Catalytic converter thief yelled ‘No!’ before accomplice shot Johnny Walker, police say

When Johnny Wactor spotted three masked men trying to steal his Toyota Prius’ catalytic converter last May, one of the thieves yelled “No!” Monday. before his “hot-headed” companion shot the “General Hospital” actor once in the chest, a detective testified.

New details about the case came out during a preliminary hearing for Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, who are charged with Walkerto’s murder in downtown Los Angeles. The defendants, both 18 years old, have pleaded not guilty.

In jailhouse conversations secretly recorded by authorities, Estrada said he did not want to “steal catalytic converters” with Barcelo, whom he called a “hothead.” Justin Howarth of the Los Angeles Police Department. Haworth said Estrada claimed he yelled at Barcelona not to shoot before Barcelona pulled the trigger.

The 5-foot-6, 110-pound Barceleau, nicknamed “Smalls,” told an informant in another recording that he shot Walker after he spotted them raising his car to saw After dropping the catalyst, he is “hunting for his brother.”

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Walkerto’s killer left a 2-ton, speed-pump floor jack next to the Prius. According to testimony, police found the fingerprints of three men on Jack: Barceleau, Estrada and Leonel Gutierrez.

Gutierrez pleaded no contest to attempted robbery and theft charges. The fourth defendant, Frank “Littles” Olano, later pleaded no contest to receiving the stolen property and accessories. Gutierrez and Orano will be sentenced on January 15.

Howarth testified that Orano told an informant that he had received six catalytic converters from Barcelo, Estrada and Gutierrez the night Wockett was killed.

About 20 minutes before the killing, cameras maintained by the USC Department of Public Safety captured the suspect stealing a catalytic converter from a car less than two miles from where Wactor parked his 2013 Prius before heading to the 8 Duty bar in the first floor lounge.

Around 3:20 a.m., Wockett returned to the car with co-worker Anita Gibney, who told police they first thought the Prius had been towed. When they realized it was a theft, Gibney tried to discreetly take photos of the dark-colored sedan parked next to the Prius while Walkerto confronted the thieves, LAPD detectives. Keith Gonzalez testified.

“That’s my car,” he said. “What are you doing?”

Gonzalez testified that Gibney said she then “heard a loud bang.” Walkert fell back toward Gibney, who asked him if he was okay.

“No,” said Walker. “I was shot.”

The 37-year-old actor was pronounced dead 14 minutes later after being shot in the chest, Gonzalez said.

Five hours after the killing, Barcelona filmed himself brandishing a gun with a laser sight, Haworth said. Estrada put his arm around Barcelona and spread out cash with the other.

During the prison assassination, Barcelo said he gave the gun used to kill Walkerto to his father, who got rid of it, Howarth testified.

Howarth said Barcelo and Estrada were members of the Florencia 13 gang, the Duke Group. Barcelo is also accused of assaulting a police officer and leading police on a high-speed chase 11 days after Walkett was killed.

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Prosecutors wrote in court documents that Barceleau and two other suspects were burglarizing a car parked on 28th Street in South Los Angeles when two neighbors stepped onto their balcony to see what was going on.

Prosecutors said Barcelona pointed his gun’s laser sight at them before fleeing. Chased by police, Barcelona rammed into an LAPD cruiser on Figueroa Street at 80 mph and evaded arrest, prosecutors wrote. Barcelona has pleaded not guilty and denies the charges.

Police suspect Barcelo, Estrada, Gutierrez and Olano of seven other crimes, Howarth said in the search warrant affidavit. That included a kidnapping and robbery at a Chatsworth marijuana dispensary, according to his affidavit. Authorities also suspect the men of burglarizing a Melrose Avenue boutique called Whole Lotta Cough Syrup, a rare sneaker vendor in Encino, and pharmacies in Hollywood, North Hollywood and Sun Valley, although they He has not yet been charged with these crimes.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.