LATEST NEWS: 30 minutes ago POLICE arrested CHARLES, a neighbor of GENE HACKMAN and BETSY ARAKAWA, after recovering a security camera. That night he…

In a surprising turn of events, Los Angeles police arrested Charles Whitaker, a 52-year-old resident of an upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles, just 30 minutes ago.

Whitaker, a neighbor of renowned actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, was taken into custody following the recovery of a security camera that reportedly captured suspicious activity near the couple’s property.

The arrest stems from an incident that unfolded earlier Monday night. According to authorities, Hackman and Arakawa contacted the Los Angeles Police Department after noticing unusual behavior near their home.

“We received a call at approximately 9:45 PM reporting potential trespassing,” said LAPD spokesperson Officer Maria Gonzales. “The complainants provided footage from a private security system, which led us to investigate further.”

That night, Whitaker allegedly attempted to tamper with a security camera installed on the perimeter of Hackman’s property.

Sources close to the investigation say the camera, which had been partially dislodged, was recovered by police after a brief search of the area.

The footage reportedly shows Whitaker approaching the device under the cover of darkness, though the exact motive remains unclear.

Neighbors expressed shock at the news, describing Whitaker as a quiet but friendly figure in the tight-knit community. “He’s lived here for years,” said one resident, who asked to remain anonymous.

“You’d never expect something like this from him. It’s unsettling, especially with Gene and Betsy being such private people.”

Gene Hackman, 95, an Academy Award-winning actor known for films like The French Connection and Unforgiven, has largely retired from public life, living quietly with Arakawa, a classical pianist, in Los Angeles.

The couple has maintained a low profile, making this incident all the more jarring for those familiar with their preference for privacy.

Police have not disclosed whether Whitaker’s actions were specifically targeted at Hackman and Arakawa or part of a broader pattern of behavior. “We’re still piecing together the details,” Officer Gonzales stated.

“The suspect is in custody, and we’re conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances and intent.”

Whitaker faces preliminary charges of trespassing and vandalism, with the possibility of additional counts pending further review of the evidence. Authorities have not released the security footage to the public, citing the ongoing investigation.

For now, the neighborhood remains on edge as residents await more information. Hackman and Arakawa have not issued a public statement, but sources say they are cooperating fully with law enforcements.