Crime & Safety

Man Sentenced to Life for Robbing Gay Men

Angel Ayala, an ex-convict, is said to have contacted one Hermosa Beach victim through a social networking site, according to reports.

A man who was arrested by Hermosa and Redondo Beach police in connection with robbing, carjacking and kidnapping a Hermosa Beach resident now has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars, according to the Daily Breeze.

Angel Ayala of Los Angeles, who was convicted of 12 felony charges, was sentenced in a Torrance courtroom Friday for robbing gay men in the area during a crime spree in which he sometimes used the "men seeking men" section on Craigslist to target his victims, the Breeze reported. Ayala's attorney is quoted as saying Ayala struggled with mental illness since childhood.

Ayala contacted the Hermosa Beach victim online, police said following the incident two years ago. At the time, Hermosa Beach Police Sgt. Robert Higgins said Ayala "has an extensive history of violent crime."

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ayala reportedly met the victim at his Hermosa Beach apartment, and held the victim at gunpoint before ordering him to put various electronic items in his vehicle.

Ayala then forced the victim to drive to a nearby ATM and withdraw cash, according to police reports. The victim was ordered out of the vehicle in El Segundo, where he then contacted police.

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police said Ayala was also a suspect in similar crimes in Bell Gardens and West Hollywood, where he targeted the gay community.

Earlier: Suspect Arrested in Alleged Kidnapping, Robbery


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Hermosa Beach