Photo by Long Beach Post reader Ernie Ardon.
The four male suspects who were arrested early Monday morning following a robbery at a home known for illegally selling weed and police chase were charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday. One of the suspects is reportedly 14 years old.
Lakewood resident Bishop Tumulak, 21, and Long Beach resident Faasoa Savaii, 18, were each charged with four counts of home invasion robbery, one count of fleeing a pursuing peace officer while driving recklessly and one count of concealed firearm in a vehicle.
Carson resident Kaelenn Maea, 19, was charged with four counts of home invasion robbery, one count of fleeing a pursuing peace officer while driving recklessly, one count of concealed firearm in a vehicle, one count assault on a police dog, and one count concealed firearm on a person.
The fourth suspect, a 14-year-old male from Long Beach, was charged with three counts of home invasion robbery and one count of possession of a firearm, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
According to the LBPD, on Monday, January 4, officers responded to a burglary call at a home on the 3200 block of Chestnut Avenue. When they arrived, they saw a vehicle leave the scene at a high rate of speed and began a pursuit.
“The suspect vehicle lost control and struck a power pole at the intersection of 25th Street and Chestnut Avenue, and two of the four male occupants ran off, at least one of them armed with a firearm,” officials stated.
Two suspects remained in the vehicle and were subsequently taken into custody. Police also established a perimeter and put the area on lockdown.
Dispatch personnel then received a call from a concerned resident regarding a suspicious person on the 2400 block of Chestnut Avenue, according to the LBPD. Officers responded to that area and arrested the third suspect who was in the backyard of a residence on that block.
The fourth suspect was found in the backyard of a home on the 2500 block of Cedar Avenue with help from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department’s helicopter.
With the help of a K-9 unit, the suspect—who was jumping fences from yard to yard—was taken into custody by SWAT officers, according to officials.
During the search, police recovered two firearms. Two suspects were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital before being cleared for booking.
“The arrest of all four suspects was a direct result of the quick response and actions of the responding officers, their immediate coordination of resources, and the community members who didn’t hesitate to pick-up the phone to call 9-1-1,” stated Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna.
Detectives investigating the incident also determined “marijuana sales from the residence was a possible motive for the robbery,” LBPD officials stated.
The sales were not legal, LBPD spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said.
Maea is being held on $596,000 bail and Savaii on $610,000 bail. Both are being held at L.A. County Men’s Central Jail. Tumulak posted bail and was released.
The juvenile suspect is being held at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall without bail.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact L.B.P.D. Robbery Detective Ben Vargas at 562.570.7464. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1.800.222.TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.