Retired deputy fatally shoots purse-snatching supect in La Habra
A retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy shot and killed a man as he allegedly tried to steal a woman's purse in La Habra this evening, authorities said.
La Habra police received a call about 5 p.m. from a woman who said her purse had been snatched in the 1300 block of Beach Boulevard. Police then received a second call from the retired deputy, who said he was in his car chasing the suspects, who were fleeing in their vehicle, said Cindy Knapp, a spokeswoman for the La Habra Police Department.
The man opened fire on the alleged purse snatcher in the 700 block of West Imperial Highway, Knapp said. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are still looking for the driver of the vehicle, a woman who took off running along Imperial Highway. She was described as a Latina, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and 130 pounds with red hair tied in a ponytail. She was wearing a black tank top with black stretch pants and had a mole or tattoo under her right eye, police said.
-- Robert J. Lopez
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Was the lady hurt in the snatch?
Posted by: Just Wondering | October 13, 2009 at 04:55 PM
When I read this article I was disappointed. Disappointed that he didn't dump the other scum bag as well!
Posted by: Joe Shmoe | October 13, 2009 at 05:06 PM
I see the vigilante wing-nuts are out in full force in this comments thread. I guess now that Bush is no longer Dictator In Chief they've got to find some place else to channel their blood lust.
Death penalty for purse snatching? I don't like crooks either. But the punishment doesn't fit the crime.
Nice going, overzealous retired cop. Truth! Justice! And the American Way!
Posted by: chavez lavine | October 13, 2009 at 05:24 PM
The guy had a gun and showed it to the retired cop. Good shoot and good job. Way to not have the full story LAT.
Posted by: CD | October 13, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Very interesting commentary on this article. The vigilante thing is scary, but (historically) it rears its ugly head when citizens see that the government can't hinder the criminal elements in society and see no other recourse. Does anyone see a solution to this increasing problem? I don't believe shooting thieves or allowing them to behave with impunity is the answer. I guess I get my emotions involved when I think it might be my elderly frail mother who is the next target of criminals who see her as an easy mark as she goes shopping to the grocery store.
Posted by: jodie | October 13, 2009 at 06:59 PM
All this outrage for a poor and defenseless purse snatcher yet when a kid gets killed, ney, slaughtered in an alley in the middle of the day in south central, or other heinous crimes occur, not a peep out of all of you "Good and Concerned .....Citizens".
I think this should be the SOP for all active peace officers... Let's call them "The Judges".
.... Judge Dredd
Posted by: Judge Dredd | October 13, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Thansk to unquestioned police violence (or ex-police violence), LA looks more and more like a war-torn city in the developing world. This is exactly why I moved away. I am more afraid of LAPD than anyone who would take my wallet and run away.
Posted by: Joe Garcia | October 13, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Thansk to unquestioned police violence (or ex-police violence), LA looks more and more like a war-torn city in the developing world. This is exactly why I moved away. I am more afraid of LAPD than anyone who would take my wallet and run away.
Posted by: Joe Garcia | October 13, 2009 at 08:03 PM
If the dead perp was purse snatching your mother, what would YOU do? I know what I would do. Same thing as the retired deputy.
Posted by: sickone | October 13, 2009 at 09:14 PM
a lot of monday morning quarterbacks here. the times is obviously one of the most liberal papers around. of course they print a story without revealing the entire story. we cant judge if this was a good shoot or not based off of the information provided. once again the times gives enough information for a story and to get people in an uproar about the incident. how about publishing the story with all the facts and not just half. ok we got there was a purse snatching. what happened that caused the retired deputy to open fire? how about once those facts are revealed then you publish your story. either way, who cares of a purse snatcher got smoked. im sure its not the first crime he has committed and i doubt the suspects give a damn about the welfare of us law abiding citizens.
Posted by: jigga | October 13, 2009 at 09:37 PM
Reading many of these post reminds me of why I left LA. Too many low lifes that want to take from someone instead of earning a living.
Posted by: DR | October 13, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Nice job. All purse snatchers and their sympathizers should catch a bullet. Kudos to the deputy!
Posted by: El Guapo de la ciudad de los angeles | October 14, 2009 at 08:02 AM
The ex-cop was lucky, lst rule of the street
U never chase someone. Guess retired officers
can legally pack !
Posted by: cover2 | October 14, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Another fine citizen permanently rehabilitated. Saving the taxpayers of California thousands of dollars. We should thank the retired deputy for his service.
Posted by: BigRich | October 14, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Great, We Don't have to put this scumbag to jail and give him free lodging and feed three times a day at the expense of people tax payers money.
Posted by: Ducman | October 14, 2009 at 02:45 PM
I think all you people in California should get guns and shoot each other like the old west no need for jails there you are all crazy as hell sorry but he killed someone's drugged out family member are now upset too. Maybe the crime should hunt down the retired cop maybe all you sick people in California should have a holiday call Kill Each Other Week. another thing close Disney land my kids and most of the world will not come to California all you have is sex crimes Child rapest wow what a world you live. Take that crap out you news maybe some people around the world and the US would come to Vacation good luck with all the prisonier you need to let out to pay your bills you people are sick
Posted by: jack | October 14, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Yes...charges should be put forth on this dude immediately...
why is the name being coward up...I mean covered up...
orange county district attorneys office needs to bring charges on this retired dude...
or is this orange county office protecting even former public employees ????
Posted by: HOMERUN | October 14, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Yes...charges should be put forth on this dude immediately...
why is the name being coward up...I mean covered up...
orange county district attorneys office needs to bring charges on this retired dude...
or is this orange county office protecting even former public employees ????
Posted by: HOMERUN | October 14, 2009 at 03:14 PM
I personally know the deceased man's family,actually his sister in law is my best friend. When did it become okay for a retired sheriff deputy to shoot and kill someone? For the people that are praising the deputy for a "job well done" you all should be ashamed of yourself. I have read every comment that has been posted and it saddens me to think that there are people out there that are all for the deputy doing a good job. I'm not saying that it was okay what the deceased man had done, but we have all been told time and time again "Don't chase a robber." I guess since he is retired that he feels like he has to try and be a deputy again. I can't wait to read more on this and hopefully they will print if this deputy has had prior unjustified killings of "suspects." I am so thankful that I live no where close to California.
Posted by: MMP | October 14, 2009 at 11:44 PM
IM GLAD PEOPLE WANT TO GIVE PRAISE ABOUT MY BROTHER BEING SHOT AND KILLED OVER A DAMN PURSE HE HAD TO LOOSE HIS LIFE . THAT IS NOT JUSTICE OR THE LAW WHY COULDNT THE MUTHA F....CA SHOOT HIM TO STOP HIM FROM RUNNING NOT SHOOT TO KILL I KNOW WUT HE DID IS WRONG BY SNATCHING A PURSE FOR MONEY OR WHATEVER OTHER STUPID REASON HE HAD AT THE MOMENT WHERE WERE THE POLICE ON DUTY TO PULL HIM OVER WHERE WAS THE BACK UP FOR THE RETIRED OFFICER ONCE HE PUT THE CALL IN MINUTES AFTER THE VICTIM WHAT MADE HIM THE HERO TO SHOOT HIM FAKE GUN OR NOT HE KILLED MY BROTHER
Posted by: Audrey Gonzales | October 15, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Everybody is entitled to a mistake,but how many mistakes causes ones life,before you people say great job deputy,look in the mirrow and ask yerself ,what would you do and dont decide the lords final decision,let his sole rest in peace.THE SUSPECT IS A VERY GOOD MAN/FATHER/FRIEND/BROTHER/COUSIN this person made a mistake may he rest in peace and he has a big family that loves him dearly.Let not ye be judged by no one except from our own maker.
Posted by: Ray | October 15, 2009 at 02:54 PM
I don't understand the need of deadly force here.
Posted by: Tio | October 15, 2009 at 09:00 PM
Under our legal system lethal force is never sanctioned for defense of property. I am not sure why this former deputy would think that he should engage in a car pursuit - when car pursuits usually are approved of by supervising staff of police departments when the call goes in. He must not have been thinking. While I do not support the actions of the purse thief, it is difficult to support the actions (well meaning as they may have been) that could have resulted in an accident and injury to truly innocent people over a purse. Vigilantism only weakens the criminal justice system that we have in place - you may not like the system, but it is the one that we have created collectively by voting for certain laws, voting for certain judges, voting for presidents that shape the Supreme Court. Anyway, even if he isn't prosecuted he will wind up being sued and loosing most of what he has worked for his entire life...
Posted by: anonymous | October 16, 2009 at 01:49 PM
The man that was shot to his death may have made a mistake but the deputys actions were without warrant! & Without a doubt the deputy did use excessive force! For all of you that made comments suggesting that the deputy was some hero-well you all will have to explain yourselves on judgement day! The man that was killed had an amazing spirit, he was a son, a father, a cousin, an uncle, a friend, he was my bestfriends brother- Please keep any negative comments to yourself...
Thank-you We love you Eric and you will be missed! Till we meet again my friend....V
Posted by: VKM | October 17, 2009 at 12:15 AM
I can't believe about 70 percent of these comments.. have you ever thought about the fact that this so called cop had no right to shoot an unarmed man 4 times in the back... are we going to resort to giving shop owners or gas station clerks the rights to be judge and jury in our legal system.. some of you people seem to want that kind of country.. how sick have we all become.. this was a man with a family.. kids.. people like this need rehabilitaion and help finding a job to provide for there family...not bein shot in the back by some off duty ex cop... the people reading this should think about how lucky you are that you weren't put into that situation and take pitty on people who need our help..
Posted by: Dan Alexander | October 17, 2009 at 12:05 PM