Gang Member Arrested for Murder of Transient
Lake Balboa. Gang officers arrested 34-year-old Anthony Valdez for the stabbing murder of a transient man, Jari Tapani Wayne, 31, who died Tuesday morning, September 29, 2015, near the intersection of Vanowen Street and Woodley Avenue.
“Initially, Valdez had come forward as our only witness to the stabbing that morning,” explained Capt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the West Valley Patrol Division. “He gave us a story of seeing Wayne approach a car in the street, from which someone stabbed the man, but video from a nearby business later told a different story.”
The video showed that Valdez’s initial story as a witness was a ruse, and the two men, Valdez and Wayne, had face-to-face contact near the laundromat. “There appeared to be a confrontation between the two men, and Valdez stabbed Wayne, who staggered away and died.”
Gang officers identified Valdez from the video as a local gang member named “Monster.” Detectives also learned that Wayne and Valdez knew each other prior to the stabbing, and had had prior confrontations.
The gang officers drove back to the crime scene at Vanownen Street and Woodley Avenue around 5 PM yesterday, September 30, and saw Valdez with the same bicycle he was seen with in the laundromat video. Valdez was booked for murder and his bail was set at $1 million.
“Yesterday’s arrest is a testament to the importance and value of criminal gang intelligence, which is the primary role of our Gang Enforcement Details (gang units),” added Capt. Vernon. “The gang officers know the players and the feuds, and that makes all the difference in solving so many of these whodunit-type crimes.”
The video of the confrontation between the two men will not be released by LAPD.
Anyone with information in this case is urged to call Det. James Fillmore, West Valley Homicide Unit, at (818) 374-7707. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.
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