April 2010 Archives
Police are investigating a shooting at a local convenience store that left a man seriously wounded in Downtown Long Beach Long Beach Friday afternoon.
Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said that she could only confirm there was a shooting at about 1:30 p.m. near the corner of Third Street and Elm Avenue and that at least one person was hit by gunfire.
Pratt said it was not yet confirmed if the shooting was tied to a robbery attempt or some other crime.
Local shop owner Neil Wicks said he did not hear the shooting but he knew something was wrong when he saw people running by his business and a swarm of police cars arrive.
The shooting was at a nearby local convenience store run by an Asian family and popular in the downtown neighborhood said Wicks, who owns Urban Rolling, a roller-skate business.
"I use the (victim's) shop, my son uses the shop, it's a family business," Wicks said.
Wicks said he went outside to see what had happened and saw one of the convenience store owners being wheeled away on a gurney by Long Beach Fire Department paramedics.
Pratt said it would be a while before authorities would be able to release any further information.
Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said that she could only confirm there was a shooting at about 1:30 p.m. near the corner of Third Street and Elm Avenue and that at least one person was hit by gunfire.
Pratt said it was not yet confirmed if the shooting was tied to a robbery attempt or some other crime.
Local shop owner Neil Wicks said he did not hear the shooting but he knew something was wrong when he saw people running by his business and a swarm of police cars arrive.
The shooting was at a nearby local convenience store run by an Asian family and popular in the downtown neighborhood said Wicks, who owns Urban Rolling, a roller-skate business.
"I use the (victim's) shop, my son uses the shop, it's a family business," Wicks said.
Wicks said he went outside to see what had happened and saw one of the convenience store owners being wheeled away on a gurney by Long Beach Fire Department paramedics.
Pratt said it would be a while before authorities would be able to release any further information.
Two Wilson High School students were arrested Friday afternoon on charges of intimidating witnesses called to testify last week in the killing of classmate Melody Ross.
Long Beach Police arrested the teens, a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl, on school grounds Friday at about 12:30 p.m., said Lisa Massacani, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Each of the girls is charged with threatening more than one witness involved in the case, Massacani said.
Their names were being withheld because they are minors, police said.
Because they are accused of trying to tamper with witnesses in a murder case, both of the girls could face a life sentence in prison, Massacani warned.
"Because the case is being tried as a capital murder case ... anyone found guilty of witness intimidation in connection with the case can face the same maximum penalty as the suspects being tried for the murder itself, which is life in prison," Massacani said.
Witnesses called to testify in the October 30 slaying of Ross were clearly upset, with one girl crying throughout her time on the time on the stand and other teens recanting testimony they gave to police shortly after Ross' murder.
Ross was killed the night of Wilson's Homecoming football game against Poly High School.
She and two other men who survived were hit by gunfire when alleged gunman Tom "Love" Vinson opened fire on a crowd outside of the school's gate at the end of the game.
Vinson -- a former Wilson student -- and his co-defendant, Daivion Davis, who attended Lakewood High School, were 16 at the time of Ross' murder.
They are accused of opening fire on rival gang members and are being tried as adults on multiple charges including murder, attempted murder and a gang enhancement. If they are convicted on all counts they face the possibility of life in prison without parole.
The pair were seen by several people in the crowd of thousands milling about the school grounds and next to the campus after the game, authorities said.
Nonetheless, witnesses were hard to find and all of them said they did not want to testify during Vinson and Davis' preliminary hearing last week, in which the defendants were ordered to stand trial.
"Witnesses coming forward are crucial to the successful prosecution of cases and bringing justice to murder victims and their families," Massacani said Friday.
"The Long Beach Police Department takes the crime of witness intimidation very seriously and has been working closely with school officials to prevent and identify any additional incidents of intimidation in this case, as well as to ensure the safety of all the witnesses that have come forward."
Anyone with any information regarding witness intimidation in the case is urged to call Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives Scott Lasch or Malcolm Evans at 562-570-7244.
Long Beach Police arrested the teens, a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl, on school grounds Friday at about 12:30 p.m., said Lisa Massacani, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Each of the girls is charged with threatening more than one witness involved in the case, Massacani said.
Their names were being withheld because they are minors, police said.
Because they are accused of trying to tamper with witnesses in a murder case, both of the girls could face a life sentence in prison, Massacani warned.
"Because the case is being tried as a capital murder case ... anyone found guilty of witness intimidation in connection with the case can face the same maximum penalty as the suspects being tried for the murder itself, which is life in prison," Massacani said.
Witnesses called to testify in the October 30 slaying of Ross were clearly upset, with one girl crying throughout her time on the time on the stand and other teens recanting testimony they gave to police shortly after Ross' murder.
Ross was killed the night of Wilson's Homecoming football game against Poly High School.
She and two other men who survived were hit by gunfire when alleged gunman Tom "Love" Vinson opened fire on a crowd outside of the school's gate at the end of the game.
Vinson -- a former Wilson student -- and his co-defendant, Daivion Davis, who attended Lakewood High School, were 16 at the time of Ross' murder.
They are accused of opening fire on rival gang members and are being tried as adults on multiple charges including murder, attempted murder and a gang enhancement. If they are convicted on all counts they face the possibility of life in prison without parole.
The pair were seen by several people in the crowd of thousands milling about the school grounds and next to the campus after the game, authorities said.
Nonetheless, witnesses were hard to find and all of them said they did not want to testify during Vinson and Davis' preliminary hearing last week, in which the defendants were ordered to stand trial.
"Witnesses coming forward are crucial to the successful prosecution of cases and bringing justice to murder victims and their families," Massacani said Friday.
"The Long Beach Police Department takes the crime of witness intimidation very seriously and has been working closely with school officials to prevent and identify any additional incidents of intimidation in this case, as well as to ensure the safety of all the witnesses that have come forward."
Anyone with any information regarding witness intimidation in the case is urged to call Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives Scott Lasch or Malcolm Evans at 562-570-7244.
[BYNAME]By Tracy Manzer
<MC>Staff Writer
[BODY]LONG BEACH -- A 19-year-old Long Beach man was convicted Thursday of repeatedly raping a 13-year-old girl, and family friend, at gunpoint.
Defendant Everardo Gutierrez Rincon is facing a maximum term of more than 50 years to life in prison when he returns to the Long Beach Superior Court next month.
Gutierrez was convicted on five felony counts related to four incidents in which he raped the 13-year-old victim at either gunpoint or by threatening to smash her in the head with a beer bottle, said Deputy District Attorney Bob Hight.
The defendant is the brother of the victim's mother's boyfriend and the two families often spent time together for holidays and relied on one another for child care and other help, the prosecutor said.
The victim said the sexual assaults began in late August 2008, when her mom had to stay in the hospital while having a baby and the victim was sent with her siblings to stay at the defendant's home -- which he shared with his mother, siblings and grandparents in the 1100 block of Virginia Court, Hight said.
The victim was alone when the defendant raped her, she said.
She recalled him showing her a chrome handgun, which had been tucked in the waistband of his pants, and placing the gun next to her head on the table next to the bed, telling her he would kill her and her mother if she said anything, Hight said.
The victim also recalled Rincon laughing at her as she put her clothes back on and tried to clean up afterward.
The second incident occurred about three weeks later, when the victim thought Rincon was gone and she went to see Rincon's sister, who is her friend. When her friend took a shower, the girl asked the victim to stay because she was afraid to be home alone, Hight said.
The victim stayed and Rincon came home and attacked the victim, once again threatening her with the gun.
Two more rapes followed, including one in which the defendant held a beer bottle above the victim's head and threatened to smash her with it if she fought back or tried to run away.
In all of the attacks, the 13-year-old said, she told the defendant she did not want to have sex with him and cried. She also told authorities she had trouble sleeping and was constantly crying at home.
Though the victim's mother asked what was wrong, she told police and the prosecutor, she was afraid to say anything lest Rincon follow through on his threats to kill her or her mother, Hight said.
The incident came to light after the victim talked about the attacks while in confession at church. At the urging of the priest she told her mom, who called police, Hight said.
Though Rincon was never charged with any other assaults the jury did hear from Rincon's sister, who told Long Beach Police Department detectives Rincon had touched her inappropriately in the past.
"There was also some uncharged testimony from when the defendant was a juvenile and he had rubbed the vagina of his natural sister, who is six years younger than he is," Hight said. "She recanted at trial, but the jury was able to see through that ... they could see that she was trying to protect her brother."
Rincon is facing a life term that requires he serve at least 53 years and six months in prison before he can be considered for parole, Hight added.
Sentencing is for May 18 in Dept. L at the Long Beach courthouse.
[TAG1]tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261.
<MC>Staff Writer
[BODY]LONG BEACH -- A 19-year-old Long Beach man was convicted Thursday of repeatedly raping a 13-year-old girl, and family friend, at gunpoint.
Defendant Everardo Gutierrez Rincon is facing a maximum term of more than 50 years to life in prison when he returns to the Long Beach Superior Court next month.
Gutierrez was convicted on five felony counts related to four incidents in which he raped the 13-year-old victim at either gunpoint or by threatening to smash her in the head with a beer bottle, said Deputy District Attorney Bob Hight.
The defendant is the brother of the victim's mother's boyfriend and the two families often spent time together for holidays and relied on one another for child care and other help, the prosecutor said.
The victim said the sexual assaults began in late August 2008, when her mom had to stay in the hospital while having a baby and the victim was sent with her siblings to stay at the defendant's home -- which he shared with his mother, siblings and grandparents in the 1100 block of Virginia Court, Hight said.
The victim was alone when the defendant raped her, she said.
She recalled him showing her a chrome handgun, which had been tucked in the waistband of his pants, and placing the gun next to her head on the table next to the bed, telling her he would kill her and her mother if she said anything, Hight said.
The victim also recalled Rincon laughing at her as she put her clothes back on and tried to clean up afterward.
The second incident occurred about three weeks later, when the victim thought Rincon was gone and she went to see Rincon's sister, who is her friend. When her friend took a shower, the girl asked the victim to stay because she was afraid to be home alone, Hight said.
The victim stayed and Rincon came home and attacked the victim, once again threatening her with the gun.
Two more rapes followed, including one in which the defendant held a beer bottle above the victim's head and threatened to smash her with it if she fought back or tried to run away.
In all of the attacks, the 13-year-old said, she told the defendant she did not want to have sex with him and cried. She also told authorities she had trouble sleeping and was constantly crying at home.
Though the victim's mother asked what was wrong, she told police and the prosecutor, she was afraid to say anything lest Rincon follow through on his threats to kill her or her mother, Hight said.
The incident came to light after the victim talked about the attacks while in confession at church. At the urging of the priest she told her mom, who called police, Hight said.
Though Rincon was never charged with any other assaults the jury did hear from Rincon's sister, who told Long Beach Police Department detectives Rincon had touched her inappropriately in the past.
"There was also some uncharged testimony from when the defendant was a juvenile and he had rubbed the vagina of his natural sister, who is six years younger than he is," Hight said. "She recanted at trial, but the jury was able to see through that ... they could see that she was trying to protect her brother."
Rincon is facing a life term that requires he serve at least 53 years and six months in prison before he can be considered for parole, Hight added.
Sentencing is for May 18 in Dept. L at the Long Beach courthouse.
[TAG1]tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261.
We've all been there.
You're in a hurry and you find yourself stuck behind a driver who has decided the roadway is his or her personal space.
While some may fantasize about letting the rude driver have it, it's usually a situation that resolves peacefully.
That, however, was not the case Tuesday night for a 19-year-old Long Beach man who found himself on the wrong side of that very situation.
The incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. in the 2800 block of East Sawyer Street in North Long Beach, said Officer Israel Ramirez, a Long Beach Police Department spokesman.
The victims told police their vehicle was blocking the street when the suspect pulled up behind them in a gold four-door door truck and told them to move out of the way.
"Words were exchanged and then the suspect got out of the truck ... produced a knife and stabbed the victim in the lower torso," Ramirez said.
The 19-year-old Long Beach resident was rushed to a local hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition Wednesday, Ramirez said.
"We don't have much information about the suspect," Ramirez said. "The victims were not really cooperative with the officers."
The suspect, he said, was described only as an adult male Hispanic and was last seen fleeing eastbound on Sawyer in the gold truck.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Violent Crimes Detail, at 562-570-7250.
You're in a hurry and you find yourself stuck behind a driver who has decided the roadway is his or her personal space.
While some may fantasize about letting the rude driver have it, it's usually a situation that resolves peacefully.
That, however, was not the case Tuesday night for a 19-year-old Long Beach man who found himself on the wrong side of that very situation.
The incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. in the 2800 block of East Sawyer Street in North Long Beach, said Officer Israel Ramirez, a Long Beach Police Department spokesman.
The victims told police their vehicle was blocking the street when the suspect pulled up behind them in a gold four-door door truck and told them to move out of the way.
"Words were exchanged and then the suspect got out of the truck ... produced a knife and stabbed the victim in the lower torso," Ramirez said.
The 19-year-old Long Beach resident was rushed to a local hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition Wednesday, Ramirez said.
"We don't have much information about the suspect," Ramirez said. "The victims were not really cooperative with the officers."
The suspect, he said, was described only as an adult male Hispanic and was last seen fleeing eastbound on Sawyer in the gold truck.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Violent Crimes Detail, at 562-570-7250.
A 24-year-old Wilmington man shot in a drive-by attack early Saturday is expected to survive, police said Monday.
The victim was walking in the 300 block of West 14th Street at about 2 a.m. when a car drove by the victim and a suspect inside the car opened fire, striking the victim in the upper torso, according to police.
The victim was taken to a local hospital by friends, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Neither the victim not any other witnesses were able to give a suspect description or a description of the car used in the attack, Pratt said.
The motive for the shooting also remains under investigation, Pratt said.
Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has information about the incident is asked to call the Violent Crimes Detail at 562-570-7250.
The victim was walking in the 300 block of West 14th Street at about 2 a.m. when a car drove by the victim and a suspect inside the car opened fire, striking the victim in the upper torso, according to police.
The victim was taken to a local hospital by friends, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Neither the victim not any other witnesses were able to give a suspect description or a description of the car used in the attack, Pratt said.
The motive for the shooting also remains under investigation, Pratt said.
Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has information about the incident is asked to call the Violent Crimes Detail at 562-570-7250.
Last week's release of an artist's rendering of a getaway vehicle used in a gang shooting prompted witnesses to provide police with a detailed suspect description and partial license plate number, police said Monday.
The Long Beach Police Department released a sketch of an older model SUV on Thursday in the hope that it would help them solve two gang shootings linked via ballistic evidence.
The first, which occurred in the late afternoon of Jan. 17, resulted in two men and a woman getting shot at a barbecue in the courtyard of an apartment building in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue.
The shooter, described as a chubby Hispanic in his 30s, appeared to target a 26-year-old male Hispanic at the barbecue.
The 26-year-old victim was one of the three people hit, the other two victims are a 57-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man who was shielding his 4-year-old son from the onslaught of gunfire.
All of the victims are expected to survive, police said.
The shooting was carried out in a brazen fashion at 4:30 p.m. with numerous people in the area, police said last week.
The gunman was described as about 5 feet, 6 inches, to 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with a medium build and moustache.
He was wearing dark clothing and a dark hat and was seen getting out of a white SUV prior to the shooting, police said.
Several witnesses reported seeing the SUV circling the area prior to the shooting. The SUV parked facing west on 23rd Street, east of Pine Avenue, when the suspect got out of the SUV and walked towards the family barbecue.
After the shooting, witnesses said, the suspect ran to the SUV and got in the passenger side before the SUV sped off.
The vehicle is described as a "full-size older model square-shaped SUV."
No other distinguishing features were described, police said.
The incident has been linked to another shooting, which occurred on Feb. 11, in the area of 11th Street and Myrtle Avenue, police said.
In the February shooting, a group of male blacks were seen chasing a group of male Hispanics on foot when a bluish-gray, older model square SUV with primer spots pulled alongside the group of Hispanics and the driver was seen handing a gun out the window to one of the male Hispanics, police said.
That person then turned and shot at the group of black males.
No one was hit by gunfire and the group of black males left the area prior to officers arriving on scene, police said.
Ballistic evidence recovered at the two scenes linked the shootings, police said.
With last week's release of a sketch of the suspects' SUV, investigators received more tips from witnesses, including a partial license plate number of "6K," said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Witness descriptions of the suspect also helped police put together a composite sketch of the shooter, Pratt said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the person or people responsible for the shootings, police said.
Anyone with information about the shootings is urged to call LBPD Gang Enforcement Detective Bobby Anguiano at <MC>562-570-7370<MC>.
The Long Beach Police Department released a sketch of an older model SUV on Thursday in the hope that it would help them solve two gang shootings linked via ballistic evidence.
The first, which occurred in the late afternoon of Jan. 17, resulted in two men and a woman getting shot at a barbecue in the courtyard of an apartment building in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue.
The shooter, described as a chubby Hispanic in his 30s, appeared to target a 26-year-old male Hispanic at the barbecue.
The 26-year-old victim was one of the three people hit, the other two victims are a 57-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man who was shielding his 4-year-old son from the onslaught of gunfire.
All of the victims are expected to survive, police said.
The shooting was carried out in a brazen fashion at 4:30 p.m. with numerous people in the area, police said last week.
The gunman was described as about 5 feet, 6 inches, to 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with a medium build and moustache.
He was wearing dark clothing and a dark hat and was seen getting out of a white SUV prior to the shooting, police said.
Several witnesses reported seeing the SUV circling the area prior to the shooting. The SUV parked facing west on 23rd Street, east of Pine Avenue, when the suspect got out of the SUV and walked towards the family barbecue.
After the shooting, witnesses said, the suspect ran to the SUV and got in the passenger side before the SUV sped off.
The vehicle is described as a "full-size older model square-shaped SUV."
No other distinguishing features were described, police said.
The incident has been linked to another shooting, which occurred on Feb. 11, in the area of 11th Street and Myrtle Avenue, police said.
In the February shooting, a group of male blacks were seen chasing a group of male Hispanics on foot when a bluish-gray, older model square SUV with primer spots pulled alongside the group of Hispanics and the driver was seen handing a gun out the window to one of the male Hispanics, police said.
That person then turned and shot at the group of black males.
No one was hit by gunfire and the group of black males left the area prior to officers arriving on scene, police said.
Ballistic evidence recovered at the two scenes linked the shootings, police said.
With last week's release of a sketch of the suspects' SUV, investigators received more tips from witnesses, including a partial license plate number of "6K," said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Witness descriptions of the suspect also helped police put together a composite sketch of the shooter, Pratt said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the person or people responsible for the shootings, police said.
Anyone with information about the shootings is urged to call LBPD Gang Enforcement Detective Bobby Anguiano at <MC>562-570-7370<MC>.
Police are looking into whether a 32-year-old Long Beach transient arrested Sunday for an armed robbery at a grocery store may be responsible for robbing a drug store earlier that same day, authorities said Monday.
The suspect, whose name was not available Monday, was arrested not long after an armed robbery was reported at a grocery store in the 1800 block of Lakewood Boulevard shortly before 8 p.m., said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
When the suspect was seen taking items from the store an employee intervened only to have the suspect pull out a knife and threaten him before fleeing, Pratt said.
Officers working in the area spotted a man who matched the suspect's description near Pacific Coast Highway and Termino Avenue, Pratt said.
When they stopped the man they saw he was armed with a knife, she said.
"The suspect ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon," Pratt said.
The man was disarmed and taken into custody after he was shot with a less-lethal bean bag round, Pratt said.
In addition to the knife, police also found items stolen from the grocery store, police said.
And investigators are looking into the possibility that the 32-year-old suspect carried out an armed robbery at a drug store in the 1800 block of Ximeno Avenue at about 1:40 p.m. that same day, Pratt said.
Pratt said not only was the proximity of the two crimes very close but the same suspect description was given by witnesses and the same methods were used in both incidents.
Anyone with information on either robbery is asked to call the LBPD's Robbery Division at 562-570-7464.
The suspect, whose name was not available Monday, was arrested not long after an armed robbery was reported at a grocery store in the 1800 block of Lakewood Boulevard shortly before 8 p.m., said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
When the suspect was seen taking items from the store an employee intervened only to have the suspect pull out a knife and threaten him before fleeing, Pratt said.
Officers working in the area spotted a man who matched the suspect's description near Pacific Coast Highway and Termino Avenue, Pratt said.
When they stopped the man they saw he was armed with a knife, she said.
"The suspect ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon," Pratt said.
The man was disarmed and taken into custody after he was shot with a less-lethal bean bag round, Pratt said.
In addition to the knife, police also found items stolen from the grocery store, police said.
And investigators are looking into the possibility that the 32-year-old suspect carried out an armed robbery at a drug store in the 1800 block of Ximeno Avenue at about 1:40 p.m. that same day, Pratt said.
Pratt said not only was the proximity of the two crimes very close but the same suspect description was given by witnesses and the same methods were used in both incidents.
Anyone with information on either robbery is asked to call the LBPD's Robbery Division at 562-570-7464.
A quick-thinking resident who called police after noticing a pair of suspicious men in his neighborhood in the early hours of the morning helped police capture two burglars, authorities said Monday.
The incident began at about 2 a.m. Saturday when a resident in the 2700 block of Daisy Avenue, near Spring Street, was awakened by his barking dog and spied a pair of teens with hoods drawn over their heads lurking in the neighborhood, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Patrol officers sent to area found two 19-year-olds matching the suspects' descriptions and detained the pair, Zapalski said.
Police also found a number of stolen items, including jewelry, iPods, sunglasses and other items typically found in cars, she said.
The officers were able to track some of the items back to the victims and return their property, Zapalski said.
Investigators believe the two could be linked to other break-ins in the area, the sergeant said.
Zapalski credited the conscientious resident for not only paying attention to what was going on in his neighborhood but for also alerting police.
"If (suspects) see a police car patrolling they'll just run, so that's why we need citizens to keep an eye out too," she said.
The sergeant noted that the investigation found most of the victims had their property stolen from vehicles left unlocked. The neighborhood has been hit hard recently by car break-ins and vehicle thefts, prompting police to remind residents they must take precautions to avoid becoming victims of such crimes.
"These were two young kids who need money... they're looking for these opportunities," Zapalski said. "Citizens need to remember to lock their vehicles at all times and not to leave their valuables in plain view."
Arrested were Joshua Harris and Lorenzo Clark, both 19 and both of Long Beach.
Harris was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime and tampering with a vehicle and was being held on more than $20,000 bail Monday.
Clark was arrested on the same counts as well as counts of receiving stolen property, probation violation and for two outstanding warrants, Zapalski said.
"Clark was on probation for burglary at the time of his arrest," she said.
Clark's bail was also listed at more than $20,500.
Both he and Harris are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon at the Long Beach Superior Court.
The incident began at about 2 a.m. Saturday when a resident in the 2700 block of Daisy Avenue, near Spring Street, was awakened by his barking dog and spied a pair of teens with hoods drawn over their heads lurking in the neighborhood, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Patrol officers sent to area found two 19-year-olds matching the suspects' descriptions and detained the pair, Zapalski said.
Police also found a number of stolen items, including jewelry, iPods, sunglasses and other items typically found in cars, she said.
The officers were able to track some of the items back to the victims and return their property, Zapalski said.
Investigators believe the two could be linked to other break-ins in the area, the sergeant said.
Zapalski credited the conscientious resident for not only paying attention to what was going on in his neighborhood but for also alerting police.
"If (suspects) see a police car patrolling they'll just run, so that's why we need citizens to keep an eye out too," she said.
The sergeant noted that the investigation found most of the victims had their property stolen from vehicles left unlocked. The neighborhood has been hit hard recently by car break-ins and vehicle thefts, prompting police to remind residents they must take precautions to avoid becoming victims of such crimes.
"These were two young kids who need money... they're looking for these opportunities," Zapalski said. "Citizens need to remember to lock their vehicles at all times and not to leave their valuables in plain view."
Arrested were Joshua Harris and Lorenzo Clark, both 19 and both of Long Beach.
Harris was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime and tampering with a vehicle and was being held on more than $20,000 bail Monday.
Clark was arrested on the same counts as well as counts of receiving stolen property, probation violation and for two outstanding warrants, Zapalski said.
"Clark was on probation for burglary at the time of his arrest," she said.
Clark's bail was also listed at more than $20,500.
Both he and Harris are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon at the Long Beach Superior Court.
The pursuit of a pair of armed robbery suspects who held up a 21-year-old man working in downtown Long Beach early Sunday ended with a crash on a local freeway, police said Monday.
Police were flagged down by the victim at about 12:30 a.m. during their regular patrol near the corner of Pine Avenue and Third Street, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The victim told police he worked on Pine and he was walking in an alley just off the main downtown street when a man armed with a handgun forced him to give up his personal belongings, the sergeant said.
The gunman then jumped into a waiting gray Ford Mustang with stripes down the side and fled with another suspect, the victim said.
Officers broadcast the information and the suspects were quickly spotted at Anaheim Road and the Long Beach (710) Freeway, Zapalski said.
The patrol officers tried to stop the Mustang, but the driver took off with police in pursuit, Zapalski said.
The pursuit ended a short time later when the suspect vehicle collided with a SUV at the Harbor (110) and Artesia (91) freeways, Zapalski said.
Firefighters called out to the scene transported the victims in the SUV to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the sergeant said.
The two suspects, who were found to have the stolen items in their car, were also taken to a local hospital and checked out before being booked at the Long Beach City Jail.
None of the officers were hurt, she said.
The driver, identified as Ulises Gienchi, 23, of Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of two felonies, armed robbery and evading police causing bodily harm, as well as a misdemeanor for driving without a license.
The alleged gunman, identified as Francisco Barrientos, 27, also of Los Angeles was booked on a charge of armed robbery, Zapalski said.
Gienchi was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail Monday while Barrientos was being held on $60,000 bail. Both are expected to be arraigned at the Long Beach Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.
Police were flagged down by the victim at about 12:30 a.m. during their regular patrol near the corner of Pine Avenue and Third Street, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The victim told police he worked on Pine and he was walking in an alley just off the main downtown street when a man armed with a handgun forced him to give up his personal belongings, the sergeant said.
The gunman then jumped into a waiting gray Ford Mustang with stripes down the side and fled with another suspect, the victim said.
Officers broadcast the information and the suspects were quickly spotted at Anaheim Road and the Long Beach (710) Freeway, Zapalski said.
The patrol officers tried to stop the Mustang, but the driver took off with police in pursuit, Zapalski said.
The pursuit ended a short time later when the suspect vehicle collided with a SUV at the Harbor (110) and Artesia (91) freeways, Zapalski said.
Firefighters called out to the scene transported the victims in the SUV to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the sergeant said.
The two suspects, who were found to have the stolen items in their car, were also taken to a local hospital and checked out before being booked at the Long Beach City Jail.
None of the officers were hurt, she said.
The driver, identified as Ulises Gienchi, 23, of Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of two felonies, armed robbery and evading police causing bodily harm, as well as a misdemeanor for driving without a license.
The alleged gunman, identified as Francisco Barrientos, 27, also of Los Angeles was booked on a charge of armed robbery, Zapalski said.
Gienchi was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail Monday while Barrientos was being held on $60,000 bail. Both are expected to be arraigned at the Long Beach Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.
A 17-year-old Long Beach youth was seriously injured Sunday night when he was shot multiple times during what may have been a gang attack, police said Monday.
The victim was hanging out with several other people in the 5300 block of Orange Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. when two men walked up and opened fire, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The 17-year-old victim was struck numerous times in the torso and upper body and rushed to a local hospital where his condition was listed only as stable, Zapalski said.
The suspects were described only as male blacks, the sergeant said.
The motive for the attack was still under investigation, although gang investigators were assigned to the case, she said.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Gang Enforcement Detail at 562-570-7370.
The victim was hanging out with several other people in the 5300 block of Orange Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. when two men walked up and opened fire, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The 17-year-old victim was struck numerous times in the torso and upper body and rushed to a local hospital where his condition was listed only as stable, Zapalski said.
The suspects were described only as male blacks, the sergeant said.
The motive for the attack was still under investigation, although gang investigators were assigned to the case, she said.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Gang Enforcement Detail at 562-570-7370.
Police are looking for a witness who could make or break the case in the slaying of a 23-year-old father-to-be.
The victim, Esual Villagrana, had had a troubled past but was working to change all that when he found out he had a child on the way, police said..
The former Los Angeles gang member moved to Long Beach and left the gang life style. He was working hard to reform his life and looking forward to a future raising his family free of violence and crime, police said Friday.
But Villagrana never got to see his child born or live a normal life after he was gunned down the night of Oct. 26, 2009, police said.
Villagrana and his pregnant wife were driving in the area 20th Street and Cedar Avenue, where they planned to meet a relative for dinner. As soon as the 23-year-old victim stepped out of the car a gunman, described as a Hispanic male, shot him.
The suspect also fired into the car, nearly striking Villagrana's wife who did not see the attacker and could not give investigators any information on the shooting. She has since given birth and is "doing the best that can be expected," Cox said.
"Based on information received just after the crime occurred, detectives believe this crime is gang-related," Cox said. "Victim Villagrana was from a Los Angeles based gang and according to family members, had distanced himself from gang activities since relocating to Long Beach."
In response to media coverage in the days following Villagrana's killing an anonymous caller ended up giving detectives valuable information, the lieutenant said.
"The caller demonstrated knowledge of the murder and provided detectives with specific information to validate the caller witnessed the crime," he said.
The witness also said they could identify the suspect or suspects, Cox said.
That information was the key to the case investigators had been looking for, but it has since been lost with the disappearance of the witness, police said.
Detectives have not heard from the witness though it is critical they do so because they need additional information to identify those involved, Cox said.
Cox said investigators are hoping that media coverage of the senseless killing will again bring the witness forward and help police bring the killer or killers to justice.
Detectives are asking the original caller or anyone else with information about the slaying to call the Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detail at 562-570-7244.
The victim, Esual Villagrana, had had a troubled past but was working to change all that when he found out he had a child on the way, police said..
The former Los Angeles gang member moved to Long Beach and left the gang life style. He was working hard to reform his life and looking forward to a future raising his family free of violence and crime, police said Friday.
But Villagrana never got to see his child born or live a normal life after he was gunned down the night of Oct. 26, 2009, police said.
Villagrana and his pregnant wife were driving in the area 20th Street and Cedar Avenue, where they planned to meet a relative for dinner. As soon as the 23-year-old victim stepped out of the car a gunman, described as a Hispanic male, shot him.
The suspect also fired into the car, nearly striking Villagrana's wife who did not see the attacker and could not give investigators any information on the shooting. She has since given birth and is "doing the best that can be expected," Cox said.
"Based on information received just after the crime occurred, detectives believe this crime is gang-related," Cox said. "Victim Villagrana was from a Los Angeles based gang and according to family members, had distanced himself from gang activities since relocating to Long Beach."
In response to media coverage in the days following Villagrana's killing an anonymous caller ended up giving detectives valuable information, the lieutenant said.
"The caller demonstrated knowledge of the murder and provided detectives with specific information to validate the caller witnessed the crime," he said.
The witness also said they could identify the suspect or suspects, Cox said.
That information was the key to the case investigators had been looking for, but it has since been lost with the disappearance of the witness, police said.
Detectives have not heard from the witness though it is critical they do so because they need additional information to identify those involved, Cox said.
Cox said investigators are hoping that media coverage of the senseless killing will again bring the witness forward and help police bring the killer or killers to justice.
Detectives are asking the original caller or anyone else with information about the slaying to call the Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detail at 562-570-7244.
