LAPD Blog

UPDATE
Los Angeles: On July 28, 2015, around 7:00 p.m. a 16 year-old juvenile turned himself in for the crime committed on July 22, 2015.

Family members saw the news coverage which included still photographs of the suspect and recognized him.  Family members encouraged the suspect to turn himself him and accompanied him to the police station where he was interviewed by detectives and placed under arrest.

The suspect was booked for kidnapping and is currently being held without bail at a juvenile detention center.

July 28, 2024

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department Olympic Area detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect whose image was captured on surveillance video kidnapping a victim and attempting to rob him.

On July 22, 2015, around 12:35 a.m., the suspect entered the victim’s apartment complex, located in the 400 block of Westmoreland Avenue.  The suspect climbed up to the victim’s apartment unit balcony using a ladder and entered the victim’s apartment through an unlocked sliding door.  Once inside, the suspect went into the victim’s bedroom and brandished a knife demanding money.  The victim responded that he did not have any money.

The suspect then ordered the victim to drive to an ATM and withdraw money from victim’s account.  The suspect escorted the victim at knife point to an underground parking structure where the victim’s vehicle was parked.  

The victim, observing the suspect had put the knife away, saw an opportunity to defend himself and attempted to tackle the suspect.  The victim and suspect wrestled over the knife; however, the suspect managed to break free and swung the knife at the victim several times. The victim then yelled for help and the suspect ran away.

Surveillance cameras caught the suspect loitering in the apartment complex, including the struggle between the victim and the suspect. 

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 18-25 years of age, black hair, wearing a dark t-shirt, black pants and carrying a backpack. 

**To view the video of the suspect please contact Olympic Detectives**

Anyone with information or can identify the suspect is urged to contact Olympic Area Robbery Detectives at  (213)382-9391.  During non-business hours or on the weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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. Tipsters may remain anonymous.