'Backpack Bandit' Identified, But Already Deported
Courtesy LAPD
Still from video of the July 24 mugging
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — LAPD has issued an arrest warrent for the man who they suspect of choking and robbing a blind woman in Little Tokyo last month. They'll have to wait a little while to serve it, though: they had 25-year-old Adan Peralta deported after initially being unable to get a positive ID.
A tipster called Central Division detectives after hearing Peralta brag about two Little Tokyo robberies, but the fact that the victim of the July 24th robbery made identification difficult.
Police found Peralta—who they had dubbed the 'Backpack Bandit'—but were unable to get charges filed.
"We were pretty convinced we had the 'Backpack Bandit' anyway," said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division. "Aside from bragging about doing the robberies, Peralta had scratches on his arms which were consistent with the victim fighting back during the robbery."
Police turned Peralta over to ICE, who deported him to his native Mexico.
They suspect he will be back, though. Peralta had already been deported several times before. This time, though, police have a warrant and $105,000 bail waiting.
"Peralta seems to always land back in the downtown area," Lt. Vernon said. "Every officer has a flyer with his face on it, and we'll be ready if he returns."















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