Community Members Detain Criminal Threats Suspect NR17115dm

San Pedro: On April 19, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., Harbor Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of an unknown male outside the Bogdanovich Recreation Center, threatening to kill children. Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect left the area in his vehicle. Bogdanovich Recreation Center and Bogdanovich Preschool were placed on lock down and parents were notified.

Concerned citizens, who were made aware of the incident, released the information of the suspect using social media. A short time later, a private citizen located the suspect in his vehicle in the area of 25th Street and Western Avenue. The citizen blocked the suspect’s vehicle with her vehicle and called police. Officers responded and took the suspect into custody without incident.

The investigation revealed that Delbert Steele, while at the Bogdanovich Recreation Center parking lot area, asked a person who was walking by him “Do you want to blow up some children? Do you want to be on T.V.” Major Crimes Division detectives responded to the Harbor Area Police Station and assumed investigative responsibility for the arrest. Delbert Steele, 48-years-old, was arrested and charged with Criminal Threats, 422(A) PC.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has since reviewed the case and charged Steele with one count of Criminal Threats, 422(A) PC. Steele is currently in custody and being held on $50,000 bail.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call LAPD Major Crimes at 213-486-7260. During non-business hours or on weekends, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.