Crime Spree ~ DTLA

Everyone knows DTLA is popping off in a big way.  New lofts, new residents, new bars, new clubs... and anytime an area is getting big, there's people on the street all the time.  I've been here 5 years and I still go out at 2am to see what's up.  Well, it turns out a couple guys have been hitting pedestrians late at night in and around DTLA... So be safe and check your surroundings when you leave the bars.  Details below including surveillance video screenshot of the suspects.

LOS ANGELES -- Detectives are searching for a pair of suspects who police say have committed four armed street robberies in downtown Los Angeles and Chinatown in the last two weeks. Police released pictures of the suspect that were captured by surveillance cameras.

The video shows the two men moments before one of the violent robberies, according to LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon. The suspects are seen walking down the sidewalk, they spot their victim and change their path to rob her, Vernon said. "It's quite eerie to watch," said Vernon. "It's like watching the wolf eye the fawn."

Detectives say the duo, described as Hispanic men in their late teens or early twenties, is responsible for four robberies in recent weeks.

The first two robberies occurred on April 25, 2010, fifteen minutes apart, according to detectives.

At 1:30 a.m., two men from a black 4-door car robbed a man in the parking lot in the 900 block of Francisco Street, then the suspects went north to 8th Street and Figueroa Street where they robbed a woman in a parking lot, investigators say. The car was described in the first robbery only, and had the attached license plate: 5WTG502. That plate turned out to have been junked and no longer assigned to a car.

The duo struck again on April 28, in a side alley leading to valet parking in the 800 block of South Broadway, according to detectives. This robbery is the only one of the robberies captured on video. "The guy with the gun pointed it right into the 26-year-old woman's chest, then jerked her purse off her arm. His accomplice grabbed the phone from her hand," Lt. Vernon explained. "We hope anyone who recognizes either of these two robbers will call us."

The most recent robbery occurred on May 3, just after 7 p.m., when the suspects robbed a 30-year-old man of his money and cell phone in a residential area of Chinatown. "This time the victim described the getaway car as a black Honda, which was consistent with the first robbery in the series," Lt. Vernon explained.

In the April 28th robbery, both suspects were wearing hoodies. One hoodie read "American Eagle" across the chest of the shorter suspect.

"Series like these are infrequent, so if the public can help us identify these guys, we can take a big bite out of the robberies and help people feel safer," Lt. Vernon added.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Al Rasch at (213) 972-1245. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) using a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "web tips" and follow the prompts.

Source: KTLA.COM