A man wanted for breaking into a car in downtown Los Angeles and using a stolen credit card to fill up his SUV with about $70 in gas was captured on film, and investigators hope the photo will help them nab him.
The credit card’s owner parked her car on the street in the 400 block of North Figueroa Street about 7 a.m. on Jan. 25, said Los Angeles Police Lt. Paul Vernon. About five hours later, she discovered her window smashed and the purse gone from the trunk.
“This woman put her purse in the trunk, but more often drivers tend to leave things exposed in the passenger compartment,” Vernon said.
The truck is a raised, white, early ‘90s Suburban or Yukon SUV. The driver used the stolen credit card to purchase gasoline at a Shell gas station in Highland Park, Vernon said. The card owner’s bank alerted her to the purchase after the purse was reported stolen.
The man is described as an 18- to 25-year-old Latino of medium height and weight. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Mike Ceja at (213) 972-1240, or (800) 222-TIPS.
— Richard Winton
Photo credit: LAPD