Tagger Arrest by Chief Parks

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, September 2, 1999
On September 1, 1999, at approximately 9:40 A.M., Chief Bernard C. Parks and a member of his security detail, Police Officer Andrea Balter, were driving eastbound on Vernon Avenue approaching Leimert Boulevard when they observed a male Hispanic suspect "tagging" a traffic pole. Chief Parks and Officer Balter made a U-turn and returned to find that the suspect had walked eastbound on Vernon Avenue and was "tagging" a business located at 3310 Vernon Avenue.

Chief Parks and Officer Balter exited their vehicle and attempted to detain the suspect by verbally commanding him to stop. The suspect refused to stop and began walking away. Chief Parks and Officer Balter approached the suspect and grabbed him by his backpack. The suspect struggled in an attempt to flee. A concerned citizen observed the Chief and Officer Balter struggling with the suspect and assisted them with taking the suspect to the ground and handcuffing him. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

The suspect, identified as Herlindo Rodriguez, 19 years of age, was booked for misdemeanor vandalism and resisting arrest charges. The suspect was not injured during this confrontation.

Chief Parks and Officer Balter were not injured during this confrontation.

Southwest Area Detectives are conducting the investigation.

For Release 11:00 am PDT
September 2, 1999