Ex-D.A. Philibosian Gives Officer an Assist in Pursuit of Suspect

Former Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Robert H. Philibosian is accustomed to putting criminals away, but this time he kept a suspect around.

Philibosian was credited Tuesday with helping police catch a suspected burglar who was fleeing an officer on Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys.

The suspect, identified by police as William Lee Selby, 43, was being chased on foot by Officer Scott Ferguson, who had surprised Selby as he emerged from a house near the corner of Valerio Street, carrying silverware and a stereo set, police said.

Ferguson slipped and fell, falling behind in his pursuit.

Philibosian, a Tarzana resident, was driving past and swerved his car to block the suspect’s path, Sgt. David Peery said. Selby, who was later found to be carrying a knife, tried to get into Philibosian’s auto on the passenger side, but the door was locked, Peery said.

The blocking maneuver slowed Selby long enough for Ferguson to capture him, Peery said.

A television set and a video recorder from the burglarized house were found in Selby’s van, Peery said. He added that Selby had been free on bail while awaiting trial on another burglary charge.