Man Arrested on Suspicion of Breaking Into Cars

Police arrested a man Wednesday on suspicion of breaking into cars in Winnetka Avenue’s commercial area.

Officers arrested Jason Charleston, 25, in the 9400 block of Winnetka about 9:30 a.m., said Sgt. Dan Mastro of the Devonshire Division of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Charleston was observed breaking into a car in a parking lot at Winnetka Avenue and Plummer Street about 8:30 a.m., Mastro said.

“Our understanding is that he’s a possible transient who lives in the area,” he said. “He’s been seen by numerous citizens in the area.”

On arriving, officers spotted Charleston, but lost him and surrounded the area, Mastro said.

Charleston, who was not armed, might have tried to escape the scene by carjacking a motorist, the sergeant said. “He apparently tried to hijack a big semi-trailer, and the driver told him to take a hike,” Mastro said.

Police arrested Charleston after he jumped about 25 feet from a building and ran toward police.

“He jumped on the hood of the police car,” Mastro said. “Officers hooked him right off the hood. I don’t know if you call that giving up. I don’t think that was his motive.”

Charleston, who complained of an ankle injury, was treated at Granada Hills Community Hospital, Mastro said.