Robberies at Westside Stores and Markets NR11372rf

Suspects Usually Wearing “Security” Shirts Seen on Surveillance Video

Los Angeles:  LAPD Pacific Area detectives are looking for at least three suspects who have recently robbed stores and markets located within close proximity to each other in the West Los Angeles area.  Their trademark seems to be wearing black shirts with the word “security” written across the back.

So far, detectives are aware of three robberies the suspects have committed. The first was last weekend on August 6 at about 8:20 p.m. at Bob’s Market, 1000 National Blvd.  A surveillance video showed a suspect entering the store wearing a black ski mask and a black shirt with “security” written on the back in white letters.  He was also wearing gloves and black pants and carrying a revolver handgun.  While a cashier was helping another customer, he pointed his gun at the cashier, demanded money and then left the store, heading south on Hughes Avenue.  A witness saw the suspect get into a parked car described as a black, four-door Honda driven by a second male suspect. The car was last seen heading south on Hughes Avenue.  No description is available of the driver, but the first suspect is described as an 18- to 25-year-old Black male who stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 165 pounds.

The second robbery occurred on August 9 at 8:50 p.m. at the Overland Liquor Store, 3585 Overland Ave., only a few miles from the site of the first robbery.  This time, two suspects entered the store.  The first suspect, who is believed to be the same man who committed the first robbery, was wearing the exact same outfit, including a “security” shirt, and once again carrying a revolver handgun.  He was followed into the store by a second suspect who did not appear to be armed.  The first suspect pointed a gun at the cashier and went behind the counter with the second suspect and demanded money; then both suspects removed a couple of bottled alcoholic beverages.  After the armed suspect removed money from the cash register, both men left the store and headed south on Overland Avenue to Charnock Avenue where they got into a white, four-door, unknown-model car with a sunroof.  The second suspect is described only as a male of unknown race who wore a black ski mask, white jacket, gloves and blue jeans.

A third robbery occurred on August 10 at 9:45 p.m. at a Trader Joe’s market, 10850 National Blvd.  Again, this location was not far from the other stores that were robbed.  Three suspects entered the store, all wearing black “security” shirts and carrying handguns.  The first suspect approached the store manager who was standing behind a podium counting money.  Without saying anything, he pointed his gun at the manager.  When she backed away, the suspects took money from cash drawers and then left the store.  A witness saw the suspects running through the store’s parking lot to a waiting dark-colored, four-door car.  The suspects in this incident are described as follows: the first suspect is an 18- to 25-year-old Black male who stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds.  The second suspect is also an 18- to 25-year-old Black male who stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds.  Suspect number three is again described as an 18- to 25-year-old Black male.  He stands between 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds.  

All suspects in the third incident wore the same outfit, which consisted of black ski masks, black “security” shirts, gloves and black pants.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to call Pacific Area Robbery Detective Katz at 310-482-6392 or Detective Hassanzai at 310-482-6394.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.