Local News in Brief : Gang Leader Charged
The 22-year-old leader of an East Los Angeles street gang known as the Mini Mafia has been charged with 11 misdemeanor counts of abusing boys in his El Sereno neighborhood, including forcing one boy to have a gang symbol, a small circle of 10 dots, tattooed on his hand.
Kattsumi Larez was arrested March 11 by Los Angeles police on suspicion of falsely imprisoning and beating three teen-age boys, burning two of them with cigarettes and choking one into unconsciousness.
Officers said Larez was arrested after officials at Wilson High School and El Sereno Junior High School reported that he would cruise near the schoolyards in his car and make contact with male students. The investigation led to the three alleged victims, two 14-year-olds and a 16-year-old.
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.
