LOS ANGELES, Calif.–The Los Angeles City Council today approved a $50,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the murder of nightclub owner Alonzo “Dicky” Ester in front of his Baldwin Hills home.
Ester, 67, was fatally shot May 13 in his white Rolls-Royce Phantom as he arrived home in the 4300 block of Hillcrest Drive about 2:30 a.m. that Friday.
Initial reports suggested the gunman may have fled in a silver-colored BMW.
“It’s a case in which LAPD has requested this reward. It will stimulate leads and hopefully solve this case,” Councilman Bernard Parks said.
Detective Robert Lait said he found several witnesses but has run out of leads.
Lait said more than one vehicle may be associated with the shooter, who may have had an accomplice.
Robbery is believed to have been the motive. The Louisiana native, who used to own a liquor store in Long Beach and was a successful real estate investor, was not shy about his wealth and may have been targeted because of it. He also drove a flashy Excalibur.
Ester and his wife, who formerly lived in Leimert Park, moved to the Baldwin Hills home in 1999.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Ester had a security guard follow him part of the way home from his Inglewood club, Dynasty at 206 S. Locust St., because he was suspicious of a white truck or SUV spotted in front of the club.
Anyone with more information about the killing was urged to call Lait at (213) 485-4341.
The department’s anonymous hotline is (877) LAPD-24-7.
