Homicide in Van Nuys NR16347im

Van Nuys: The Los Angeles Police Department Valley Bureau Homicide Division is requesting the public’s assistance in obtaining information to identify the suspect involved in the murder of a 37-year old man.

On Sunday, November 6, 2016, around 9:50 p.m., Van Nuys Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of a “Roberry/ Grand Theft Auto” at the 7400 block of Sepulveda Boulevard in the city of Van Nuys.

When the officers arrived they found the victim lying on the ground and a witness standing next to him. Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital where the victim succumbed to his injuries.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim and the witness were in their vehicle travelling north on Sepulveda Boulevard when a man on a bike, later identified as the suspect, was riding south toward the victim’s vehicle at a slow rate of speed. The victim honked at the supect and the suspect hit the victims front windshield window with his fist. The victim then got out of the vehicle and a physical altercation took place. The suspect punched the victim causing him to fall to the ground. The suspect entered the victim’s vehicle and fled. The witness exited the vehicle as the suspect began to drive away. The victim unaware that the passanger had exited the vehicle grabbed the driver’s side door, as the suspect began to drive away. The suspect rammed the diver’s side of the vehicle against parked cars causing the victim to let go of the door. The suspect drove away on Sepulveda Boulevard.

The suspect was described as a male, Hispanic, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. He is approximately 20-30 years old, standing at about 5 feet 11 inches, and between 140-160 pounds.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Valley Bureau Homicide Detective Steve Castro at (818) 374-1925. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.