Briefly In Public Safety

Man arrested on suspicion of battery

Burbank Police arrested a Sylmar man Friday in connection with a series of sexual batteries committed over a four-month period.

The man allegedly exposed himself, masturbated and committed at least one case of sexual battery in and around the Burbank Media Center Mall, Burbank Sgt. Travis Irving said.

In one instance, the man allegedly touched the genitals of an 18-year-old man, who Irving said was mentally handicapped.

Police believe the Sylmar man is responsible for at least three cases of indecent exposure — and possibly seven — but warned that there may have been more incidents and are still looking for suspects.

“Seven different incidents have been reported, and there have likely been incidents that were not reported to the police,” Irving said.

The man has been booked on suspicion of sexual battery and is being held in a Burbank jail.

Anyone who has witnessed any acts of indecent exposure in or near the Burbank Media Center Mall is asked to contact Burbank Det. Charles Howell at (818) 238-3247.

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Police officer cleared in 2007 shooting

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has cleared a Burbank Police officer in connection with a 2007 shooting at the Ramada Inn, police said Friday.

On Jan. 20, 2007, the unidentified officer shot and injured a suspect in a Ramada Inn hotel room during a narcotics investigation, Sgt. Travis Irving said.

“They were led into the hotel room, and there were people in the bathroom,” he said.

“Officers opened the door and they shot someone. They thought the guy had a gun, as he reached for his waist.”

The suspect was not armed and survived the shooting, he said.

In their ruling Friday, the Justice System Integrity Division of the district attorney’s office ruled that the officer “acted lawfully in self-defense and the defense of others during the incident.”