Public’s Help Needed in Brutal Home Invasion

Los Angeles: Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a home invasion robbery suspect who left an elderly woman in grave condition in Arleta.

On March 10, 2009, at approximately 11:20 a.m., an 86-year-old woman saw a man that she did not recognize on her rear patio area. Since the victim did not recognize the man, she confronted him about what he was doing there. The man quickly left the backyard down the victim’s driveway.

About twenty minutes later the suspect returned and knocked on the victim’s front door. Once the victim opened the door, the suspect punched her in the face and dragged her to the master bedroom. There, he began ransacking the house. Prior to leaving with some of the victim’s property, the suspect again attacked the victim, leaving her severely injured.

Over the course of several days that followed the beating, the victim’s condition continued to deteriorate. She was placed on life support where she remains in critical condition.

The suspect is described as an approximately 40-year-old Hispanic man with black hair, tall, heavy set, with a mustache, wearing a gray hat and red jacket.

Anyone with information about this crime or the suspect is asked to call Mission Area Detectives Sergio Hernandez or Dean Watts at 818-838-9896. During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.