Home Invasion Robberies in West LA

UPDATE

Los Angeles: In June 2008, Robbery-Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section, assumed the investigative responsibility of a series of home invasion incidents that has occurred in the West Los Angeles Area involving elderly female victims.  There have been a total of 12 separate incidents (9 Home Invasions, 2 Attempt Burglaries, and 1 Burglary) since late May 2008.  Detectives are also reviewing 2 similar home invasion incidents that occurred in Santa Monica and Culver City to determine whether they are tied to this series.

The latest home invasion occurred on July 29, 2008, at approximately 4:00 PM, near the 2500 block of Westwood Boulevard.  The victim, a 96-year-old woman, was outside of her residence when a suspect approached her from behind.  The suspect overpowered her and forced her into the residence.  Once inside the suspect ransacked the residence and fled with the victim’s property.  The victim was treated for contusions at a local hospital and released the same day.

NOTE:  Most of the other incidents have occurred during the early morning hour. This is the first incident that has occurred during daytime hours.

The suspect is described as a male Black, approximately 25-40 old, 6 feet tall and weighs around 200 pounds.  He wears all dark clothing, dark colored gloves and a ski-mask during the robberies. 

The Los Angeles Police Department is asking the public’s assistance in identifying this suspect.  Anyone who has information is urged to contact Robbery-Homicide Detectives at 213-485-2511.  On weekends or during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Comments

[A scared citizen]

While I am usually very respectful of the police force and salute them for their hard work, with all these home invasions (done by possibly by the same perpetrator), I am left wondering if the LAPD is really doing a thorough job with the investigations. Granted, all I know are the details I read from the news and this blog, and I'm sure other details are suppressed for the investigation. However, it seems that in these cases, nothing is known except the generalities, and those are vague at best.

I live across the street from one of the houses that was recently robbed. No one from the police force came to ask me questions, so I am assuming that it is not standard procedure for the police to do so. Again, I am not an expert in law enforcement or detective work, but I would think talking to the neighbors may yield some details that can be worthwhile to the case.

Am I wrong to think that LAPD can do more to solve this case and that this guy should be caught by now?

[DA]

If you saw/know something, why don't you just call the police using one of the phone numbers listed above? Or do you just need some friendly conversation?

And the guys/gals at Robbery Special know what they're doing... so don't be scared.

[NDynamite]

Once again I have to ask, why isn't Metro assigned to apprehend this suspect? Metro used to be tasked with setting stakeouts to apprehend violent individuals of this nature. Has crime suppression and numbers become so important?

[A scared citizen]

To DA: Now, now. You know fully well what I meant. There is no need to be snarky... or do YOU just need some "friendly" conversation?!?

I just hope that LAPD isn't as flippant about people's concerns are you are.

[wants2know]

With reference to Metro being involved, they probably are, but you wouldn't know because it's something usually kept under wraps. Stakeouts and surveillance arent' things that most departments care to publicly advertise. I can tell you that this particular case is extremely high profile in many adjacent departments, not just the LAPD, and the fact that nobody has approached you as a potential witness shouldn't be taken as a sign of a lax investigation.