Law Enforcement in Custody Death in Newton NR14303jk

August 11, 2014

August 29, 2014

Update:
The sergeants involved in the below incident have been identified as Sergeant II Robert Calderon, Serial No.27569 and Sergeant I Jeff Mares, Serial No. 31233.  Both sergeants are assigned to Newton Division Gang Enforcement Detail.

Los Angeles:  On August 2, 2014, around 5:45 p.m., Newton Area Gang Enforcement Detail sergeants were flagged down by a community member and told that there was a suspicious white vehicle in the area.  

As the sergeants searched the area, they observed a white vehicle driving erratically and at a high rate of speed.  They also observed the vehicle nearly hit a pedestrian walking in the crosswalk.  As the sergeant accelerated to reach the vehicle to conduct a traffic stop, the suspect continued to drive recklessly.  

The vehicle stopped in the 6900 block of South Main Street when the suspect (later identified as Omar Abrego) exited the vehicle and attempted to flee.  A physical altercation ensued and the sergeants were able to take the suspect into custody.

The suspect sustained a laceration and a rescue ambulance was requested.  The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he failed to respond to treatment and was pronounced dead around 5:10 a.m.  

One sergeant sustained an injury to the knee while the other sustained a fracture to the hand.   Both were treated at a local hospital and released.  

Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the In-Custody death investigation.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s policy.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the incident.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. 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 1-800-222-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 www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.