'Sopranos' actor heading to prison had Hermosa Beach connection

Lillo Brancato Jr., 29, best known for playing Robert DeNiro's son in "A Bronx Tale," was arrested March 11 on Pier Plaza as officers conducted an investigation into another man suspected of drug dealing, Hermosa Beach police Sgt. Paul Wolcott said.

Brancato 's urine sample tested positive for benzodiazepines, an anti-anxiety narcotic found in Xanax and Valium; cannabinoids, the active ingredient in marijuana; cocaine and opiates, Wolcott said.

The New York Times reported Monday that investigators believe Brancato and Steven Armento, 48, both of Yonkers, were trying to steal Valium from a dead man's apartment in the Bronx on Saturday when off-duty officer Daniel Enchautegui, 28, confronted them.

Enchautegui, who lived next door, heard breaking glass while in bed, called 911 and ran from his home to investigate the crime.

Armento shot the officer, who returned fire and hit both men but later died. Officers responding to Enchautegui's 911 call arrested the pair nearby. The two men face charges of murder of a police officer and burglary.

Brancato reportedly is addicted to drugs, and was arrested in June in New York for heroin possession.

Earlier this year, Brancato found himself in Hermosa Beach's jail on a drug charge. On March 11, two police detectives investigating possible drug sales at Pier Avenue and Beach Drive detained an unidentified man at 11:30 p.m.

" Brancato walks by and appeared to be very interested with what was going on with the suspected drug dealer," Wolcott said. "One of the detectives contacted Brancato and asked him what he was doing and he said, 'I'm just checking on my friend,' referring to the suspected drug dealer they were investigating."

According to a police report, Brancato showed signs of rapid speech and his pupils were moderately dilated. Suspecting he was under the influence, the detectives arrested Brancato and requested a urine sample. Brancato , who carried no weapons, was released on $2,500 bail.

On police reports, he listed his occupation as actor, and his employer as the Screen Actors Guild.

When Brancato 's urine sample returned positive, the City Prosecutor's Office charged him with one count of being under the influence of a narcotic. He was scheduled to return to court Jan. 10, 2006.

Why Brancato was in California was unknown.

Brancato first appeared as 17-year-old Calogero "C" Anello in "A Bronx Tale" in 1993. In the film set in the 1960s, DeNiro's character battled with a local crime boss played by Chazz Palminteri, who befriended his teenage son, played by Brancato .

Brancato has appeared in several films, including "Crimson Tide," "Renaissance Man," and "Enemy of the State," but most recently was cast as wannabe mobster Matt Bevilacqua in "The Sopranos." Mob boss Tony Soprano whacked him during his sixth appearance.

Brancato and Armento were reported in critical condition. A woman who answered the telephone Monday at the home of Domenica Brancato , Lillo Brancato 's mother, said his mother had no comment.