Home Invasion / Kidnapping - Arrest

TYPE: Home Invasion / Kidnapping
WHERE: 3000 Block of Veteran
WHEN: 9:30 pm Wednesday, March 3, 2010
SUSPECTS: -
CHARACTERISTICS: -

Last night at about 9:30, a resident on the 3000 block of Veteran was sitting in the kitchen watching the news when very suddenly there was an African American male dressed in black including a ski mask in the house. He was armed with a taser and a lug wrench and threatened the resident. The suspect was taken upstairs to see the jewelry, which did not suffice and there was only $50 in the house so it was offered to go to the ATM, During this time, the suspect handcuffed the resident to his house guest. They drove to the ATM at Sepulveda and Clover. The guest was assigned to make the withdrawels. He became agitated and moved to the driver's seat and drove around the building that houses the ATM. A neighbor passing in a car who clearly understood what was going on fortunately took initiative and called the police. When the police arrived, the suspect took off down Sepulveda (in the North-bound lanes) then East on Clover, then South on Bently at a high rate of speed. He crossed Queensland at full speed and the resident was yelling ïts a dead end, its a dead end. They then crashed into a tree and the suspect fled, but was apprehended by the police.

Thankfully, the resident was not seriously hurt but understandably quite shaken. Police reported the call received from the alert neighbor driving by enabled a quick response.

It should be noted that these incidents over the past three days were coincidental and not related and there is no indication of a trend developing in our neighborhood. That being said, it is very important that everyone take precautions by keeping outdoor lights on, locking gates to back yards, locking doors and windows, and looking out for neighbors, calling police to report suspicious individuals or behavior.

We offer condolences to our neighbors whom experienced these crimes. We are also thankful that the LAPD caught and arrested each suspect in each of these incidents over the past few days.