Take-Over Robberies in South Bay, West L.A., Hollywood Involve Worker Lookalikes With Lunch Bags, Painter Masks, 'Chin-Strap' Beard
The "painter mask" robbers have carried out a half-dozen take-over robberies in the South Bay Area, West Los Angeles and Hollywood. Their targets have been mostly auto parts stores and pharmacies.
LAPD
It seems like these two suspects sneak up on you, because they appear to be regular workers, lunch-bags in-hand, cops say. Clever?
They're also scary. According to an LAPD statement:
The suspects' method of operation is to take cash from the registers and safes, and personnel property from the store employees.
LAPD
The pair is also armed with handguns. Cops say the duo started its spree about 8:30 on the night of Nov. 18 at an auto parts store in the 24800 block of South Western Avenue in Harbor Gateway, near Torrance.
The pair's last takeover was in the 800 block of North Western Avenue in Hollywood on Feb. 17 at about 8:50 p.m., according to the LAPD.
Here are their other accomplishments, according to the department:
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 8:45 p.m. 24800 block of South Western Avenue.Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 8:35 p.m. 300 block of West Anaheim Boulevard.
Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 6:30 p.m. 11500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 9 p.m. 7000 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard.
The pair uses painter masks, ski masks or bandanas -- and gloves. One guy is African American, in his mid-30s, about 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 175 pounds. He has a "light mustache," cops say.
Other dude: Black or Latino, same height, same weight, mid 20s, with a mustache, sideburns and possible "chin strap" beard.
Classy.
Seen 'em around? Call detectives: 213-486-6840.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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