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Los Angeles Police Dept.
A police sketch of the "Western Bandit" suspect.
The Los Angeles Police Department believes a serial robber dubbed the "Western Bandit" has resurfaced.
Investigators believe the man is likely responsible for two incidents – an attempted robbery and another robbery in which a victim was shot and wounded – on Jan. 8.
The Western Bandit began his robbery spree in November 2011, according to the LAPD, and has terrorized the Western Avenue corridor in the Los Angeles area off and on since then.
Officials believe he is responsible for several robberies during that time over a three-day span. In one of those robberies, a transgender prostitute was shot to death in Hollywood.
Police believe he's also responsible for a series of robberies between June and October 2012, and that he has a penchant for using a gun.
"He’s using handguns to do his robbery, and also the scary part is he's shooting the victim after the victim complies with his demands," LAPD Officer Christopher No told NBCLosAngeles.com. "So that's a concern for us as well."
Investigators said he operates most often between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Western Avenue between Hollywood and South Los Angeles.
No described the suspect as black, between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall, with medium complexion, curly hair and usually wearing dark clothing. Late last year, LAPD released a sketch of the attacker (pictured in this story).
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives in Los Angeles at 213-382-9470.
Also on NBCLosAngeles.com: 'Western Bandit' linked to slaying, robberies
Raw surveillance video on NBCLosAngeles.com: Cops seek 'Western Bandit'
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'Western Bandit' has resurfaced
Does this mean 6 more weeks of winter ???
That description sounds like about two-thirds of the people on the street in that part of town at any given time of day. I bet he has illegal handguns and they probably have high capacity magazines that are not legal in Californica. More gun laws won't stop this sort of thing. More guns in the hands of law abiding citizens might. If this a-hole knew somebody would shoot back, he might think twice -- if he can count that high.
Pardon my ignorance of the manpower situation and the geography, but if you know the vicinity of his crimes, his time frame and his target victims, why has it been so hard to stop him since his crime sprees are so proliferate?
Is he just targeting a group of people he knows aren't going to have their own protection? And does law enforcement not have enough people to stay close to the location to provide at least a more timely response that would result in a better opportunity for capture?
Or are the victims in a "Caution... do not enter unless necessary to pick up the body" zone?
GA Mimi,
I am in Jax experiencing some "seasonal weather" (BRRRRR LOL) and will be here til 28 Jan!
That statement is spot on!
Kinda looks like Dr. Dre.....
"He’s using handguns to do his robbery, and also the scary part is he's shooting the victim after the victim complies with his demands," LAPD Officer Christopher No told NBCLosAngeles.com. "So that's a concern for us as well."
YOU THINK??? I wasn't away it was scary TO GET SHOT AT!!! The buy murders when he robs why isn't he being called a serious robber/murderer!!!
the media is racists for reporting he is an african american allegedly