Suspect arrested in connection with four deaths in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles police announced that a suspect has been arrested in connection with four deaths recently.

Police Chief Michel Moore said Saturday that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrested Jerrid Joseph Powell for the killings of three homeless men in the past week and for a separate killing in a home robbery in San Dimas, Calif.

Powell was identified as the suspect after authorities found a firearm in the vehicle he was driving when he was arrested for the San Dimas shooting, the Associated Press reported.

He was arrested on Thursday for investigation of the shooting death of a 42-year-old man and taken into custody by the Beverly Hills Police Department.

“Great partnership and use of technology to take this suspected murderer off the streets,” LAPD HQ posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, without specifying what technology was utilized.

Authorities said the fatal shootings of three men took place at the end of November during the early morning hours while the victims were sleeping or were preparing to turn in for the night.

Jose Bolanos, 37, was found dead in an alley around 3 a.m. on Nov. 26. On Nov. 27, Mark Diggs, 62, was shot and killed while pushing a shopping cart around 5 a.m. The third victim, 52, has not been identified but was shot and killed on Nov. 29 around 2:30 a.m., the AP reported.

Police released a statement asking for the public’s help in providing information or identifying the suspect on Friday. At the time, they did not know if the three shootings were related to one another or the San Dimas killing.

“The Los Angeles Police Department is employing all available resources to bring justice to these murder victims,” Moore said in a statement on Friday. “I am thankful for our City partners who are working with us closely to ensure the safety of this vulnerable population as we pursue the criminal investigation.”

In a press conference on Saturday, Moore said he is grateful the suspect is no longer a threat to the community.

While the suspect was unknown, police issued a community bulletin that urged people to use shelters, transitional homes or try to stay with friends or family. They warned people to avoid isolated areas, especially during nighttime, and to stay in well-lit and populated areas.

Powell is set to appear in court on Monday. The AP noted that he was arrested Thursday and is being held on $2 million bail.