Predator suspected of using social networking sites to prey on gay men
Angel Ayala allegedly used social networking sites to prey on gay men.
A Los Angeles man who allegedly used social networking websites to prey on gay men was being held without bail after Hermosa police tracked him down and arrested him in connection with the armed carjacking, kidnap and robbery of a local man.
Hermosa detectives, along with Redondo Beach police detectives, arrested Angel Ayala April 16 while he was meeting with his parole officer in Los Angeles.
While handcuffed inside a police car, Ayala slipped his handcuffs and attempted to commandeer the police car to escape, said Hermosa Beach police Sgt. Robert Higgins.
Detectives “were able to thwart his effort and prevent his escape without further incident,” Higgins said.
Ayala, who was on parole for carjacking, was being held without bail.
Ayala came to the attention of Hermosa detectives following an April 1 incident in which he met a Hermosa man at his apartment. Police said Ayala produced a handgun and ordered the man to put a television set, a computer, a camera and other electronic items into his own vehicle.
At gunpoint, Ayala ordered the man to drive them to a nearby ATM and withdraw cash from his bank account, and eventually ordered the man out of his own vehicle in El Segundo, police said.
The perpetrator drove away and his victim contacted Hermosa police a short time later.
The vehicle was recovered after it had been abandoned in Los Angeles.
Hermosa detectives were able to identify Ayala as the suspect by fingerprints inside the victim’s apartment and vehicle, and some of the victim’s stolen items, which were recovered at the time of arrest, Higgins said.
Hermosa detectives identified Ayala as a suspect in similar crimes in Bell Gardens and West Hollywood.
“There may be more people in the community who have been victimized by Ayala and the investigation is ongoing,” Higgins said.
Police urged possible victims to contact Detective Mick Gaglia at (310) 318-0348 or mgaglia@hermosapolice.org. ER