Shell Looter Arrested via Photos from Flickr

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at 10:28AM

DSC_0186 tballw32 [Flickr]

This photo of Michael Rivas helped LAPD arrest the 24-year-old on burglary and looting charges.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — NBA camps opened yesterday, and the Lakers are focused on pursuing a second championship. The Los Angeles Police Department, though, is still interested in the one the team won in June.

LAPD and Councilwoman Jan Perry held a press conference outside the Shell station at Olympic and Grand this morning to announce the arrest of Michael Rivas, a 24-year-old from Hawaiian Gardens who participating in looting at the gas station. Rivas was identified via a combination of old-fashioned detective work and new technology: photos and videos from Flickr and Youtube.

In the wake of the Lakers' 15th NBA Championship win on June 14, a small crowd of "knuckle-heads" -- to use Police Chief William Bratton's favorite term -- left a trail of vandalism across the neighborhood around Staples Center.

LAPD has identified 29 crimes committed that night, and in the months since has been pursuing information that would bring those responsible to justice.

Rivas was part of a group that looted the Shell station, helping themselves to free food and drink. He was recorded taking two trips into the store, carrying out cases of Rockstar energy drink.

"I'll tell you right now that Mr. Rivas is a rockstar," said LAPD Central Division Captain Blake Chow, "and he's going to be sitting in jail for a while and going through the court system while he thinks about how good that case of Rockstar tasted."

Rivas was arrested on Friday, September 25, while working as a security guard at a Whittier hospital. He was charged with burglary with a special enhancement for looting. Bail was set at $20,000.

LAPD officials emphasized that no one can stay anonymous in the age of social media. "It's nearly impossible to stay anonymous in this age of cell phones, video and social websites," said Lt. Paul Vernon, "and that's a good thing, if it holds more people accountable for their behavior."

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Comments

1
JM writes:

One down, more to go. I'd love to see the guys in this photo (http://www.lataco.com/taco/help-rebuild-the-holy-grail-downtown-los-angeles) busted for looting the Holy Grail sneaker store too.

# on Sep.30.2009 AT 10:45 AM
2
Brian writes:

Wait a second - the LAPD and councilwoman had a press conference to announce the arrest of one person?

# on Sep.30.2009 AT 11:05 AM
3
Dennis Smith writes:

Will a conviction make it more difficult for Mr. Rivas to get a "guard card" in the future?

# on Sep.30.2009 AT 11:15 AM
4
Dave writes:

Glad that LAPD is putting the time in to track down these criminals. My bike was parked Downtown that night and got kicked around pretty badly, this story made me feel like a tiny bit of justice has been served.

# on Sep.30.2009 AT 11:16 AM
5
Tornadoes28 writes:

I know it's obvious but I want to say it anyway. Mr. Rivas is a loser. Why anyone would chose to be a loser is beyond me. I bet this losers mother is really proud of him.

# on Sep.30.2009 AT 11:34 AM
6
Ravi writes:

Man! Caught with a hand in that cookie jar!

# on Sep.30.2009 AT 02:08 PM
7
billm writes:

and out of all things, Rock Star! Not only does it taste horrible, it is owned by Michael Savage's son.

Boycott Rockstar!

http://dontdrinkhate.wordpress.com/

# on Sep.30.2009 AT 02:18 PM
8
peenee writes:

" working as a security guard " how ironic...

# on Sep.30.2009 AT 03:57 PM
9
fabricio writes:

What makes me laugh when I see photos of looting is the things they steal. Rockstar drinks? Being caught stealing Rockstar drinks is not something a lot of people would like. If this guy lived in Belgium he would be under psychiatric evaluation.

# on Sep.30.2009 AT 11:22 PM
10
Mikeye Rivas writes:

I'm sorry I stole the Rock Star. I needed it to stay awake at my security guard job. I need that job to pay for my cool Dodge Charger that I loaded my loot into. I would have bought the Rock Star, but I spent all my money on my cool ride, getting my head shaved, and my bad-azz Lakers Jersey. I also spent my money on gas to drive my cool ride from Hawaiian Gardens to downtown LA so I could trash someone elses community. To be honest, I'm not even a Lakers fan. I just wanna look cool. I would appreciate it if some of you readers could put some money on my books at the county jail so I can use it to buy Rock Star from the vending machines. I can't help it if I'm a moron. My parents raised me to be one.

# on Oct.01.2009 AT 04:37 AM
11
manny writes:

Happy day ! At least one jerk was caught.

Not many of the thugs involved in the melee will be reading this blog. This story and picture needs to make the L.A. times. That would send out an important message to the vandals of L.A.

# on Oct.01.2009 AT 10:53 AM

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