$1M Bail For Suspect In Long Beach Catalytic Converter Theft Shooting

LONG BEACH, CA — An 18-year-old man arrested in connection with a catalytic converter theft that ended with a Long Beach resident being shot was held on $1 million bail after being booked on suspicion of attempted murder and several other offenses, police told Patch Monday.

Adrian Martinez, 18, of San Pedro, was booked by the Long Beach Police Department on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, two counts of grand theft, being a felon in possession of a firearm and assault with a firearm on a person, LBPD Public Information Officer Jordan McGinley told Patch.

Martinez was arrested Sept. 10 in San Pedro as detectives investigated the July 28 shooting in the 4600 block of East Goldfield Avenue, police said. Two other men, Jose Delgado, 23, and Luis Palma, 18, both of Los Angeles, were also identified as suspects in the case, according to police.

Delgado was arrested Sept. 8 in Los Angeles and booked by LBPD on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact and a probation violation, McGinley said. His bail was set at no bail.

Palma was already in Orange County Sheriff's Department custody on an unrelated matter when detectives identified him, according to police. McGinley told Patch on Monday that an arrest warrant had been issued for Palma by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Police announced the three arrests Thursday.

Man Shot After Confronting Suspected Thieves

The investigation began at about 4:18 a.m. July 28, when officers were called to the 4600 block of East Goldfield Avenue following reports of a shooting.

According to LBPD's original account of the incident, officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body. Long Beach Fire Department personnel took him to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Police said their preliminary investigation indicated the man had confronted a group of men who were stealing a catalytic converter and the encounter escalated when one of the suspected thieves shot him. Police later said the victim was 43 years old.

Gang Detail detectives subsequently identified Delgado, Palma and Martinez as suspects, according to police. Detectives also determined that the men were wanted in connection with similar incidents in nearby jurisdictions and worked with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Alhambra Police Department during the investigation.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

Asked by Patch for more information about the other incidents, including whether they also involved catalytic converter thefts or violence, McGinley referred questions to the Sheriff's Department, Alhambra police and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Police also declined to disclose details about how investigators identified the suspects, citing the continuing investigation. "Through their ongoing investigation, detectives were able to identify the suspect," McGinley told Patch. "To preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we're unable to elaborate further."

LBPD said the case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for consideration of charges.

The offenses provided to Patch by LBPD are the allegations on which Martinez and Delgado were booked and should not be confused with criminal charges ultimately filed by prosecutors. McGinley referred questions about filing charges to the District Attorney's Office.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to contact LBPD Gang Detail detectives at 562-570-7370. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).