Bystanders assist deputies struggling to make an arrest





ADDED MUSCLE—Capt. Pat Davoren of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station awards a certificate of commendation to three men who came to the aid of deputies trying to make a burglary arrest last October in Calabasas.

ADDED MUSCLE—Capt. Pat Davoren of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station awards a certificate of commendation to three men who came to the aid of deputies trying to make a burglary arrest last October in Calabasas.

At a meeting Jan. 14, city officials in Calabasas recognized three men, Michael Kessler, Thomas Impliazzo and Tal Cohen, for coming to the aid of two deputies trying to arrest a man in connection with a burglary.

About 2 p.m. Oct. 15, two Lost Hills Station deputies tried to detain the suspect near Gelson’s Village shopping center in Calabasas.

Lost Hills Capt. Pat Davoren said that when deputies attempted to handcuff the suspect, he resisted and tried to grab a weapon from one of the deputies.

Officers used a stun gun several times as well as pepper spray. Neither had any effect, said Davoren.

As the struggle to arrest the man escalated, the deputies called for help from three bystanders: Kessler, Impliazzo and Cohen.

Mayor David Shapiro said he was inside Gelson’s when the incident occurred and he saw the end of the struggle.

“These three gentlemen were there on hand, and without regard for their own safety . . . (they) jumped in to help apprehend the suspect,” Shaprio said. “It’s very important that we acknowledge them and the (deputies) as well.”

Davoren said that without the men’s assistance the deputies could have been injured.

The captain gave certificates of recognition to the three men.

Cohen said the people deserving of recognition are the sheriff’s deputies who made the arrest.

“They’re out there risking their lives every day and making the city safer,” Cohen said. “In that particular situation, we jumped in and assisted them, but to us it didn’t look like somebody particularly dangerous.”

The name of the suspect was not released due to an ongoing investigation. Kessler is from Calabasas and Impliazzo is from Canoga Park. Cohen’s residence wasn’t available.


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