Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s 77^th Area Robbery Detectives are investigating a string of armed robberies that occurred at the 7-11 store, located on the 4300 block of West Slauson Avenue.

The first incident occurred on May 6, 2002 at approximately 6:00 p.m. A lone male Black, wearing a black jacket and a black baseball cap entered the store and pulled out a blue steel semi-auto handgun. He pointed the gun at the cashier, reached over the counter and took money from the cash register. The suspect then fled the scene in an unknown direction. The suspect is described as follows:

Suspect: Male Black 5’8-5’10 150 17-19 years of age.

The second robbery occurred on August 12, 2002 at approximately 12:35 a.m., two suspects, a male and female Black, entered the store and the male pulled out a stainless steel handgun and pointed it at the cashier. The male then jumped over the counter and confronted an armed security guard that was exiting the restroom and ultimately disarmed him. Meanwhile, the female suspect, who was still standing at the counter, produced a stainless steel handgun and proceeded to reach across the counter and remove money from the cash register. Both suspects then fled in an unknown direction with the security guard’s weapon. The suspects are described as follows:

Suspect #1: Male Black 5’11-6’0 150-170 18-21 years
wearing a ‘32’ Indianapolis Colts jersey with ‘James’ on the back corn rolls and earrings in both ears

Suspect #2: Female Black 5’0-5’3 115 18-20 years
wearing a Grey hooded sweatshirt, red braids in her hair

The third incident occurred on December 12, 2002 at approximately 6:00 p.m. Two male Black suspects entered the store and Suspect #1 produced a stainless steel semi-auto handgun. Suspect #2 proceeded to jump over the counter and remove money from the cash register, while Suspect #1 held another employee at gunpoint and acted as a lookout. Both suspects then fled the location in an unknown direction. Suspect #1 may be the same suspect from the robbery on May 6, 2002. The suspects are described as follows:

Suspect #1: Male Black 5’6 150-170 16-20 years
wearing a black jacket, blue baseball cap

Suspect #2: Male Black 5’6-5’8 160-180 16-20 years
wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue baseball cap

A VHS tape containing video images of the three separate robberies is available from LAPD Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586

The 77^th Area Robbery Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying these suspects. Anyone with information regarding these incidents may contact Detective Amoroso or Kerchenske at 213-473-4861. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour, toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

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