Woman Temporarily Kidnapped and Robbed NR11021rf

UPDATE
Feb. 18, 2011

Wilshire Area robbery detectives have identified 33-year-old Los Angeles resident Elon Williams as the suspect who briefly kidnapped and then robbed a woman on January 11, 2011.  Williams had been arrested by the Culver City Police Department for robbery and was in custody shortly after the January 11 incident.  Detectives presented their case to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, where robbery and kidnap charges were filed.  Williams’ charges also include robbery in LAPD’s Pacific Area.  He is currently being held without bail in the Los Angeles County Jail.

Los Angeles: Earlier this week, LAPD Wilshire Area officers received a radio call to investigate a kidnapping and robbery incident in the vicinity of Pico Boulevard and Bronson Avenue.

On January 11 at about 8:45 pm, a woman was parking her vehicle in a dimly lit, covered parking garage located to the rear of her apartment complex near Pico Boulevard and Bronson Avenue.  As she was exiting her vehicle, a male approached her from behind, covered her mouth and immediately entered her vehicle. The woman believed the suspect had a gun.   

The suspect forced her to drive him to an ATM machine and withdraw money.  He then directed her to drop him off in the area of Normandie Boulevard and 30th Street.   

The suspect is described as an African American about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds.  He was wearing a black jacket, grey hooded sweatshirt, grey baggy sweat pants and dark-colored work boots. Throughout the robbery, the lower portion of suspects face was covered with a dark colored shirt.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Wilshire Area Robbery Detective Raul Soto at 213-922-8205.  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.