A television reporter and photographer were credited today with helping sheriff’s deputies track down four people sought for an assault at a Malibu restaurant.
The assault occurred at Duke’s restaurant in the 21100 block of Pacific Coast Highway around 4 a.m. Tuesday, and the suspects’ getaway was witnessed by Fox 11 reporter Gigi Graciette and photographer Tony Buttitta, said Los Angeles County sheriff’s Deputy Amber Smith in a statement headlined: “Fox 11 News Crew Helps Deputies Catch Felony Assault Suspects Fleeing Restaurant.”
The duo called 911 and subsequently provided detailed information that helped catch the suspects, Smith said.
The assault left a 26-year-old man hospitalized, she said, adding that four suspects — Rahsi Treadwell, 21, Dimere Pleasant, 21, Adam Treadwell, 18, and Deborah Austin, 19 — were arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and are each being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.
The sheriff’s department urged anyone with information on the incident at the restaurant to call its Malibu/Los Hills station at (818) 878-1808. Information also can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
