Clay Davenport
Cerebral Nomad
The mystery of who dumped a big reptile in Machado Lake has apparently been solved.
Authorities arrested a former Los Angeles police officer at his San Pedro home in a pre-dawn raid Wednesday, charging him and another San Pedro man of conspiring and dumping the 6- to 7-foot alligator named Reggie into the lake at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park.
Officials believe the animal, which has been the focus of an intensive search over the past 13 days, was left in the lake about two months ago because of its size.
An alligator rescue team from Florida continued to search for Reggie on Wednesday with little luck, although the animal hasn't been spotted since Sunday afternoon.
A citizen's tip received Saturday led to the raids and arrests.
Police arrested former officer Todd Natow, 42, at his home in the 2500 block of South Moray Avenue at about 3 a.m. Wednesday. Late on Tuesday, they arrested Anthony Brewer, 36, in the 1900 block of Elanita Drive in San Pedro.
"We were totally surprised," said neighbor John DeLuca, a longshoreman who spotted the helicopters in his neighborhood when he came home from work early Wednesday. "It's pretty freaky."
Natow and his wife, Kim Biazevich, a San Pedro hair stylist, had lived in the South Shore neighborhood for about a year, DeLuca said.
They are reportedly expecting their first child in November.
"Originally we didn't have a last name, just a first name, Anthony," said Los Angeles Police Harbor Division Capt. Patrick Gannon. "That took us to (Brewer's) house and then we also had some information that a policeman may have been involved in trying to help him get rid of the alligator.
"It's my understanding that Anthony approached Natow to help him get rid of the animal."
Police believe that Brewer was the original owner, but gave it to Natow several months ago.
"A concerned citizen knew he had an alligator for some time," Harbor Division Lt. Rick Angelos said.
At Natow's home police found a veritable menagerie of exotic -- and illegal -- animals, including three alligators, four piranhas, a rattlesnake, three desert tortoises, a scorpion and a half dozen tortoise eggs.
The alligators were kept in a pond in Natow's back yard, authorities said.
An alligator habitat, narcotics and two snapping turtles were found at Brewer's home.
The animals were all in good condition and well cared for. The piranhas were euthanized because they posed too much of a risk to shelter staff. The other animals are being kept in cages for observation.
Brewer was released from custody early Wednesday morning after posting $500 bail, according to the Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Web site. Natow was released about 10:30 a.m. after posting the same amount, according to the Web site.
All the animals found at Natow's and Brewer's homes are illegal to own without a permit, according to the county Animal Care and Control, state Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Neither held such permits, according to Fish and Game spokesman Steve Matarano.
Each violation of the Fish and Game Code is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in county jail and/or a maximum $1,000 fine, Matarano said.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, however, said she'll press to force the pair to pay restitution to the city, which has spent tens of thousands of dollars in overtime pay and other costs trying to catch the animal.
"This person put a lot of people at risk," Hahn said. "It's illegal to harbor this kind of exotic animal in a residential neighborhood. It's frightening and it's scary."
District attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said her office has not yet become involved in the case so she could not comment on it, but said if her office is asked to prosecute, the case would likely be filed in Long Beach Superior Court.
Authorities also seized six marijuana plants from Natow's house.
The pair were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy related to the possession of exotic animals and the release of the alligator.
"The primary owner appears to have a (fondness) for this animal, but it grew too large for the environment," Angelos said at a morning press conference at the park, where rescuers have been trying to capture the animal for nearly two weeks.
Natow, a graduate of San Pedro High School who also attended Crestwood Elementary and Dodson Junior High, had served as an officer in the Harbor Division of the Los Angeles Police Department and was involved in a fatal shooting in San Pedro in 1994.
On July 31, 1994, Natow shot Lenko Daniel Gracin, 22, in what was later ruled a justifiable homicide.
Friends said Wednesday that Natow had kept exotic animals since his teenage years.
One woman, who asked that her name not be used, recalled that he used to walk an alligator on a chain in the Point Fermin neighborhood of San Pedro in the mid-1990s.
"I remember him walking down the street with an alligator," she said, adding that he'd walk the animal in broad daylight. "I thought it was a little strange."
In 1999, Natow was pictured in the Easy Reader after he won the annual Monster Lobster Contest sponsored by Dive N' Surf by capturing a 10.2-pound lobster.
Records show that Natow was arrested in February 2001 for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, but those charges were dismissed. He was charged in the same incident with reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.
His 15-year career with the police force ended five years ago. It is not clear what he currently does for a living.
A backyard fence at Natow's house was guarded with chicken wire. One neighbor said she knew about his penchant for exotic animals, but said she was surprised that he was arrested.
But another resident on the quiet street said she had no idea what he was keeping in his yard. She said that she has three small children and one of them could have been put in danger.
"No one knew," said a neighbor who would only identify herself as Gina. "Being so close, it's very scary."
Although she lives just a few doors away, Gina said she didn't know the family well.
"They kept to themselves," she said.
Capt. Gannon said getting the tip wasn't altogether surprising considering all the publicity surrounding the search for the alligator.
"I think it's probably remarkable that we didn't get a tip sooner," Gannon said. "When someone has a 6-foot alligator in their back yard and it disappears and then there's a 'gator watch' for the next two weeks, someone might put two and two together.
"(Brewer and Natow) need to be held responsible for their actions. What they did was irresponsible."
Councilwoman Hahn said the park on the border of Wilmington and Harbor City has long been a dumping ground for unwanted pets such as bunnies and snakes.
She said the decision to keep such dangerous animals in homes and back yards was irresponsible.
"If any of those animals had escaped, we could have had a different ending," Hahn said. "By dumping Reggie in the lake, he put children at risk."
She said her office was working to determine the cost of hunting the 150-pound alligator, but with paying overtime to city workers and flying in a series of alligator wranglers, the price tag is already well above $10,000.
She wants the culprits to pay the bill.
The latest effort involves a crew from Gatorland, an amusement park in Florida.
Hahn said the next step could be draining the lake, or at least lowering it to give crews an easier time of finding the reptile. A makeshift fence remained around the shore Wednesday to keep curious spectators at a safe distance.
"As long as it resides in my lake, I have to keep the lakeshore cordoned off," Hahn said.
By late Wednesday, crews were still hunting for the elusive gator. They were trying to lure it with bait including raw beef, tortillas and liver.
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Authorities arrested a former Los Angeles police officer at his San Pedro home in a pre-dawn raid Wednesday, charging him and another San Pedro man of conspiring and dumping the 6- to 7-foot alligator named Reggie into the lake at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park.
Officials believe the animal, which has been the focus of an intensive search over the past 13 days, was left in the lake about two months ago because of its size.
An alligator rescue team from Florida continued to search for Reggie on Wednesday with little luck, although the animal hasn't been spotted since Sunday afternoon.
A citizen's tip received Saturday led to the raids and arrests.
Police arrested former officer Todd Natow, 42, at his home in the 2500 block of South Moray Avenue at about 3 a.m. Wednesday. Late on Tuesday, they arrested Anthony Brewer, 36, in the 1900 block of Elanita Drive in San Pedro.
"We were totally surprised," said neighbor John DeLuca, a longshoreman who spotted the helicopters in his neighborhood when he came home from work early Wednesday. "It's pretty freaky."
Natow and his wife, Kim Biazevich, a San Pedro hair stylist, had lived in the South Shore neighborhood for about a year, DeLuca said.
They are reportedly expecting their first child in November.
"Originally we didn't have a last name, just a first name, Anthony," said Los Angeles Police Harbor Division Capt. Patrick Gannon. "That took us to (Brewer's) house and then we also had some information that a policeman may have been involved in trying to help him get rid of the alligator.
"It's my understanding that Anthony approached Natow to help him get rid of the animal."
Police believe that Brewer was the original owner, but gave it to Natow several months ago.
"A concerned citizen knew he had an alligator for some time," Harbor Division Lt. Rick Angelos said.
At Natow's home police found a veritable menagerie of exotic -- and illegal -- animals, including three alligators, four piranhas, a rattlesnake, three desert tortoises, a scorpion and a half dozen tortoise eggs.
The alligators were kept in a pond in Natow's back yard, authorities said.
An alligator habitat, narcotics and two snapping turtles were found at Brewer's home.
The animals were all in good condition and well cared for. The piranhas were euthanized because they posed too much of a risk to shelter staff. The other animals are being kept in cages for observation.
Brewer was released from custody early Wednesday morning after posting $500 bail, according to the Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Web site. Natow was released about 10:30 a.m. after posting the same amount, according to the Web site.
All the animals found at Natow's and Brewer's homes are illegal to own without a permit, according to the county Animal Care and Control, state Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Neither held such permits, according to Fish and Game spokesman Steve Matarano.
Each violation of the Fish and Game Code is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in county jail and/or a maximum $1,000 fine, Matarano said.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, however, said she'll press to force the pair to pay restitution to the city, which has spent tens of thousands of dollars in overtime pay and other costs trying to catch the animal.
"This person put a lot of people at risk," Hahn said. "It's illegal to harbor this kind of exotic animal in a residential neighborhood. It's frightening and it's scary."
District attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said her office has not yet become involved in the case so she could not comment on it, but said if her office is asked to prosecute, the case would likely be filed in Long Beach Superior Court.
Authorities also seized six marijuana plants from Natow's house.
The pair were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy related to the possession of exotic animals and the release of the alligator.
"The primary owner appears to have a (fondness) for this animal, but it grew too large for the environment," Angelos said at a morning press conference at the park, where rescuers have been trying to capture the animal for nearly two weeks.
Natow, a graduate of San Pedro High School who also attended Crestwood Elementary and Dodson Junior High, had served as an officer in the Harbor Division of the Los Angeles Police Department and was involved in a fatal shooting in San Pedro in 1994.
On July 31, 1994, Natow shot Lenko Daniel Gracin, 22, in what was later ruled a justifiable homicide.
Friends said Wednesday that Natow had kept exotic animals since his teenage years.
One woman, who asked that her name not be used, recalled that he used to walk an alligator on a chain in the Point Fermin neighborhood of San Pedro in the mid-1990s.
"I remember him walking down the street with an alligator," she said, adding that he'd walk the animal in broad daylight. "I thought it was a little strange."
In 1999, Natow was pictured in the Easy Reader after he won the annual Monster Lobster Contest sponsored by Dive N' Surf by capturing a 10.2-pound lobster.
Records show that Natow was arrested in February 2001 for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, but those charges were dismissed. He was charged in the same incident with reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.
His 15-year career with the police force ended five years ago. It is not clear what he currently does for a living.
A backyard fence at Natow's house was guarded with chicken wire. One neighbor said she knew about his penchant for exotic animals, but said she was surprised that he was arrested.
But another resident on the quiet street said she had no idea what he was keeping in his yard. She said that she has three small children and one of them could have been put in danger.
"No one knew," said a neighbor who would only identify herself as Gina. "Being so close, it's very scary."
Although she lives just a few doors away, Gina said she didn't know the family well.
"They kept to themselves," she said.
Capt. Gannon said getting the tip wasn't altogether surprising considering all the publicity surrounding the search for the alligator.
"I think it's probably remarkable that we didn't get a tip sooner," Gannon said. "When someone has a 6-foot alligator in their back yard and it disappears and then there's a 'gator watch' for the next two weeks, someone might put two and two together.
"(Brewer and Natow) need to be held responsible for their actions. What they did was irresponsible."
Councilwoman Hahn said the park on the border of Wilmington and Harbor City has long been a dumping ground for unwanted pets such as bunnies and snakes.
She said the decision to keep such dangerous animals in homes and back yards was irresponsible.
"If any of those animals had escaped, we could have had a different ending," Hahn said. "By dumping Reggie in the lake, he put children at risk."
She said her office was working to determine the cost of hunting the 150-pound alligator, but with paying overtime to city workers and flying in a series of alligator wranglers, the price tag is already well above $10,000.
She wants the culprits to pay the bill.
The latest effort involves a crew from Gatorland, an amusement park in Florida.
Hahn said the next step could be draining the lake, or at least lowering it to give crews an easier time of finding the reptile. A makeshift fence remained around the shore Wednesday to keep curious spectators at a safe distance.
"As long as it resides in my lake, I have to keep the lakeshore cordoned off," Hahn said.
By late Wednesday, crews were still hunting for the elusive gator. They were trying to lure it with bait including raw beef, tortillas and liver.
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