Los Angeles police have arrested Jerrid Joseph Powell in connection with the deaths of three homeless men and a separate killing in a home robbery. Powell was identified as the suspect after a firearm was found in his vehicle. He is set to appear in court on Monday. Lauren Irwin reported
Los Angeles Police Arrest Suspect in Connection with Four Recent Deaths
In a significant development, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced on Saturday that they have apprehended a suspect believed to be responsible for four recent deaths. Police Chief Michel Moore identified the suspect as Jerrid Joseph Powell, who has been arrested for the killings of three homeless men that occurred within the past week, as well as a separate killing in a home robbery in San Dimas, California.
The arrest of Powell came about after authorities discovered a firearm in the vehicle he was driving when he was apprehended for the San Dimas shooting, according to a report by the Associated Press. The Beverly Hills Police Department took Powell into custody on Thursday for investigation into the shooting death of a 42-year-old man.
Expressing their satisfaction with the outcome, LAPD HQ posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, “Great partnership and use of technology to take this suspected murderer off the streets.” However, the specific technology employed in the arrest was not disclosed.
The fatal shootings of the three homeless men occurred at the end of November during the early morning hours while the victims were either asleep or preparing to retire for the night. The victims have been identified as Jose Bolanos, 37, who was found dead in an alley on November 26 at around 3 a.m.; Mark Diggs, 62, who was shot and killed while pushing a shopping cart on November 27 at approximately 5 a.m.; and an unidentified 52-year-old man who was fatally shot on November 29 at around 2:30 a.m., as reported by the AP.
Prior to Powell’s arrest, the police had issued a statement seeking the public’s assistance in providing information or identifying the suspect. At that time, they were unsure if the three homeless men killings were connected to each other or the San Dimas killing.
Police Chief Moore expressed his gratitude during a press conference on Saturday, stating that he is relieved the suspect is no longer a threat to the community. He also emphasized that the LAPD is fully committed to bringing justice to the murder victims and appreciated the collaboration with city partners to ensure the safety of the vulnerable homeless population.
In an effort to protect the public while the suspect was still at large, the police had issued a community bulletin advising people to seek shelter, transitional homes, or stay with friends or family. They cautioned individuals to avoid isolated areas, particularly during nighttime, and encouraged them to remain in well-lit and populated areas.
Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. He was arrested on Thursday and is presently being held on $2 million bail.
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