Vandals Arrested after Attack on Australian Cameraman

April 23, 2010

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police have arrested two men who attacked a man after he videotaped them vandalizing a traffic box in North Hills on April 21, 2010.

Yesterday, officers from the Mission Division Safer Cities unit took Kevin Carrillo, 18 and Rene Aldana, 20, into custody at an apartment building in the 8600 block of Columbus Avenue.  They were booked at Van Nuys Jail and charged for assault with a deadly weapon.  The pair is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Detectives say an Australian camera crew was working on a story about taggers and captured one of the men on camera vandalizing a traffic box near Parthenia Street near Columbus Avenue.  While the cameraman and his colleague reviewed the taped footage, the suspects provoked and assaulted the cameraman.  One of the suspects was wearing brass knuckles.  Afterward, the suspects fled the scene and were captured a day later.

The victim suffered several cuts to his head and was taken to a local hospital by his colleague where he was treated and released.   

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call Mission Division gang detectives at 818-838-9894. During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS 800-222-8477.  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most key pads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.