HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-4 Staff Report - RewardOffer of Reward
March 19, 2018
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CONSENT ITEM
E-4
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: DANIEL BOBADILLA, ACTING CITY MANAGER
FROM: STEPHAN HUNT, CHIEF OF POLICE
DATE: MARCH 19, 2018
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OFFERING A REWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000) LEADING TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE IDENTITY
AND APPREHENSION OF THE PERSON WHOSE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT RESULTED IN
THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER MORALES
SUMMARY:
On March 7, 2017, Azusa Police Officers were dispatched to investigate a homicide that took place in the San
Gabriel Riverbed. Victim Alexander Morales was discovered and Azusa Police Detectives summoned the Los
Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to assist with the investigation. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide
Detectives responded and assumed the responsibility of the investigation. The Homicide Detectives have
requested a reward be offered in the amount of $5,000 for information leading to the identity and apprehension
of those responsible for the crime. Azusa Municipal Code Section 46-3 allows for the City Council to authorize
rewards under specific guidelines.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following action:
1)Adopt Resolution No. 2018-C29:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA,
OFFERING A REWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000)
LEADING TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE IDENTITY AND APPREHENSION OF THE
PERSON WHOSE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER
MORALES.
DISCUSSION:
On March 7, 2017, at approximately 2:28 p.m., Azusa Police Officers were dispatched to investigate a possible
body that had been found in the San Gabriel Riverbed. Azusa Police Officers responded to the riverbed to
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
3/19/2018
Offer of Reward
March 19, 2018
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investigate the incident. While canvassing the riverbed between spillway eight and spillway nine, officers
located victim Alexander Morales who was nonresponsive and ultimately pronounced deceased.
Azusa Police Detectives responded to the riverbed to assist with the investigation. Once on scene, they
requested the assistance of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department Detectives responded and assumed responsibility of the investigation.
Azusa Police Detectives and Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Homicide Detectives have collaborated and
maintained communication throughout the investigation. In an effort to further develop investigative leads, the
Sherriff’s Department has requested a monetary reward in the amount of $5,000 be made available.
Azusa Municipal Code Section 46-3 allows for the City Council to authorize rewards under specific guidelines.
They include describing the specific circumstances that prompted the offering of a reward, specifying the
amount of the reward, specifying the time period during which the reward shall be in effect, and directing the
City Clerk to advertise the offer of reward.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Sufficient funds are available for the $5,000 reward in the current fiscal year budget within General Fund
account number 10-08-000-000-7050.
Prepared by: Fiscal Impact Reviewed by:
Stephan Hunt Talika Johnson
Chief of Police Director of Finance
Reviewed and Approved: Reviewed and Approved:
Louie F. Lacasella Daniel Bobadilla
Senior Management Analyst Acting City Manager
Attachment:
1)Resolution No. 2018-C29
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-C29
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA,
CALIFORNIA, OFFERING A REWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($5,000) LEADING TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE IDENTITY
AND APPREHENSION OF THE PERSON WHOSE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT
RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER MORALES.
WHEREAS, Azusa Municipal Code Section 46-3 allows for the City Council to
authorize rewards under specific guidelines, which include describing the specific circumstances
that prompted the offering of a reward, specifying the amount of the reward, specifying the time
period during which the reward shall be in effect, and directing the City Clerk to advertise the
offer of reward; and
WHEREAS, On March 7, 2017 at approximately 2:28 pm, Azusa Police Officers were
dispatched to investigate a possible body that had been found in the San Gabriel Riverbed,
locating victim Alexander Morales who was nonresponsive and ultimately pronounced deceased;
and
WHEREAS, the identity of the suspect remains unknown; and
WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to offer a reward for information leading to
the determination of the identity and apprehension of any person whose willful misconduct
resulted in the death of Alexander Morales.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Azusa
does hereby find, determines and declares as follows:
SECTION 1. REWARD. The City Council hereby offers a reward of five thousand
($5,000) for information leading to the determination of the identity and apprehension of any
person whose willful misconduct resulted in the death of Alexander Morales.
SECTION 2. LIMITATIONS.
(a) Information regarding the above described incident must be received within three (3)
years of the publication of the offer of reward.
(b) Upon approval of this resolution the City Clerk shall advertise the offer of reward.
(b) Payment of any reward or rewards shall require City Council approval by resolution.
SECTION 3. CONDITIONS. Pursuant to Azusa Municipal Code 46-5 the City Council
shall approve payment of the reward after all the following conditions have been met:
(a) The information must be received within the time period specified above.
(b) The information must be accompanied, or followed by, a letter or other written
expression of intent to claim the reward offered.
Attachment 1
(c) The information must be tendered as more than a mere suspicion.
(d) The information must be sufficient to provide for the subsequent identification,
apprehension, arrest and conviction of the person responsible in whole or in part for the death of
Alexander Morales.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This resolution shall become effective immediately
upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this ______ day of _____, _____.
___________________________________
Joseph Romero Rocha
Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr.
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF AZUSA )
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. _______ was duly adopted by
the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular (or special) meeting thereof, held on the ____
day of ____, ____, by the following vote of Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
___________________________________
Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr.,
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
Best Best & Krieger, LLP
City Attorney