Armed Serial Robbers Captured NR09352kr

Los Angeles:  Two suspects believed responsible for a string of robberies over the past two months have been arrested.

On July 18, 2009, at around 4:45 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) North Hollywood Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of a home invasion robbery occurring in the 3700 block of Barham Boulevard.  Officers were able to determine that two suspect descriptions matched the description and method of operation of a series of similar robberies that had been occurring in the same area over a period of weeks.

The victim was leaving his residence when he was confronted by two male suspects who forced him back into his home and beat him before taking property from the residence and fleeing.  The suspects left on foot and were spotted by responding officers walking along Barham Boulevard.  Both suspects were taken into custody following a short foot pursuit.  During the foot pursuit, officers observed the suspects discarding several items, one of which was a loaded semi-automatic pistol.

During the crime spree that had occurred in the months of June and July 2009, a series of robberies and burglaries had taken place in an apartment complex in Studio City.  The suspects would confront residents as they were going in or leaving their homes and rob them; they would also enter locations with unlocked windows and doors and burglarize the locations.  In some cases, the suspects were armed with a handgun.

Los Angeles resident Norris Denton, 27, was arrested for robbery and is being held on $200,000 bail.  His accomplice, a 17-year-old juvenile, is also in custody on robbery charges and is being held without bail.

Anyone with information about these crimes or who may have been a victim of them is asked to call LAPD North Hollywood Detective Sean Mahoney at 818-623-4045. 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.