Street attacker held for elder abuse, battery

By Nona Sue Friedman

A man named Ever Martinez is the person detained by Wilshire Division police on Dec. 10 for attacking a 72-year-old woman on the sidewalk near Plymouth Boulevard and Eighth Street at 7:30 in the morning. Martinez was arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Dec. 13, and he remains in custody.

Martinez is charged with one count of elder abuse under California Penal Code Section 368(b)(1) and one count of battery causing serious bodily injury, Penal Code 243(d). Both are charged as felonies. Conviction on the elder abuse charge can lead to a sentence of up to four years in prison, and conviction on the aggravated battery charge also can result in a sentence of up to four years.

In this case, the assailant tackled the Windsor Village walker to the ground, where she hit her head, and he punched her multiple times in the face and stomach. She got away, but the attacker chased her. She could not outrun him, and he caught her again and punched her some more. After neighbors and Good Samaritans driving by intervened, police cars and an ambulance arrived. The woman was taken to the hospital, where she received 15 stitches to her face.

At his late December preliminary hearing, Martinez was referred for a mental competency review, and trial is on hold until the review is completed.

One burglar arraigned after Thanksgiving break-in on Irving

By Nona Sue Friedman

One of three thieves was arrested for the well-videotaped burglary that occurred on Thanksgiving Day on the 300 block of South Irving Boulevard.

Anthonee Banks was arrested at the scene. He remains released on bail, but he was arraigned on Fri., Dec. 23, and pled not guilty to California Penal Code Section 459, entering a structure with the intent to commit a felony, also known as breaking and entering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wed., Feb. 1.

According to LAPD Olympic Division Detective Matthew Burrola, police are still actively working the case to find the other sus- pects. They have not yet been able to connect this incident with any of the other, similar crimes in the Windsor Square and surrounding neighborhoods. Because of gloves and masks, the police were not able to collect any DNA, according to Det. Burrola.

In addition to looking for the two other burglars, the police also are trying to recover the stolen property. As Detective Burrola told us, “Thieves usually sell the property very quickly and do it person-to-person.”

Detective Burrola suggests everyone “be vigilant; lock doors and gates.” If you have any information, please contact him at 213-382-9448.