(April 2, 2003) -- LBPD Sgt. Rick Colbert was working the graveyard shift on March 21 in the LB's East Division, covering an area stretching from Cherry Ave. to the east city limit.

That night, Sgt. Colbert, a veteran of over 20 years on the force, handled a crime in which a 22 year old man was shot twice in the groin at ELB's Town Center (Carson St. @ 605 freeway).

The shooter(s) fled...but there was a vehicle description.

Nearly two weeks later on April 1 -- while Sgt. Colbert was off duty, in civilian clothes, and driving in the area of LB Blvd. at Willow St. -- the observant cop recalled the vehicle description when he spotted a car matching it.

Sgt. Colbert quickly grabbed his cell phone, called LBPD, and on duty units responded, pulled the suspect vehicle over...and found a gun inside.

LBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Paul LeBaron says the car's two occupants, a juvenile and an adult, were taken into custody re possession of the gun. Tests are being conducted on the gun and an investigation is proceeding regarding the ELB Town Center shooting.

With many of us unable to say with certainty exactly what we ate for lunch two weeks ago, LBPD Sgt. Colbert's powers of recall (on the ELB crime) and observation (while off duty) are especially impressive.