CONTACT:    Officer Rob Pedregon
(424) 646-5591

LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE CHASE AND CAPTURE A MURDER SUSPECT

(Los Angeles, California – June 2, 2016)  The quick response of Airport Police, and the Los Angeles Airport Police Division’s (APD) layered security strategy, stops a murder suspect from being able to breach the Los Angeles International (LAX) perimeter fence and escape.    Around 7:40 p.m., June 1, 2016, Los Angeles Airport Police responded to a call from an airport contract employee of a man who had pointed a handgun at him at Avion Drive and International Road.   

When Airport Police officers arrived, the man tried to get away by climbing over several vehicles and scaling a perimeter fence, dropping a small handgun. He was unable to climb over the perimeter fence, got into a Mazda sedan, and took off.  The APD officers pursued him into Inglewood, conducted a felony stop at La Brea Avenue and Century Boulevard and took the suspect into custody.  The handgun was recovered by Airport Police.   

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Homicide Detectives later notified APD that the man matched the description of a suspect wanted in connection with a homicide that took place at a gas station in South Los Angeles earlier in the evening, around 7:00 p.m. 
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has spent over 100 million dollars on 16 miles of perimeter fence line, exceeding the TSA mandated height requirement, and added perimeter lighting across the fence line.  As well, the Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) systems have been upgraded to increase surveillance capabilities to detect and identify potential threats.   

LAWA is currently in the process of identifying a vendor to install a perimeter intrusion detection system. This system will provide Airport Police with an electronic a way to monitor anyone who attempts to breach the perimeter fence, and accurately pinpoint the location of any intrusions. 

Additionally, officers from APD’s Vulnerability Analysis and Assessment Unit (VAAU) monitor the LAX perimeter on a daily basis.  

“The reporting of the suspicious person and the immediate response and action of some very determined Airport Police officers ended with the arrest of a wanted murder suspect, and shows our layered security approach works,” said Patrick Gannon, Deputy Executive Director –Security/Public Safety. 

The Los Angeles Airport Police is the nation's premier aviation law-enforcement agency with more than 1,100 specially trained police officers, security officers, and civilian staff protecting Los Angeles International, LA/Ontario International, and Van Nuys airports.