A 17-year veteran of the Los Angeles World Airport Police Division could soon face charges that he harassed a woman inside a Long Beach restaurant, brandished a gun, and then negligently fired the weapon a few blocks away.
Long Beach police allege 47-year-old Robert Mosquera was at the Jade Restaurant bar early Sunday morning where he harassed a woman and then brandished a gun at her.
When police interviewed the woman around 1 a.m., she alleged a man matching Mosquera’s description touched her inappropriately and flashed a gun in his waistband when she asked him to stop, according to the LBPD.
A few minutes later, at around 1:10 a.m., police responded to a nearby neighborhood for a reported shooting. Police said they found Mosquera—who was visibly drunk—in possession of a gun. Police said they also found bullet casings and strike marks. Mosquera lives in the neighborhood, according to public records.
No one was hurt in the shooting, the LBPD said. It’s not clear what Mosquera was allegedly shooting at.
Mosquera was jailed on $25,000 bail but released on bond about 12 hours after his arrest, according to booking records. He did not respond to messages on his Facebook and at a phone number listed for him in public records.
Mosquera has been a full-time officer with LAWA since May 2006, according to his LinkedIn profile. For four years prior to that, he worked as a detention officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, his profile says.
Long Beach police originally reported Mosquera’s arrest under the name “Morsquera” but confirmed the correct spelling and his employment with LAX police when asked by the Long Beach Post.
The LAWA police department did not respond to multiple requests for comment, nor did the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association—the union that represents LAX police.
It is unclear if the gun in question was a personal firearm or police issue. It is also unknown if Mosquera has faced any work-related disciplinary action at this point.
Police said Mosquera was booked on suspicion of brandishing a gun in a threatening way, sexual battery, public intoxication and firing a gun in a negligent manner—all misdemeanors.
However, the ultimate decision on what, if any, charges Mosquera will face is up to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
Police expect to present the case to prosecutors this week, according to LBPD spokesperson Eric Stachura.
Drunk man brandished gun, fired shots after harassing woman in bar, police say