Robbery at Check Cashing Business Caught on Video

June 12, 2007

Los Angeles: Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying two robbery suspects who were caught on video surveillance robbing a check cashing store.

On June 5, 2007, at approximately 9:00 a.m., two suspects in a newer model black, 4 door, possible Cadillac sedan, waited in the parking lot of S&W Check Cashing store in the 2000 block of West Venice Boulevard. When an employee arrived to open the business, one of the suspects exited the vehicle and followed the employee inside. The suspect was armed with a handgun and forced the employee at gunpoint behind the counter where he removed $4000 from the cash register.

The suspect described as a black man, 5ft. 3in., 140 lbs., between 20-25 years of age, ran back to the waiting vehicle, driven by the second suspect, described only as a male black. The suspects fled westbound on Pico Boulevard.

During the investigation Detectives also discovered that the day prior to the robbery, the same suspect had arrived at the parking lot in a newer model, silver, 4 door, possible BMW. Video cameras captured the suspect walking around the business, at around the same time as the robbery, apparently casing the location.

"Anyone who knows the suspect should recognize him from the photos. Someone may also recognize one or both of the vehicle’s used by the suspects," Sergeant Lee Sands said. "Though no one was injured during this incident, it is imperative that we find these suspects before someone does get hurt."

Anyone with information is asked to call Wilshire Robbery Detective Ron Lee, at 213-922-8215, or Wilshire Robbery Detectives at 213-922-8205. On weekends or during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Photographs of the suspect and vehicles are attached.