Teen who allegedly helped set off Hollywood, Crenshaw crimes arrested

Los Angeles police announced Wednesday the arrest of a 16-year-old boy in connection with a series of robberies and other crimes in Crenshaw and Hollywood, saying they believe he used social media to help organize the illegal activity.

The teen was arrested Monday on suspicion of inciting a riot, LAPD Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese told reporters Wednesday. Police said they were working with prosecutors to determine charges.

In announcing the arrest, police officials again appealed to the public for help in identifying outstanding suspects in the July 15 and 16 crimes in Crenshaw and Hollywood.

The upheaval took place against the backdrop of several days of protests against the acquittal of George Zimmerman, a former neighborhood-watch volunteer who fatally shot unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida.

Albanese said although many gathered in Leimert Park the night of July 15 to peacefully protest the verdict, the group driven by social media had other intentions.

“We saw a number of crimes,” Albanese said. “You saw it unfold on television ... groups running and jumping on cars. Assaults were committed, thefts occurred.”

The next night, officials said, a group of about 40 people hit Hollywood Boulevard, targeting stores and pedestrians in a two-hour robbery-and-vandalism rampage. The items taken included cellphones and cash totaling about $1,700, Capt. Beatrice Girmala said. Property damage was estimated at $300.

LAPD officials previously told The Times the Hollywood crimes were organized on social media; authorities said they saw several messages on Twitter and Facebook urging people to gather.

“Take the riot to Hollywood,” one expletive-laden message on Twitter said. “Hollywood. 7:30.”

Twelve people -- all juveniles except one 18-year-old man -- were arrested by Hollywood officers the night of July 16. Prosecutors announced Tuesday that nine had been charged with robbery in connection with the incident.

There is a “good likelihood of additional arrests occurring” as the investigation continues, Albanese said Wednesday. Officials then released a photo of one suspect taken from a camera at Skooby’s Hot Dogs in the 6600 block of Hollywood Boulevard, saying it was one of five businesses robbed that night.

Anyone with cellphone videos or pictures of the incidents was asked to contact police.

Investigators are continuing to focus on the role of social media, Albanese said, adding there were a “number of postings” being examined. He said the department would investigate all future incidents were social media was “abused.”

“The Los Angeles Police Department is going to throw its weight into understanding who did it, ensuring we arrest and ensuring we prosecute,” he said. “It’s unacceptable what happened in Southwest and in Hollywood in light of what the good people that were up there for lawful purpose intended to do. It really put a black eye on those days and we can’t have that.”

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