LAPD and LASD Needs Publics Assistance to Identify Robbery Suspects

What: Press Conference
Who: Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Where: Parker Center, 150 N. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles
When: Tuesday, June 26, 2001, at 1:00 p.m.
Why: Plea for the public’s assistance in identifying two robbery suspects who robbed a market and shot two persons, including an off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy, and a three-year-old child.

Los Angeles: On June 8, 2001, at 1:15 p.m., two suspects entered the "Top Valu" Market, located at 3425 Whittier Boulevard, Los Angeles. The suspects approached a cashier and produced a handgun. Suspect #1 demanded money from a male cashier who complied. The suspects then moved to another cashier where Suspect #1 pointed his weapon at a female cashier and demanded money. She also complied.
Suspect #1 then returned to the first cashier and began to assault the cashier with his fists. The suspect then ordered the co-suspect to assault the clerk. Suspect #2 approached the victim and tried to kick the victim.
In the interim, an off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy entered the market to make a purchase. The Deputy heard a commotion and observed Suspect 1 holding a handgun in one hand and striking a cashier with his other fist. The Deputy believed that an armed robbery was in progress. The Deputy began to approach the suspects in an attempt to stop the assault of the cashier.
Suddenly, Suspect #2 ran past Suspect #1 toward the front door. Suspect #1 then took aim and fired one round at the male cashier. This bullet missed the cashier and struck a three-year old boy, who was in the store shopping with his mother. Suspect #1 made eye contact with the Deputy and began running toward him. The suspect pointed his weapon at the Deputy and fired several rounds at him as the suspect fled the store. One of the bullets struck the Deputy. The suspects were observed entering a possible white Nissan Pathfinder that was driven by a third suspect. The suspects managed to escape.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTIONS:
Suspect #1: Male, Hispanic, 18-21 years of age, 5’6" to 5′-7", thin, wearing a gray shirt, blue Levi’s and a dark baseball style cap.
Suspect #2: Male, Hispanic, 18 to 21 years, 5-7 to 5-8, chubby, wearing a dark blue shirt, black pants, white baseball style cap, armed with a dark colored pistol.
Suspect #3: Male, Hispanic, No Further Description – [Driver]
The victims are in stable condition.
The surveillance video will be available to the media during the press conference.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detectives Marlow or Tennelle at 213-485-2129 or off-hours, at Detective Headquarters Division at 213-485-3261.
This press release was prepared by Police Officer Guillermo Campos, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.
Crime Alert Surveillance Photos