BRIEFLY.

Firefighter held in online sting

A Los Angeles County firefighter remained behind bars Monday and is facing federal charges after being arrested in an online sting operation, according to a broadcast report.

Brian Lee Flaherty, a six-year veteran of the department who worked at Fire Station No. 7 in West Hollywood, is suspected of traveling to Detroit to have sex with a 5-year-old, KCAL (Channel 9) reported.

FBI agents said the Chino Hills resident used the name "cofiremn6942" in a chatroom with a Detroit-area detective whose undercover identity was that of a mother allowing men to have sex with her children, KCAL reported.

Federal agents said Flaherty, who is on paid administrative leave, had e-mailed the detective in January and February with 25 images and two videos that appeared to be child pornography, KCAL reported.

-- City News Service

Costco worker jailed for thefts

CANOGA PARK -- A former Costco worker was sentenced to four months in jail following his arrest for stealing purses and wallets from the store's parking lot, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office announced Monday.

Manuel Avila, 22, a former employee of the big-box chain's Canoga Park store, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Stephen Pfahler to 120 days in jail and 20 days of Caltrans work.

Avila must also pay restitution to six victims and stay away from the store.

Police arrested Avila after a Costco customer reported that her designer purse was stolen from her shopping cart.

-- Daily News

Dozing driver's pickup hits home

PACOIMA -- At least three people were injured Monday when a pickup crashed into their house in the 14000 block of Paxton Street, authorities said.

The Nissan Titan crashed into the house shortly after midnight, when its driver failed to negotiate a turn. Police said the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel.

A man and a child inside the home at the time were transported to a nearby hospital in unknown condition, officials said. A woman who was seven months pregnant was also injured and was taken to a nearby hospital.

-- Daily News

Bandit holds up local bank branch

ENCINO -- A man the FBI has dubbed the Irreconcilable Differences Bandit robbed a San Fernando Valley bank Monday, the eighth Southland heist he is thought to have pulled off since December.

The man, described as a clean-shaved white male, 45 to 50 years old, about 5-feet 8-inches tall and weighing 150 to 175 pounds, robbed the Union Bank of California in the 16600 block of Ventura Boulevard, according to the FBI.

In his first bank robbery, Dec. 22 in Beverly Hills, the man told the teller he was going through a divorce and wanted to wire money, before handing the teller a note that demanded money and making verbal threats, the FBI said.

Anyone with information can call the FBI at [phone].

-- Daily News

Stabbing suspect turns himself in

CHATSWORTH -- A 22-year-old man turned himself in to police after he allegedly stabbed a man and teenage boy at a birthday party, police said Monday.

Thomas Reza was apparently an uninvited guest at a party Saturday in the 10400 block of Willowbrae Avenue, said Detective Mike Pelletier. After he was asked to leave, there was an altercation and he allegedly stabbed an 18-year-old man in the stomach and a teenage boy near the upper hip.

-- Daily News