse Galvan was a minor at the time of the crime, the case was presented to the Eastlake District Attornerys office. Galvan remains in custody in Juvenil Hall awaiting his hearing. There was no other evidence other than the video. No other information was specifically obtained that would have led Detectives to be able to identify Jesse Galvan with out the "Anonymous Callers" information. For that reason, it is the strong belief of Detectives that the "Anonymous Caller" is deserving of a portion of the reward. Detectives are respectfully requesting that "Anonymous Caller" be provided $15,000.00 in exchange for the information provided. 15.09.00 (10/81)
lo ooro-c a() f M 0 T, lu Lc, On December 21, 2009 at approximately 4:10 prn, Fereidoun Koharum, age - 72;was-working the-- front counter of his store in the 1300 block of West Venice Boulevard in the Pico-Union community. Suddenly, three men entered the store and demanded money. One of the suspects went behind the counter and threatened to strike Mr. Kohanim who turned to defend himself. In a horribly senseless act, Mr. Kohaniam was then shot in the head by another suspect. The victim's wife and two children, who were in the back of the store, tragically witnessed the entire scene. Surveillance video was aired to the public shortly afterward but detectives have not received any leads. Detectives hope that a monetary reward motivates witnesses to come forward and identify the suspects. The person or persons responsible for this crime represent an ongoing threat to the safety of the people of Los Angeles; therefore, it is appropriate for the City of Los Angeles to offer a reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Fereidoun Kohanim. I 'FHEREFORE MOVE that by adoption of this Motion, the City Council provide an offer of reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Fercidoun Kohanim, a resident of the City of Los Angeles, on December 21, 2009, and in support thereof, make the following findings pursuant to Division 19, Chapter 12, Article 1 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code: 1. That the death of Fereidoun Kohanim was caused by the willful misconduct of one or more persons. 2. That this offer of reward is consistent with and taken for the immediate protection of the public peace, health and safety of local residents, as well as visitors to the City, and is consistent with the need to arrest and convict the person or persons who, because of not being apprehended, could by their actions further terrorize and present a continuing and immediate menace to the rights of persons in the City. 3. That what happened to Fereidoun Kohanim, is an especially disturbing crime and therefore, as a matter of public policy, the City hereby offers a reward as an added inducement for persons to come forward with information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Fereidoun Kohanim. 4. That the sum of $50,000 shall be the aggregate maximum sum of any payment or payments of a City reward in this instance. 5. That the offer of reward shall be in effect for six months from the date of the advertisement of the reward by the City Clerk. I FURTHER MOVE that the City Clerk be directed to cause notices and/or advertisements to be duly published according to the requirements of Division 19, Chapter 12, Article 1 of the Los Angelea. Administrative Code, and to thereby cause the offer of reward to become effective. PRESENTED BY E. REYES Councilmembe " Distri t tt- AMON JI) SECONDED BY: