A look at crime in Los Angeles in the 1950s. Photos are from undisclosed locations. Above Photo: Three gamblers wishing to keep their snake eyes hidden during a crap game somewhere in Los Angeles, November 10, 1951. (LAPL 00039498) According to the Los Angeles Public Library, in October 1952: “Five women and a man were jailed […]
Prohibition violation A bootlegger named Elmer White was arrested by Los Angeles-based federal prohibition agents in 1931. While searching the car, the agents discovered that the speedometer and other dashboard panel dials didn’t work. A further search behind the fake instrument board revealed a secret compartment where they found 12 pints of whisky. (LAPL: 00036681)
A police raid at the 7566 Club at 7566 Melrose Ave. in the wee hours of January 29, 1941. Apparently, the night club had a habit of selling alcohol after hours. According to the Los Angeles Times: “The arrests were made during the early morning hours by squads of more than 50 policemen led by Deputy Police Chief […]
On January 28, 1934, LAPD captain Hunter (left) and Asst. Captain Contreras led surprise gambling raids on three private nightclubs: the Old Colony Club, 1731 North Alta Loma Drive; the Clover Club, 8477 Sunset Boulevard; and Club La Boheme, 8614 Sunset Boulevard. As part of their sting, four undercover cops worked as waiters inside each […]
Newsflash from the Past: Police Order Crackdown on Hitchhiking LOS ANGELES TIMES (June 11, 1963) — VAN NUYS –Several young boys have been picked up in the Valley by molesters, Police Insp. Edward M. Davis said Monday in ordering a Valleywide campaign against such crimes. Davis, patrol area commander for the Valley, said the police department, […]
Newsflash from the Past: Murder-Suicide on Lexington Ave WIFE SLAIN; MAN SUICIDE Ill War Veteran Beats and Stabs Mate to Death and Kills Self Los Angeles Times – March 21, 1936 – Although Cole Randle, 42-year-old World War veteran, before the death of his wife and himself early yesterday, wrote, “We love each other too much […]
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5, 1929 –(UP)—After successfully escaping capture by 10 police cars that were searching for them, three men, accused of robbery and automobile theft were arrested early this morning by a lone patrolman who happened to notice the license number on their car. The men, Lewis Kruger, 24, Frank Forbes, 24, and Herman […]