Gunman robs Baldwin Park market


BALDWIN PARK >> A man with a pistol robbed a Baldwin Park market on Wednesday evening, authorities said.
The heist took place about 7 p.m. at Frank’s Market, 5026 Main Ave., Baldwin Park police Sgt. Jorge Huerta said.
A robber entered the store, brandished a semi-automatic handgun and demanded cash, the sergeant said. The clerk complied and was not injured.
The gunman fled with an undetermined amount of money, Huerta said. He was described a white man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, 165 pounds, with tattoos on the back of his neck. He wore a black shirt and blue pants.
Police said the robber was last seen running north along Main Ave., toward Arrow Highway.
Anyone with information can reach Baldwin Park police at 626-960-1955. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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Video: Couple sentenced for La Mirada Red Bull robbery with children in tow


A man and woman who robbed a La Mirada convenience store of $700 worth of Red Bull energy along with their two young children in a brazen crime caught on camera have admitted to robbery and child abuse charges, authorities said.
Elizabeth Kathy Larez, 27, of La Puente and Bryan Gary Corona, 27, of Whittier, were immediately sentenced to jail and prison, respectively, during their court appearances on Friday, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani.
Larez pleaded “no contest” to two counts of robbery and one count of child abuse, while Corona pleaded “no contest” to two counts of robbery and one count of child abuse, Ardalani said in an email.
Lares was sentenced to 365 days in county jail and three years of formal probation, she said. A three-year state prison sentence was suspended, but could be reimposed if Larez violates her probation. She was also ordered to attend 52 weeks of parenting classes and barred from possessing any dangerous weapons.
Corona received a sentence of three years in state prison, Ardlani said.
The charges stem from a June 10 robbery at an ampm minimart at 13550 Beach Blvd., just south of Imperial Highway. The heist was captured on video by store surveillance cameras.
•Video: Surveillance camera footage of La Mirada Red Bull robbery
Larez and Corona entered the store about 11:30 p.m., accompanied by their two sons, ages 9 and 10, as depicted in the video.
The man and woman first distract their clerk while the two boys leave the store carrying cases of Red Bull, the video shows. When the clerk tried to stop the theft, Larez and Corona pelted him with cans of the beverage before also grabbing cases of Red Bull and running out the door.
Investigators released the video in hopes of generating clues, and anonymous tipsters soon helped police identify Larez and Corona as the robbers, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Detective David Sotomayor said at the time.
Deputies and Buena Park police found and arrested the suspects July 14 at the Portola Inn and Suites, 7921 Orangethorpe Ave. in Buena Park, officials said. The children were placed in the custody of family members.
Sotomayor said Corona admitted he had sold the drinks.

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Man tries to rob one woman inside Arcadia home, carjacks another

Police are seeking a portly predator who attempted rob a woman inside her Arcadia home early Friday , then carjacked another woman nearby, authorities said.
The crimes unfolded about 8:30 a.m. in a residential neighborhood in the 2300 block of South Second Avenue, Arcadia police officials said. The man gestured as if he had a gun, though none was seen.
“The suspect entered the victim’s residence (on) Second Avenue and demanded property,” Sgt. Dan Crowther said in a written statement. But he ultimately fled empty-handed.
He left the home and approached a woman sitting in her car outside, police said.
“The suspect simulated he had a weapon and demanded the victim’s vehicle,” according to Crowther. “The victim complied and the suspect drove away from the location.”
Neither victim was hurt.
The carjacker was initially described only as a “heavyset” Latino man, Crowther added.
The carjacked vehicle, a white 2015 Toyota RAV4 with a California license plate of 7RED948, was yet to be found Saturday morning, Lt. Tom Cullen said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Arcadia police at 626-574-5151. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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Man robbed at gunpoint in Pasadena


PASADENA >> A man lost his wallet to an armed robber along Colorado Boulevard in downtown Pasadena on Thursday night, police said.
The crime unfolded about 9:40 p.m. as the victim, a 22-year-old man visiting Pasadena from Northern California, was walking east along Colorado Boulevard near Los Robles Avenue, according to Pasadena police Lt. Jesse Aguilar.
“The suspect approached him from behind and produced a handgun from his waistband,” Aguilar said. The robber demanded the victim’s wallet, which he turned over.
The robber was last seen running south on Los Robles Avenue, accompanied by four other people.
He was described as a Black man between 20 and 23 years old, about 5 feet 11 inches tall and 150 pounds, with short curly hair, Aguilar said. He wore a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap, a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. No description of his four companions was available.
Anyone with information can reach Pasadena police at 626-744-4241. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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Three sought in armed robbery at Duarte IHOP


  • DUARTE >> Deputies are seeking a trio of armed robbers who held up an IHOP restaurant in Duarte on Friday night.
    The crime unfolded about midnight at the restaurant, 988 Hamilton Road, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Frank Ruiz said.
    Two men wearing masks, accompanied by a woman, entered the store and ordered three employees to the ground, sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
    At least one of the robbers carried a gun, Ruiz said.
    Apparently unable to find cash inside the store, the robbers ultimately fled with only an employee’s backpack, which contained “miscellaneous items,” and a VISA gift card from the cash register, according to the lieutenant.
    Detailed suspect descriptions were not available, and no getaway car was seen, officials said.
    Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-285-7171. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
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Similar gas station robberies in Pasadena, Monrovia may be linked

Two similar gas station robberies within 20 minutes of each other on Wednesday along the 210 Freeway corridor in Monrovia and Pasadena may be linked, authorities said Thursday.
The armed robberies took place about 1:30 p.m. at a Chevron station at Altadena Drive and Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena, then at 1:50 p.m. at a 76 station along Myrtle Avenue, just south of the 210 Freeway, Pasadena and Monrovia police officials said. Both crimes involved two suspects.
In the Pasadena crime, one of the men entered the store, pointed a handgun at a woman working behind the counter and demanded money, Pasadena police Lt. John Mercado said. The second robber acted as a lookout.
The robbers were last seen fleeing the area on foot after obtaining an undetermined amount of cash, he said.
Both robbers were Latino men in their early 20s, Mercado said. One stood about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed about 175 pounds. He was clean-shaven, with a medium complexion, Mercado said. He wore a white T-shirt, black shorts and a black baseball cap and carried a black handgun.
The second robber was also about 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 150 pounds, Mercado said. He had a light complexion and brown hair, and he wore an orange hooded sweatshirt and dark shorts during the crime.
The second robbery unfolded about 20 minutes later, less than 7 miles to the east.
In that case, two robbers entered the store, Monrovia police Sgt. Chad Harvey said. One of them carried a black semi-automatic handgun.
The robbers stole about $3,000 in cash from the store, the sergeant said. They also helped themselves to a 12-pack of Modelo beer before fleeing.
They were last seen running north toward the freeway, he said.
Officials described the Monrovia robbers as two Latino men in their mid-20s. One wore a white T-shirt, brown shorts and a black baseball cap. The second robber was described as wearing brown long-sleeve shirt and black shorts.
Detectives at both departments were looking into the possibility both robberies were the work of the same criminal duo, officials said. No injuries were reported in either robbery.
Anyone with information can reach Pasadena police at 626-744-4241, or Monrovia police at 626-256-8000. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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Two sought in Pasadena gas station robbery


PASADENA >> Two men held up a Pasadena gas station at gunpoint on Wednesday afternoon, police said.
The heist unfolded about 1:30 p.m. at a Chevron station, 233 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena police Lt. John Mercado said.
One of the two robbers pointed a handgun at the woman working behind the counter at the gas station and demanded money, he said. The second robber acted as a lookout.
Both men fled after obtaining an undetermined amount of money from the cash register, according to the lieutenant said. No injuries were reported.
Police described both robbers as Latino men in their early-20s. One stood about 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighed about 175 pounds, and was clean-shaven, with a medium complexion, Mercado said. He wore a white T-shirt, black shorts and a black baseball cap and carried a black handgun.
The second robber was also about 5 feet 10 inches tall, about 150 pounds, of light complexion, with brown hair, Mercado said. He wore an orange hooded sweatshirt and dark shorts.
They were last seen running fro the store. No getaway car was seen.
Anyone with information can reach Pasadena police at 626-744-4241. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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Suspect arrested following robbery at Pasadena park


PASADENA >> A man punched another man and robbed him of his cell phone before being arrested on Friday afternoon, police said.
The alleged robbery took place about 1:15 p.m. at McDonald Park, along Mountain Street between Wilson and Mar Vista avenues, Pasadena police Lt. William Grisafe said.
A man in his 20s exited a restroom at the park when he was confronted by the suspect, later identified as 22-year-old Rafael Banuelos of Pasadena, Grisafe said.
After a brief exchange of words, the victim began walking away, the lieutenant said. Banuelos then punched him in the face and snatched his cell phone before running off.
Officers searched the area and soon found and detained Banuelos nearby, according to Grisafe. The allegedly stolen cell phone was recovered.
The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that were not believed to be major, he added.
According to county booking records, Banuelos was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending his initial court appearance.

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5 suspected in robbery, kidnapping of man at La Verne park


LA VERNE >> Police arrested five suspects they say kidnapped, robbed and pistol-whipped another man at Heritage Park in La Verne early Friday.
The crime took place about 12:40 a.m. at the park, 5001 Via De Mansion, La Verne police officials said in a written statement.
A 19-year-old man was approached by a group of five people in a car who tried to rob him, but he initially managed to flee, Lt. Tom Frayeh said.
But the group caught up with the young man, pistol-whipped him and forced him into their car, the lieutenant said. They then drove the victim back to the park and stole several chains the man was wearing before releasing him.
Police were first summoned to the scene by a neighborhood resident who reported an unknown person was knocking on the front window of a home, according to the police statement.
They soon learned the person knocking on windows was the robbery victim, seeking help.
Officers found one of the suspects on foot in the area and took him into custody, officials said. The other four were found sitting in a Toyota Prius parked near Heritage Park.
Tyler Strickland, 19, of La Verne; Darius Kennedy, 19, of Azusa, Julius Sims, 41, of La Verne; Jazmyn Tyus, 22, of Twentynine Palms; and a 17-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of robbery and kidnapping, Frayeh said.
According to Los Angeles County booking records, the four adult suspects were being held in lieu of $100,000 bail each pending their initial court appearances.

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Suspect in NorCal home-invasion robbery, attempted murder arrested in La Puente

LA PUENTE >> Detectives arrested a man in La Puente who was being sought in connection with a home-invasion robbery and attempted murder in northern California, authorities said.
The arrest took place about 11 a.m. in the area of Main Street and Chatterton Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Capt. Tim Murakami said.
Detectives assigned to the Industry Station were notified by Clearlake Police Department investigators that a suspect in a home-invasion robbery and attempted murder case they were investigating was believed to be in La Puente, the captain said.
Officials conducted a stake-out at a home where the suspect was expected to visit, he said. They spotted the suspect and took him into custody without incident about 11 a.m.
Inside a bag carried by the suspect was a handgun believed to have been used in the Clearlake crime, as well as items believed to have been stolen, including two bags and a jar filled with marijuana, Murakami said.
The suspect was being held on a warrant and was expected to be sent back to Lake County to face charges, the captain added. His identity was not available Friday.
Representatives of the Clearlake Police Department, a 21-officer department serving a community of about 15,000 people, were not available to discuss the crime in their jurisdiction.
Clearlake police are investigating the shooting of a woman that took place at a home on Thursday, according to a statement issued on the department’s Facebook page.
Few details were released regarding the shooting, and officials said on Friday that they could not confirm whether that was the crime for which the suspect arrested Friday in La Puente was being sought.
No further details were available.

PHOTO: Courtesy, LASD

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