Man Tries to Rob Undercover LASD Deputy

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Transit Policing Division Crime Impact Team (CIT) Deputies, working at the Metro Pershing Square Red Line Station, were a bit surprised, but ready, when a 22 year old man demanded the cell phone of one of the plain clothes deputies, and then simulated as if he had a weapon. Adam Jaime Garcia, was at the station on the morning of July 11, 2014, as plain clothes deputies were doing a random patrol at the location. The Crime Impact Team of the Sheriff’s Transit Policing Division, routinely patrol Metro buses, trains, and properties, while wearing regular street clothes, so they can check for panhandlers, illegal vendors, or those looking to commit more serious crimes.

Garcia approached the plain clothes deputy, whose identity is protected, and asked to borrow his cell phone. When the deputy refused, Garcia appeared to leave the station. A short while later, Garcia returned, walked up to the deputy, and this time demanded his cell phone as he reached into his waistband as if he was reaching for a weapon. The deputy quickly identified himself, as did the other CIT deputies in the area. Garcia was safely detained without injury to the deputies or the suspect. Although simulating as if he had one, no actual weapon was found on the suspect.

Garcia was booked at the Sheriff’s Century Regional Detention Facility for Attempted Robbery (664/211 P.C.), and is being held on $52,000 bail. His arraignment is set for Tuesday, July 15th, 2014.

Sergeant Manuel “Manny” Garza, who is in charge of the Transit CIT Team #2, was glad that the suspect did not try to rob a member of the public. 

“You never really know where we’re going to show up. Part of what we do is to ensure that the randomness of our operations leaves the bad guys guessing where we are,” he said. 

He also said there are more than one plain clothes CIT team, and that they deploy themselves at different Metro locations, and at different times of the day or night.

Please remember, If you See Something, Say Something. You can dial 911, call Sheriff’s Transit Policing at (888) 950-SAFE (7233), or you can use the TransitWatchLA app. Download it at TransitwatchLA.org, or directly from your smartphone on Google Play or the iTunes store. If you wish to remain anonymous, call "LA Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters “TIPLA” plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website lacrimestoppers.org.

—Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department