Grand Theft Suspect Who Posed as Catholic Priest NR16030ml

Los Angeles: Los Angeles
Police Department (LAPD), Commercial Crimes Division (CCD)
detectives have arrested 59-year-old Erwin Mena who impersonated a
Catholic Priest to defraud parishioners.

On June 4, 2015, the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles contacted the LAPD to report that their
parishioners had been defrauded by Erwin Mena. Over the course of
several years, Mena visited multiple Catholic Parishes throughout
the Los Angeles Area and portrayed himself as a Catholic Priest.
Mena officiated church ceremonies and solicited donations on behalf
of the church(s), but kept the money for himself. Commercial Crimes
Division personnel investigated these allegations and presented the
case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (DA). The
DA’s office reviewed the case and filed counts for 115 PC
Falsifying a Public Document, 118 PC Perjury and multiple counts
for 487 PC Grand Theft against Mena. A felony warrant was issued
for Mena’s arrest.

On February 2, 2016, Mena was tracked to the area of 1400 North
Academy Road in the Elysian Park area of Los Angeles and taken into
custody without incident. Mena was booked into the Los Angeles
Metropolitan Jail.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call Detective
Guevara, LAPD, CCD at 213-486-6630. During non-business hours or on
weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7
(877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call
Crime Stoppers at 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 keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages
should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to
LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.