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Crime Aug 05, 2022
A trader at the Hollywood Farmer's Market. | Photo courtesy of pdjohnson/Flickr
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An ex-convict who allegedly fired shots near the Hollywood Farmers’ Market, causing the popular establishment to shut down, pleaded not guilty Thursday to seven felony counts.
Joseph DeLaCruz, 42, is charged with one felony count each of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, first-degree burglary with a person present, criminal threats, possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition, vandalism causing $400 or more in damage or destruction of property and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
DeLaCruz allegedly threatened a woman with a gun on Sunday and later began shooting from his apartment’s balcony in the 1600 block of Cosmo Street, one block east of the intersection of Cahuenga and Hollywood boulevards, damaging buildings and a vehicle, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Officers arrived to see the suspect yelling and throwing out items from the balcony of his apartment, Los Angeles police said. No injuries were reported.
The nearby Hollywood Farmers’ Market was forced to shut down operations for the day.
At about 9:20 a.m. Sunday, the LAPD reported that there was an active standoff and a SWAT team was called to the scene to attempt to arrest the suspect, who had barricaded himself inside the apartment.
Police confirmed at around 11:45 a.m. that the suspect was taken into custody.
DeLaCruz has remained behind bars since his arrest, jail records show.
