Press Conference in Harbor Area Regarding Grinders Restaurant Takeover

January 14, 1999

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, January 14, 1999
On December 13, 1998, at 10:30 p.m., three male suspects entered the Grinders Restaurant, located at 1301 Sepulveda Boulevard, Harbor Gateway, and committed an armed take-over robbery during business hours. The suspects, armed with handguns, pistol-whipped customers and employees and took their personal property and money. The suspects then raped a female customer and cut the manager’s throat prior to leaving.

On December 19, 1998, the manager, Mr. Galindo Venegas, died as a result of his injuries at Harbor General Hospital.

On December 15, 1998, the Harbor Area Vice Unit, arrested Jerrell Jones, 22 years, a resident of Los Angeles as one of the suspects involved in this violent crime. Jones was arrested pursuant to an anonymous tip from a citizen. Jones was arrested at the Greyhound Bus Depot, downtown, 15 minutes prior to departing for Cincinnati, Ohio. Jones waived his rights and acknowledged his participation. Jones was booked for murder at Jail Division with no bail. He is a parolee and is currently awaiting trial.

A press conference will be held Thursday, January 14, 1999, 4:00 p.m. at the Los Angeles Police Department Harbor Division, 2175 John S. Gibson Boulevard in San Pedro to announce the arrest of two additional suspects in this incident. Robbery-Homicide detectives along with Harbor Area detectives and a representative from the Grinders Restaurant will be present during the press conference.

For further information, please contact Robbery-Homicide Division Detectives L. Hedwall, D. Maxwell or A. Luper, at (213) 485-2511 or after hours at (213) 485-2504.

Note: Photographs are not available due to pending investigation and line-up.

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For Release 8:30 am PST
January 14, 1999