Fatal Hit and Run Traffic Collision NR21022ml

***Update: Arrest Made***

May 27, 2021

Los Angeles: On January 17,
2021, Koi Finely, the daughter of Victim-Branden Finley, asked
the world, “Please just find my dad’s killer!” during a news
conference. The Los Angeles Police Department heard you Koi, and
your dad’s killer has been arrested.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Forensic Sciences Division,
Serology Section, was able to find a DNA profile from evidence
that was left at the crime scene. The DNA profile was submitted
into the Department of Justice – Combined DNA Index System
(CODIS), for analysis. On May 11, 2021, the Los Angeles Police
Department was notified of a CODIS hit, which matched Ronald Earl
Kenebrew Jr., 36 years old, from Lancaster.

Kenebrew has been in the custody of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department since February 11, 2021, on a robbery charge out of
Lancaster. Detectives were able to positively identify Kenebrew
as the person in the videos from a crime spree on the morning of
Saturday, January 16, 2021. Freeman is currently on Post Release
Community Supervision. The Los Angeles County Probation
Department placed a custody hold on him while detectives from the
Los Angeles Police Department continued with their
investigation.

On May 27, 2021, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s
Office filed three felony counts against Kenebrew. The District
Attorney filed 187 P.C. (Murder), 215 P.C. (Carjacking), and
20001(a) V.C. (Felony Hit and Run). Kenebrew is still housed at
the Los Angeles County Jail with a combined bail set at
$2,200,000.00.

Los Angeles: Detectives from
the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division are
seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect
responsible for a Fatal Hit and Run that killed a 46-year-old
man.

On January 16, 2021, at 7:50 a.m., a suspect stole a white 2010
Toyota Tacoma in the 900 block of Wilshire Boulevard. The owner of
the vehicle was making a delivery and left the truck running. The
suspect, who was walking by, asked the owner of the truck for a
ride, but the owner refused. At that time, the suspect entered the
truck. The owner attempted to stop the suspect from leaving with
the truck by jumping into the bed of the truck.

The suspect began to drive at a high rate of speed. The owner of
the truck realized he was in grave danger if he stayed in the bed
of the truck and jumped out. The owner sustained minor
injuries.

Witnesses on 7th Street, observed the suspect driving at a high
rate of speed, weaving in-and-out of traffic and driving on the
opposite side of 7th Street. Before reaching Olive Street, a male
Black 46-year-old bicyclist, was travelling eastbound on the
westbound side of 7th Street. The suspect struck the bicyclist at a
high rate of speed causing the bicyclist to land on the hood of the
truck. The bicyclist’s body travelled over 150 feet eastbound
before coming to rest on the street just before Hill Street. The
suspect continued eastbound 7th Street from Hill Street.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded, and paramedics rendered
aid, ultimately the bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The
name of the bicyclist is being withheld pending notification of
family members.

The suspect continued and became involved in a second collision
with two other vehicles, causing the truck to become disabled. The
suspect fled the scene of the second collision on foot.

The suspect is described as a male Black, short hair, approximately
5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 to 160 lbs., and
he may have injuries to his head from impacting the windshield
during the second collision.

Video surveillance captured the suspect removing a blue hooded
sweat shirt. Additionally, the suspect was seen picking up a white
hooded sweat shirt and putting it on. The suspect was also wearing
black pants and was barefooted.

On April 15, 2015, the City Council amended the Los Angeles
Administrative Code and created a Hit and Run Reward Program Trust
Fund. A reward of up to $50,000 is available to community members
who provide information leading to the offender’s identification,
apprehension, and conviction or resolution through a civil
compromise.

If anyone has information regarding the collision, please contact
Detective Juan Campos, Central Traffic Detectives, at 213-833-3713
or e-mail 31480@lapd.online or Central Traffic Division Watch
Commander at 213-833-3746. During weekends and off-hours calls
should be directed to the 24-hour toll free number at
1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). For anonymous calls please call
LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or
visit www.lacrimestoppers.org, or Tipsters www.lapdonline.org