Community Corner

Zubek Charged in 8 Felonies Including Shooting at a Policeman

Brent Zubek, 43, was ordered to be jailed without bail pending arraignment Sept. 19 in San Fernando Superior Court.

A man suspected of killing two people in Chatsworth and opening fire on police as they closed in on him weeks later in Encino was charged Wednesday with eight felony counts, including assault with a firearm on a peace officer.

Brent Zubek, 43, was ordered to be jailed without bail pending arraignment Sept. 19 in San Fernando Superior Court on six counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer and one count each of possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a loaded, stolen firearm.   

Prosecutors have not yet filed any murder charges against Zubek, citing an ongoing investigation into the Aug. 12 discovery of the decomposing bodies of a man and woman in a trash bin in the 20400 block of Lassen Street in Chatsworth.

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

Zubek was being sought by authorities in connection with the slayings when he was spotted shortly after 9:30 p.m. Sunday by detectives near Noeline Avenue and Ventura Boulevard in Encino.

Zubek turned and fired at police after detectives began chasing him on
foot, authorities said.

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

Investigators set up a perimeter in the area and began searching the
neighborhood. Officers warned residents to remain in their homes, and even went into a party being held at a nearby home to ensure Zubek was not among the partygoers or hiding around their vehicles.

Zubek pulled out a handgun and pointed it at police after they discovered him on the roof of a home in the 4600 block of Libbit Street near Ventura Boulevard in Encino about 4:30 a.m. Monday, authorities said. Zubek was shot in the hip by a veteran LAPD officer.

Zubek -- who was convicted in 1993 of federal bank robbery charges -- was treated at an area hospital, then booked.

While police were searching for Zubek, firefighters responded about 2:50 that morning to the Chatsworth home where the two bodies had been found. Flames had to be doused in at least two rooms, and "substantial damage'' was done to the home, according to Sgt. Jace Kessler of the LAPD's Devonshire Station.

Police said last week that they believe the Chatsworth slayings occurred about five to six weeks earlier, according to LAPD Cmdr. Jim Cansler, the Devonshire Division's area commanding officer.

Police received information "during the first week of August'' about a
possible homicide in Chatsworth and discovered the victims after serving a search warrant at the location, he said.

Zubek's sister, Lisa, and his mother, Carole, both appeared in television interviews in which they asked the fugitive to surrender. The city Councilman Mitch Englander announced a $75,000 reward for information leading to his conviction.

-- City News Service


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

More from Encino-Tarzana