SWAT Raids Lead To Arrests In Armed Robbery Of Off-Duty Long Beach Cop

LONG BEACH, CA — Two suspects accused of robbing an off-duty Long Beach police officer at gunpoint were arrested during SWAT raids in Los Angeles, authorities announced Monday.

Mellaki Hanzome Easter, 22, of Los Angeles, and a 16-year-old Los Angeles boy were taken into custody early Friday after Long Beach and Los Angeles police SWAT teams served search warrants at separate locations, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

The arrests came nearly a month after the off-duty officer was robbed near Bixby Road and Orange Avenue.

Police said the officer was in the area at about 1:30 p.m. July 12 when he was approached by two males and robbed at gunpoint. The officer fired shots toward the suspects, who fled the scene.

Authorities have not disclosed what was taken during the robbery, citing the ongoing investigation.

As with all officer-involved shootings, homicide detectives responded to investigate the incident, according to LBPD. Detectives subsequently determined that three suspects were involved in the robbery and said they fled in a black 2006-2011 Mercedes ML 350.

Investigators later identified Easter and the juvenile as suspects and determined the pair were also involved in another robbery in the city of Los Angeles, police said. No additional details about that robbery were released Monday.

In the early morning hours Friday, LBPD and LAPD SWAT teams served search warrants in Los Angeles.

Easter was arrested by LBPD in the 1300 block of 118th Street and booked on two counts of robbery and one count of assault with a deadly weapon. His bail was set at $100,000.

The 16-year-old was arrested by LAPD in the 12200 block of Elva Avenue and booked on two counts of robbery and one count of assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held without bail, police said. His identity was withheld because of his age.

Both suspects were transported to Long Beach City Jail.

Police did not say Monday whether investigators are still searching for the third suspect they previously said was involved in the robbery.

Detectives will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration, according to LBPD.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to contact LBPD homicide Detectives Hutchinson or Valenzuela at 562-570-7244.