211: February 2012 Archives

COVINA -- Police are seeking a gunman who robbed a young woman in front of her 7-year-old son inside a garage earlier this week.

The crime took place about 6:30 a.m. Thursday in a garage at an apartment complex in the 1100 block of West Badillo Street, Covina police Sgt. Matt Eddings said.

A 28-year-old woman had just gotten into her car with her young son when a man with a gun in his hand walked in the open garage door and approached her, the sergeant said.

The robber told the woman, "I don't want to hurt you, all I want is your purse," Eddings said. The woman complied, handing over her designer Michael Kors handbag.

"As the suspect was leaving, he said he was going to lock her in her garage and don't move," Eddings said. He then exited the garage and closed the door.

The terrified woman was still waiting inside the garage when Officers arrived, Eddings said. Neither she nor her son was injured.

Police described the robber as a black man in his late 20s, about 5-feet 10-inches tall and unshaven. He had a raspy voice and wore a hooded flannel shirt, dark pants and a dark beanie.

Anyone with information is asked to call Covina police at 626-384-5808.

SAN GABRIEL -- A man who planned on buying some cell phones from another man earlier this week got more than he bargained for when the seller pulled a gun, authorities said.

A man who owns a cell phone repair business was solicited via his phone earlier this week by man who offered to sell him four BlackBerry cell phones for $1,200, San Gabriel police Lt. Antonio Hernandez said. The victim did not previously know the seller, or how the seller obtained his phone number.

The men met up about 8:20 p.m. Thursday in a parking lot in the 200 block of West Valley Boulevard to perform the transaction, the lieutenant said.

After selling the victim the cell phones, the robber pulled a silver handgun and robbed the buyer of his laptop computer, wallet and about $4,000 in cash, police said. The BlackBerry cell phones were not taken back from the victim.

As the sale turned into a robbery, a second man joined the first robber, Hernandez said, and both men were last seen fleeing the area in a newer-model, silver, 4-door Chevrolet sedan.

The gunman was described as black man in his mid-20s, about 5-feet 5-inches tall, 155 pounds, with dark hair and dark eyes. The second robber was described only as a black man in his mid-20s with curly hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call San Gabriel police at 626-308-2828.

WEST WHITTIER -- Deputies served a warrant early Thursday and arrested a man suspected of three armed robberies along Whittier Boulevard earlier this month, authorities said.

David Jimenez, 38, of West Whittier was booked on suspicion of robbery following the 7:15 a.m. raid on his home in the 6000 block of McNees Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Robert Smith said.

He was wanted in connection with three robberies that took place between Feb. 4 and Feb. 12 along Whittier Boulevard, just west of the 605 Freeway, in unincorporated West Whittier, the lieutenant said.

The robberies targeted the same donut shop twice, as well as a nearby gas station, Smith said.

Cash and merchandise were taken in the heists, he added.

"Detectives developed information that led them to believe the suspect was a resident of an adjacent neighborhood," Smith said.

Jimenez was arrested without a struggle when deputies arrived at his home early Thursday, he added.

According to county booking records, Jimenez was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail pending arraignment Monday in Whittier Superior Court.

EAST VALINDA - A robber fired several times into the air to force a driver to hand over his car keys Wednesday night.

Sheriff's Lt. Raymond Enriquez said the driver wasn't injured during the carjacking in the 400 block of Vidalia Avenue.

It was around 6 p.m when a man walked up to the driver and demanded the keys to his dark gray Toyota Camry, according to Enriquez.

When the driver refused, he said the suspect then shot into the air. The robber drove off with the Camry which has the license plate number 5TPN136.

The suspect was described as between 20 to 25, 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 150 to 160 pounds.

- Ruby Gonzales

LA MIRADA -- Sheriff's detectives asked the public's help Wednesday in tracking down a man who carried out an armed robbery at a pharmacy earlier this week.

The crime was reported Monday at CVS Pharmacy, 13525 Beach Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.

The robber entered the store and placed some beer on the counter, according to the statement. He then allowed another customer to check out before him.

"The suspect paid for his items and then removed a small-caliber black handgun from his back pocket and pointed it at the (clerk)," the statement said. "He demanded that she open the register and then he removed the cash and fled on foot. No vehicle was seen."

Deputies described the robber as a black man between 40 and 45 years old, about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds with dark-colored eyes. He wore a gray long-sleeved shirt, gray cotton pants and a red baseball cap with a "Nike" logo on it.

Stolen in the robbery was about $200 in cash, a 12-pack of Miller Lite beer and some beef jerky, officials added.

Anyone who recognized the robber is asked to call Detective Sierra at 562-902-2979, or the sheriff's Norwalk Station at 562-863-8711. Tips may also be submitted anonymously by calling L.A. Crimestoppers at 800-222-8477.

PHOTO courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

WEST COVINA -- West Covina police are looking for the man whose foot will fit the size 13 Nike rubber shoe left behind after a Tuesday night robbery.

A female police officer found the shoe that fell off the crooked Cinderfella's foot as he fled with a bag containing an undisclosed amount.

The robber stole the bag from a woman at Westfield West Covina, 112 Plaza Drive just after 10 p.m., according to Lt. Marty Sevilla.

He said the woman went to a bank drop box on the first floor to deposit the day's receipts from a kiosk at the mall.

The robber approached from behind and grabbed the woman's wrist. Sevilla said the victim was knocked to the floor, the suspect took the bag and ran to a waiting light blue or gray minivan.

But the culprit left a clue.

"Apparently he lost one of his shoes," Sevilla said, adding that the shoe was discovered in the parking lot after a review of the surveillance video.

The victim wasn't taken to a hospital.

The robber was described as a black man in his late 20s to early 30s with a thin build and standing 5 feet 9 inches tall. He wore a gray hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored pants.

There was no description for the getaway driver.

- Ruby Gonzales

MONTEBELLO -- A petty theft of some beer turned into a robbery Tuesday when the suspect wrestled a phone away from a convenience store clerk as she dialed 9-1-1, police said.

Jesus Naranjo, 25, of Montebello was arrested following the 3:25 p.m. incident at 7-Eleven, 1106 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello police Lt. Andy Vuncanon said.

He and another man entered the store and both grabbed a three-pack of 24-ounce of beer, the lieutenant said.

One of the men paid for his beer, while the other concealed his and walked out of the store without paying, Vuncanon said.

The store clerk, with a cordless phone in hand, confronted the suspect outside the store and demanded he return the beer, police said. The man refused and began walking toward a nearby car.

"The cashier began to call 9-1-1 and the subject walked back toward the cashier and returned the beer," Vuncanon said. "He asked the cashier not to call the police.

"The cashier ignored his request and continued to dial 9-1-1, and that's when the suspect grabbed the cashier's arm, twisted it and took the phone," he said.

He then got into a car with the second man, which sped away.

Police obtained a description of the men and their car and pulled it over nearby, the lieutenant said.

The men were identified as the same men from the store, and  Naranjo was arrested, he said.

The second man, who paid for his beer, was detained for questioning but ultimately released without charge.

Naranjo was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Montebello Police Department's jail pending arraignment Thursday in East Los Angeles Superior Court.

PASADENA -- A man snatched a purse from a woman in Old asadena early Sunday, but was captured hiding in some bushes nearby, police said.

Keith Patterson, a 36-year-old transient, was arrested on suspicion of robbery, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.

A woman in her early 20s was walking at Union Street and De Lacey Avenue about 1:30 a.m., returning to her car from Old Pasadena, when a man ran up from behind her and grabbed her purse from her shoulder, Torres said.

The man ran off after snatching the handbag and the woman was not injured, the lieutenant said.

Police spotted Patterson hiding in some bushes in the 100 block of West Walnut Street and jailed him in connection with the crime, Torres said. The woman's purse was recovered.

MONROVIA -- Two suspects in a Colorado Boulevard robbery were behind bars Saturday as police continued seeking a third.

Anthony Villa, 19, and Roger Macedonio, 20, both of Monrovia, were booked on suspicion of robbery shortly after Thursday's 11 p.m. heist on Colorado Boulevard at Violet Avenue, Monrovia police Sgt. Patty Newton said.

A young man was walking when he was approached by three other young men who demanded money and assaulted him, the sergeant said.

The robbers obtained some cash, and the victim suffered minor injuries, she said. It was not clear if a weapon was involved in the robbery.

Police searched the area and found Villa and Macedonio, who were ultimately arrested in connection with the robbery, Newton said. The third suspect has been identified but remained at-large Saturday.

Villa and Macedonio were being held in lieu of $50,000 bail each pending arraignment Tuesday in Pasadena Superior Court, according to county booking records.

PICO RIVERA -- Three men robbed another man at gunpoint and slashed his hand with a knife Thursday before fleeing the scene in a car with a "Baby on Board" sticker on the back, authorities said.

The crime took place just after 1:20 p.m. at Coolhurst Drive and Pico Vista Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Ernest Bille said.

A man in his 20s was walking when he was approached by three robbers in a white, 4-door, 90s-model Honda Accord with a "Baby on Board" sticker adorning the rear, the sergeant said.

At least two of the robbers exited the car and demanded cash from the victim, who turned over about $15, the sergeant said. A struggle took place during the robbery, during which the victim suffered a minor slash to his hand.

In addition to a knife, the robbers also brandished a handgun during the crime, Bille said.

The robbers were initially described only as a white man, a Latino man and a black man, he added.

The suspects' car was last seen heading south on Pico Vista Road toward Washington Boulevard.

TEMPLE CITY -- A masked gunman robbed a donut shop along Rosemead Boulevard early Wednesday, authorities said.

The robber wore a ski mask as he entered Rose Donut, at Rosemead Boulevard and Longden Avenue, about 8 a.m., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Edward Godfrey said.

Using a handgun, he robbed the business and was last seen fleeing the area on foot, the lieutenant said.

Officials described the robber as a Latino or white man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 180 pounds, wearing a black ski mask, a black hooded sweat shirt and dark-colored jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Temple Station at 626-448-9861.

PASADENA -- A man is behind bars on suspicion of kidnapping and robbing another man late Thursday, polcie said.

Rasheed Mack, 24, of Las Vegas was booked on suspicion of robbery, with a charge of kidnapping expected to be added, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.

A man in his 30s was waiting at a bus stop at 160 N. Lake Ave. when another man demanded money, Torres said. No weapon was seen.

The victim handed over a small amount of cash, and the suspect forced him to walk to an ATM machine at a nearby grocery store and withdraw more money, the lieutenant said.

While at the store, the victim alerted security guards that he was being robbed, police said.

Store security called the police, who found and arrested Mack as he was walking in the area, Torres said.

According to county booking records, Mack was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending his initial court appearance.

PASADENA -- Two unrelated robberies kept police busy Friday afternoon, officials said.

The first crime was reported about 12:45 p.m. at Marengo Avenue and Grandview Street, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.

A 70-year-old man was walking when he was approached by two other men, one of whom was armed with a large folding knife, Torres said.

The robbers demanded cash, and the victim turned over nearly $1,000, he said. 

One of the robbers was described as a Latino man in his 50s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, of thin build, with short salt-and-pepper hair. He wore a light blue shirt and light blue pants.

The second robber was a Latino man in his mid-40s, about 5 feet 3 inches tall, 190 pounds, clean-cut, with short gray hair, police said. He wore a light blue business suit.

The robbers were last seen running north from the area.

A second robbery was reported about 2:30 p.m. at a gas station on Hill Avenue at Walnut Street, Torres said.

An employee was preparing to make a bank deposit when a robber armed with a stun gun confronted him and demanded the money, police said.

The victim, who is in his 60s, and the robber struggled briefly before the robber manage to get the money and run, Torres said. the employee was not hurt.

Police described the robber as a black man in his mid-30s, of dark complexion, with short black hair, wearing blue jeans and a black jacket.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- Bank robberies in Los Angeles County and across the state have hit a 10-year low, according to the FBI.

Annual bank robbery statistics released by the FBI Wednesday indicate that officials investigated 122 bank robberies in the county in 2011, compared with 168 in 2010.

With the exception of a moderate uptick in bank heists in 2008 and 2009, bank robberies in Los Angeles county have been steadily waning since 2002, when 401 such crimes were reported.

A similar trend was seen statewide, where 677 bank robberies took place in 2011, down from 779 in 2010 and 1,405 in 2002, according to the FBI report.

"The decrease in overall robberies is attributable in part to closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies, successful prosecution by the United States Attorney's Office and its counterparts at the district attorney's offices, as well as a more proactive approach by the banking community in the implementation of additional security measures," FBI officials said in a written statement.

"In addition, media coverage of increasingly clear bank surveillance photographs, and rewards offered by banks and law enforcement (have) contributed to the community's awareness and has generated valuable assistance from the public in the identification of unknown subjects," the statement said.

According to the data, California saw about twice the number of bank robberies as any other state. New York comes in second with 339 bank robberies reported in 2011.

Bank heists have been on a steady decline since the early 1990s, officials added.

The FBI's Los Angeles Field Officer serves seven Southern California Counties including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

Though yearly numbers show bank robberies declining, "In January 2012, the pace of bank robberies has increased and so far this year, 40 bank robberies have been reported in the seven-county area, primarily in Los Angeles and Orange counties, followed by Riverside County.

About 12 percent of the heists reported to the Los Angeles Field Office of the FBI were "takeovers" -- in which employees or customers are held hostage during the crime.

Along with the updated statistics, the FBI Wednesday issued a list of the region's top ten wanted serial bank robbers.

They include the "Explosive Threat Bandit," tied to six L.A. County bank robberies since November -- the first of which took place at a West Covina Bank of America Branch; as well as the "Lift and Show Bandit," linked to three bank robberies in La Puente, West Covina and Pico Rivera since December.

Seven suspected serial bank robbers who have been operating in the Los Angeles area have been arrested this month, including the prolific "Market Duo," "Bubble Wrap" and "Puffy Coat" bandits.

Anyone with information about a bank robber at-large is asked to call the FBI's 24-hour tip line in Los Angeles at 310-477-6565.

PHOTOS of the "Explosive Threat Bandit" (top) and the "Lift and Show Bandit," (below) courtesy of the FBI.

WEST COVINA -- Two robbers posing as solicitors forced their way into the home of a 90-year-old man last week and stole items including jewelry that belonged to the man's deceased wife, authorities said.

The crime took place Thursday at a home in the 400 block of South Mesita Place, however the victim did not report it until Tuesday after family members convinced him to do so, West Covina police officials said.

The elderly victim answered a knock at his door about 1:10 p.m., Lt. Marty Sevilla said. He encountered two men -- one of about 60 years old and one of about 30 years old -- who had a clipboard with them and believed them to be solicitors.

"The men forced their way in by pushing the elderly man onto a chair," Sevilla said.  "The older male remained with the victim while the other man ransacked the home, taking jewelry belonging the victim's deceased wife and cash."

The robbers were inside the man's home for about five minutes before running off, the lieutenant said. The homeowner was not hurt.

Police described the older suspect as white, about 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 2 inches tall and heavyset. The younger robber was white, five feet 6 inches to five feet 8 inches tall and of thin build.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Covina police at 626-939-8557, or tips can be left anonymously on the department's 24-hour tip line at 626-939-8688.