Arrests Made Related to Protests in Central Division NR20170ma

July 17, 2020 NR20170ma

Update

The Los Angeles Police
Department is aware of video from this incident which has
surfaced on social media. The video depicts arrests and a use
of force which occurred during a protest. In the coming days,
we plan on releasing a critical incident video which will
include body worn video that captured the use of force.

Downtown Los Angeles: Officers
were injured and arrests were made after several individuals in a
group of protestors attempted to interfere and free a man and two
women, who were in police custody.

On July 14, 2020 around 2:45 p.m. officers were in the area
Figueroa Street and Wilshire
Boulevard in Downtown Los Angeles. The officers were conducting an
investigation involving two women who had shown indications of
being in the midst of a mental health crisis.

While conducting that investigation, the officers saw a man, later
identified at 53-year-old David Dixon, yelling at and pushing
another man who had been walking southbound on Figueroa Street from
7th Street. Dixon was immediately handcuffed by the officers. They
verified Dixon’s identification and discovered he had a felony
warranty for Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

While officers were confirming Dixon’s identity, additional
officers were preparing to take the two women to a local hospital
for an evaluation based on statements they had made to the
officers.

As the officers were preparing to leave the area with Dixon and the
two women, an estimated group of 50 protestors who were marching in
the area surrounded the officers and began chanting “Let them
go.”

A man in a wheelchair, Joshua Wilson, punched an officer in the
face and a use of force occurred between the officers and Wilson.
He was taken into custody. During the incident, an officer saw
another man, Mario Chacon, try to grab one of the officers’
equipment. The officer attempted to stop Chacon and another use of
force occurred.

During the confrontation Chacon tried to take a baton from an
officer and pushed another officer. At one point, the crowd tried
to grab onto Chacon and pull him away from officers who were
arresting him for battery on a police officer. Chacon was
eventually taken into custody.

A “help call” was broadcast by one of the officers involved in the
incident and numerous officers responded to the area. The crowd was
told to leave and continue their march.
Chacon, Wilson and Dixon were taken to Central Division Police
Station.

While at the station, officers found a loaded firearm in Wilson’s
backpack which had been on his wheelchair. Wilson was seen by
medical personnel prior to being booked for Ex Con with a Firearm.
Chacon received medical treatment at a local hospital, was treated
and released and booked for Battery on a Peace Officer. Dixon was
booked for a felony warrant.
Three officers and one sergeant suffered minor injuries during the
incident and received medical treatment.

Arrestee Information:
Mario Chacon, DOB 12/13/89, resident of Glendora, 243(C)PC, bail
$0
Joshua Wilson, DOB 11/12/86, resident of Los Angeles,
29800(a)(1)PC, bail $35,000

David Dixon, DOB 2/23/67, resident of Los Angeles, Felony
warrant, $50,000

If anyone has anyone has any additional information regarding
this crime, contact LAPD Central Area Detectives, at (213)
833-3750. 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 the LA 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 “P-3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA
Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.