Suspect Uses Pepper Spray in Robbery NR10031rh

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Olympic Division is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect responsible for an attempted robbery and robbery in the mid-city area of Los Angeles.

On December 29, 2009, at 7:50 p.m., the victim was inside a lobby of a commercial building in the 3600 block of Wilshire Boulevard when the suspect sprayed the victim in the face with pepper spray and attempted to steal the victim’s laptop computer.  The suspect was unsuccessful and ran away.

Then, thirty minutes later, the same suspect approached another victim outside of a coffee shop in the 3800 block of Wilshire Boulevard and sprayed the victim in the face with pepper spray.  The suspect took the victim’s laptop computer and ran away with the computer.

The suspect is described as a white male, with brown eyes and brown hair.  He is about 20-25 years of age, standing 5’9” tall and weighing 140-150 pounds.  At the time of the robbery the suspect had a tattoo of a star on one of his legs and a star shaved into the right side of his head.

Three photographs and a composite sketch of the suspect are available from Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

Anyone with information is urged to call Olympic Area Robbery Detectives F. Avila or S. Martinez at 213-382-9460.  During non-business hours, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may contact Crimestoppers by texting the 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.