Police this week sought public help to find the suspects who robbed and severely beat a South Los Angeles street vendor last weekend. The Los Angeles City Council has offered a $25,000 reward in this case.
The attack occurred as Pedro Reyes and several other vendors were getting ready to begin their day’s work on March 18 in the area of San Pedro and 31st streets. The attackers included five or six males and one female, according to Los Angeles Police Department detectives who planned to review security video from area businesses to help them solve the crime.
Reyes, 54, was hospitalized with facial fractures, a broken jaw and a cut throat and had several teeth knocked out, relatives told reporters.
“He was just trying to make a living, and he was victimized, for no reason whatsoever,” LAPD Lt. David Krumer told Fox11. “It’s absolutely tragic. All people deserve to feel safe in the area that they’re working and living (in).”
The attackers got out of two vehicles and demanded money from the vendors. Reyes was beaten despite giving the suspects his money, according to police, who said two other vendors suffered minor injuries.
Reyes’ family has set up a GoFundMe page to assist the vendor, who works six days a week as a roofer and sells peanuts and fruit on Sundays.
Anyone with information on the crime was urged to call (877) LAPD-247.
