Los Angeles, Ca
4 men charged in slaying of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor
![4 men charged in slaying of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor 4 men charged in slaying of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor](https://ktla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/05/Copy-of-mug-or-photo-crop-2.png?w=900)
Four people arrested earlier this month in connection with the shooting death of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor have been charged, officials with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office announced.
Wactor was shot and killed May 25 as he and a coworker, Anita Joy, were walking to their cars in downtown L.A. just before 3:30 a.m. after their shifts at the Moxy Hotel, located at 1260 South Figueroa Boulevard.
As he and Joy approached his vehicle, they stumbled upon three men stealing his catalytic converter.
Prosecutors say that one of the men, 18-year-old Robert Barceleau, allegedly shot Wactor once in the chest moments before the trio fled the area. The 37-year-old was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Barceleau and his two accomplices were able to evade police until their arrest on Aug. 15. A fourth person was also taken into custody as an accessory to the crime.
The four men have been charged with the following:
- Robert Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park was charged with one count of murder with special circumstances of murder during an attempted robbery and personal use of a firearm; one count of attempted robbery with personal use of a firearm; and one count of grand theft with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm
- Leonel Guitierrez, 18, of L.A. County was charged with one count of attempted robbery with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm; and one count of grand theft with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm
- Sergio Estrada, 18, of L.A. County was charged with one count of murder with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm; one count of attempted robbery with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm; and one count of grand theft with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm
- Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood was charged with one count of accessory after the fact to murder; one count of receiving stolen property; and three counts of being a felon with a firearm
“Johnny Wactor’s life was senselessly taken while he was simply walking to his parked car in downtown Los Angeles. We are committed to seeking justice for Mr. Wactor and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions,” District Attorney Gascón said in a news release. “Mr. Wactor’s work and presence touched the lives of many, and our hearts go out to his family, friends and the entire community who mourn this devastating loss.”
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass thanked investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department “for their work and partnership throughout the investigation and for their continued efforts to keep Angelenos safe and to bring justice to victims of violence.”
Barceleau is being held without bail. Estrada is being held on $2,070,000 bail and Olano on $1,080,000 bail. Gutierrez’ bail was set at $120,000.
If convicted as charged, Barceleau faces life in prison without parole. Estrada faces a maximum of life, while Olano could get nearly six years in prison and Gutierrez could see a sentence of nearly five years.
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Los Angeles, Ca
Detectives seek more alleged sex abuse victims of Adelanto man
![Detectives seek more alleged sex abuse victims of Adelanto man Detectives seek more alleged sex abuse victims of Adelanto man](https://ktla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/GerardoPalestinoMug.BG_.png?w=900)
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is looking for more victims of a man who allegedly molested a girl for two years.
Gerardo Palestino, 64, was arrested at his Adelanto home on Saturday, one day after a girl reported to authorities that she had been molested by a relative for the past two years, the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
“During the investigation, Detective C. Bennington was able to corroborate the victim’s allegations,” the release added.
Palestino faces charges of orally copulating with a minor, continued sexual abuse of a child, lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14, and sexual penetration by force. The Sheriff’s Department also listed a charge of incest, though it was not reflected in jail records.
Palestino is being held at the High Desert Detention Center in lieu of $500,000 bail. He’s due to appear in Victorville Superior Court on Tuesday.
Investigators “have reason to believe there could be additional victims,” and anyone with information is asked to call Bennington at 760-552-6800.
To report information anonymously, call WeTip at 800-78CRIME or visit wetip.com.
Los Angeles, Ca
Thieves in Orange County likely jammed Wi-Fi during computer store break-in
![Thieves in Orange County likely jammed Wi-Fi during computer store break-in Thieves in Orange County likely jammed Wi-Fi during computer store break-in](https://ktla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Computer-store-break-in-3.png?w=900)
A small, family-owned computer store in Orange County is reeling after burglars break-in to their shop for the second time in two months.
In the most recent incident, thieves hit Mac Computers in Anaheim in the early morning hours of Aug. 12 and break everything they can think of in hopes of silencing the blaring alarm.
In surveillance footage of the incident, thieves can be heard drilling through the locks of a sturdy steel backdoor, then cut their way through a rolling door and a gate, but before the three masked suspects appear on the store’s cameras, the video freezes.
Melissa Delgado, who manages the store, told KTLA’s Rachel Menitoff that the burglars likely disarmed the shop’s Wi-Fi and disrupted security cameras for a short period of time.
“Usually, they don’t get this far,” Delgado explained. “It just makes us rethink what we need to do to secure the location again.”
Unfortunately, the crooks destroyed everything they could think of that might stop the blaring alarm, though ultimately, they were undeterred by the noise.
In another camera angle, the suspects are seen loading up on Apple AirPods, camera gimbles, Nintendo Switches, as well as unknowingly making off with empty boxes.
In her experience, the Mac Computer Store manager said these types of professional burglars know exactly how much time they have before authorities arrive.
“That’s usually the thing,” she explained. “They’re in and out in six minutes and it was cutting into that time. Maybe they ran out of time and just left.”
In May, the last time the store was broken into, a thief gained entrance by cutting through the drywall of a vacant shop next door. In that case, police were able to find the person and all the stolen merchandise, but Delgado said that in most cases, the culprits are not caught.
“If police can’t get here soon enough to arrest anyone, I know it’s really tough on their side and it’s tough on our side,” she said. “What can really happen?”
For their part, the owners of Mac Computers kcontinue to strengthen their surveillance, hoping to wear down any future thieves looking to loot the store.
“It’s really had to sleep at night,” Delgado said. “You never know if the alarm is going to go off.”
The latest robbery caused at least $5,000 in damage to the store.
So far, those responsible for this break-in have yet to be captured.
Los Angeles, Ca
Fight over whimsical artwork unfolding in Southern California neighborhood
![Fight over whimsical artwork unfolding in Southern California neighborhood Fight over whimsical artwork unfolding in Southern California neighborhood](https://ktla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Mar-Vista-Artwork-2.png?w=900)
Residents of a Los Angeles neighborhood are speaking out after the department of water and power began taking down whimsical pieces of scrap metal art attached to power poles, claiming they are a safety hazard for workers.
Artist Lori Powers began putting up the colorful designs in her Mar Vista neighborhood in 2017, and then really ramped up production during the pandemic.
Powers told KTLA’s Jennifer McGraw that she’s baffled by the sudden call from officials at the L.A. Department of Water and Power to have them removed.
“Hopefully, somebody will let me know because this is crazy,” she said. “Another reason that I did it is because this is a fast thoroughfare, and I wanted to slow down cars.”
Members of the tight-knit community say that they are outraged that DWP wants to remove the playful artwork that brings happiness to the neighborhood.
“When I walk the streets, when I run the streets, they put a smile on my face,” neighbor Paul Von Blum told KTLA. “Everybody I’ve spoken to has precisely the same reaction.”
Neighbor Aaron Thompson said the artwork brings character to the community and believes that it’s especially nice for the children who live there.
Now, the neighborhood is putting up a fight, even confronting workers as they began removing them.
“We want to see them stay,” another neighbor told KTLA. “Over the years, we’ve developed a relationship with all of the artwork, specific pieces, specific locations over time. So, we’re very supportive.”
The fight over the artwork has even reached city hall, with L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park joining the fray and allowing Powers’ work to remain in place while she tries to work on a solution with DWP officials.
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