The Los Angeles Police Department has issued an appeal to the public, calling for potential victims of a spate of vandalism incidents to step forward. The implicated suspect, identified as 64-year-old Edelidio David Wallace, was apprehended on January 8 in Canoga Park, according to the LAPD Newsroom. Wallace is facing felony vandalism charges and had an existing felony warrant under booking number 6739226.
An initial spree of vandalism occurred on January 6, where businesses within a close-knit area were targeted by a suspect wielding rocks and cement bricks. This malicious act was seemingly repeated on January 8, with additional businesses suffering similar property damage. The LAPD's Major Crimes Division is now looking to firmly determine whether these incidents may have a hate crime connection, as three of the damaged properties were owned by Jewish individuals. In what appears to have been a deliberate attack, rocks with the words "Glory" and "Pay Up" scrawled across them were left at the scene.
The LAPD has circulated a description of the suspect: a male of indeterminate ethnicity, believed to be between 45 and 55 years old, around 5’08”, and weighing approximately 170 lbs, with a gray or white beard. The suspect's clothing on the days of the reported incidents was noted: a green Nike sweatshirt and white Nike shoes on January 6 and a burgundy Nike sweatshirt on January 8, paired again with black pants and white shoes.
The string of attacks, which also includes additional events possibly linked to the same suspect on January 5 and 7, has led investigators to believe that there may be further victims who have not yet come forward. Major Crimes Detectives Beard and Patin are actively seeking to possibly identify and speak with more individuals who may have been victimized. The LAPD encourages anyone with information, or who believes they may have been a target, to contact the detectives or to utilize anonymous tip lines provided by LA Regional Crime Stoppers.
