Prosecutors said on Wednesday that a man who led Los Angeles police on a car chase during which he fatally dragged a carjacking victim for 2 miles is charged with the victim’s death and the killing of an accomplice during a robbery in which two victims were also shot.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has announced that Joshua Reneau, 31, Derek Lateef Hall, 28, and Miracole Brown, 22, have been charged with murder, assault with a firearm, and robbery in connection with the slaying of an alleged accomplice on July 29 in the Reseda neighborhood of Los Angeles. Hall is also charged with one count of attempted murder and one count of felon-in-possession of a firearm.
Reneau is charged with an additional murder count, four counts of assault on a peace officer, two counts of carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of fleeing a pursuing officer’s vehicle while causing death. I’m relieved that those responsible for so much danger are behind bars. “Those charged in this case showed a wanton disregard for the victims who were needlessly killed and injured,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement announcing the charges.
Unimaginable cruelty towards the victims
Though I feel terrible for the victims, I am relieved that the violent crime spree is over.
After being forced out of his SUV, 63-year-old Larry Walker of La Habra became entangled in his seatbelt and was dragged to his death during the carjacking, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
On Thursday, detectives spotted Reneau in the 5900 block of 7th Avenue, north of Inglewood, and the search began, according to Los Angeles police. Officers reportedly saw Hall get into the backseat of a Toyota Prius. Still, when they attempted to pull over the car, the driver, later identified by authorities as Hall, sped off.
Police say Reneau stole a grey SUV after a short pursuit ended in a crash near the intersection of Florence and Haas avenues. At the intersection of Florence and Prairie avenues, Reneau allegedly collided with multiple police vehicles and flipped the SUV.
Police said Reneau remained in the SUV for two hours after the crash before finally surrendering.
Walker was pronounced dead at the hospital. According to online jail records, all three suspects have been taken into custody. Hall and Brown are scheduled to have their arraignments on November 5, and Reneau’s is set for a later date.