Robbery Ring Hitting Wilshire Area

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives are asking the public’s help in identifying a robbery ring which is targeting convenience stores in the mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles.

"We think the same three suspects are responsible for all of these armed robberies," said Detective Luis Corona of the Wilshire Police Station. “While they wear ski masks, we think someone may still be able to recognize them.”

Detectives may have gotten a break when a robbery at the AM/PM gas station was caught on surveillance tape on March 12, 2006. Two armed, masked robbers entered the store and robbed a customer, then took money from two cash registers. Both suspects are dressed in black, hooded sweat shirts, which obscure their faces. At least one suspect is armed with a gun. Witnesses reported seeing both suspects run toward an accomplice in a red car.

All three men are black, between 18 and 20 years old. The two who entered the store are between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall.

Detectives believe the robbery ring is responsible for the robberies at the following locations:

• 3/9/06, 4:30 PM – Party Supply store located at 4473 W. Pico Blvd
• 3/10/06, 7:20 PM – Pico Ranch Market located at 5151 W. Pico Blvd
• 3/12/06, 8:25 PM – AM/PM gas station located at 5420 W. Venice Blvd

Anyone with information is asked to call Wilshire Robbery detectives at 213-922-8266. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Video clips are available for recording at Media Relations. See Video 1, Video 2, Video 3.