North Hollywood Area Officers Capture Burglary Suspect

January 19, 1999

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday. January 19, 1999
On Sunday, January 10, 1999, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the victim returned to his residence in the 4700 block of Elmer Avenue and discovered the suspect inside. The victim observed the suspect exit the residence via a second-floor sliding glass door. As the suspect climbed down to the first floor landing, the victim asked the suspect what he was doing. The suspect calmly replied that he had been at the location with a female. The suspect fled, and the victim then called the police.

As LAPD patrol officers responded to the location, they heard the broadcast and observed a suspect approximately one block from the crime scene location on the corner of Backman Avenue and Camarillo Street who matched the description of the suspect described in the broadcast. The suspect was still wearing the victim’s clothing.

The suspect, who gave his name as Sala Mbackey, was identified via fingerprints and was discovered to be the same suspect who was arrested in San Francisco on December 27, 1998, for a residential burglary. In San Francisco, the suspect identified himself to officers as Ataya M. Rsaya. Detectives contacted San Francisco Police who indicated that on December 30, 1998, the suspect was cited to appear in court and then released on his own recognizance.

The case was presented to District Attorney David Ross who filed one count of Residential Burglary and one count of Felony committed while released on bail or recognizance.

For Release 8:30 am PST
January 19, 1999