La Brea Dave

The 'La Brea Dave' episode of the 'Criminal' podcast revisits a unique and dangerous investigation undertaken by LAPD Sergeant Dave Mascarenas. As the supervisor of the LAPD's underwater dive unit, Mascarenas has a history of challenging dives in hazardous conditions, but none as perilous as the dive into the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. The tar pits, known for their prehistoric animal remains, presented an unusual and risky task. The investigation was tied to a high-profile murder case from 2011 that had gone cold, until a tip suggested crucial evidence was disposed of in the tar pits. Despite initial disbelief and concerns, including the fear of equipment sparking an explosion in the methane-rich environment, Mascarenas and his team decided to proceed with a dive after other methods failed to retrieve the objects.

Mascarenas, donning a hazardous material suit, faced near-zero visibility and the risk of being stuck in the tar as he manually searched for evidence. The dive, initially planned for nine minutes, stretched to 77 due to equipment failures and the challenging conditions. Mascarenas' experience was harrowing, with moments where he thought he wouldn't survive after getting stuck multiple times. Nonetheless, he managed to recover three items, including a possible firearm and a bone, which were integral to the case. His wife, Leslie, unaware of the dive's dangers until it was broadcasted on the news, greeted him with a mix of anger and relief upon his return. The recovered evidence led to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the murder of Alonzo Ester, a nightclub owner who was shot in his driveway.

The episode also touches on Mascarenas' career and the various intense situations he has encountered as an LAPD diver. It concludes with his reflections on retirement, the significance of the dive in his career, and the unexpected fame that followed, as he became part of the official La Brea Tar Pits Tour narrative.