Robbery and attempted robbery in Ralph’s parking lot

By Mary O’KEEFE

Two incidents – one of attempted robbery and the other of robbery – allegedly occurred at Ralph’s Market in La Crescenta.

On Nov. 12 about 9:30 p.m. a teenager was sitting in the driver’s seat of his parents’ car outside the Ralph’s when he heard someone knock on the car door window. A man described as Asian, 5’8” to 5’10” between the ages of 17 and 20 years asked him if he had a cigarette.

The teen opened the door but remained in the vehicle and told the suspect he did not have cigarettes. The suspect allegedly opened up his wallet, showed the teen a $20 bill and asked him if he had change. The boy only had $17. When he showed the suspect the money the man took it and told him that would be fine. The suspect then allegedly pulled out a black revolver handgun and said, “Don’t move. You just got jacked. Don’t move.”

The suspect ran to a waiting SUV that was driven by another man, with a similar description. The two drove off.

On Nov. 14 at about 10:30 p.m. a 19-year-old man said he parked in the Ralph’s Market parking lot and walked to the front door. He discovered the store was closed and walked back to his car. He said he noticed a man described as Hispanic, 5’7” to 5’8” about 140 pounds in his early 20s. He was wearing a black Raiders jersey with silver letters and a black hoodie sweatshirt, which he had drawn up over his head.

The suspect asked the man if the store was closed; the man replied that it was. The suspect then allegedly pulled out a dark object in the shape of a gun. The man looked at it and realized it was wooden. The suspect then demanded the man hand over his wallet. The man said “no” and entered his vehicle, locking the doors. The suspect allegedly yelled at the man that he would break the window. The victim told him to “do it.” The suspect then ran back to his SUV and drove off.

Anyone with information concerning these incidents is asked to contact the CV Sheriff’s Station (818) 248-3464.