Police Seek Help in Finding Murder Suspect

Police issued an appeal Monday for help in finding a man suspected of killing the night clerk of a Silver Lake motel during a robbery.

Bayani Mascardo, 36, is being sought in the slaying of Tetsu Kusuma, 28, who was gunned down nine days ago at the Silver Lake Motel, said Rampart Station Detective Chuck Salazar. Mascardo worked as a security guard at the motel until eight months ago, Salazar said.

The arrest warrant was issued because Mascardo was taped by a hidden camera talking to Kusuma at the time of the crime, the detective said.

Mascardo is described as Filipino, 5 feet 5 and 110 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Police think he is driving a gray, 1984 Toyota minivan, license number 2L88445. Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to call detectives at (213) 485-6581, weekdays, or (213) 485-2504, nights and weekends.