LAPD makes arrest in hate crime attacks on transgender woman; 2 on the run

Arrest made in attacks on transgender woman in LA

Authorities continue to search for three more suspects in what they're investigating as hate crimes.

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LOS ANGELES – An arrest has been made in connection with a series of hate crime attacks on a transgender woman in Los Angeles, and the search continues for two more suspects, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Arrest made 

What we know:

During a press conference on Tuesday, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell announced that significant resources are being dedicated to finding the individuals responsible for repeatedly attacking 61-year-old Sabrina De La Peña in the Westlake District. 

"Our heart goes out to her with what she’s been through," said McDonnell. 

"We take these crimes very seriously. We have a lot of resources focused on taking these individuals into custody and holding them accountable for what they’ve done."

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Transgender woman violently attacked for 6th time, allegedly by same suspects: LAPD

Samuel Parros was identified and arrested by Rampart Detectives on May 27, before the latest attack occurred. He was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, not a firearm, with great bodily injury. He remains in custody with bail set at $10,000.

Detectives with LAPD’s Rampart Division Robbery Section continue working to identify the remaining suspects. 

Repeated attacks at woman's store 

The backstory:

The series of incidents began on April 8 when a suspect allegedly entered the victim's store, flirted with her, and then punched her to the ground after she rejected his advances. After discovering she was a transgender woman, he allegedly sexually assaulted her and threatened to kill her.

She was reportedly attacked six separate times by the same people. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Transgender store owner attacked in MacArthur Park

Subsequent attacks by the same suspect and additional individuals involved striking the victim with a skateboard, deploying pepper spray, throwing an unknown liquid, and attempting to stun her with a Taser.

The most recent assault occurred around 11:40 p.m. Saturday, May 31. 

The victim reported that the suspects stole $30,000 from her, and she had suffered serious injuries in the series of attacks.

Ongoing investigation, search for remaining suspects 

What they're saying:

Police Chief Jim McDonnell addressed the ongoing investigation, stating, "I think certainly anybody who is the victim of a crime certainly feels that they would like to see more being done, particularly those that are involved in a series of crimes as this individual has." 

He added, "Our heart goes out to her for what she's been through with five incidents in the course of roughly a month. We take these crimes very seriously. We have a lot of resources focused on taking these individuals into custody and holding them accountable for what they've done."

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What you can do:

The Los Angeles Police Department is urging anyone with additional information regarding these crimes to come forward. 

Detectives can be reached at 213-484-3495. For calls during non-business hours or weekends, the number is 877-527-3247. 

Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.