LAPD Investigates Sergeant Over Shielding Son From Federal Probe

An internal Los Angeles Police Department hearing began Monday to determine the fate of a 28-year veteran sergeant who was relieved from duty last month for allegedly shielding his son from a federal bank robbery investigation.

The hearing continues today for Dennis Pelch, who could be dismissed from the force if a panel determines that he protected his son Brett, 28, for the two years Brett Pelch was a federal fugitive.

Investigators contend that the elder Pelch “improperly assisted” his son after he and four other men allegedly robbed banks in Northridge and Santa Clarita. In both robberies, the perpetrators burst into the homes of branch officers and held the families hostage before going to the bank.

Brett Pelch’s brother, Chad, pleaded guilty to bank robbery, but Brett remained at large for two years, officials say. He was arrested in August.

During those two years, according to the LAPD complaint, Dennis Pelch failed to cooperate with FBI investigators and misled an LAPD investigator.

A federal jury acquitted one of the alleged robbers, Alex Yepes of Canyon Country, but the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office filed charges against him related to the robbery, and he remains in custody.

Prosecutors say they have not been presented with a case against the sergeant.