TOPANGA CANYON—Authorities from the Los Angeles Police Department arrested two dangerous suspects who were responsible for committing multiple violent crimes in the northern suburb of Topanga on May 29.
The first suspect, Francisco Mercado, 21, was identified by police on May 28 for his involvement in two armed robberies and two burglaries in the Topanga region.
According to the LAPD blog, Mercado is a known gang member who is on parole and allegedly pointed an unknown caliber semi-auto handgun at his victim and then demanded all their property be handed over. He committed a robbery on May 29, where he was assisted by Angela Ajzip, 19, an employee of the establishment he robbed on the 7600 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Police issued a crime alert on May 29 alerting the public of Mercado’s physical description and the vehicle that he may have been driving. While responding to a radio call, police spotted both Mercado and Ajzip feeling the area. When they attempted to stop the suspect’s vehicle, Mercado jumped out of the car and Ajzip continued to drive southbound on Farralone Avenue, before crashing into a citizen’s vehicle.
The female suspect was taken into custody and a large perimeter was set up to nab Mercado. He broke into a nearby home that was unoccupied at the time and hid himself in a closet. He was discovered and bit by a police dog and taken into police custody. Both suspects were booked for 211 PC, Robbery.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call the LAPD Topanga Area Robbery Detectives at (818) 756-4830. During non-business hours or on the weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).
Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.
