Crime & Safety
Fugitive Friday: Sheriff's Officials Seek Help in Locating Man Accused of Paralyzing Mom of 2 in Bellflower
The incident happened back in 2012, but officials are hoping a renewed awareness might help them track down Israel Itehua.
Sheriff's detectives asked for the public's help Friday to locate a suspect who shot a mother of two, leaving her paralyzed, in Bellflower in 2012.
As a part of the department's "fugitive Friday" series, the latest suspect named has some local connections.
Israel Itehua, a 20-year-old gang member, is a suspect in the shooting of the woman about 12:50 a.m., Feb. 11, 2012, on the 15700 block of Eucalyptus Avenue in Bellflower, according to the sheriff's department. The gunfire left the victim paralyzed from the chest down.
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Itehua was described as Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes. He stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. He has two visible tattoos on his arms: the word UNO on his right arm and the word OCHO on his left.
The suspect has been seen in Bellflower, Norwalk, Pomona and Rialto. He is considered armed and dangerous, according to the sheriff's department.
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"Anyone who sees the suspect should not attempt to contact him," a sheriff's announcement states. "Dial 911 of your local law enforcement agency immediately."
Anyone with information on his whereabouts was asked to call sheriff's Detectives Rodriguez or Davis at (562) 623-3500 or (310) 351-7237. Tipsters can also call L.A. Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. All tips can be made anonymously.
—City News Service contributed to this report.
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