Convicted Felon Arrested for Clerk’s Murder

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police officers arrested a 33-year-old felon for the murder of an AM-PM store clerk early this morning in the San Fernando Valley.

Police officers from the Devonshire Police Station found Frank Kaatz on the roof of the Denny’s restaurant in the 20000 block of Devonshire Avenue. Kaatz directed the officers to the AM-PM store nearby, where they found Rohan Rameukwella, 41, lying on the floor, bleeding from the head. Paramedics pronounced Rameukwella dead at the scene.

Kaatz then led the officers to a nearby alley and a baseball bat. Detectives will examine the bat and compare the blood and hair on it to the victim’s.

Police officers became aware of Kaatz when his family called 9-1-1 around 1:45 AM, reporting a man was smashing furniture in the house with a baseball bat. When officers arrived in the 10000 block of Oso Avenue, the family members told them Kaatz had left. They described him as disturbed, and that he wanted to commit "suicide by cop."

The officers found Kaatz 15 minutes later on the roof of the Denny’s restaurant. The officers were able to talk Kaatz down from the roof without using force.

Kaatz was booked for the murder, and he was placed on a no-bail hold due to his parole status.

Kaatz was convicted of attempted murder in 1994, after he nearly stabbed to death a 7-11 store clerk in an attempted robbery in the West Valley area of Los Angeles. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, but was released in seven. His parole was violated in 2004, but he was released again and arrested several times in 2005. His parole was violated a second time, and according to his family, he was released in July of this year.

Rohan Rameukwella was a native of Sri Lanka. He had worked the night shift at the AM-PM for the last five years. He had no family in the USA.

Detectives have release Kaatz’s photograph as they are concerned he may have been involved in other crimes since his release. The photograph will be forwarded to outlets when it is available.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Devonshire Homicide detectives at 818-832-0556. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).