WESTWOOD—On Monday, January 12, the Los Angeles Police Department reported that a suspect who drove a box-truck through a group of demonstrators was arrested.
The LAPD reported on Sunday, January 11, around 4 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes Division (MCD) was notified of a possible assault with a deadly weapon incident involving a box truck and a group of demonstrators near the Federal Building at Veteran Avenue and Ohio Avenue.
Detectives from MCD and special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) responded and conducted a joint investigation of the incident.
Officers from the LAPD West Los Angeles Division were monitoring a protest in support of the ongoing protests in Iran, when a box truck traveled eastbound on Ohio Avenue toward Veteran Avenue. Officers stopped the truck and directed the driver to turn around, as he was approaching a large crowd of protesters. On the side of the truck were written signs that opposed the views of the crowd.
The demonstrators tore the signs off the truck, and attacked the driver, who drove toward a group of LAPD officers. Individuals from the crowd jumped out of the truck’s path of travel to avoid being struck. Officers formed a skirmish line between the box truck and the crowd and took the driver into custody.
The box truck was searched and impounded, with nothing significant being discovered. Detectives from MCD contacted possible victims from the incident, however, none reported being struck by the truck.
MCD Detectives and an FBI Agent interviewed the driver, Calor Madanescht, 48, who was arrested and booked for 23103(a)VC- Reckless Driving, with booking number 7160635, and $0 bail.
LAPD Major Crimes Division will maintain investigative responsibility over this investigation and will present the case to the City Attorney’s office for filing consideration.
Anyone with details is asked to contact Major Crimes Division Detective Shannon Curtis at 213-486-7220. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
By Danny Jones