Detective Wounds Car Theft Suspect
A 19-year-old car theft suspect was in critical condition Thursday after being shot by a narcotics detective while trying to elude capture in the Koreatown area, Los Angeles police said.
Lt. Charles Higbie, who investigates officer-involved shootings, said plainclothes Detectives Mortimer Lester, 50, and James J. Warren, 35, were at 9th and Fedora streets about 5 p.m. Wednesday when a car sped erratically through a stop sign.
The driver, Roberto Lobo, 19, and his unidentified passenger fled on foot in different directions, the officers said. They said they chased Lobo, who allegedly drew a handgun. Warren fired once but missed.
Lobo reportedly tried to enter a house but failed and ran into a backyard two blocks away. Warren fired four more times, Higbie said, finally hitting the suspect.
The car had been reported stolen earlier in the day, Higbie said.
Lobo was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he underwent surgery.
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