Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is asking the public's help in identifying two men responsible for a series of robberies in the Boyle Height and El Sereno neighborhoods of East Los Angeles in late December.

Detectives from the Hollenbeck Police Station believe the same two Hispanic men committed armed robberies of local businesses, one on December 20, 2005, and two more on December 29.

"Thanks to surveillance photos, we think we can catch these guy with the public's help," said Detective Gil Silva.  "Anyone who knows them, will recognize them quickly.  We want to catch them before they hurt someone."

All three robberies were committed against small retail business at the peek of business.  Once in the stores, the suspects walk up to the cashier to make a purchase then demand money.  The smaller of the two suspects shows a blue-steel semi-automatic handgun, while his larger partner removes the till from the cash register.  So far, no one has been injured in the robberies.

The armed suspect wears a white, hooded sweatshirt.  He is about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds.  He is 21 to 26 years old, with a light mustache, and his hair combed back.  

The other suspect wears a distinctive two-tone baseball cap with an "N" in Old English script.  He is taller than his partner, and 25 to 30 years old, also with a light mustache. 

Both suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.  The suspects have always escaped on foot from the robberies.

Robbery Locations:
• December 20, 2005, at approx. 8:00 PM, Dollar Max Retail Store, at 2457 E. Cesar Chavez.
• December 29, 2005, at approx. 6:00 PM, Dollar Family Store, at 2111 E. Cesar Chavez.
• December 29, 2005, at approx. 6:20 PM, Rancho Meat Market, at 4208 S. Huntington Drive.

Still photos are available from Media Relations, upon request.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the Detective Gil Silva at 323-526-3004.  During off-hours and weekends, please call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).