Bladed Bandit Caught on Camera

Los Angeles:  Robbery-Homicide Division detectives are asking the public’s help in identifying a serial robbery suspect.

On October 30, 2008, the Robbery Special Section assumed the investigative responsibility of a series of robberies that occurred in the West Los Angeles, Mid Wilshire, Hawthorne and Lawndale Areas.  There have been a total of 12 separate incidents.  The incidents have been linked via their method of operation and surveillance camera photographs.

The latest incident occurred on November 13, 2008, at 10 p.m. at the Subway restaurant located at 3959 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles.  Two Black men entered the location and posed as customers.  One of them lunged toward the cashier with a knife and removed cash from the opened cash register and fled the location.  This is the first incident where a second suspect was seen.

On October 29, 2008, at around 9:40 a.m., the Rite Aid located at 888 Lincoln Avenue was targeted.  The suspect waited near the cash register and presented the cashier with a dollar bill for a newspaper.  When the cashier opened the register, the suspect rushed behind the counter armed with a knife.  A store manager attempted to assist the cashier and was violently attacked by the suspect.

On October 29, 2008, just before 7 p.m., the suspect entered the Subway restaurant located at 3122 Sepulveda Blvd in Los Angeles.  When the cashier opened the register, the suspect jumped over the counter with a knife and removed the cash from the cash drawer.

On October 23, 2008, at 10:05 p.m., the suspect entered the Chevron gas station at 7550 Sepulveda Blvd.  The suspect presented the cashier with a dollar and requested change.  When the cashier opened the register, the suspect pulled out a knife and jumped over the counter.  The suspect punched the cashier in the face and demanded to open the register.  The cashier was unable to open the register and the suspect ran away without money.

On October 22, 2008, at 7:30 p.m., the suspect entered the Subway restaurant at 6238 W. Manchester Blvd in Los Angeles.  The suspect presented the cashier with a dollar and requested change.  When the cashier opened the register, the suspect pulled out a knife, reached over the counter and removed the cash from the drawer.

On October 21, 2008, at11:55 p.m., the suspect entered the Longs Drugs located at 8900 Sepulveda Blvd in Los Angeles.  The suspect presented the cashier with a dollar and requested change.  When the cashier opened the register, the suspect pulled out a knife, reached over the counter and removed the cash from the drawer.

The suspect has been described as African-American, approximately 5 feet 8 inched tall, 160-180 pounds and 38-45 years of age.  He has a thick bushy mustache and a shaved head.  The suspect is armed with a knife and is considered extremely violent.

The second suspect in one of the robberies was also African-American, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 220 pounds, and 38-40 years of age.  His hair was combed back in a bun and/or ponytail

Anyone with information is asked to call Robbery-Homicide Detectives at 213-485-2511.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org.  All tips will remain anonymous.