Police in El Monte Thursday sought the public’s help in identifying two suspects who posed as police officers while robbing a driver’s purse at gunpoint during a purported traffic stop.
The victim was driving her vehicle westbound on Valley Boulevard at Garvey Avenue about 1:10 a.m. Wednesday when a white, newer-model Toyota Tundra pick-up truck with two males inside pulled alongside. The suspects motioned for the driver to stop, according to El Monte police Sgt. Richard Luna.
“The victim didn’t stop and the suspects then drove in front of her and blocked her vehicle,” Luna said. “Both suspects exited their vehicle and approached the victim.”
The driver of the pickup truck identified himself as a police officer and demanded the victim’s driver’s license, but she surmised the suspect was too young to be a policeman and asked for his police identification, prompting the suspect to reach into his waistband, pull out a black handgun and point it at her, Luna said.
“At the same time, the (second suspect) stood along the victim’s front passenger door and was completing radio transmissions using a portable radio,” according to Luna, who said the suspect radioed that he had an “uncooperative suspect” and asked for backup.
He first tried to open the victim’s locked door then reached through vehicle’s window and took the woman’s purse. Both suspect then got into the pick-up truck and drove away, Luna said.
The victim was uninjured, but her loss was estimated at more than $600 in property and currency, Luna said.
The suspects were last seen headed east on Valley Boulevard.
Both are described as Hispanic and about 5 feet 6 inches tall. The driver is about 20 years old, weighs around 160 pounds and has black hair, a dark complexion with acne on his cheeks and was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and jeans.
The other suspect, who is thought to be about 16 years old, weighs around 110 pounds and has black hair, a light complexion, clean-shaven face and was wearing a black T-shirt and black jeans.