Police Arrest Burglary Suspect in Harbor Area

Los Angeles: Police in San Pedro arrested 24-year-old Moses Grajeda after a violent, hand-to-hand struggle early Tuesday morning, November 21, 2006.

Neighbors called police around 3:15 A.M. after seeing Grajeda prowling around cars in the 800 block of West 34th Street. A police sergeant made the first contact with Grajeda, who tried to walk away. The sergeant and two more officers caught up to Grajeda as he tried to climb over the fence of an elevated courtyard.

Grajeda removed his jacket and fought with the officers. The suspect and officers struggled against a fence on a ledge, about 40 feet above the ground. Grajeda made several attempts to disarm the officers. At one point, 26-year-old Police Officer Laurence Meyerowitz, 9 months with the LAPD, tried to place a carotid hold around Grajeda’s neck. Grajeda continued to fight in spite of the carotid hold and being pepper sprayed.

Grajeda was subdued only after the officers’ help call was answered by several more officers from LAPD and the Port Authority. Following his arrest, officers found that Grajeda’s jacket contained narcotics, a loaded magazine to a handgun, and shaved keys, commonly used by car burglars.

Grajeda and one police officer were treated at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital for injuries sustained in the fight. Both were released from the hospital. Grajeda was booked on charges of Resisting Arrest and Possession of Narcotics for Sale.

Because a carotid restraint hold was applied, the Force Investigation Division is required to investigate the use of force. Questions can be referred to Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.