Los Angeles: Narcotics Division Detectives developed information regarding a narcotics rip-off crew who posed as law enforcement officers. The investigation resulted in a planned sting operation wherein the suspects were going to conduct a narcotics theft at an abandoned warehouse in Newton Area. Narcotics Detectives coordinated with Metropolitan Division to establish a tactical plan to observe and apprehend the suspects if they committed the crime.

On May 26, 2004, at approximately 3:30 p.m., four male suspects in a van drove to the rear of the warehouse where the narcotics were stored. One of the suspects stayed in the van, while two broke into the warehouse and the other remained outside as a lookout. The suspects were armed with semiautomatic pistols and dressed in black clothing, some wearing "FBI" logos. While inside the warehouse, the suspects began loading a large quantity of narcotics into the van. Metropolitan Division Officers assigned to SWAT identified themselves and attempted to take the suspects into custody. The four armed suspects engaged the officers, resulting in multiple Officer Involved Shootings.

Alonso Torres, 23 years-old was shot and killed at the scene. Two suspects were transported to a local hospital for gunshot wounds. Flavio Ramos, 54 years-old, complained of hypertension and was also transported to a local hospital. Flavio Ramos was booked for murder and is being held on one million-dollar bail. Officers detained a female subject who acted as a lookout, as she drove away from the location in a second vehicle. She was detained and transported to juvenile hall.

No officers were injured during the incident.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Robbery-Homicide Division at 213-485-2511. On weekends and during off-hours, please call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Rudy Villarreal, Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.