Citizens Who Thwarted Crimes Are Honored
Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti on Wednesday honored seven courageous citizens who stopped crimes in progress and a Los Angeles law firm instrumental in developing the civil injunction program being used to curb gangs.
“At a time when so many of us are living in fear of crime, we commend those people who risked their lives to help others,” said Garcetti.
Among those honored were Municipal Judge Antonio Barreto Jr., 46, who chased a felon who was escaping from the the Culver City courthouse; Douglas Tobar, 26, a former gang member who prevented a carjacking of a young mother and her toddlers, and Denise Newbarr, 55, who chased and caught a belligerent hit-and-run drunk driver who caused a serious accident on the Long Beach Freeway.
Garcetti also recognized attorneys Bob Long, Andrew Paley and Mary Tesh of the law firm of Latham & Watkins for their pro bono work in developing nine gang injunctions throughout the county.
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