Downtown Robbery Caught on Tape Detectives Asking for Public’s Help NR09510PV

Los Angeles: A 68-year-old parking attendant was robbed at gun point early this morning by two hooded men in their late teens or early twenties.  The robbery was caught on video surveillance tape in the parking lot of the downtown Macy’s shopping mall at 700 South Flower Street.

“This was more than just a random robbery,” said Detective Alfredo Rasch of LAPD’s Central Detective Division.  “We think these two robbers planned the heist around the attendants’ shift change and the time when they empty the automated pay machines.”

The parking attendant had just removed about $45.00 from the kiosk when two Black men approached him.  The shorter of the two was holding a small-caliber, semi-automatic pistol.  He demanded, “Give me the money, or I’ll shoot you.”  

“The attendant did the right thing and gave up the money,” Det. Rasch said.  The robbers also took the man’s walkie-talkie and keys to his golf cart, which were found along the robbers’ getaway route.

“We think anyone who knows either of these two men will recognize them despite the hoods,” added Det. Rasch.  “Think, what would you want someone to do if it were you who had been robbed at gun point?  This was an older man just trying to make a living for his family in hard times.”

The shorter suspect was about 5’6” tall, wearing baggy red basketball shorts.  He was the younger of the two, about 18 to 21 years old.  The taller partner was about 6-feet tall and 20 to 22 years old.  He was wearing black basketball shorts.

Detectives released video footage in the hope that someone will recognize the robbers and call police.  

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Central Robbery detectives at 213-972-1245, or call the 24-hour, toll-free number at1-877-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.

Det. Rasch will be available for interviews and viewing the robbery video at Central Police Station, 251 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.