Man and Woman Commit a Series of Robberies and Take Their Two Small Children Along for the Ride NR09563ne

Los Angeles:  A Van Nuys couple was arrested early this morning after a brief, but high speed, pursuit.  The pair had been seen leaving an Encino International House of Pancakes (IHOP) restaurant located at 15635 Ventura Blvd at approximately 3:00 a.m.  

Two California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers were about to patronize the restaurant when they were alerted by an employee who had seen a loan male suspect in the restaurant wearing a ski mask pointing a handgun at two co-workers.  At that instant, the suspect exited the restaurant and immediately saw the CHP officers.  The suspect ran to and entered a black Nissan Maxima get-away car, driven by a female accomplice.  She immediately sped off with the CHP in pursuit.  

Within a short distance the CHP unit conducted a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) and brought the pursuit to an end.  Once the suspect vehicle came to a stop the two suspects were taken into custody.  CHP Officers then discovered that there were two young children reportedly 6 and 4 years-of-age in the backseat of the car.  Officers had no idea the children were in the car when they engaged in a chase and when they decided to conduct the PIT maneuver.  Neither of the children suffered any injuries as a result of the maneuver.

The investigation into the robbery at the IHOP also linked the pair to two additional robberies during the early morning hours of November 30, 2009.  The first robbery occurred at 2:45 a.m. at the Rite Aid located at 13333 Riverside Drive in Sherman Oaks.  The second was at an Encino CVS Pharmacy at 17320 Ventura Blvd, which occurred at 3:00 a.m., only minutes before the IHOP robbery.  

The suspects have been identified as 28 year old William Farag and 28 year old Nadia Redoble, both of Van Nuys.  They each have been booked for three counts of robbery and their bail has been set at $150,000 each.  The case will be presented to the District Attorney for filing; investigators will also ask the District Attorney to consider charges for Child Endangering, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Felony Evading.  The children are in protective custody.

Anyone with information that can assist with this investigation is urged to call West Valley Area Robbery Detectives at 818-374-7730, during normal business hours.  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.