(Feb. 2, 2010, updated 4:40 p.m.) -- A Bixby Knolls business in the 3900 block of Atlantic Ave. (just north of Roosevelt Rd.) found itself the victim of a three-suspect attempted armed robbery on Monday night (Feb. 1)...during which an employee of the business allegedly shot at the suspects.
Update/further information from LBPD Public Information Officer Nancy Pratt:
The attempted robbery occurred at an eating establishment. The suspect wasn't struck by the shot(s) fired by the employee [uncertain how many shots].
Officers responded quickly to the location and took the three suspects into custody...and initially believed there may have been a fourth suspect at large, leading officers to set up a perimeter in the area of Roosevelt Rd. and Lime Ave.
During this time, the "Reverse 911" system [City calls residents in a particular area] was used to notify residents as to what was taking place, to stay indoors, keep doors locked and the like. After further investigation, officers concluded that they had all the suspects in custody.
The suspects in custody are identified thus far as two males, both 20 years of age, residents of Los Angeles and Hawthorne...and a female, age 19, a resident of Gardena.
Further investigation led to a vehicle in the are which contained what is believed to be evidence related to the crime.
[end update]
A person nearby at the time says LBPD responded in force...and customers of the victim-business, as well as customers of some other nearby Atlantic Ave. businesses, were kept inside and not allowed to leave (some until about 11:00 p.m.) as officers ensured the area was safe, searched for a suspect and conducted an investigation.
The events played out while four candidates in LB's 7th district City Council race took part in an election forum for nearby Cal Hts and Wrigley area residents about a mile south in the Wrigley district.
The visible police presence simultaneously taking place was referenced by a viewer to LBReport.com's live webcast, who stated in an online chat:
"[T]he LBPD has numerous streets in Cal Height/BK blocked... they're looking for a gunman that's just committed armed robbery. Ask them what they will do about this kind of stuff." (The question of prioritizing public safety vs. spending on other budget items came up during the forum, click here.)
