Suspect Sought in Restaurant Robbery NR11307bb

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Olympic Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that will lead to the arrest of a suspect responsible for a Robbery in the Olympic Area.

On July 1, 2011, at around 3:16 a.m., an African-American male entered a Denny’s restaurant located in the 3700 block of Wilshire Boulevard.  Posing as a customer, the suspect walked up to the front counter and placed an order with a restaurant employee.  After the cashier opened the register the suspect pulled out a hand gun, reached around the counter and started to pull out money and the drawer from inside the cash register.  Once the cash and drawer were in his hands, the suspect ran out the front door and into a black, non-descript vehicle and drove east on Wilshire Boulevard.

The restaurant was equipped with a CCTV system that captured the robbery on video.  The suspect is described as an African-American male that appeared to be in his mid 40s.  He stood about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build and was last seen wearing a black baseball hat, a stripped grey sweater, black shorts, and black shoes.

The suspect is to be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Olympic Area Robbery Detectives at 213-382-9311. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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 LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.