LAPD Officer Pleads Not Guilty in Lewd Conduct Case

A veteran Los Angeles police officer surrendered Friday to face allegations that he engaged in sexual activities in a parking lot and then led Buena Park police officers on a high-speed chase.

David Robert Bergstrom, 36, of Orange pleaded not guilty to charges of lewd conduct, evading arrest, drunk driving and trying to bribe a witness in connection with an incident that began in the parking lot of an adult theater.

“I can tell you the crimes are very serious and it’s even more egregious when you see that they’re committed by a veteran police officer,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Marc Kelly. “When a police officer crosses the line and engages in criminal conduct, he’s going to be prosecuted like any other defendant.”

Defense attorney Michael Stone said the charges against Bergstrom, a 14-year officer assigned to LAPD’s Rampart Division, are out of character.

“He’s one of these guys you’re glad to have on the street,” Stone said. “His personnel package is full of commendations for good police work.”

Officials said Bergstrom was engaged in sex with a 19-year-old stripper from Anaheim in his pickup truck when he was approached by officers about 1:30 a.m. on July 22.

They said that upon seeing the officers, Bergstrom started his truck and sped from the parking lot, leading the pursuing officers on an erratic freeway chase at up to 80 m.p.h. Police lost the truck, then found it abandoned behind an apartment complex.

The officers said they found the woman passenger hiding under bushes. The woman, whom police did not identify, was charged with engaging in lewd conduct and possession of methamphetamine, authorities said.

The woman reportedly told investigators the driver of the truck was a police officer, Buena Park Police spokesman Lloyd Schwengel said. Detectives traced the truck’s license plate to Bergstrom.

LAPD spokesman James T. McBride said Bergstrom is no longer on his field assignment and “has been assigned to his home.”