By Mary O’KEEFE

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. detectives are investigating two robberies, one in La Cañada Flintridge and the other in La Crescenta, that occurred just three days apart. The victims were walking on the sidewalk/street when the suspects approached, robbed them and drove away.

The first robbery took place on Dec. 15 at about 12:30 p.m. when a man and woman were walking in the 1700 block of Earlmont Avenue in La Cañada Flintridge. They were approached by two men, both armed. The first suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his early 20s with dark colored hair and dark eyes. He was between 5’8” and 5’10” tall with a medium build. At the time of the robbery he was wearing a blue T-shirt, white jeans and a dark colored bandana covering his nose and jaw. The first suspect approached the victims and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at them then demanded their property.

The second suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his early 20s with dark colored hair and dark eyes. He was between 5’7” and 5’9” tall with a thin build. At the time of the robbery he was wearing a white T-shirt, dark colored jeans and a dark colored bandana covering his nose and jaw. The second suspect also approached the victims, pointed a silver/chrome colored semi-automatic handgun and demanded property.

The victims were robbed of cellphones, cash and vehicle keys. The suspects got into a vehicle described, at first, as a  2010 to 2015 four door orange, Ford F-150. The vehicle was later described as a Dodge Ram. The vehicle had paper plates reading “Drive Time” and the windows were tinted. It was not known at the time if there was a third suspect acting as a driver.

Detectives, collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, discovered there were similar robbery incidents in Burbank and South Pasadena. After an investigation suspects were arrested.

“We believe the [Burbank and South Pasadena robberies] are related [to the La Cañada incident],” said Sgt. Alan Chu, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. – Crescenta Valley Station.

The second robbery occurred on Dec. 18 at about 3:45 p.m. in the 4400 block of Sunset Avenue in Montrose. A woman who is deaf and only communicates through sign language in Armenian had been shopping at the Ralphs market in the 2600 block of Foothill Boulevard. She walked assisted by a walker. She had paid for her items and began walking to her home along Foothill Boulevard toward Sunset Avenue.

When she turned southbound on Sunset Avenue, approaching Mary Street, she was suddenly pushed to the ground. She was near her destination, her sister-in-law’s home, when she was attacked. A suspect grabbed her black purse containing a mini iPad, money and an identification card. The only description the victim was able to give deputies was that her attacker was a man wearing all black with a black hat that had a front-facing bill. She reported the suspect got into a large white vehicle but did not know the make or model.

The Los Angeles County Fire Dept. responded and treated the woman’s injuries on the scene. She had abrasions to both of her palms, pain in her left knee, right hip and pain in the back of her neck. She was later transported to USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.

“Deputies and detectives canvassed the neighborhood searching for any witnesses,” Chu said.

Some neighbors said they thought they heard something but no one saw anything that was helpful, he added.

Detectives reviewed the surveillance footage at Ralphs market and are continuing their investigation in nearby neighborhoods.

There has not been an arrest regarding the second robbery that took place on Dec. 18 and detectives at LASD – Crescenta Valley Station are asking for any information relating to the crime. It does not appear the La Cañada robbery is connected to the La Crescenta robbery.

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

  Mary Okeefe, robin goldsworthy