LAPD: Staten Island EMS Captain Arrested For Alleged Child Sex Crimes

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A Staten Island EMS captain has been arrested in Staten Island stemming from a felony warrant out of Los Angeles, CBS 2 confirmed Saturday.

Wilbert Riera was arrested Friday at his Staten Island stationhouse in connection with crimes against two juveniles that occurred on September 12 in Hollywood, a spokesperson with LAPD  media relations told CBS 2.

LAPD says Riera is currently in NYPD custody and awaiting extradition to Los Angeles.

Riera is a 21-year veteran and has been suspended without pay for 30 days pending charges, the FDNY said, the maximum allowed by state law.

Riera's neighbors told CBS 2's Dave Carlin he is not married and shares a home with his mother in Bay Shore.

"Wilbert is an upstanding member of the community, he's always been a help to anyone that needed help on the block," Judy Smith said, saying the allegations were shocking.

The Staten Island Advance reports Riera was honored at FDNY Medal Day for "pre-hospital saves" in the years 2010, 2012 and 2013.

Carlin reports Riera is expected to be extradited to California on Monday.

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