LA Police Arrest Alleged Serial Killer Targeting Homeless and Father of Two

The Los Angeles Police Department quickly and professionally caught 33-year-old Jerrid Joseph Powell, who is suspected of killing three homeless men and a father of two in a series of horrific killings. The shocking facts of Powell’s arrest were given by Chief Michel Moore at a news conference on Saturday afternoon.

The shooting spree lasted from November 26 to November 29. Powell is accused of shooting three homeless men while they slept in different places across the city. Chief Moore called one murder “brutal” and “ruthless” because of how badly it was done. The reason for the killings is still unknown.

In a sad turn of events, Powell is also the main suspect in the murder of Nicholas Simbolon, a father of two, last Tuesday night in San Dimas during a “follow-home” attack. The increase in crime led to a search across the whole city. Powell’s car was identified through video in Beverly Hills.

Detectives in Beverly Hills, who thought Powell was involved in killing Simbolon, made a big step forward when they used a controversial license plate reader method to follow the suspect’s car. After that, Powell was arrested during a traffic stop, and the murder weapon was found.

“If we didn’t enter that plate into the system, this person that we believe is responsible for at least four murders may have still been out there and reoffended,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna in defense of the use of the license plate reader system. Powell is now in jail and is being charged with multiple killings. He was described as a dangerous felon who has a criminal record.

“Twenty-four hours ago, we said there was a killer on the loose; now he is in custody,” Mayor Karen Bass said, praising the work of the police and sheriff’s departments working together. The mayor stressed how important it was to act quickly to protect the homeless community and got city offices, housing service providers, regional agencies, and elected leaders to work together to solve the problem.

People in the city are still scared as the investigation continues because of the recent crime spree that shocked everyone. Powell is waiting for justice while the police try to figure out why the disturbing string of killings happened.