Long Beach
Police Department

On Thursday, January 3, 2019, Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives presented additional evidence to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office related to the murder of 24-year-old Anna Perez on December 1, 2018. After reviewing the evidence, a felony complaint was filed and arrest warrants issued for the following persons believed to have had knowledge of the murder, and believed to have assisted Thomas McCreary with the intent he might avoid arrest and prosecution:

• 42-year-old Samantha Kidd of Los Angeles
• 21-year-old Anthony Garret of Los Angeles
• 33-year-old Shanae Garcia of Los Angeles
• 49-year-old James Strong of Los Angeles
• 39-year-old Jovan Harris of Los Angeles, who is also alleged to have unlawfully possessed a firearm, with a prior felony conviction

On January 4, 2019, Jovan Harris was located in the City of Los Angeles by Gang Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department. He was placed under arrest for the outstanding warrant, was booked in the 77th Division and is being held on $1,085,000 bail.

UPDATE ON 12/8/2018:

On Friday, December 7, 2018, Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives executed search warrants in the cities of Sylmar and Los Angeles related to the murder of 24-year-old Anna Perez on December 1, 2018. 

Homicide detectives identified and arrested 42-year-old Thomas McCreary of Los Angeles today. McCreary was booked at the Long Beach City Jail on $2,000,000 bail. 

Detectives believe McCreary fired a firearm at the rival group, which resulted in the death of victim Perez who was standing near-by. 

During their search, detectives collected a firearm, which will be analyzed by the Long Beach Crime Lab. A vehicle was impounded during the execution of the search warrant and is believed to be involved with the murder. 

The case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office early next week for filing consideration.

Original News Release 12/2/18:

On Saturday, December 1, 2018, at approximately 2:00 a.m., officers assigned to the Downtown Entertainment District responded to the area of 4th Street and Pacific Avenue after hearing what they believed to be several gunshots.

When officers arrived, they located a female adult who had been struck in the torso by gunfire. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics responded and determined the victim deceased at the scene.

The preliminary investigation suggests the shooting was the result of a verbal altercation in a parking lot between two groups of male and female adults. The victim was not believed to be a part of either group and has been identified as 24-year-old Anna Perez of Long Beach.

The suspect was described by witnesses as an African American male adult and was last seen leaving the area in an unknown color sedan. The investigation remains on-going.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Homicide Detectives Shea Robertson and Oscar Valenzuela at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.