LAPD Unveils Its Own ‘10-Most-Wanted’ List

Less than six months ago, police allege, James Campa and two accomplices attacked a rival gang member on a Northeast Los Angeles street.

As the victim tried to flee, Campa allegedly shot and killed him, ensuring Campa’s presence on the Los Angeles Police Department’s first “10-Most-Wanted” list. The list was unveiled Friday, six weeks after Campa’s 17th birthday.

Following the precedent begun by the FBI 35 years ago, the suspects on the Police Department’s first most-wanted list were chosen from the ranks of 267 suspected local killers who have eluded capture by police.

They achieved their infamy not simply because their crimes stood out, but because detectives have exhausted all leads, Police Chief Daryl F. Gates said at a press conference at Parker Center.

“It is important that we do our best to clear those murder warrants and not have persons with a propensity for violence roaming the streets of Los Angeles,” Gates said. “We’re hopeful the people of this city will help us in locating these individuals.”

Flyers bearing the pictures, names and descriptions of the suspects and synopses of their alleged crimes will be distributed and posted throughout the city--”wherever we can get space,” the chief said.

The FBI’s “Most-Wanted” lists, begun in 1950, have included more than 400 suspected criminals, FBI spokesman Fred Reagan said. Most of the suspects have eventually been arrested, and more than 100 of them were apprehended after people recognized them from wanted posters, he said.

Gates said the Los Angeles Police Department, which has set up a 24-hour phone line to handle calls about the 10 suspects, has similar hopes for its list.

“Some of the things that are done in history are still good, still valid,” he said. “When you consider the fact that we have that many murder warrants languishing in our files. . . . We just decided to bring back an old technique and hope that it is successful.”

Gates said the “10-Most-Wanted” list is not arranged numerically in order of the importance of the crime. All of those listed are men--five Latinos, three Caucasians, one black and one Filipino.

Booth said Latinos dominated the racial breakdown because the Latino community has traditionally been more responsive to police requests for help in identifying suspects and victims.

In addition to Campa, the list includes:

--Tirso Crispin, 26, accused of shooting two people during an argument at a central area hotel. One died.

--Marcelo Librado Sierra Hernandez, 22, who allegedly fired a gun into a bar, killing one person and injuring another.

--Raymond Jess Parra, 20, accused of the kidnaping and shooting death of a 17-year-old.

--John Alexander Riccardi, 49, who allegedly shot and killed his former girlfriend and another woman in a West Los Angeles home.

--Manuel Ruiz, 22, who allegedly shot and killed a man during a Pacoima barroom argument.

--Gary Allen Sinn, 32. Investigators allege that he and others impersonated police officers and attempted to rob a Southeast Los Angeles residence. During the attempt, one person was shot to death.

--J. P. Trotter Jr., 37, who allegedly strangled his girlfriend in her Hollywood home.

--Pablo Mijares Vizcarra, 28, accused of fatally shooting a man after an argument in front of a Rampart area apartment house.

--Donald Robert Womack, 35, who allegedly shot a man to death in the Harbor area, then attempted to run down a police officer while escaping.

Los Angeles police said anyone with information on any of the suspects should call (213) 485-2504.