Homeless parolee in custody after allegedly assaulting homeowner

A homeless parolee with multiple felony convictions suspected of assaulting a homeowner in Studio City was arrested Tuesday.

Police took Joshua Anthony Torres, 37, into custody around 2:30 p.m. while he was camping along the Los Angeles River, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Torres is accused of assaulting a homeowner by striking him in the back with a metal pole after the victim asked the suspect and another homeless man to leave after they were discovered camping without permission on the homeowner’s property on Friday in the 11500 block of Sunshine Terrace, near Laurel Canyon Boulevard, police said.

The suspect and the second man fled the area but a neighbor who heard the attack called 911 and took pictures of the suspect, who was dressed in women’s clothing. Officers that responded to the scene obtained video surveillance of the suspect, which later aided in his arrest.

A community alert was generated with the assistance of the victim’s wife and a series of flyers with Torres’ photo were distributed to the public. A resident of the neighborhood who was riding his bicycle along the walking trail at the Los Angeles River had seen the flyer and thought he saw Torres camping along the river. He called police and officers arrived and took Torres into custody.

Torres was booked on assault with a deadly weapon on a no-bail parole warrant.

Anyone with information about this case was asked to call detectives at the LAPD North Hollywood Division at 818-754-8412. During nonbusiness hours or on weekends calls should be made to 1-877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.

More from Crime