Tag: robbery

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department revealed to Canyon News via email on Wednesday, November 15 that a suspect has been arrested for a carjacking that transpired on November 7.

Lt. Erika Aklufi of the SMPD indicated that officers arrested Adrian Jose Dugas, 24, on November 7. Authorities noted that the suspect was experiencing homelessness from the Los Angeles area, and is responsible for a carjacking incident involving multiple people.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Adelaide Drive after receiving reports of a group of individuals holding down Dugas in the middle of the street.

The six victims reported they were returning to their vehicle in Parking Structure 8, when Dugas approached them while simulating a handgun concealed within a duffle bag. He forced his way into the backseat of the vehicle and demanded the victims drive him around the city.

While inside the car, Dugas confiscated their cell phones. He also made multiple threats to shoot the victims if they did not comply and physically assaulted the driver and a passenger in the car.

The victims drove for more than an hour before Dugas ordered all passengers out of the vehicle. Upon exiting, one of the victims was able to place the suspect in a chokehold and they held Dugas down until police arrived.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney charged Dugas with:

• (6) counts of robbery;
• (6) counts of kidnapping during the commission of a carjacking;
• (1) attempted carjacking; and
• (1) count of aggravated assault.

Dugas remains in police custody with bail set at $6.4 million. He is expected to appear in court on November 29.

SMPD Detectives believe the suspect may have attempted an additional carjacking and are seeking other victims. Anyone with information related to Dugas or this investigation is asked to contact Detective Spencer at brian.spencer@santamonica.gov or Sergeant Gradle atryan.gradle@santamonica.gov or call 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Aklufi indicated in an email to Canyon News that two suspects have been arrested for felony battery, elder abuse and a robbery that transpired on October 31. The SMPD reported at about 9:50 p.m., officers responded to a call of a battery that just occurred in the 1200 block of Lincoln Boulevard. Officers located the victim of the battery, a 79-year-old female resident of the city suffering from a blow to the head and other injuries.

The suspects, four males in a Kia sedan and armed with a handgun, robbed the woman of her purse. A witness provided a description of the vehicle and license plate to authorities. The Kia had been reported stolen out of Long Beach.

Additional responding officers located the suspect vehicle on the south side of the city driving recklessly and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit commenced, which later ended at 11th and Wilshire when the driver of the suspect vehicle lost control of the car and crashed into a pickup.

Two of the suspects were located immediately and taken into custody. The third suspect was discovered hiding in a carport off a nearby alley and taken into custody without incident. The fourth suspect pushed his way into an occupied apartment in the 1200 block of 11th Street.

The resident was able to force the suspect out of the apartment. This suspect was located hiding on the roof of the building by an assisting LAPD helicopter where he was taken into custody. A firearm was also located in the region.

The elderly victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. The occupants of the other vehicle struck by the suspect vehicle were not seriously injured.

All four suspects were booked at Santa Monica County Jail on multiple felony charges. The suspects include:

Kejon Stevenson, 24, of Los Angeles; Jacob Pugh, 19, and two juvenile males, both 17 years old from Los Angeles.

Anyone with details about the incident is asked to contact Detective Tavera at Hector.Tavera@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Gradle at Ryan.Gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—On Thursday, August 24, a flash mob entered a Macy’s at Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks and ransacked the department store with the intention of committing a robbery.

At around 12:40 p.m. at least nine suspects in masks entered the location and committed a smash-and-grab robbery before fleeing the scene in two separate vehicles, a silver or gold Honda and a black Ford Fusion. They departed with bags full of stolen goods according to reports.

The crime was caught on camera which shows the suspects quickly filling dark colored bags with merchandise found on counters and racks. Other customers are seen standing and observing the crime, but no one intervened according to the footage.

The suspects are all described as male, in their early 20s, and wore dark-colored clothing and hooded sweatshirts.

They were last seen on Woodman Avenue heading towards the 101 freeway. The first getaway car’s license plate number is 8HQX809 and is registered in California. The second has a California license plate number of 8LDZ627.

A similar incident occurred in Arcadia on Tuesday, August 22, where a group of at least five suspects ransacked a Macy’s at the Santa Anita mall. The suspects took multiple boxed sets of perfume before fleeing in a black, four-door sedan.

It is unknown if the two robberies are related.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 818-374-9500.

By Christianne

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help to find three suspects who robbed a pedestrian at gunpoint.

On Wednesday, July 19, at 12:38 a.m., the victim was walking on a sidewalk along the 800 block of Larrabee Street when a group of people in a black SUV stopped right in front of him. The three suspects exited the vehicle armed with handguns and a rifle.

They pushed the victim against a fence and pulled him to the ground pointing the guns to his chest. The victim’s cell phone and wallet were taken. He didn’t appear to fight back.

After the assailants left the scene, the victim got up and walked away. It is unknown if the victim sustained any injuries.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=embed_video&v=201362375950971

According to surveillance video that was published on LASD’s Facebook, two of the three suspects concealed their faces with hoodies while one was unmasked. On the night of the incident the unmasked suspect was wearing a sweatshirt with a logo that read “cookies.” He appears to have shoulder-length dark hair that was tied into a ponytail and has a light goatee.

Any information or similar incidents, please contact West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station – Detective Candice Gonzales (310) 358-4011 or e-mail: c2mgonza@lasd.org

By Christianne

TOPANGA—A Taser Gun was used by the Los Angeles Police Department after an incident on June 17. The LAPD reported at around 1:30 p.m., Topanga patrol officers received a radio call of a ‘Robbery Suspect’ at the 7400 block of Pomelo Drive.

As units were responding, an additional radio call in the area was broadcast of an ‘Assault with a Deadly Weapon Suspect There Now,’ with a similar suspect description. After arriving on the scene, officers observed the suspect, later identified as Isaac Zamost, 25, in the middle of the roadway, not wearing a shirt and with blood on his chest, abdomen and wrists. The officers spotted that Zamost had three taser darts embedded in his chest and abdomen.

Officers ordered Zamost, who appeared to be suffering from a mental illness, to stop walking toward them and to place his hands on their police vehicle or he would be tased. The suspect continued walking aggressively towards the officers, resulting in one officer discharging a Taser in the probe mode, striking Zamost, who immediately fell onto the roadway.

Zamost stood up and again walked toward the officers, resulting in a second Taser probe mode deployment which struck him and he immediately fell onto the roadway, striking the back of his head on the pavement. Officers handcuffed Zamost and took him into custody without further incident.

A Los Angeles Fire Department rescue ambulance arrived at scene, treated, and transported the suspect to a local hospital. He was admitted into the hospital for injuries sustained during the incident and additional medical testing.

The preliminary investigation revealed that prior to the officers’ arrival; Zamost was involved in an altercation with a citizen, which resulted in him being tased by the citizen.

No officers were injured during the incident. Detectives from Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and are investigating this incident.

By Casey

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department indicated in an email to Canyon News that two juveniles were arrested for a series of crimes that has unfolded in Santa in recent months.

On Monday, May 15, at 2 pm, the SMPD received a 911 call of an armed robbery that just occurred near the intersection of 3rd Street and Idaho Avenue. The victim, a delivery driver, was threatened by two suspects, one of whom brandished a firearm and pointed it at the driver during the theft.

About 20 minutes later, authorities received a call of shots fired in the 800 block of 2nd Street. Officers in the area investigating the robbery discovered that the second call was an accidental discharge of a firearm by one of the suspects involved in the incident at 3rd and Idaho Ave. The injured suspect shot himself in the hand while inside a residence. Officers responding to the shots fired call located the two robbery suspects inside the residence; both who were juveniles.

The uninjured youth, a resident of Santa Monica, was booked at the Santa Monica Police Department and transported to juvenile hall. The injured suspect was transported to the hospital for treatment. He was released from the hospital the next day, booked at the SMPD, and transported to juvenile hall.

Subsequent investigation of the incidents tied the two youth to multiple additional crimes that occurred in the area over the past few months, including residential and vehicle burglaries, auto theft, and a stabbing. They have both been charged with the robbery. Additional charges are pending for both suspects.

Anyone with details pertaining to this incident or individuals involved is asked to contact SMPD Criminal Investigations during business hours at 310-458-8451.

By Casey

SHERMAN OAKS—A robbery transpired at the Off The Chart dispensary in Sherman Oaks at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

The marijuana outlet is located at 5242 Van Nuys Blvd. Authorities indicated 10 to 12 suspects were involved in the robbery. The thieves broke into the building by driving through the building with a white van, stealing over $200,000 worth of product.

The suspects fled in multiple vehicles leaving the white van behind. Off The Charts has seven locations across the state of California with a new South LA location coming soon according to their website.

The store is located directly across the street from the Audi dealership at 5239 Van Nuys Blvd. California Vintage Guitar & Amp, 5244 Van Nuys Blvd. is located directly next door to the store on its right.

To the left of the dispensary is the Acura car dealership located at 5230 Van Nuys Blvd. Keyes Mercedes Benz dealership is within sight of the dispensary at 5353 Van Nuys Blvd. All of the businesses are located in the 91401 zip code.

A Shell Gas Station located at 5161 Van Nuys Blvd. to the nearest corner to the store is open 24 hours a day and may have an obstructed view of the establishment.

The LAPD indicated the van used in the robbery was stolen. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department Tip Line at 1-877-527-3247.

By Rob