Ex-Convict Seized as Sarno Slaying Suspect; Gates Lays Shooting to Robbery

A convicted robber described as “a long-term hype” has been arrested as a suspect in the fatal shooting of restaurant owner Alberto Sarno, Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates announced Friday.

Gates said at a news conference that Ralph Mora, 33, who was paroled from state prison just four months ago after serving seven years for robbery, was arrested Thursday and booked on suspicion of murder.

Sarno, 59, the owner of the popular Sarno’s Caffee Dell’Opera on North Vermont Avenue, was found shot to death by his wife on the doorstep of their Los Feliz home Oct. 20, about an hour after he had closed his restaurant for the night.

“The motive was robbery,” Gates said of Mora. “He was a long-term hype who had a heroin habit. He was satisfying his habit through robbery.”

Police homicide detectives said Mora, of El Sereno, has been linked to several other robberies in the Los Angeles area since his release from prison, adding that he was apparently working with an accomplice who may have been at the scene of Sarno’s death. Mora was arrested in his car after being under surveillance for some time, police said.

Gates issued a public appeal for anyone who might know the identity of the possible accomplice to contact police.

Sarno, an actor and singer, opened his restaurant in 1967. It was known as an unofficial showcase for hopeful opera singers. Sarno often sang opera for his customers, as did many of his waiters. Customers who performed were rewarded with free meals.

The restaurant was closed for several days after his death and has been open recently only during the day, but a family spokesman said Friday the restaurant will resume a nightly schedule in about a week. It will be operated by Sarno’s widow, Silvana.

“Everybody is still quite depressed,” said Bob Sarno, Alberto’s brother. “It’s going to take some time to get comfortable again. But we have a lot of support from our old-time regulars, and that has helped a lot.”