Burbank PD: 22 Arrests In Cop Killer Search
Burbank PD: 22 Arrests In Cop Killer Search
Nov 20, 2003 6:13 pm US/Pacific
Police have arrested 22 people as part of the continuing investigation into a shootout last weekend that left one rookie Burbank officer dead and a veteran lawman wounded, officials said early Thursday.
Since the Nov. 15 shooting, 14 people have been taken into custody for investigation of harboring a fugitive, said Lt. Art Miller of the Los Angeles Police Department, who is a member of the task force investigating the shooting. The other eight were arrested for investigation of possessing weapons and narcotics, he said.
Police also were detaining Loretta Garcia, 53, the mother of the alleged gunman on suspicion of harboring her son and she was being questioned late Wednesday night, Miller said.
Ten of the 22 people in custody were arrested earlier this week, including the brother of the suspected gunman. The LAPD helped Burbank police round up suspects in the Sun Valley area Wednesday night as part of the investigation, said Officer Jason Lee, a Los Angeles police spokesman.
Authorities have been seeking David A. Garcia, 19, who is suspected of firing the shots that killed Officer Matthew Pavelka, 26, the first officer killed in the 82-year history of the department.
“We want a safe resolution to this case, which can only happen if David Garcia cooperates and turns himself in,” Miller said.
The shooting occurred Saturday when Garcia and Ramon Aranda, 25, both of Los Angeles, were stopped in a Burbank hotel parking lot because their vehicle lacked license plates, officials said.
Officer Gregory Campbell, 41, was questioning the men when they got out and started shooting. Campbell and Pavelka, who had arrived as backup, returned fire and Pavelka and Aranda were killed in the shootout.
Campbell remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition early Thursday with wounds to the stomach and neck.
The suspected gunman’s twin brother, James Garcia, 19, and Erwin De Leon, were charged earlier this week with six counts, including investigation of illegal arms possession and accessory to murder.
Of the other eight arrested earlier this week, four were booked for investigation of being an accessory to murder, and four others were booked for investigation of illegal weapons possession, authorities said.
Those arrested have been David Garcia’s friends, family members and gang associates that have chosen to help him, Miller said.