Encino Man Charged for Allegedly Patrolling Streets with Assault Rifle and Body Armor

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Criminal charges were filed today against two San Fernando Valley men who were allegedly carrying assault rifles and clad in military garb when spotted walking around the Inglewood area early Tuesday.

Edmon Adonis Washington, 35, of Panorama City, and Brook Thomas Lindsey, 30, of Encino, are charged with one felony count each of possession of an assault weapon.

Lindsey -- who pleaded not guilty -- is also charged with a felony count of unlawful assault weapon activity. He is due back in a Van Nuys courtroom Aug. 31 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.

Washington is tentatively scheduled to be arraigned Friday at the Van Nuys courthouse.

About 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, two armed men in military-style clothing were spotted walking on Century Boulevard between Yukon Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard in Inglewood. They both carried "assault-type gear," and officers monitored their activity but took no action for the safety of several bystanders, according to Inglewood police Lt. Greg Held.

LAPD Deputy Chief Bob Green told reporters that Los Angeles police officers began monitoring the men about 3 a.m. Tuesday.

"There was video footage of two individuals ... with what appeared to be assault rifles, body armor and Kevlar helmets," the deputy chief said. "... Since then, we've been moving forward to try and determine ... what the intentions of the individuals were."

Police followed the men's vehicle to Foothill Boulevard and Terra Bella Street in the San Fernando Valley, where the vehicle was stopped and the two were taken into custody.