28th Annual Citizen’s Recognition Luncheon

On October 11, 2007, Mid-Valley Community Police Council held their Twenty-Eighth Annual Citizens Recognition Luncheon, at the Airtel Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Van Nuys, CA.

Over 220 were in attendance to honor seven courageous citizens that assisted in the apprehension of dangerous criminals. Event chairman, Ron Feinstein called the luncheon to order. The invocation was given by Los Angels Police Senior Lead Officer, Ron Carter. Our nation’s colors were presented by member of the Van Nuys Area Police Explorers. Our National Anthem was sung by Stefni Valencia.

Captain James A. Miller, Commanding Officer, Van Nuys Community Police Station welcomed everyone and thanked them for their support.The Mayor of Los Angeles, the Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa spoke on the necessity of community involvement in making our streets safe, and thanked all of the honorees for their courageous acts. The Keynote Speaker for the luncheon was Alan J. Skobin, Vice President, Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners and past president of the Mid-Valley Community Police Council, enlightened us on the roll of a police commissioner, and expressed his thanks to the honorees. The luncheon’s Master of Ceremonies, Chris Shauble, Co-Anchor, NBC4 morning news show, “Today in LA”, invited each of the honorees to the stage to be recognized as he told their story.

Ms. Gabriela Fernandez. On February 21, 2007, there was a radio call of a Burglary in Progress at 6140 Van Nuys Boulevard. The victim, Ms. Gabriela Fernandez was asleep in her apartment when she suddenly heard loud noises coming from her living room. Upon hearing the noises she immediately called 911, then exited her bedroom to see 3 young men inside her residence. When the young men saw Ms. Fernandez they fled out the kitchen window with several items of the victim’s property in their hands. Ms. Fernandez pursued them in her vehicle and saw them running on the Van Nuys Bus way near Tyrone Avenue. This is when Ms. Fernandez flagged down an unknown man (who did not want to be identified) and asked him to help her capture the three young men. The two were able to catch one of the suspects. That is when Ms. Fernandez noticed two Metro Security Officers that assisted in detaining the suspect awaiting Police response. It is this type of perseverance that pays in catching criminals on our streets. Ms. Fernandez took her beliefs in protecting her belongings and pursued these young men in hopes of regaining control of her property. In the end, all three of the young men were taken into custody and booked for Burglary. This was a heroic, selfless act by Ms. Fernandez and she deserves to be recognized for her perseverance and courage.

Ms. Shana McConnel. On August 15, 2007, officers responded to meet Shana McConnel who had made a call for police service advising them that there was a Hot Prowl in Progress in the area of Costello and Valerio. She advised the officers that she had witnessed the suspect driving an orange colored Ford Mustang around the neighborhood and parked his vehicle and walked up several driveways until McConnel observed the suspect enter a residence. When the officers arrived, they observed the suspect exit a residence carrying a laundry basket containing numerous items to include clothing, frozen chicken and jewelry. The suspect was detained and taken into custody. The suspect said he was walking to work because he did not own a car. The officers checked the residence the suspect had exited and discovered the house had been ransacked. The owners of the home later identified all the items the suspect had taken and claimed to be his own. In the suspect’s pants pocket was also a set of car keys that started the orange Ford Mustang that Ms. McConnel had seen him driving. This same suspect admitted to Van Nuys Detectives that he had Burglarized three other residences in the area. Consequentially, due to Ms. McConnel’s alert observations and follow through, there is one less Burglar on the streets of Van Nuys. For this we are proud to honor Ms. McConnel for keen vigilance and follow through.

Juan Avila On July 10th 2007, Juan Avila rolled to a stop at Victory Boulevard and Woodman Avenue then he suddenly exited his vehicle while sitting at a red-light and began running and yelling “STOP” towards a woman at the southeast corner that was lying on the ground struggling with a man standing over her. As Avila approached them, the assailant ran to his vehicle, jumped in and fled the scene. The woman quickly informed Avila that the fleeing assailant had just attempted to snatch her purse, which of coarse is Attempted Robbery. Coincidentally, Officers Martin and Hamilton who had observed the whole incident were able to go after the suspect after observing that Avila was staying with the downed woman.

The officers followed the vehicle and apprehended the suspect. While the suspect was detained and being questioned, Avila approached the officers and explained that he had scene the suspect walk up to the woman who was waiting at the bus stop, grab her purse from behind and pulled her to the ground, dragging her, as she frantically held onto her purse. Avila added that he was afraid the woman would be hurt since she appeared to be somewhat elderly. The suspect was positively identified by Avila and was arrested for Attempted Robbery. The victim retained her purse because of the due diligence and courage of Mr. Avila. Avila ignored his own safety to run and aide the victim. Mr. Avila is commended for his bravery, courage and of being an upstanding citizen!
On August 1st 2007 Movses Bastegian was inside his doctor’s office at Mission Community Hospital when he observed a man walk in to the office with an open clear plastic bottle filled with liquid. Bastegian watched the suspect as be began to pour the contents of the bottle on himself and the floor and attempted to throw the liquid onto the doctor. It was at this moment that Bastegian detected the odor of gasoline. Then suddenly, the suspect pulled a lighter from his pocket and attempted to ignite it. Recognizing the imminent danger, Bastegian grabbed the suspect’s arm to restrain him from igniting the gasoline. Bastegian and the suspect struggled when Bastegian then observed the suspect to be holding two fixed blade knives in his opposite hand. The suspect began swinging the blades toward Bastegians’ stomach in a stabbing motion, when Bastegian felt the puncture of the blades enter his stomach. So obviously, Bastegian feared the suspect was trying to kill him. It was at that moment that Bastegian’s wife, Mary, ran in to the doctor’s office and grabbed the suspect’s hand that was holding the knives. Ms. Bastegian pulled the knives away from the suspect and threw them into a corner out of the suspects reach. Immediately after disarming the suspect, two hospital security guards, Elias Gutierrez and Octavio Bonilla entered the office and detained the suspect awaiting the arrival of L.A.P.D. officers.

Mr. and Mrs. Bastegian are to be commended for their amazing will to survive, courage and extreme bravery in disarming an armed suspect. It is unknown what the outcome might have been had the suspect been successful in igniting the gasoline. Had these two not stepped in the end result could have been tragic. This was an unselfish act that took tremendous strength and vigilance. Outstanding job! Thanks to the assistance of all involved, a potentially dangerous Arsonist was placed in custody for Attempted Arson and Attempted Murder. The security officers are commended for their response and detention of the suspect so he could not cause injury to additional victims.

The Mid-Valley Community Police Council extends their thanks to all of the honorees for their acts of courage in removing several dangerous criminals for the streets. We would like to acknowledge all of the sponsors and those in attendance for making it possible for the Mid-Valley Community Police Council to provide needed equipment and training for the employees of the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Community Police Station.