[LBPD release text] Today charges were filed [by the DA] against two Long Beach men in connection with two robberies.
On August 15, 2015, at approximately 4:30 p.m., officers from the Long Beach Police Department responded to a robbery that occurred in the 3300 block of East 7th Street. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had posted an ad to sell a cellphone with an online classifieds site. The victim met the suspect for the transaction and during the course of their discussion the suspect shoved the victim. The victim fell to the pavement and the suspect took her cellphone. Fortunately the victim was not seriously injured.
As Robbery Detectives investigated the crime, they discovered that the same suspect may be connected to another robbery that occurred on October 11, 2015.
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On October 11, 2015, at approximately 1:00 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 4400 block of Atlantic Avenue. The investigation revealed that two suspects entered the business, jumped behind the counter and verbally threatened the employee. The suspects then proceeded to take items from the business and fled the scene.
As Robbery Detectives analyzed evidence related to both robberies, detectives identified the two suspects and arrested 21-year-old Zachery James Pati of Long Beach and 20-year-old Julian Carvajal of Long Beach. A search warrant was executed and evidence was recovered [allegedly] related to the crimes.
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The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review. Today, Pati was charged with two felony counts of robbery and is currently being held at the Long Beach Jail on $100,000 bail. Carvajal was charged with one felony count of robbery and is currently being held at the Long Beach Jail on $50,000 bail.
The Robbery Detail would like to provide the following safety tips to the public as it relates to posting ads to sell items on line:
- Communicate only through e-mail until you feel comfortable that the individual’s interest is valid.
- Be wary of buyers who are out-of-area, as they may be fraudulent.
- If anything feels suspicious discontinue to sale. When you’re comfortable that the buyer seems legitimate, ask the buyer to give you his or her phone number. (Sometimes, the area code may indicate if they are in your area.) Try the phone number to find out if it’s valid. If the person responds, chat on the phone for a bit about the item for sale and decide if the person seems genuine.
- Make it clear that you will only accept cash for the item. Any other form of payment is highly likely to be fraudulent.
- Agree to meet during daylight hours in a public place and bring a friend to accompany you. Turn down requests to meet at your house, during darkness, in an unfamiliar place, or by yourself.
- Don't hand over the item until you have the cash in hand. Don’t accept partial payment or anything other than cash for the transaction. If the method of payment changes from your previous agreement, walk away from the deal.
- If the potential buyer wants time to consider and comes back later, follow the same procedures. Don’t get careless the second time around.
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Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call Robbery Detective Parkhill at 562-570-5535. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-22-TIPS (8477),or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org. The Long Beach Police Department Robbery Detail requests people to follow their Twitter feed @LBPDrobbery for safety tips.
