Police arrest suspect wanted in shooting of driver after car plowed into crowd in East Hollywood
EAST HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Police have arrested the man suspected of shooting a driver who was pulled out of a car and beaten after the vehicle plowed into a crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub earlier this month, injuring over 30 people.
Efrain Villalobos, 28, was taken into custody Sunday at about 1:15 p.m. in Redondo Beach, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
During the course of the investigation, authorities believed that Villalobos was in Redondo Beach. LAPD Rampart detectives and Redondo Beach police began working together to locate the suspect.
LAPD said its detectives took custody of Villalobos after Rendondo Beach police officers arrested him. No further details were immediately known about his arrest.
The case will be presented to the District Attorney's Office, LAPD said.
Investigators believe revenge -- fueled by anger and alcohol -- was a possible motivating factor in the ramming, senior law enforcement officials told ABC News. The crash suspect, identified as 29-year-old Fernando Ramirez, was kicked out of The Vermont Hollywood around 2 a.m. Then, he allegedly got into his car, made a U-turn, and drove up onto the sidewalk, plowing into the crowd.
The LAPD said at least 36 people were hurt, with injuries ranging from minor pain to serious fractures and lacerations.
Law enforcement officials said toxicology tests would determine if alcohol fueled the angry rampage. Ramirez was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
LAPD later released a photo of the man accused of shooting him during the chaotic moments after the ramming.
Video from after the violent crash shows bystanders pulling the driver from his Nissan Versa, punching and kicking him. Then, police say the shooting suspect came from across the street and shot the driver.
