The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrested Anthony Rauda in connection with burglaries made in the Malibu Canyon area over the last three months earlier today, Oct. 10. In a press conference, LASD Sheriff McDonnell said the 42 year old was taken into custody around 3:20 p.m.
“Earlier today, at about 10 o’clock this morning, Major Crimes personnel, Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station personnel, members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Aero Bureau and members of the Malibu Search and Rescue Team deployed resources in the Malibu Canyon area to conduct a detailed search for the suspect and evidence related to these crimes,” McDonnell said.
The investigators were able to find fresh boot prints in the ground and encountered Rauda at a steep ravine—the location approximately one mile north of Mulholland and west of Las Virgenes Road.
After a tense encounter, Rauda surrendered without incident and was taken into custody, later taken to Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. At the time, he was armed with a rifle.Â
Per McDonnell, he is being booked, in part, for parole violation. Rauda has a previous history of weapons violations and burglaries.
“Homicide is working closely with the rest of the team,” McDonnell said, when asked about whether Rauda may have a connection to murders in the area, such as the June murder of Tristan Beaudette at Malibu Creek State Park.
The burglaries in question date back to at least August. According to a statement released by the sheriff’s department Tuesday night, the burglaries took place in unincorporated areas of Malibu and Calabasas, near Malibu Canyon. McDonnell said food items were stolen during the incidents, and typically occurred between 2 and 5 a.m.
California Senator Henry Stern was also at the meeting. He stated that the process was a “true collaborative effort,” calling it “complicated territory.
According to McDonnell, Rauda may have been connected to similar burglaries that took place over the last two years.
When asked about Pepperdine University’s announcement advising students to avoid MCSP as a safety precaution, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Captain Josh Thai said it was safe to go back, and there would be “proactive patrol in the area with State Parks.”
Editor’s Note: This brief has been updated with the correct spelling of the suspect’s last name.