VENTURA : Suspect in ’82 Slaying of Actor Is Arrested

A man suspected in the 11-year-old slaying of a character actor who appeared in the movie “The Godfather” has been arrested at a Ventura motel, police said Friday.

Harvey Rosenberg, 60, was arrested on suspicion of the 1982 shooting death of Frank Christi, who played villainous characters in a number of television series and feature films. The case was profiled in the television series “America’s Most Wanted” in August, a Fox Television spokesman said.

Rosenberg and an associate, Erik Klenshteyn, 21, were arrested last week after police responded to calls that the car alarm in Klenshteyn’s black BMW was disturbing guests. Klenshteyn told police he was taking some homemade chicken soup to a sick friend, said Officer Peggy Hidrogo, who assisted in the arrest.

“It just didn’t make sense--this guy from West Hollywood with lots of jewelry, a ponytail and driving a black BMW, staying at a Motel 6,” Hidrogo said.

Officers ran a computer check of Klenshteyn’s name and found an outstanding felony drug warrant. Klenshteyn was not implicated in the slaying, police said.

Rosenberg, who had given officers a false name, allowed officers to search his motel room, police said. Officers found a loaded .357-caliber handgun, a series of false IDs and hospital papers containing Rosenberg’s real name, police said.

A records check of Rosenberg’s name revealed the outstanding murder warrant, police said. Both men were transferred to Los Angeles County Jail, where they were awaiting arraignment, Los Angeles police said Friday.