7 Cited for Bravery as ‘Courageous Citizens’

Seven people who risked injury or death to help a crime victim have been honored by Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti and the Northridge/Chatsworth and Granada Hills Rotary clubs.

One of those honored with a “Courageous Citizen” award was Victor Ruelas, who whisked a bleeding boy to safety after the child was shot at the North Valley Jewish Community Center in August by a self-proclaimed anti-Semitic gunman. Once Ruelas got the boy to a safe place, he performed first aid until a teacher arrived.

“There were a lot of heroes that day,” said Ruelas, 19, who now works at the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center in Sherman Oaks and will begin his college studies in January at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita.

Others receiving awards last week were:

* Jared Persten, also known as radio personality Brian Roberts, who wrestled a man to the ground during a robbery at a McDonald’s restaurant;

* Elizabeth Bjorklund, who chased down a purse snatcher who had robbed an elderly woman;

* Alex Torres, a 15-year-old who fought a gang member who was attacking a parks and recreation director;

* Giorgio Enjaian and Zara Sultanian, who thwarted a residential burglary in North Hollywood;

* Vladislav Kasurkin, who stopped a man from attacking a Van Nuys restaurateur.