Police Look for “Painter Mask” Robbers

Two men are accused in a string of LA-area armed robberies

Police want the public’s help to find two men have donned painters’ masks and committed a series of armed “takeover” robberies of stores in the Los Angeles region, authorities announced Thursday.

Between Nov. 18, 2011, and Feb. 18, the two men have allegedly robbed at least six stores, usually hitting the businesses around closing time. Authorities on Thursday sent out security-camera video images of the robbers.

They take cash from registers and safes, as well as personnel property from store employees. They’ve targeted auto parts stores and a pharmacy, according to a Los Angeles Police Department press release.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles City Councilman Tony Cardenas proposed a $50,000 reward for information leading to the robbers’ arrests.

“The criminals responsible for these robberies represent an ongoing threat to the safety of the people of Los Angeles,” Cardenas said. “I’m urging the community to come forward and help us apprehend these individuals before they put more lives in danger.”

The two criminals cover their faces with painter’s masks, ski masks or bandanas, and they wear gloves as well. They’ve also been seen carrying lunch bags as they enter.

Both suspects are described as between 6 feet and 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 170 to 180 pounds.

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One suspect is a black man aged 30 to 40, with a light mustache. The other suspect is 25-to-30-year-old black or Hispanic male with a mustache, sideburns and possible chin-strap beard.

They are accused of the following burglaries:

  •  On Nov. 18, 2011, about 8:30 p.m., the suspects robbed an auto parts store in the 24800 block of South Western Avenue in the San Pedro area.
  • On Dec. 17, 2011, about 8:35-8:45 p.m., they robbed two businesses in the same general area in San Pedro.
  • On Jan. 13, about 6:30 p.m., they robbed a business in the 11500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard in the West Los Angeles area.
  • On Feb. 16 about 9 p.m., they robbed a business in the 7000 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood.
  • On Feb. 17 about 8:50 p.m., they robbed a business in the 800 block of North Western Avenue in the Hollywood area.

The suspects are wanted for similar robberies in Gardena, Hawthorne and East Los Angeles, according to LAPD.

Those with information about the suspects are urged to call LAPD Detective Maria Tomes at 213-486-6840, or 877-LAPD-24-7.

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