Southeast/ Long Beach : Man, 28, Arrested in Crime Spree

Police in Compton have arrested a 28-year-old gang member and ex-convict whom numerous witnesses have identified as the man behind a violent crime spree in Compton, Paramount, Lynwood and Long Beach.

Authorities say that beginning July 22, Shawn Lamont Bowden, also known as “Strawberry,” committed about one violent crime per day, including the kidnap and rape of a Paramount woman, a carjacking and several armed robberies in homes, businesses and on the street.

Although Bowden was arrested Aug. 2, police wanted to make sure enough victims and witnesses were able to identify him before going public with the information. Bowden, who was arraigned on 36 felony counts, is being held on $1 million bail in Los Angeles County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled today in Compton Municipal Court.

Bowden was released from prison in 1994 after serving almost four years for carjacking and assault.

The recent crime spree began when Bowden allegedly carjacked two women in Compton and stole their truck. Three days later, he allegedly robbed a Compton man on the street at gunpoint, then kidnaped, raped and robbed a Paramount woman the next day.

Police say Bowden committed a series of armed robberies over the next several days. He was apprehended when a female juvenile, to whom he had lent the stolen truck, was stopped by police and told them where he was.