Home Invasion Robbery Victim Fights Off Suspect

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, March 27, 2000

Los Angeles – On Thursday, March 23, 2000, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Northeast Area Uniformed Patrol Officers responded to an "ADW In Progress" in the 300 block of South Avenue 55.

The preliminary investigation revealed two suspects, one who was armed with an unknown type handgun, forced their way into the victim’s residence, which was determined to be in the 200 block of South Avenue 54, as the victim had opened the door to leave. The victims, two males and one female were ordered to lie face down on the floor. The suspects demanded money from the victims. The suspects began ransacking the residence in search of money and jewelry. The suspects continued to demand money from the victims, and became enraged at the victims’ slow response. An altercation ensued between one of the suspects and one of the male victims. The victim, in an attempt to escape the attack, jumped from the second story window of his apartment to the driveway below. The suspects fled from the location.

One of the victims ran to a neighbor’s apartment and requested they call the police. The victim along with another male individual ran after the suspect who was last observed walking south on Avenue 54. The victim and the other male caught up with the suspect and an altercation ensued. At this point, as the altercation continued in the middle of the street at Avenue 54 and Glen Ellen Place, a shooting occurred. It is unknown at this time if the suspect’s accomplice returned to the scene, and upon observing the altercation, fired several rounds. One of the males who had gone to the aid of the victim was struck by the gunfire.

The suspects were last seen leaving the location in a dark colored sports utility type vehicle.

The victim of the shooting was transported by private vehicle to a local hospital where he was treated for gunshot wounds to the shoulder and leg area. The victim’s wounds were not life threatening. The victim who had jumped from the second story window was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics, suffering from a broken ankle. It is unknown at this time if the suspect involved in the altercation was injured, although the male who had come to the victim’s aid was armed with a knife.

Northeast Area Operations Support Division, Special Enforcement Unit, Gang Detail is conducting the investigation.

For Release 9:00 am PST
March 28, 2000