Crime & Safety
Superman, Darth Vader Witness a Smash-and-Grab
Unfortunately for the would-be thief, a TV news camera and Los Angeles police officers were also nearby.
Originally posted at 7 p.m. Feb. 11, 2014. Edited to add video.
A man who nonchalantly smashed out all but the windshield of a Los Angeles police car at the Hollywood & Highland complex and grabbed a computer inside was arrested today.
The crime happened about 1 p.m. as tourists walked along Hollywood Boulevard and entertainers dressed as movie characters, such as Superman and Darth Vader, looked on.
Find out what's happening in Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The name of the man arrested was unavailable. He used a piece of metal pipe to break the windows, then leaned into the front seat, pulled out a laptop computer and walked a few feet away, where he opened the laptop and started punching buttons.
Video shot by a KTLA camera crew showed police swarming the man after they were alerted to the crime.
Find out what's happening in Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
--City News Service
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.