Suspects In Actor's Slaying Linked To Burglaries Countywide: LAPD

LOS ANGELES, CA — Four men arrested in connection with the shooting death of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor are also suspected in a string of .burglaries across the region, according to LAPD Chief Dominic Cho.

In serving arrest warrants in Wactor's slaying, detectives reportedly found items stolen from clothing stores and pharmacies in the suspect's possession, NBC Los Angeles reported.

"Our personnel have been able to link the evidence seized to multiple recent commercial burglaries that occurred in the city," LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said Tuesday, according to NBC Los Angeles. "These same suspects have also been identified as engaging crimes in the City of Lennox, Beverly Hills, Rialto and Ontario.

Police have not publicly identified the alleged victim nor announced charges linked to the alleged burglaries.

Authorities identified the suspects like to Wactor's death this week.

The most serious charges were filed against alleged gunman Robert Isaiah Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park, who was charged with murder, including a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of an attempted robbery, which could lead to a potential life-without-parole prison term. He was also charged with attempted robbery and grand theft, both with allegations he was armed with a firearm.

Sergio Estrada, 18, was also charged with murder, but without the special circumstance allegation. He was also charged with attempted robbery and grand theft, along with gun allegations.
Leonel Gutierrez, 18, was charged with attempted robbery and grand theft by embezzlement, both with gun allegations.

The fourth suspect in the case, Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood, was charged with being an accessory after the fact to the killing, along with receiving stolen property and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Wactor, 37, was shot about 3:30 a.m. May 25 while walking with a co- worker toward his parked car near Hope Street and Pico Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles after finishing his bartending shift at the nearby Level 8 bar/restaurant.

Police said the pair encountered a crew of people trying to steal the catalytic converter from Wactor's car, and that one of them shot Wactor as he approached.

The suspects had Wactor's vehicle raised up with a floor jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter, police said, adding that Wactor was shot by one of the individuals without provocation.

The four suspects were arrested in a series of raids carried out by Los Angeles police last Thursday.

City News Service contributed to this report.