header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
July 12
1900 - Pacific Telephone & Telegraph establishes Newhall exchange; SCV gets first phone [story]
old telephone


Dante Lusica

A former martial arts instructor is being sought on a felony warrant of embezzlement and possession of assault weapons and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department is asking for the public’s help in tracking him down.

A $40,000 felony warrant has been issued for Dante Lusica, 65, a male Asian resident of Canyon Country, who should be considered armed and dangerous.

Detective Elsee of the Santa Clarita Valley station said that the embezzlement involved Lusica’s alleged taking of $25,000 from monies paid by residents of his community for water.

“The neighborhood off of Sierra Highway at Fitch has to buy their water as a group from Santa Clarita Water Company,” Elsee explained. “What happens is that all the residents pay their water bills to the group and the water gets distributed.”

The company formed by the Fitch Avenue area residents was called “New Mint Water Systems.” That company, according to Elsee, reportedly showed a loss between January 2009 and December 2010.

“There’s supposed to be a board of directors so that there are check and balances, so there is no misuse of funds or misappropriations,” Elsee said. “Over the years, everyone on the board went away and Lusica was the only one in charge. According to the bylaws, the residents checked records and they believe that Lusica took $25,000 from the company, allegedly for his own use.”

A search warrant was issued for his Canyon Country home; Lusica was not there when the warrant was served on August 28, but assault weapons were found at that location, which added to the seriousness of the charges.

In January 2011, Lusica was arrested on suspicion of inappropriately touching a young female student of his Tae Kwon Do studio in Saugus. Charges were not filed by the District Attorney, who said that there was insufficient evidence. Detectives then put out a call for other victims to come forward, but it is not known if others filed reports.

The Tae Kwon Do studio appears to have gone out of business.

If Lusica is seen, he should not be approached. Deputies advise calling 9-1-1 and reporting his location.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

No Comments

    Leave a Comment


    SCV NewsBreak
    LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
    Saturday, Jul 12, 2025
    Free Old Town Newhall Weekend Shuttle Launched
    To alleviate parking and make it easier for residents and visitors to explore Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District in Old Town Newhall, the city has launched the free Summer Shuttle Service Pilot Program.
    Saturday, Jul 12, 2025
    Santa Clarita Voices Episode Seven Podcast Available Now
    The city of Santa Clarita has announced the release of the seventh episode of Santa Clarita Voices, the city’s official podcast, that highlights the stories, experiences and conversations from city leaders and unique members of the Santa Clarita community.
    Friday, Jul 11, 2025
    Enjoy Transportation Options for Santa Clarita Concerts in the Parks
    The city of Santa Clarita's Concerts in the Park series, presented by Logix Federal Credit Union, at Central Park every Saturday evening from July 12 through Aug. 30, is back for its 35th year.
    Keep Up With Our Facebook

    Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
    Scarlet Hope Southern California invites the Santa Clarita Valley community to its inaugural Brunch & Bloom fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 11 a.m.
    Aug. 24: Brunch & Bloom ‘A Fundraising Event’
    The city of Santa Clarita and SantaClaritaArts.com is seeking speakers and proposals for the Fourth Annual Business for Artists Conference.
    Fourth Annual Business for Artists Conference Seeks Speakers
    To alleviate parking and make it easier for residents and visitors to explore Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District in Old Town Newhall, the city has launched the free Summer Shuttle Service Pilot Program.
    Free Old Town Newhall Weekend Shuttle Launched
    The city of Santa Clarita has announced the release of the seventh episode of Santa Clarita Voices, the city’s official podcast, that highlights the stories, experiences and conversations from city leaders and unique members of the Santa Clarita community.
    Santa Clarita Voices Episode Seven Podcast Available Now
    1900 - Pacific Telephone & Telegraph establishes Newhall exchange; SCV gets first phone [story]
    old telephone
    The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency will hold its next regular board meeting on Tuesday, July 15.
    July 15: Regular Board Meeting of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
    For its innovative new website, California Institute of the Arts has earned a 2025 Circle of Excellence Gold Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
    CalArts Website Wins 2025 Circle of Excellence Gold Award From CASE
    The National League of Junior Cotillions has announced the appointment of Brooke Wanberg as the new NLJC Director for the Santa Clarita Chapter.
    Junior Cotillion Santa Clarita Chapter Now Enrolling Students in SCV
    The Rancho Camulos National Historic Landmark Museum will host a special history event on Saturday, July 26, featuring the story of Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes and the creation of the El Camino Real Bells.
    July 26: Rancho Camulos Hosts History Event, ‘The El Camino Real Bells’
    The city of Santa Clarita has announced that due to the construction of the new Rink Sports Pavilion, the outdoor basketball courts at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex will be closed effective Friday, July 11 and remain closed until Aug. 21.
    Outdoor Basketball Courts at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex Closed Until Aug. 21
    The city of Santa Clarita's Concerts in the Park series, presented by Logix Federal Credit Union, at Central Park every Saturday evening from July 12 through Aug. 30, is back for its 35th year.
    Enjoy Transportation Options for Santa Clarita Concerts in the Parks
    Leon Worden of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society sits down with Andre and Renaud Veluzat, owners of the historic Melody Ranch Studio. This interview was first broadcast on SCVTV in 2014.
    Legacy | Andre and Renaud Veluzat: Rebuilding Historic Melody Ranch Studio
    2007 - Moore's sub sandwich shop, abandoned 2 years earlier, demolished as derelict building; now partially Newhall roundabout [story]
    Moores sub shop
    The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, in partnership with Harley-Davidson of Santa Clarita and LA Police Gear, will host a free ‘ETCH & CATCH' Catalytic Converter Etching Event 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, July 19.
    July 19: Free Catalytic Converter Etching Event
    The California Department of Transportation has announced overnight closures along Interstate 405 through the Sepulveda Pass for k-rail installation.
    Overnight Closures on I-405 for Pavement Rehabilitation Project
    Do you know a child with special needs? The Santa Clarita Valley Special Education Local Plan Area and its member school districts actively seek out all individuals with exceptional needs, from birth to age 22, including infants and children attending private schools.
    SCV School Districts Seek Children with Special Needs
    The Old Town Newhall Public Library will host a Teen Game Day: Giant Games event, Wednesday, July 23, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at 24500 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
    July 23: Teen Game Day, Giant Games at Newhall Library
    There are summer traditions and then there are Santa Clarita summer legends. For 35 years now, families, friends, neighbors and music lovers alike have gathered under the open skies of Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 to experience something truly special: Concerts in the Park, presented by Logix Federal Credit Union.
    Jason Gibbs | Celebrating 35 Years of Music Under the Stars with Concerts in the Park
    Family Customs will host a Hot Wheels & Die Cast Swap Meet, 8 a.m.- noon, Saturday, July 19.
    July 19: Hot Wheels, Die Cast Swap Meet
    The Triumph Foundation 2025 Gala will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7 at the iconic Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
    Aug. 7: Triumph Foundation 2025 Gala at the Peterson Automotive Museum
    The Santa Clarita Artists Association will be hosting a Plein Air Outdoor Artmaking and public meet up Friday, July 18, 9 a.m.-noon at Marina Park.
    July 18: SCAA Plein Air Artmaking at Marina Park
    Carousel Ranch will host "Cowgirls & Crystals," 6-11 p.m., Friday, Aug 15 at the Oaks Club at Valencia.
    Aug. 15: Carousel Ranch ‘Cowgirl’s & Crystals’
    The city of Santa Clarita encourages interested and qualified residents to apply for an unscheduled vacancy position on the city’s Planning Commission. The unexpired term ends Dec. 31, 2026.
    Applications Now Being Accepted for Open Seat on City Planning Commission
    Wild Fork Meat and Seafood Market is hosting it's one year anniversary party, 2-5 p.m. Saturday, July 12.
    July 12: Wild Fork’s One Year Anniversary Party
    SCVNews.com