A man was arrested Thursday after a days-long search following multiple carjacking attempts in Lincoln Heights and Boyle Heights, police said.
The Los Angeles Police Department widely circulated video and images of the suspect in the days leading up to his arrest. Police urged the public not to approach him and to call 911 if he was seen, as authorities considered him violent and dangerous.
Maurice Latorre, 49, was arrested at a Los Angeles General hospital and taken into custody after a healthcare worker recognized him, an LAPD official said at a Thursday press conference outside of Hollenbeck Station.
According to police, Latorre attempted to carjack three women within a span of a few hours on Saturday, Nov. 9. All three incidents were captured on surveillance video.
Around 10:30 a.m., Latorre approached a woman at a gas station in Lincoln Heights and attempted to enter her car while demanding her keys. After a brief struggle, police say the victim was able to push Latorre out of her vehicle before he fled on foot.
A few hours later, Latorre again approached a driver with two children entering her parked car near the 2100 block of North Broadway in Lincoln Heights. After a struggle, the victim was able to fend off Latorre and close the door to her car.
Around 4:55 p.m. the same afternoon, Latorre approached a third woman pumping gas at a Boyle Heights gas station on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, pulling her out of the vehicle when she attempted to enter it and assaulting her on the ground. Latorre was pulled off the victim by a passerby before fleeing the scene on a silver bicycle according to the LAPD.
LAPD Detective Joe Diaz-Ibarra said that the victims were fortunate to fend off Latorre and LAPD Capt. Chris Mayberry said it was obvious to the department that the suspect was targeting women.
No additional details were provided on Latorre’s arrest.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Hollenbeck Detective Jose Diaz-Ibarra at (323) 342-8981 or the Hollenbeck Area Detective Desk at (323) 342-8900.
