Suspect Targets Elderly Women at Local Banks to Assault and Steal from Them NR14406SF

UPDATE
October 31, 2014

Update:  The suspect involved in the incident below has been identified as 37-year-old Dewayne Allen Taylor, a Los Angeles resident.  Taylor was arrested on Thursday, October 30, 2014, in the 1500 block of 48th Place and later booked for Robbery.

Detectives believed there may be additional victims and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.

Los Angeles:  Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD), Southwest Division are asking for the public’s help to identify a robbery suspect.
On Monday, October 1, 2014, at 10:45 a.m., a suspect loitered around a bank located near Jefferson and Crenshaw Boulevards.  The suspect surveyed possible victims in the bank and then chose a victim.  On video, the suspect was seen watching a 67-year-old woman during her transaction.  She then left the bank and the suspect followed her to her residence in the 3000 block of 10th Avenue.  When she got out of her car, the suspect walked past her while causally greeting her.  The suspect then quickly turned around, pushed the victim to the ground and forcefully took her purse.  The suspect was then seen driving away in a ‘90s model faded dark blue Nissan Altima.
The suspect is described as a male Black in his thirties, who stands approximately 6’ tall and weighs approximately 250-300 pounds.  He has black hair, brown eyes and wears a full beard.  At the time of this crime, he was wearing a black shirt, tan shorts, a baseball hat and tennis shoes.
Detectives are also investigating another strong-armed robbery that occurred five days prior just blocks away from this robbery.  Both victims gave similar accounts and description of the suspect.  The investigators are asking for other possible victims to come forward and the public’s help to provide any information that might lead to the capture of the suspect wanted for assaulting and robbing the elderly.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Southwest Area Robbery Detective Gerald Harden at (213) 485-2562.  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 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.