What:
News Conference Asking the Public’s Help in Identifying Homicide Suspects

Where:
Hollywood Detective Division, 1358 North Wilcox Avenue, Los Angeles

When:
Thursday, October 20, 2003 at 2:00 p.m.

Los Angeles: On Saturday, September 13, 2003, at about 1:30 a.m., patrol officers from Hollywood Division responded to a radio call on the embankment on the east side of the Hollywood Freeway overpass.

The investigation revealed that five male Hispanics were sleeping at an encampment when they were awakened by two male suspects. One suspect was armed with a handgun and the other with a knife. The victims were lined up and forced to their knees, with their backs to the suspects. The suspects demanded money and drugs. Failing to obtain any property, one of the suspects began to systematically stab all five victims. The victims fled in different directions and were eventually located and transported to a local hospital. The suspects were described as male Hispanics wearing dark clothing.

While Hollywood patrol officers were conducting their investigation. Wilshire Division officers were flagged down by the victim of a robbery. That victim indicated that he and a friend had just parked eastbound on Fountain Avenue at St. Andrews Place and got out of their vehicle when they were approached by a male Hispanic armed with a handgun. The victim’s friend fled on foot and the suspect proceeded to rob the victim. The victim then ran northbound and jumped over the guardrail on the west side of the freeway in an attempt to evade the suspect. As he hid in the bushes, he saw a male Hispanic lying on the ground, who appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound.

Further investigation confirmed that Robin Valdimir Beltran a male Hispanic, 25 years-of-age, had in fact been shot and killed at that location.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 5’ 7", 160, 28/30 years-of-age.

It has not been determined if these three crimes are connected.

On Saturday, September 13, 2003, at about 12:15 a.m., patrol officers from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a radio call at the 8000 block of Hollywood Boulevard.

The investigation revealed that 30 year-old Cesar Garnica and numerous other members of a Huntington Park motorcycle club were traveling westbound on Hollywood Boulevard when they became involved in an argument with the occupants of a burgundy BMW. The BMW possibly struck the victim’s motorcycle and the victim jumped on the hood of the BMW. One of the occupants of the BMW subsequently shot the victim.

The vehicle is described as a 1995/1999 BMW, 325 I Series, four-door burgundy in color. Suspect #1 is described as a male Armenian 20-25 years of age, shaved head with a vertical tattoo on his inner left arm. Suspect # 2 is described as a male Armenian 25-30 years of age, heavy set, with thick eyebrows and a moustache. Suspect #3 is described as a male Armenian with long sideburns and a widows peak hairline.

The Los Angeles City Council is offering two separate $25,000 rewards for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for the death of Caesar Garnica and Robin Valdimir Beltran.

Anyone with information regarding these murders is urged to call Hollywood Homicide Detectives at 213-485-6410. On weekends and during off-hours, please contact the 24-hour toll-free at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Grace Brady, Media Relations Office, 213-485-3586.