[symple_googlemap title=”7400 block of Sepulveda Boulevard” location=”7400 block of Sepulveda Boulevard” height=”300″ zoom=”15″]
Police Monday sought the public’s help in identifying a man who killed a 37-year-old driver in Van Nuys while stealing the victim’s Lexus.
The victim and a passenger were northbound in the 7400 block of Sepulveda Boulevard when a man on a bicycle approached slowly from the opposite direction about 9:50 p.m. Sunday.
“The victim honked at the suspect and the suspect hit the victim’s front windshield window with his fist,” according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement. “The victim then got out of the vehicle and a physical altercation took place.”
The suspect punched the victim, knocking him to the ground, then got into the car and began driving away, police said.
The passenger managed to get out of the Lexus, while the victim grabbed the driver’s side door.
“The suspect rammed the driver’s side of the vehicle against parked cars, causing the victim to let go of the door,” police said. “The suspect drove away on Sepulveda Boulevard.”
Arriving officers found the victim lying on the ground and the passenger standing next to him. He was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.
The man’s name was withheld pending positive identification by the coroner’s office and next-of-kin notifications.
His green 2001 Lexus sedan was recovered Sunday night in North Hollywood, according to the LAPD.
The suspect was described as Hispanic, 20-30 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall and between 140 and 160 pounds.
Anyone with information about the theft and homicide was urged to call Valley Bureau Homicide Detective Steve Castro at (818) 374-1925.
After-hours and weekend calls should be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
–City News Service