RBPD Pays BHPD $25K for Work in Galleria Stabbing Case

The Redondo Beach City Council on Aug. 6 authorized a payment of $26,975 from the Redondo Beach Police Department's asset forfeiture fund to the Beverly Hills Police Department's Westside High Tech Task Force for assistance with the investigation into the Dec. 30, 2012 stabbing of two teens at the South Bay Galleria.

The item was part of the meeting's consent calendar, and was not pulled for discussion.

The stabbing occurred the evening of Dec. 20, when a man walked up to the two teens on the third floor of the mall and stabbed them repeatedly. The teens have since recovered from the attack, and their families are suing the South Bay Galleria.

Police have not made an arrest in the case.

• Complete Coverage: Teens Stabbed at South Bay Galleria

According to the administrative report from Police Chief Joe Leonardi, Redondo police investigators discovered many surveillance cameras at stores throughout the mall:

"…if properly recovered and analyzed, (the footage) could provide important details about the crime and help (identify) the outstanding suspect. The surveillance video evidence was in the form of computer data. A high degree of expertise and the possession of many different versions of proprietary computer software was required in order to view and analyze the surveillance evidence."

Because the RBPD didn't have the proper equipment, officers sought assistance from the WHTTF, which focuses on issues like computer crime and recovery of computer forensic evidence, according to Leonardi.

"Although the Police Department is still working to identify the suspect of this stabbing, the WHTTF has provided critical and relevant information that is benefitting investigators in their attempts to identify, apprehend and prosecute the suspect involved in the crime," the police chief wrote.

Evidence gathered by the WHTTF includes about a half-dozen clips of surveillance video of the man police believe stabbed the teens.

According to police, the culprit is a grizzled, 40- to 50-year-old, tall black man with a medium build who wore glasses and a hat.

Related stories:

• 2 Teens Stabbed at South Bay Galleria
• Police: Stabbing Apparently Unprovoked
• Galleria Steps up Security After Stabbings
• Police Release Sketch of Stabbing Suspect
• $25,000 Reward Offered in Galleria Stabbing
• Stabbing Victim's Parents Speak Out
• Stabbing Victim's Family Sues South Bay Galleria
• City Manager: Galleria Is 'Very Safe'
• 2nd Lawsuit Filed in Galleria Stabbing