Man Charged With Murder in Robbery

A man whose three companions were killed by Los Angeles police after they allegedly robbed a McDonald’s in Sunland was charged Wednesday with three counts of murder, as an attorney for the dead men’s families claimed that officers shot them needlessly.

Alfredo Olivas, 19, of Hollywood was charged in the deaths of Jesus Arango, 25, Juan Bahena, 20, and Herbert Burgos, 27. The three were killed by members of the Police Department’s Special Investigations Section following the after-hours robbery Monday.

According to state law, an alleged accomplice may be charged with deaths that occur in the commission of a crime, even if the suspect did not physically harm anyone.

The officers fired at least 35 rounds from shotguns and .45-caliber pistols at the four men after they climbed into a car. Authorities said Olivas, who was wounded in the abdomen, prompted the barrage by pointing a pellet gun, which appeared to be a more powerful firearm, at police.

“He instigated the shots being fired,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Kenneth L. Barshop, who filed the criminal charges at the San Fernando Courthouse. “If he had not reached for his gun and they had just come out with their hands up, there would have been four suspects to prosecute. . . . His acts contributed to the deaths.”

But attorney Charles Mathews, speaking on behalf of surviving family members, including Elizabeth Burgos--Herbert Burgos’ widow and Aranga’s sister--disputed official accounts and said a wrongful death suit against police was under consideration.

“It would have been ludicrous for them to try to defend themselves with a pellet gun. That is a complete and utter fabrication that the police concocted to justify the slaughter,” he said.

Mathews said family members believe the four men wanted to surrender. The attorney also questioned why officers fired four additional rounds into the car after the first barrage of gunfire stopped.