'Western Bandit' sought
Armed robberies, murder
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Authorities sought the public’s help today in their search for the “Western Bandit,” who is suspected of killing one person and committing a number of armed robberies over the past year.
The crimes have occurred in convenience stores and other businesses, generally between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., along an eight-mile section of Western Avenue from Hollywood to South Los Angeles, Los Angeles police officials said.
The suspect is described as a Black, Hispanic or Middle Eastern man, 35-45 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall, with a “stocky build,” police said. He has worn dark clothing, and in some of the crimes he was seen riding a bicycle.
“We’re very concerned about public safety in this case,” said Lt. John Radtke. “It’s very, very important that people be careful in case they encounter the suspect.”
Radtke said the robber has been known to be “very violent” and “quick to use a firearm.”
“So, if someone were to be a victim of a robbery, be a good witness,” Radtke said. “Give up your property. Don’t fight. Don’t run, because we don’t want to see anyone get injured.”
Police circulated a composite sketch of a suspect in one crime as well as a video of a gunman who robbed a 7-Eleven. Radtke said it could be the same man and urged people to call police if they recognize him.
The suspect could be the person who killed transgender woman Nathan Vickers in November 2011, the Los Angeles Times reported. Anyone with information on the case was urged to call police at (213) 382-9470, or (877) LAPD-247.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A violent serial robber who for more than a year has terrorized victims along a stretch of Western Avenue from Hollywood to South Los Angeles was suspected today in two more crimes.
Detectives believe the “Western Bandit” was responsible for a Jan. 8 armed robbery in which a witness was shot and wounded, and for an attempted robbery on the same day, according to the Los Angeles Times.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A grand jury indictment unsealed today charges a man with murdering two women and one man and injuring two other people during a shooting spree last October at a business and a home in Downey.
Jade Douglas Harris, 30, pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court to 10 felony counts, including three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, four counts of kidnapping for carjacking and one count of being a felon with a firearm.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A 60-year-old woman was ordered today to stand trial for the shooting death of her 79-year-old aunt, who was the mother of a Los Angeles Police Department training officer.
Barbara Jean Davenport is charged with murder and robbery in connection with the June 2, 2012, slaying of Cleo Hughes.
The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation that Hughes was killed during a robbery or attempted robbery.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A state appeals court panel today ordered a new sentencing hearing for a gang member convicted of killing a 16-year-old honor student after opening fire on a crowd of people following a homecoming football game in Long Beach.
The three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal sent the case against Tom Love Vinson back to Long Beach Superior Court Judge Mark Kim for re-sentencing.
HARBOR CITY, Calif.—Police today released surveillance video of three robbers who entered a liquor store in Harbor City with guns drawn and took a weapon away from a security guard before making off with cash from the register.
The robbery occurred Friday about 7:10 p.m. at the liquor store in the 1200 block of Pacific Coast Highway. No one was injured.
It is not known if the suspects escaped on foot, and detectives have few leads, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The suspects are describe as:
