L. A. County Sheriff’s Transit Policing Division Detectives are assisting Sheriff’s Arson/Explosives Detail Investigators, who are looking into a package that was left at the Pershing Square Metro Station at approximately 5:24 AM, on Friday July 4, 2014. After receiving a tip from Metro patrons, Transit K9 Deputies arrived and determined that the package needed further investigation, and called for the LASD Arson/Explosives Detail. The station was closed and cleared of all patrons at 6:00 AM, however, trains on the system were allowed to continue to run without stopping at that station.
Arson/Explosives Investigators arrived to check the package and Transit personnel stopped all trains running for only approximately 15 minutes, while they determined what the package was and rendered it safe. Although it was determined that the package did not contain explosives, it appears to have been made and placed to look like an actual device. Sheriff’s Investigators are looking at video from the station to see if it shows who left the package and possibly why.
LASD Transit Bureau North Captain Jennifer Bateman said that she believed this was an isolated incident, but also said. “We’ll definitely get to bottom of why this item was left, and take the person or persons responsible into custody. Safety of our Metro patrons is number one with us, and regardless if it was merely a prank or something else, it is a felony to make, and/or place this kind of package in a public place.” The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information regarding this incident, you are asked to please contact the L.A. County Sheriff’s Transit Policing Division Detective Bureau at: (323) 563-5000. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call "LA Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters “TIPLA” plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
For media inquiries please contact:
Ramon Montenegro, LET
Transit Policing Division – Unit Public Information Officer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(213) 922-3649
24 Hr. : (888) 950-SAFE (7233)
Email: [email protected]
Transit Watch LA website: http://www.transitwatchla.org/
LASD website: www.lasd.org
Follow us at:
Text and Emails, LASD Metro Transit Services
http://nixle.com/lasd----transit-services-bureau-hq-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Text and Emails, LASD HQ: http://www.Nixle.com
http://nixle.com/lasd----hq-newsroom-shb-los-angeles-county-sheriff
Twitter: @TransitLASD https://twitter.com/TransitLASD
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LASDMetroTransitServices
Facebook LASD HQ: http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Instagram LASD Photos: http://instagram.com/LASDHQ
Pinterest LASD Photos : http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary Registry http://snap.lacounty.gov/
*Text and Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the LASD via E-MAIL and /or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD-Transit Services Bureau HQ, Los Angeles County Sheriff" and also register for your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text “LASD Transit HQ” to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
* The buses and trains of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (http://www.metro.net) and Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) or Metrolink (http://www.metrolinktrains.com/) are policed under contract with the Metro Transit Services Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
* "If You See Something, Say Something" LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
* Metro smart phone security app for iPhone and Android to report transit-related crimes
http://thesource.metro.net/2013/06/26/metro-introduces-smart-phone-security-app-to-report-transit-related-crimes/
http://thesource.metro.net/2013/12/30/go-metro-mobile-app-for-iphone-and-android-update-available/
http://s3.amazonaws.com/nixle/uploads/pub_media/user21020-1388166491-media1
* Metropolitan Transportation Authority
http://www.metro.net/
https://www.facebook.com/losangelesmetro
https://twitter.com/metrolosangeles
https://twitter.com/metrolaalerts
John L. Scott, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
