Man Arrested In Violent Valley Crime Spree

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles police arrested a Chatsworth man suspected in a violent crime spree terrorizing unsuspecting victims around the valley Wednesday.

Police arrested 25-year- old Chatsworth resident Gustavo Aranda in Sherman Oaks after bystanders tackled him at a salon on Burbank Boulevard. According to police, he attacked and carjacked a man in Van Nuys Wednesday morning before walking into the salon and violently attacking three women forced to fight for their lives. Police are seeking additional victims.

The spree began at at 8:25 a.m. Wednesday on the 14400 block of Gilmore Street, where the suspect approached a man from behind and shouted obscenities at the victim, police said.

“In fear, the victim ran away. The suspect chased the victim and hit him repeatedly causing him to fall to the ground. The suspect forcefully removed the victim’s vehicle keys from his pocket and fled in the victim’s vehicle, a 2007 gray Toyota 4 Runner,” according to a written release by the Los Angeles Police Department. “The vehicle is still outstanding.”

Less than two hours later, he attacked again, police contend.

Aranda walked into a salon near the 13600 block of Burbank Blvd and began hitting three women inside for no reason, detectives allege.

“The victims were involved in an intense fight for their life with the dangerous suspect. The suspect punched the victims several times,” police said. “He also swung a chair and hit the victim until employees from a neighboring business arrived and apprehended the suspect.”

Aranda is a male Caucasian with brown hair and a beard. He stands 5 feet and 10 inches tall and weighs around 160 pounds. He was wearing a blue beanie, black shirt, light blue jeans, and blue tennis shoes at the time of arrest. Police are asking additional victims or witnesses to contact Detective Barba or Detective Cheun, Van Nuys Area Detectives at 818 374-0081.

Photo of stolen vehicle provided by the Los Angeles Police Department