4 arrested in connection with the killing of actor Johnny Wactor

In a series of early morning raids, Los Angeles police arrested four people Thursday in connection with the killing of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor. Wactor was shot and killed after encountering three men downtown who tried to steal the catalytic converter from his parked car.

Robert Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park; Sergio Estrada, 18; and Leonel Gutierrez, 18, were all arrested on suspicion of murder. Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood, was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting murder.

Jail records show that Barceleau, Gutierrez and Olano are all being held on $2 million bail. As of late Thursday afternoon, there was no record of Estrada in the jail system.

Micah Parker, a close friend of Wactor, told reporters outside LAPD headquarters that officers called Wactor's mother on Thursday and told her there had been several arrests. More details are expected to be released Monday when charges could be filed.

The Los Angeles Times, citing an affidavit in support of a search warrant, reported that police became aware of Barceleau, Estrada and Gutierrez because their fingerprints were allegedly found on a car jack they used while trying to steal Wactor's catalytic converter.

Olano's role in the case remained unclear.

Television footage showed officers executing a warrant in the area of 62nd Street and Wilton Place in South Los Angeles on Thursday morning. The Times reported that the investigation was targeting a specific street gang linked to catalytic converter thefts.

Neighbors told reporters that officers had been distributing informational pamphlets about the Wactor investigation in the neighborhood several days ago, seeking tips. One neighbor told KTLA5 that the individuals in the home targeted by police Thursday morning have long been a problem for the neighborhood and have even stolen catalytic converters from vehicles parked on that street.

Wactor, 37, was shot around 3:30 a.m. on May 25 as he and a co-worker walked to his parked car near Hope Street and Pico Boulevard after finishing his shift as a bartender at the nearby Level 8 bar/restaurant.

According to police, the two encountered a gang of men who were trying to steal the catalytic converter from Wactor's car, and one of them shot Wactor as he approached.

The suspects lifted Wactor's vehicle with a jack and were trying to steal the catalytic converter, police said. Wactor was shot by one of the perpetrators without provocation.

On Tuesday, relatives and friends of Wactor gathered at Los Angeles City Hall to urge anyone with information about his death to come forward.

“Grief is my constant companion,” Wactor's mother Scarlett said on the steps of City Hall. “He promised me he would be here with me today. I can't wish him a happy birthday on August 31st. He would have turned 38. I can't ask him if he's coming home for Christmas. I can't ask him how his day was, if he's going to climb. Because of what these people did, I don't get any of that anymore.”

Wactor's family and friends also called on the city administration to do more to improve public safety in the city.

After the arrests were announced on Thursday, Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement saying, “I want to thank the LAPD for their cooperation and hard work on this case and for their continued efforts to keep the residents of Los Angeles safe and bring justice to victims of violence. Now we must ensure that those responsible for this brazen and heinous act are held fully accountable.”

Last week, the Los Angeles Police Department released surveillance photos of the suspects who allegedly killed Wactor, along with images of a suspected stolen vehicle the suspects are believed to have used to flee.

According to police, the three suspects drove away from the scene in a stolen black 2018 Infiniti Q50 four-door sedan with a tan interior. The suspects, all wearing dark clothing, drove north on Hope Street away from the scene. One of the suspects had a tattoo above his left eye and on his right cheek, police said.

Catalytic converters are a popular target for thieves because they are rich in precious metals that can be resold.

4 arrested in connection with the killing of actor Johnny Wactor

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4 arrested in connection with the killing of actor Johnny Wactor

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