News

LAPD Asking For Help To Identify Robbery Suspect Targeting Women in Koreatown

January 7, 2015 by Brian Champlin

If you’re anything like me then watching the surveillance footage below is really, really going to upset you…. (it’s not graphic, but it is quite disturbing)

The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect, captured on surveillance footage below, who is believed to be responsible for at least four separate robbery / assaults that have taken place in Koreatown over the past several months.

Advertisements

The man in question targets lone women, follows them into their apartment elevators, physically assaults them, then runs off with their purses.

“To see something happen like that, of that nature, is very disturbing even to a cop,” said LAPD officer Jack Richter via ABC7 Los Angeles.

Here are the details for each of the four incidents, as described via lapdonline.org:

On November 9, 2014, around 4:25 a.m., a male Hispanic robbed a female Korean in an apartment elevator located in the 300 block of Alexandria Avenue. The suspect followed the lone female inside the elevator, punched her then took her purse.

On November 23, 2014, around 12:30 a.m., a male Hispanic robbed a female Korean in an apartment elevator located in the 500 block of Hobart Boulevard. The suspect used the same method of operation; he followed the lone female inside the elevator, punched her then took her purse.

On December 23, 2014, around 2:00 a.m., a male Hispanic robbed a female Korean in an apartment elevator located in the 300 block of Alexandria Avenue. The suspect followed the lone female inside the elevator, sexually battered her, punched her numerous times then took her purse.

On December 30, 2014, around 10:50 p.m., a male Hispanic robbed a female Korean in an apartment elevator located in the 400 block of Westmoreland Avenue. The suspect followed the lone female inside the elevator, pressed a sharp object on her neck and attempted to take her purse. When the victim held onto to her handbag, the suspect slammed the victim to the ground, punched and kicked her multiple times then took her purse.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man between 20 and 30 years old, standing between 5’6 to 5’8 and weighing about 130 to 170 pounds. He is often seen wearing sweatshirts and shorts.

Anyone with information about the robberies or who recognizes the suspect is urged to call LAPD Olympic Division Robbery Detectives at (213) 382-9460. During non-business hours or on the weekends, calls should be directed to1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

Advertisements