Police, Acting on Tip, Catch Fugitive Killer at Home of Friend

A killer who skipped bail and eluded police for three days was arrested Friday morning in Granada Hills after Los Angeles police received an anonymous telephone tip, authorities said.

Kevin Young Cravens, 20, was arrested at a friend’s home about 10:30, half an hour after a caller contacted We Tip, an anonymous-witness program, to notify police of Cravens’ whereabouts, Detective Damon Loomis said.

When officers arrived at the friend’s home on Gerald Avenue, Cravens was sitting on the couch watching television, Loomis said. Cravens had arrived at the house Thursday and spent the night there, Loomis said. Authorities did not know Friday where Cravens spent the other nights.

“He was very passive,” Loomis said.

In March, Cravens was charged with shooting Michael James Altoonian, 20, of Reseda, in the head as Altoonian was driving with friends in Northridge. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from earlier arguments involving Cravens and some of Altoonian’s friends at a video arcade in Northridge.

Cravens, who was originally charged with first-degree murder, was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter in an agreement with the district attorney’s office, Deputy Dist. Atty. Kenneth Barshop said.

Cravens, described by his family as being “exceedingly despondent” Monday night, failed to appear in court Tuesday for sentencing.

Loomis would not release the name of the family with whom Cravens stayed Thursday night, saying that the investigation is continuing. Authorities are investigating the possibility of filing charges against Cravens’ friend for harboring Cravens, Barshop said.

Didn’t Know He Was Wanted

The mother of Cravens’ friend told police she did not know Cravens was wanted, Loomis said.

The victim’s mother, Arden Altoonian, said after Cravens’ capture that she was “very glad that he did not harm himself nor was he harmed.

“I want due process of law executed,” she said.

Cravens, who forfeited $75,000 bail when he failed to appear in court Tuesday, is being held without bail at the Devonshire Division police station. He will be scheduled for sentencing next week, Barshop said. No new charges have been filed.