Man steals cherry-picker while undercover L.A. sheriff’s deputy using it to remove concealed cameras

A man carjacked an L.A. County Sheriff’s Department bucket truck early Wednesday morning while a sheriff’s deputy was precariously positioned high above the ground in the bucket, authorities said.

The man conducted a takeover of a 2011 Ford F550 utility bucket truck on the corner of Spring and Temple streets around 5 a.m. while two deputies were in the vehicle, according to a department bulletin. A deputy received minor injuries during a struggle with the carjacker and was treated at a hospital, according to a department statement.

The suspect was later identified as Mark Arriola, 36, and arrested on suspicion of carjacking, according to a department statement.

A bucket truck, also known as a cherry picker, is a vehicle equipped with a hydraulic lift system and an extendable arm that ends in a bucket where a person can stand. It’s used to lift workers to hard-to-reach areas.

Two undercover deputies were using the truck to remove concealed cameras when a man jumped into the vehicle, said he had to go to the hospital and began to drive away, law enforcement sources told The Times.

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When the carjacking took place, one of the deputies was elevated in the bucket.

The other deputy, in the passenger seat, realized his colleague was in danger and was able to lower the bucket, allowing his partner to jump from the truck. The second deputy then also jumped from the truck, according to law enforcement sources.

The vehicle was later recovered in Gardena in the 14900 block of South Western Avenue, according to a department statement.

Detectives’ information led them to a residence just around the corner in the 1700 block of West 150th Street, according to a department statement. The suspect was identified as Arriola and detained during a traffic stop. Detectives served a search warrant at Arriola’s residence later that evening and recovered evidence linking him to the crime.

He has since been released on bond and his case will be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration, according to a department statement. Under California law, carjacking is a felony punishable by three, five or nine years in prison.