FDNY Captain Accused Of Sex Crimes Against 2 Children In Hollywood
HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a captain of a fire department in New York was arrested Saturday on a felony warrant for alleged sex crimes against two children in Hollywood.
Laura Eimiller of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says Wilbert Riera of New York is currently in NYPD custody. He is awaiting extradition.
Riera is a 21-year veteran on the job and is a captain of the FDNY, based out of Staten Island, according to CBS New York.
Police said the crimes allegedly occurred in Hollywood on Sept. 12.
Riera was arrested Friday and has been suspended without pay for 30 days pending charges, the news station confirmed.
Details surrounding the alleged crime have not been released.
CBS2's Greg Mills reported that Riera is 51 and faces at least six charges.
Mills said Riera was a decorated member of the force who worked as an EMT.
The suspect was reportedly cited at least three times for saving the lives of stricken patients on their way to the hospital.
The LAPD said they hoped to have Riera back in Los Angeles by Monday.
KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo said the LAPD wouldn't say why Riera was in LA or for how long.
They also said they would release more details about the nature of the accusation when Riera was in custody.
Neighbors told WCBS in New York that Riera is unmarried and lives with his mother and sister on Long Island.
A neighbor said the allegations were shocking and called him "an upstanding member of the community. He's always a help to anyone who needs help."
