Los Angeles: On August 29, 2002, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Van Nuys uniformed officers responded to the 7400 block of Hazeltine Avenue, to conduct a home-invasion robbery investigation.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects knocked at the apartment door. The occupants in the apartment; a 33-year-old female, her mother and a three-year-old child, saw a woman outside and opened the door. The female suspect and three male suspects who were hiding pushed their way into the residence. The suspects were armed with handguns and ordered the three occupants to a back room. They remained in the back room during the entire incident and they were not hurt. The suspects were ransacking the apartment when the 31-year-old male Hispanic, who lived in the apartment, returned home. He entered and was immediately confronted by the suspects who took money and jewelry from him. The suspects took miscellaneous video equipment and left the apartment. The 31-year-old male victim saw one of the suspects enter his 1992 Honda, while the other suspects entered a blue and white 1985 Chevy Pick-up truck. The suspects left in their truck and the victim’s Honda.

The male victim got into another one of his vehicles and followed the suspect driving his Honda. The victim rammed his Honda numerous times, trying to stop the suspect. The victim was successful in disabling the Honda in the area of Valerio Street and Woodman Avenue, where the lone male Hispanic fled on foot. The other three suspects in the Pick-up truck also fled in unknown direction.

The suspects are described as three males and one female Hispanics.

At this time, there is no known motive, which would have singled out these victims.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213 485-3586.