'We'll Be Ready If He Returns': Police Deport 'Backpack Bandit' To Mexico
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Police on Tuesday threatened to arrest a man suspected in a series of robberies if he returns to Los Angeles after being deported to Mexico.
Adan Peralta, 25, is suspected of robbing a 79-year-old, sight-impaired woman in the 200 block of San Pedro Street on Aug. 1. A surveillance camera video capturing part of the incident shows a man believed to be Peralta running away from a woman using a walker.
Peralta also was suspected in two similar crimes, according to Los Angeles police Lt. Paul Vernon.
A tipster told police Peralta and his brother were bragging about the robberies, Vernon said.
Vernon said police picked up Peralta, but did not have enough evidence to prosecute him, and officers turned him over to federal immigration agents, who returned him to his native Mexico. Detectives later found a witness who identified Peralta in a photo lineup and got an arrest warrant for him.
"Peralta seems to always land back in the downtown area," Vernon said. "Every officer has a flier with his face on it, and we'll be ready if he returns."
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