December 2010: Man Shot and Killed in Van Nuys
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Van Nuys Division Homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who shot and killed a 29-year-old male in Van Nuys. On Friday, December 24, 2010, at around 1:15 a.m., dispatch received a 9-1-1 call of shots fired near the intersection of Vanowen Street and Sylmar Avenue. When officers arrived at the intersection of Vanowen Street and Lennox Avenue, they saw the aftermath of a traffic collision between a car and a fence. Inside the 1990 black 4-door Honda Civic, officers found a man, later identified as 29-year-old Rahmir Williams of North Hollywood, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his chest.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics rushed Williams to a local hospital where he died. Detectives believe that Williams was driving in an easterly direction on Vanowen Street at about Sylmar Avenue when one or more suspects approached from the passenger side and shot him as he sat in the driver’s seat of his car. The car came to rest at the southeast corner of Vanowen Street and Lennox Avenue. It is unknown at this time if Williams was the victim of a car-to-car or walk-up shooting. Detectives believe that the motive for this crime is gang related and there is no suspect description at this time. Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call Van Nuys Area homicide detectives at 818-374-1948. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.
December 2009:Robbery Suspect Hits Two Valley Locations
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who has robbed two businesses in the Van Nuys area, at gunpoint, over a two week period. On December 30, 2009, during the early evening hours, the suspect entered a business in the 17600 block of Vanowen Street. Though the business was full of customers at the time, the suspect was not deterred and walked calmly to the register and quietly demanded money. The employee opened the register and gave the suspect about $700 in cash. The second robbery occurred on January 8, 2010, also in the early evening hours. The suspect entered a business in the 16200 block of Victory Boulevard and approached clerks inside the businesses and demanded money from the cash registers. The suspect is described as a male white, 5’8”- 5’10” in height, weighing 170-200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a distinctive black and gray hooded jacket and sunglasses. Video has been provided to investigators to assist in their investigation. The suspect in each case is dressed in the same fashion, specifically a two-toned hooded jacket, which investigators are hoping is unique enough to help the public identify this individual. Video of the crime and suspect was captured by surveillance cameras and is available at www.lapdtv.org Anyone with information about these crimes is urged to call West Valley robbery detectives at (818) 374-7730.
March 2010: Jewelry Store Robbers Caught on Tape
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) North Hollywood Area Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying three armed bandits who stole $200,000.00 worth of jewelry. On March 25, 2010, at around 11:45 a.m., two male black suspects entered a jewelry store located in the 12600 block of Ventura Boulevard posing as customers. The suspects engaged in conversation with the victim for several minutes then produced handguns and ordered the victim to the floor. The suspects then restrained the victim using zip ties and continued with the robbery. Shortly after subduing the victim, the suspects opened another door to the location and allowed a third suspect to enter the jewelry store. The three suspects then ransacked the store, took jewelry from the display counters and safe within the jewelry store. The suspects drove off in a dark grey vehicle in an unknown direction. Suspect #1 is described as a male Black with black hair and brown eyes, about 25 yearsold, 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing about 190 pounds and last seen wearing a black/brown button hooded cardigan. Suspect #2 is a male Black with black hair and brown eyes, about 30 years-old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 198 pounds and last seen wearing dark jeans with earrings on both ears. Suspect #3 is described as a male Black, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds and last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to call LAPD’s North Hollywood Area Robbery Detectives Mahoney or Hammer at 818-623-4061.