The following comes from a February 2 LAPD news release. To read previous CalCatholic article on Erwin Mena, click here.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Commercial Crimes Division (CCD) detectives have arrested 59-year-old Erwin Mena who impersonated a Catholic Priest to defraud parishioners.

On June 4, 2015, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles contacted the LAPD to report that their parishioners had been defrauded by Erwin Mena. Over the course of several years, Mena visited multiple Catholic Parishes throughout the Los Angeles Area and portrayed himself as a Catholic Priest. Mena officiated church ceremonies and solicited donations on behalf of the church(s), but kept the money for himself.

On February 2, 2016, Mena was tracked to the area of 1400 North Academy Road in the Elysian Park area of Los Angeles and taken into custody without incident. Mena was booked into the Los Angeles Metropolitan Jail.