BEVERLY HILLS (CNS) – A man was arrested in Beverly Hills Thursday after he allegedly rear-ended two vehicle occupants with his car, then robbed them at gunpoint.
Culver City Police Department units were called about 1:45 p.m. to the area of Washington and Sepulveda boulevards on reports of a robbery and found a victim who said she was inside her car when the suspect rear-ended her with his vehicle, according to a department statement.
The man then exited his vehicle armed with a handgun and approached her. He took her cell phone before reentering his vehicle and driving away, according to the CCPD.
Officers responded “minutes later” to the area of Washington Boulevard and Landmark Street — just over two miles from the scene of the first robbery — and met with a second victim who reported also being rear- ended and robbed by the man.
CCPD units obtained a description of the man and his vehicle, as well as a license plate number. The Beverly Hills Police Department located him in the area of Wilshire and Beverly boulevards, near Beverly Cañon Gardens, and took him into custody.
“During this process, the suspect fired a single gunshot from within the vehicle, which did not result in injuries to anyone on scene,” according to the CCPD. “Beverly Hills police officers proceeded with utilizing less- lethal weapons and a K9 in ultimately apprehending the suspect. Beverly Hills Fire Department was on scene and provided medical aid to the suspect for injuries sustained during the encounter.”
The suspect was treated at a hospital and later released to CCPD custody. During the course of the investigation, authorities recovered a handgun and an assault rifle from his vehicle.
A description of the suspect was withheld. He was booked for several charges, including armed robbery, discharging of a firearm and resisting arrest. The CCPD and California Highway Patrol are also investigating to determine whether the man is connected to multiple shootings on freeways in different parts of Los Angeles reported Thursday afternoon.
Anyone with information on the robberies or reported shooting was asked to contact CCPD Sgt. Edward Baskaron at 310-253-6316 or the watch commander at 310-253-6202.
