Officer Rescues Kidnap Victim

Los Angeles: A police sergeant fired to disable a white van last Sunday morning, April 22, 2007, after he realized that several men in the van were holding a woman against her will.  The woman escaped and three men were later arrested.

The kidnapping occurred just after 4 A.M., outside the Felix Bar on Florence Boulevard when two Hispanic men force a 24-year-old Latina into the van, which contained at least one additional man.  Witnesses reported the incident, explaining the men and woman had been drinking at the bar.

Sergeant Pedro Torres, 40, drove toward the bar and noted the van's description and license plate number from the radio broadcast.  Torres turned a corner and found himself head on with the white van.  He exited his police car and ordered the van's occupants to get out.

"The sergeant could see a naked woman, apparently unconscious in the van," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon.  "No one came out and the van started to drive away.  Sergeant Torres had to make a split-second decision.  He realized he could not let these men drive away with the woman."

As the van pulled away, Torres fired at the van's tires, using two-round bursts.  He fired a total of six shots.  Several of the rounds hit their marks and he could hear the tires burst as the van drove around the corner.

Police quickly found the victim walking in the street near 61st Street and Menlo Avenue.  Officers found the white van abandoned a few blocks away at Hoover Street.

Eventually three men were arrested for kidnapping:  Saul Bramasco, 31; Carlos Luevano, 23, who was driving the van; and Jose Cordova, 32. Investigators are still trying to determine whether any other men were involved.

The victim was not seriously injured, and no one was hit by the shots fired.  The victim said the suspects had a gun, but none was found so far.

Sergeant Torres is an 11-year veteran of the LAPD, and he is assigned to the 77th Street Police Station.  The Felix Bar is located at 640 West Florence Avenue.

Comments

I applaud the good Sgt's will to improvise and adapt, but me thinks the (Anti) Poice Commission, led by John Mack will take umbrage with his tactics, i.e. shooting at a moving vehicle.

Sounds like the Vice boys will be attending the Felix Unger bar in the future.

[been there too]

Only a law enforcement officer would have the heart to care about a female in this situation. Thanks for caring about people who have not yet learned to care for themselves.

[Yolanda]

I seriously think that the officer did what he had to do to save a civilian's' life. The police commission will have their comments as well as others, but to me he did a good job. Keep up the good work.

[A real street cop]

Hold on there one second. I thought the LAPD had a new Shooting at Moving Vehicle policy. If a street cop did this, there would be a serious time out and he/she would take days for using deadly force. Was this a last resort???

[Ed O'Shea]

First off,Good job Pete! That woman owes you her life and I'm sure she's greatful that you didn't sit in your car with your thumb in your backside like John " The Anti-cop" Mack and his ilk will wax you should have done! Stand by, for the monday morning quarterbacking in the Anti Police Commission. The only thing that might save you from their cross hairs is that you are hispanic. A shame to say, but it's the truth. If a white patrol Officer had been just as brave in that situation, he/she would be riding the pine in a, WEAK Chief from New Yorks minute!

Stay safe Warriors.

Ed O'Shea