Los Angeles:
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is asking for the public’s
help in identifying a suspect who has robbed two businesses in the Van
Nuys area, at gunpoint, over a two week period.
On December 30, 2009, during the early evening hours, the suspect
entered a business in the 17600 block of Vanowen Street. Though the
business was full of customers at the time, the suspect was not
deterred and walked calmly to the register and quietly demanded money.
The employee opened the register and gave the suspect about $700 in
cash.
The second robbery occurred on January 8, 2010, also in the early
evening hours. The suspect entered a business in the 16200 block of
Victory Boulevard and approached clerks inside the businesses and
demanded money from the cash registers.
The suspect is described as a male white, 5’8”- 5’10” in height,
weighing 170-200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a distinctive black
and gray hooded jacket and sunglasses.
Video has been provided to investigators to assist in their
investigation. The suspect in each case is dressed in the same
fashion, specifically a two-toned hooded jacket, which investigators
are hoping is unique enough to help the public identify this
individual.
Video of the crime and suspect was captured by surveillance cameras and is available at www.lapdtv.org
Anyone with information about these crimes is urged to call West Valley
robbery detectives at (818) 374-7730. 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.