Manhunt continues in Hollywood Hills for suspect in fatal stabbing
An extensive manhunt in the hills above the Greek Theatre extended into midday Tuesday as authorities tried to track down a 54-year-old man wanted in connection with a fatal stabbing.
Dozens of law enforcement officers from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and other local agencies were searching the Hollywood Hills area around the theater and Runyon Canyon for the suspect, identified as Oscar Bridges. He is wanted in connection with the Jan. 23 stabbing death of Robert Brewer, 21, of Texas.
A spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department, Nicole Nishida, said authorities are on foot, horseback and in police vehicles as they look for Bridges. K-9 units are also assisting in the search, which started about 6 a.m. Officials were also distributing fliers to people living and working in the area to alert the community.
Nishida said residents have told officers that they have seen Bridges in the area.
The fatal stabbing occurred about 10:40 a.m. Jan. 23 in a motel room in the 10400 block of Vermont Avenue in the Westmont neighborhood, according to police.
Westmont has been the site of more than 100 other homicides in the last seven years, making it one of the deadliest neighborhoods in L.A. County, according to a Times analysis of homicide data since 2007.
Authorities say they will also be searching motels and talking to merchants in the area.
Bridges is described as a male black, 6 feet 2 inches tall and 180 pounds. He has black, dreadlocks-style hair, brown eyes and is known to frequent motels in the Hollywood and West Hollywood areas, police said.
He also goes by the name Rick and has ties to Arizona.
Authorities say Bridges is a registered sex offender, has an extensive criminal record and is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information about Bridges’ whereabouts or about the case is encouraged to call sheriff’s homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous calls can be made to (800) 222-8477.
Twitter: @latvives
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
