Downtown: On Thursday, November 8, 2001 at approximately 3:55 p.m., a security guard employed at a complex located in the 100 block of West 17^th Street in Los Angeles saw a tenant of the complex in a verbal dispute with an unidentified male Black suspect. The security guard went over to the parties and attempted to keep the peace.

During the course of events, the security guard discovered that the argument was over some property that the tenant claimed was taken, from a nearby loading dock, by the suspect. The security guard asked the suspect to return the property to the tenant. An argument then broke out between these individuals. The police were then called.

Knowing that the police had been summoned, the suspect attempted to flee the location in his vehicle prior to their arrival. As the suspect attempted to leave the scene, he accelerated his car and the left front fender struck the security guard knocking him to the ground. The suspect, continued his acceleration, ran over the security guard, causing massive internal injuries. The security guard was taken to a local hospital by responding emergency personnel. He died a short time later from the massive internal injuries he received as a result of being run over by the suspect's car. The security guard's identity is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding this incident, is asked to call Detective Emmett Badar at Central Area Homicide Unit, 213-485-6593, or the Central Division Watch Commander at 213-485-3294.

This press release was prepared by Police Officer Guillermo Campos, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.

UPDATE

On Wednesday, November 14, 2001, at 11:00 A.M., Detectives will be conducting a press conference at Central Community Police Station, located at 251 E. 6^th Street, to discuss the following developments in this case.

The victim, identified as Tae Chu a male Korean 56 years of age, was the security officer struck by a pick up truck being driven by a suspect fleeing the scene where a theft had occurred, at the 100 block of West 17^th street .

On Monday, November 12, 2001, Central Area Homicide Detectives arrested Irving Robertson, a male Black 44 years of age, from the San Gabriel Valley area, in connection with the death of Mr. Tae Chu. Robertson was taken into custody outside of his residence without incident. Robertson was transported to Central Area Police Station where, after being interviewed by the detectives, was booked for 187 of the Penal Code, Murder.

On November 13, 2001, detectives presented this case to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office, who, after review, filed 1 count of Murder and 1 count of Robbery.

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