Los Angeles, CA: A woman shopping in the Jewelry District of Downtown Los Angeles became a victim of a follow home robbery on Monday. The harrowing ordeal occurred in broad daylight in the streets of Downtown Los Angeles and was captured on video released by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The victim was at a jewelry store around 12:02 p.m., Apr. 11, 2022, when she was followed by suspects in a silver colored Dodge Challenger, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
As the victim approached the intersection of 8th Street and Francisco Street, a suspect exited the Dodge Challenger, approached her vehicle with an unknown hard tool and shattered her driver side window. The victim attempted to drive away but was unable due to heavy traffic, according to LAPD.
LAPD stated that when her vehicle stopped, the victim exited her vehicle and ran westbound on 8th Street seeking help. The victim attempted to flee on Francisco Street, but the suspects continued to chase her. She returned to 8th Street and ran westbound. At this time, the suspects continued to follow the victim in their vehicle, accelerating and striking the victim as she fled westbound on 8th Street.
Once on the ground, two suspects emerged from the Dodge Challenger, one armed with a handgun. The victim immediately removed her watch and threw it on the street. The suspects retrieved the watch and drove away, according to LAPD.
The victim sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by responding paramedics.
LAPD has released the following suspect information:
Suspect 1 is described as a male, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, white shoes, and a full ski mask. He was armed with a semi-automatic handgun.
Suspect 2 is described as a male wearing a black sweater, light blue jeans, and armed with a handgun.
In early 2021, the Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD), Robbery Special Section (RSS), identified an ongoing crime trend of follow home robberies. The suspects target victims in Los Angeles, follow them, and commit the robberies as the victims go into isolated areas such as a parking lot or as they arrive home.
Anyone with information or video regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Moreno and Detective Vargas at (213) 486-6840. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”