Men Caught After Police Knifing

A parolee was arrested early this morning after he slashed a Los Angeles police officer with a knife during a chase in Canoga Park, police said.

Officer Robert Organ was treated for cuts on his hands, arms and upper torso. Albert Ricardo Trujillo, 22, of Canoga Park pulled a knife and started “slashing at the officer,” said Lt. Bill Gaida of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley Division.

Organ shot twice at Trujillo during the attack but missed both times, Gaida said.

The incident began about 12:25 a.m. Organ and Officer Larry Capra, both assigned to West Valley’s anti-gang unit, were on patrol near Lanark Park when they noticed a car “committing numerous traffic violations,” Gaida said.

When the officers tried to stop the car, it sped off, and the officers began chasing it.

The car smashed into a parked car at the intersection of Loma Verde Avenue and Sherman Way shortly after the chase began. Trujillo and his passenger, Stuart Hyman Rothman, 21, then fled on foot with the officers in pursuit.

Trujillo drew a large knife and began slashing at Organ, cutting his hands, arms and upper torso, Gaida said. Organ, who has been with the department seven years, drew his gun and fired twice, missing Trujillo, who was apprehended a few minutes later by other officers, Gaida said.

Rothman was caught by Capra.

Trujillo and Rothman were arrested on charges of attempted murder of the officer and were being held without bail at the West Valley station this morning. Gaida said both men are on parole, but he did not elaborate.

Organ was taken to Northridge Medical Center, where he was treated and released.