LBPD Officers Recover An Unserialized Firearm and Make Three Arrests

On Sept. 1, 2022, at approximately 8:45 a.m., officers assigned to the East Division Directed Enforcement Team were patrolling in the area of Spring Street and Bellflower Boulevard, when they observed a vehicle with multiple equipment violations. This resulted in the officers conducting a traffic stop of the vehicle, where they contacted a male adult suspect. While officers detained the suspect, they discovered the suspect had an arrest warrant and was on active probation. Officers identified the suspect as Joseph Navetta, a 62-year-old resident of Long Beach. Officers subsequently arrested Navetta and conducted a probation compliance check of his residence.  

Officers conducted a compliance check of Navetta’s residence and located an unserialized firearm and narcotics inside.  

While inside of the residence, officers located and arrested two additional suspects. Officers identified the suspects as Kaija Cook, a 32-year-old resident of the City of San Clemente and Timothy Ratkay, a 55-year-old resident of Long Beach.  

Officers transported all three suspects to Long Beach City Jail for booking.  

Navetta was booked on an outstanding felony warrant, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of possession of an assault weapon, and one count of possession of an unserialized firearm. Bail was set at $90,000. 

Cook was booked on three outstanding felony warrants, one count of bringing a controlled substance into jail, and one count of possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $200,000.  

Ratkay was booked on one count of possession of narcotics for sale. Bail was set at $30,000.  

Excellent work by our East Directed Enforcement Team and East Division Patrol Officers! 

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This information is preliminary and is intended for early information use rather than being a formal investigative report.