El Segundo Police Department

So, you’ve checked Target, Dollar Tree, Walmart, Walgreens, fiVe BELoW, everywhere social media says someone has found that must-have item. No luck.

Next stop? The internet. After all, what can’t you find online?

Not so fast.

Scammers know exactly what products people are searching for and often create fake websites, ads, and deals that look legitimate. If a deal seems too good to be true, is marked down dramatically, or pressures you to “buy now before it’s gone,” take a moment to verify before clicking.

🔍 Before you enter your payment information:
• Check that the website URL is legitimate.
• Be cautious of unfamiliar websites advertising popular products.
• Copy and paste suspicious links into a trusted URL checker (such as scamwise.com) to see if they have been flagged as unsafe.
• Avoid clicking links from unsolicited texts, emails, or social media messages.
• When in doubt, visit the retailer’s official website directly.

💳 Already entered your payment information? Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report potential fraud.

Remember: Taking a few extra seconds to verify a website can save you time, money, and frustration.

Stay safe online.

Congratulations to Officer Sergio Mendoza on successfully completing his probationary period with the El Segundo Police Department.

Officer Mendoza joined ESPD as a lateral officer from Placentia Police Department and is currently one of our newest Motor Officers. We’re excited to have him as part of the team and look forward to his continued service to our community.

Congratulations, Officer Mendoza!

🏍️ Did you know? Traffic enforcement on police motorcycles has been a tradition in ESPD since the 1920s.

Earlier this week

Officers responded to the area of Bungalow Drive and Pine Avenue after receiving reports of an unknown male acting suspiciously and possibly carrying a knife. A witness also reported hearing what sounded like the “clicking of a firearm.”

Officers quickly located the individual near Mariposa Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. The subject was detained and found to be in possession of a loaded handgun. A records check revealed there was no record of the firearm. The male was arrested and the booked at the Hawthorne Police Department Jail.

Today, the District Attorney’s Office filed the following felony charge: Carrying a Loaded Firearm Not the Registered Owner.

Thank you to the concerned witnesses for making the phone call!

A Look Back at the Weekend 👀

While patrolling the area of Imperial Avenue and Sheldon Street, an officer contacted a small group of individuals and observed one male with an open beer container in public, which is a violation of California law.

During the contact, one of the males informed the officer that he had a firearm on him. The officer safely detained the individual and secured the firearm without incident. A records check confirmed the firearm was legally registered to him; however, he was unable to provide proof of a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm.

The male was arrested and booked for carrying a concealed firearm and carrying a loaded firearm.

A second male from the group was arrested for public intoxication.

Congratulations to Detective Philip Milam on his recent promotion to Sergeant!

Sergeant Milam has proudly served the El Segundo community since joining the El Segundo Police Department in 2022. He brought with him 18 years of prior law enforcement experience and was recently recognized as the department’s 2025 Officer of the Year.

Congratulations, Sergeant Milam, on this well-deserved promotion and recognition.

Earlier today, the El Segundo Rotary Club hosted its annual Community Service Awards Luncheon. Congratulations to Officer of the Year, Philip Milam, and Civilian of the Year, John Hurtado, for their outstanding service and dedication to the El Segundo community.

Arrest of Registered S*x Offender

Recently, El Segundo Police Department detectives conducted a parole compliance check on a local s*x offender with a prior conviction under 288 PC (Lewd or Lascivious Acts with a Child).

After a search of the registrant’s electronic devices, the male was arrested and booked at Hawthorne Police Department Jail. The District Attorney’s Office has since filed the following felony charges:

• Contact a Minor with the Intent to Commit a S*xual Offense
• Possess Child S*xual Abuse Material (CSAM) with a prior 288 PC Conviction
• Child Annoyance with a prior 288 PC Conviction
• S*x Registrant Violation

The El Segundo Police Department conducts regular checks to ensure registered offenders remain in compliance with the law and to support community safety. To review registered s*x offenders in your neighborhood or learn more about safety guidelines, visit California’s Megan’s Law website. If you have any information regarding potential registration violations, please contact Detective Josh Gilberts at [email protected] or report suspicious activity to our non-emergency police dispatch number 310-524-2760.

Last Thursday, the South Bay Police & Fire Memorial Foundation held its 50th Annual Medal of Valor Awards Ceremony honoring individuals who demonstrated extraordinary bravery beyond the call of duty.

Congratulations to Sergeant Alex Leavitt, Officer Brook Marshall, Officer Collin Furrows, and Officer Baron Gaunt on receiving the Medal of Valor, and to Detective Mike Keltner on receiving a Life Saving Award.

In February 2025, Sergeant Leavitt and Officers Furrows, Gaunt, and Marshall responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a woman screaming for help during an active assault inside an apartment. As officers arrived, they could hear the screams from outside while witnesses urgently directed them to the unit.

When officers reached the doorway, they encountered a horrifying scene. A woman suffering from multiple stab wounds lay critically injured on the floor, while an armed suspect, later identified as her son, stood nearby holding a knife. Despite repeated commands, the suspect refused to drop the weapon.

Without hesitation, Sergeant Leavitt and Officer Marshall placed themselves directly between the armed suspect and the victim to stop the attack and protect her. Their actions created the opportunity for Officers Furrows and Gaunt to safely pull the victim from the apartment and begin emergency care.

Moments later, Officer Mike Keltner arrived on scene and assisted Officer Gaunt with applying tourniquets to control the severe bleeding until ESFD paramedics arrived. Because of the officers’ quick actions and teamwork under extreme pressure, the victim survived and ultimately made a full recovery. After a prolonged standoff, the suspect was safely taken into custody.

These officers made the conscious decision to move toward danger in order to save a life. Their actions represent the highest standards of bravery, professionalism, and commitment to protecting others.

Featured Photograph | Officer Collin Furrows • Officer Baron Gaunt • Officer Brook Marshall • Sergeant Alex Leavitt • Detective Mike Keltner • Chief Saul Rodriguez |