Violent Partygoer Sustains Head Injury Large Party Creates Substantial Neighborhood Disturbance NR09394rf

Los Angeles: While Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers were attempting to break up a major house party that was causing a disturbance, a male guest at the party became involved in a fight.  As officers tried to restore order by restraining one of the fighters, both the partygoer and one of the officers were injured.

On August 9, 2009, at about 1 a.m., LAPD Foothill Area Police Officers Jeffrey Smith (12 years, 10 months with the Department) and George Santander (two years, six months with the Department) were assisting other officers at a large party in the 13000 block of Glamis Street that was creating a serious disturbance.  Officers estimated that about 100 people were in attendance.

As officers went about dispersing the crowd, a fight erupted inside the residence, with suspect Marenciano Norato as one of the participants.  Both officers made an effort to stop the fight and restrain Norato, but their task was difficult because of interference from other party guests and Norato himself, who fell to the ground during the struggle.  

Suddenly, Norato bit Santander’s left arm, causing injury; so Smith struck the suspect in the head with his baton.  Shortly after that, Norato was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released for booking.  Santander was also treated for the bite on his arm and an injury to his right hand.

The LAPD Force Investigation Division is looking into the use-of-force incident