Gasol seeks help from Redondo Beach police

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol sought help from Redondo Beach police today when he was concerned about two men following him, officers said.

The men turned out to be Spanish paparrazi trying to get a photograph of the star basketball player with his girlfriend. Gasol and his cheerleader girlfriend are both from Spain.

Gasol, who lives in Redondo Beach, told officers he saw the men following him before he got into his car. They tailed him with such tenacity, he was unsure if he was being stalked or if they were photographers, Redondo Beach police Sgt. Phil Keenan said.

Gasol called a friend in law enforcement who advised him to pull into the back of the Redondo Beach police station, where he described the car to officers.

Officers spotted the black sedan and pulled it over on Diamond Street near Catalina Avenue. The occupants turned out to be credentialed paparazzi with a Spanish news agency and were allowed to leave, Keenan said.

Gasol was escorted home.

In a brief interview, the men said they were paparazzi with a Spanish news agency. They declined to identify themselves or their agency.

"Maybe he thought we were something else," the older of the pair said. "Maybe he thought we were kidnappers."

Police said the paparazzi said they were trying to get a photograph of Gasol with his girlfriend. Silvia Lopez Castro has been linked to Gasol since last summer and reportedly lives with him in Redondo Beach.

Photo by Charles Bennett/Daily Breeze