Reseda Youth Held in Pacoima Slaying
A 16-year-old Reseda youth was arrested early Thursday in connection with the gang-related shooting death of another teen-ager outside a Pacoima bar a few hours earlier.
Detectives identified the victim as Moses Polanco, 14, of Pacoima. They said Polanco was walking in front of El Norteno bar at 13702 Van Nuys Blvd. about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when a gunman fired at him several times from a passing car, then sped off.
About 12:30 a.m. Thursday, police noticed a car matching the description of the one involved in the shooting and arrested the 16-year-old youth who was driving it, detectives said.
The youth, who was not identified because of his age, is being held in Sylmar Juvenile Hall on suspicion of murder, police said. Police said they will seek to have him tried for murder as an adult. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday in San Fernando Valley Juvenile Court.
Polanco is believed to have been a member of Pacas, a Pacoima-based gang, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Cesar Sarmiento. The 16-year-old youth is reputedly a member of the San Fer gang based in San Fernando, Sarmiento said.
Police said they knew no motive for the shooting, but Sarmiento said the two gangs have a continuing rivalry.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
