Police are searching for a murder parolee who was seen loading a rifle Tuesday night in a South Los Angeles neighborhood.
The report from witnesses of an armed man brought a Los Angeles Police Department SWAT officers to the area near Avalon Boulevard in South Los Angeles. The search began at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when officers located the man, who ran off through residents' yards, police said. Officers set up a perimeter around a junkyard and other properties.
The search and continued into early Wednesday morning, but no arrests were reported. A rifle was recovered from the car the wanted parolee was driving, police said.
"After several hours of searching, it was determined the suspect was no longer in the area," police said in a statement Wednesday.
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Several residents waited hours until they could return to homes in the area due to the search.
The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Ezequiel Garcia, who is on active parole for murder and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said. Details about the murder case were not immediately available.
Police said resident can expect stepped up patrols in the area.
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LAPD News: Suspect Sought After SWAT Search pic.twitter.com/mIp0EKqFUR
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) June 19, 2024
"Residents are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and to notify the police of any suspicious activity or individuals loitering in the area," the LAPD said. "As detectives work to apprehend the suspect, the LAPD will increase patrols in South Los Angeles. Residents will see more black-and-white police vehicles and uniformed officers in the neighborhood. This increased presence is being implemented as a precautionary measure."
Anyone with information about the suspect was asked to contact Newton Area Detectives at 323-846-6547. During off hours or on weekends, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also download the “P-3 Tips” mobile app and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
