Sunland-Tujunga Stabbing and Carjacking Suspects Charged NR19083dm

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Area Gang Officers and Foothill Detectives, in conjunction with Hollenbeck Area Gang officers, arrested five suspects connected with the March 20th, 2019, Sunland-Tujunga area stabbing of a pregnant school teacher. Multiple felony charges were filed by the Hardcore Gang Division of the District Attorney’s office on March 25, 2019. The multiple charges on all five suspects include Attempt Murder, Carjacking, Robbery, Hit and Run, and Gang Enhancements. Additionally, one suspect was charged with further enhancements of Aggravated Mayhem and Great Bodily Injury.

Los Angeles Police Foothill Area patrol and gang officers initially responded to a radio call of traffic collision in the 10800 block of Eldora Avenue in Sunland. Officers located a female victim suffering from multiple stab wounds and determined that an associated carjacking had occurred. Foothill Gang officers assumed investigative responsibility. The female victim was immediately transported to a local hospital for multiple injuries and stab wounds.

The investigation determined that a group of three male suspects approached and surrounded the victim in her vehicle as she was parking along the curbside in front of her residence. An additional white Volkswagen Jetta had stopped in the roadway a short distance away. One suspect asked the victim if he could borrow her cellular phone. The victim refused and one of the suspects punched and stabbed the victim multiple times as she remained seated in the driver’s seat of her vehicle. The victim was then forcibly dragged out of her vehicle while another suspect removed property from inside the vehicle. Two of the male suspects then entered the victim’s vehicle and drove it away. The third male suspect entered the awaiting Jetta, which was occupied by two female suspects. The suspects were involved in multiple traffic collisions with several parked vehicles while leaving the scene in victim’s vehicle. The suspects abandoned the victim’s vehicle on Eldora Avenue, as the vehicle became completely disabled. They fled on foot.

A deliberate, focused and concentrated investigation was immediately initiated by Foothill Gang Detectives and officers. Based on the on-scene investigation, witness statements, surveillance footage and intelligence that was immediately developed, a preliminary identification of at least two of the male suspects was obtained. This intelligence was communicated to Hollenbeck Area gang officers as it was determined the crime involved a Hollenbeck Area gang. Hollenbeck Gang officers confirmed the male suspect’s identification. Shortly thereafter, on March 21, 2019, Hollenbeck Gang Officers located two of the principal male suspects in the 1400 Block of Tremont Avenue where they were then apprehended and arrested.

Foothill Gang Detectives and Officers continued to investigate the case to obtain further evidence and locate the outstanding male and female suspects. Intelligence continued to be shared between Foothill and Hollenbeck Areas. Several leads were developed as to the whereabouts of the outstanding suspects both within the City of Los Angeles and Outside City limits. Foothill and Hollenbeck Area utilized both plain clothes units and gang units in the search for the suspects.

On March 22, 2018, Hollenbeck surveillance units and Hollenbeck gang officers located, apprehended and arrested the three outstanding suspects in Hollenbeck Area near Lancaster Street and Murchison Avenue.

On March 23, 2018 Foothill Gang Detectives and Officers authored and served a search warrant at a known problematic gang residence in the 1400 block of Tremont Avenue. The victim’s stolen property was recovered along with evidence of gang activity.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to call Foothill Area Gang Detectives at (818) 897-6970. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (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 ww.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.

Suspect 1: Christian Reyes Booking No.: 5578720 – Attempted Murder, Aggravated Mayhem, Carjacking, Robbery, Hit & Run, Gang Enhancements, Use of knife during carjacking Enhancement, Great Bodily Injury Enhancement. Suspect 2: Andrew Bran Booking No.: 5580263 – Attempted Murder, Carjacking, Robbery, Hit & Run, Gang Enhancements. Suspect 3: Jesus Morales Booking No.: 5578718 – Attempted Murder, Carjacking, Robbery, Hit & Run, Gang Enhancements. Suspect 4: Christina Luna Booking No.: 5580334 – Attempted Murder, Carjacking, Robbery, Hit & Run, Gang Enhancements. Suspect 5: Monica Gomez Booking No.: 5580333 -Attempted Murder, Carjacking, Robbery, Hit & Run, Gang Enhancements.