BREAKING NEWS: Parolee arrested in Hermosa Beach robbery, kidnapping
A parolee
who allegedly targets gay men through social networking sites has been arrested
on suspicion of kidnapping and robbing a Hermosa Beach man, police said late
Saturday.
Angel Pena Ayala, a convicted carjacker who was identified through fingerprints left
behind in his victim's apartment, was taken into custody Friday at his Los
Angeles home, Hermosa Beach police Sgt. Robert Higgins said.
He tried to
make an escape, but failed.
According
to police, Ayala, 24, met the victim at the man's apartment on April 1. There, Ayala
pulled a handgun and ordered the victim to put electronic items including his
television, computer and a camera into the victim's car.
Ayala
then
ordered the victim at gunpoint to drive to a nearby automated teller
machine
and withdrew money, Higgins said. The victim was released in El Segundo.
Ayala
drove away in his car.
Hermosa
Beach investigators identified Ayala from fingerprints inside the victim's
apartment and car, Higgins said.
On
Friday,
detectives arrested him as he met with his parole officer at home, and
found
some of the Hermosa Beach victim's belongings.
"While
handcuffed
inside the police car, Ayala slipped his handcuffs and attempted to
commandeer the police car to escape," Higgins said.
Detectives
stopped
him.
Ayala,
who
has an extensive history of violent crime, was held at the Hermosa Beach
jail
on a parole violation.
Hermosa
Beach
detectives determined Ayala was a suspect in similar crimes in Bell
Gardens and West Hollywood, Higgins said.
"There
may
be more people in the community that have been victimized by Ayala and
the
investigation is on-going," Higgins said. "Ayala indicated that he
specifically
targets the gay community via social networking websites."
Police
asked
possible victims to contact Detective Mick Gaglia at 310-318-0348 or
e-mail him at mgaglia@hermosapolice.org.
Ayala is scheduled to appear in Torrance court on Monday. If convicted of charges in the Hermosa Beach case, Ayala could face 25 years to life in prison.
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Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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"An extensive history of violent crime"? Sounds like this guy shouldn't have even been out on the street. Hopefully, if he's convicted, this gets him put away for life.
"An extensive history of violent crime"? Sounds like this guy shouldn't have even been out on the street. Hopefully, if he's convicted, this gets him put away for life.
God he wrote me letters from when he was in LA bouncing around....and I'm gay. I'm so LUCKY!I knew him from before he done this and I can tell he was on drugs. He's always been such a nice guy to me and he is gay but he never even attempted to hurt me...SO SHOCKING!