9 Arrested in Beating Over Graffiti

Nine Hollywood gang members have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly beating up a man who tried to stop them from spray-painting graffiti on the apartment building where he lives, police said Thursday.

Five youths and four adults were arrested Wednesday after being identified by a witness who saw them encircle the victim, kick him and beat him with sticks and bottles until he was unconscious, police said. They were taken into custody at a nearby house that authorities say they use as their headquarters.

Police did not release the name of the 43-year-old victim to shield him from retaliation but said he lives in an apartment complex on Virginia Avenue, near Santa Monica Boulevard and Western Avenue.

Los Angeles Police Detective Dan McKenna said the victim saw the youths spray-painting graffiti on the building, chased them down the street and caught one. He was bringing the youth back to the apartment complex with the intention of calling police when the attack occurred, McKenna said.

The victim told authorities he was sick and tired of seeing youths vandalize the building, and said he chased after them with a kitchen knife, McKenna said.

“He was just fed up, and was a little rash at the expense of his own safety,” McKenna said. “He was so fed up he took a risk and he almost got killed.”

The man suffered serious bruises and cuts on his head, McKenna said.

Police intend to ask the district attorney’s office to press attempted murder charges because of the viciousness of the attack, McKenna said. “When you have that many guys beating on someone when he is down, he could easily have been killed,” he said.

The adults arrested were: Walter M. Barrera, 22, of Hollywood; Bernardo Bower, 21, of Duarte; Carlos R. Hernandez, 22, of the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles, and Miguel E. Parredes, 18, of Los Angeles, McKenna said.