Police Arrest Gang Member Turned Author

Kody “Monster” Scott, author of a 1993 autobiography about his life as a gangster in South-Central Los Angeles, was arrested Friday on suspicion of pushing a police officer during a search of a suspected drug house, police said.

Scott, 40, was in custody late Friday after allegedly attempting to flee from Los Angeles Police Department officers.

Authorities said Scott may be subject to charges of battery on a police officer, as well as a parole violation. He is wanted on a warrant for failing to check in with his parole officer, police said.

Scott allegedly pushed 52-year-old Officer Juan Cruz, a 15-year veteran of the department, who scraped a knee and elbow, said Capt. Sergio Diaz, acting commander of the LAPD’s 77th Street Division.

Scott penned his controversial book, “Monster,” in his cell at Pelican Bay State Prison while serving a sentence for assault and robbery. The memoir -- titled after Scott’s gang moniker -- chronicles his progression from savage criminal to self-styled political activist.

The book sold tens of thousands of copies worldwide. Esquire magazine excerpted portions, and Scott got a movie deal.

He was paroled in 1995, but was soon at odds with the law again. He returned to prison for parole violations.

Friday’s incident began when senior lead officers were conducting checks on suspected drug houses in response to complaints from neighbors, Diaz said. About 9:30 a.m., they came to the door of a white, stucco home in the 1400 block of West 76th Street with broken tiles strewn in the yard and a shopping cart and other debris piled behind a fence.

The corner house stands out conspicuously among surrounding homes, which are well-kept 1920s-era cottages. Police said the owner of the house had recently died, and officers had received complaints of strangers moving in and using illegal drugs.

Diaz gave the following account: Officers knocked on the door and were admitted by the occupants. They saw Scott run out the back. Cruz and his partner caught Scott in the backyard and checked for outstanding arrest warrants. Scott then pushed Cruz, knocking him to the ground, and ran away.

Scott fled to a home around the corner and knocked on the door. When the elderly man inside opened it, Scott went inside. Officers repeatedly told Scott to come out. SWAT officers arrived. Shortly before noon, Scott surrendered. The elderly man, who had remained inside with him, was unharmed.

After writing his book in prison, Scott was paroled in 1995 and moved to Moreno Valley, according to press accounts.

Using his book advance, he reportedly bought a house for himself, his wife and children. But he returned to prison in 1996, and again in 1997, 1998 and finally in 2000, according to state prison records, after being convicted of resisting an officer.

Scott was paroled the next year, then convicted of possessing a controlled substance and returned to prison. He was released in March. State Department of Corrections records list him as wanted for an outstanding warrant.

Scott was known to some 77th Street Division officers who said they had seen him in the area in recent years.

The 77th Street station patrols the neighborhood around Florence and Normandie avenues where Scott’s memoir is based -- and where he was arrested Friday.