In the last few weeks, there were two commercial burglaries on Larchmont Blvd., north of Beverly Blvd., several armed robberies in the neighborhood, and what was reportedly a drug-related shooting on 4th and Detroit Streets.
LAPD Senior Lead Officer Dave Cordova told the Buzz yesterday that officers are addressing the burglary issue by stepping up patrols on Larchmont and working with businesses to take steps to secure their back doors, remove cash from the premises at night and be more vigilant.
As for the armed robberies, Cordova said two suspects are in custody and have been positively identified by several victims. The police are waiting for additional victims to identify the individuals in their incidents, which occurred at Beachwood Ave. and Beverly Blvd, 1st Street and June Street, the 100 Block of South Orange Drive, and 1st Street and Las Palmas. Cordova said the suspects in custody may have been also responsible for other robberies north of Wilshire Blvd., as well as an incident on Saturday night at 8th and Longwood, but he can’t confirm that until all the victims have had an opportunity to identify the suspects.
The heavy police response to a shooting at 4th Street and Detroit Avenue on Monday got lots of attention from residents and crime watchers on social media. But according to Officer Cordova, the response was typical for LAPD in such situations. Once the full story came out, however, Cordova said, it was worth noting that this was a crime in which the victim and the suspect, now in custody, knew each other.
“I don’t want to minimize this incident, but it’s important for residents to know this was not a random act of violence in the neighborhood,” said Cordova.
The Beverly Press reported that an LAPD detective also said it was a narcotics-related shooting.
