47 Suspected of Preying on Homeless Arrested
At least 47 people suspected of parole violations and of preying on homeless people were arrested Friday by a task force from the Los Angeles Police Department and the state Department of Corrections.
Sharon Papa, commander of the LAPD Central Division, said most of the arrests were for drug possession, violation of parole rules and assorted misdemeanors.
Officers said one man was arrested on a sex offense warrant. Parolees frequently steal welfare checks and small belongings from homeless people, who seldom report the crimes, according to Doris Mahlum, a state parole official.
Friday’s sweep concentrated on the skid row district along Central Avenue and Main Street between 4th and 7th streets, officers said.
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