Police sought the public’s help Thursday in identifying four suspects wanted in connection with an armed robbery and attempted wire fraud that began with a dating app setup in the Rampart Village area of Los Angeles.
The incident occurred around 12:05 a.m. on April 28, when a woman arranged to meet a man she had connected with through a dating app, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. She allegedly lured him to a secluded area in the 100 block of South Occidental Boulevard.
Shortly after, a man and another woman arrived in a black, newer-model Dodge Charger or Challenger, police said.
The man opened the victim’s unlocked vehicle, brandished a gun and demanded his property, according to police. The suspects ransacked the vehicle and forced the victim to unlock his phone, police said.
“As the three suspects fled the scene, the male suspect shot once toward the victim, who was still seated in his vehicle,” police said in a statement.
No injuries were reported, and the victim fled on foot, leaving his vehicle behind.
At about 2:50 a.m., the suspects reportedly returned to the scene, stole the victim’s vehicle and used his unlocked phone to attempt multiple unauthorized wire transfers totaling more than $20,000, according to police.
On April 30, the stolen vehicle was found abandoned and set on fire near 56th Street and Central Avenue, police said.
Investigators released the following descriptions of the suspects:
— The first female suspect is a Black woman in her 20s, last seen wearing a brown shirt and gray sweatpants;
— The second woman is described as Hispanic, wearing the same outfit as the first suspect;
— The male suspect who fired the shot is a Black man in his 20s or 30s with a beard, last seen wearing brown overalls, a blue T-shirt and black shoes; and
— The fourth suspect is a Hispanic man between 20 and 30 years old with a beard and a “man bun,” last seen in a white T-shirt, red pants and white shoes.
Anyone with information regarding the identification or whereabouts of the four suspects was urged to contact LAPD Rampart Gang detectives at 213-484-3651 or 213-484-3450. Calls during non-business hours or weekends should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.