TOPANGA—The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect responsible for a series of business robberies. The LAPD indicated on their website that the Robbery Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section, is investigating a series of armed robberies that targeted the Trader Joe’s supermarkets.

Detectives have identified eight robberies, two in Long Beach, one in Irvine, one in Culver City, and four in Los Angeles. The four Los Angeles robberies transpired in Van Nuys, Topanga, Wilshire, and the West Valley Divisions of Los Angeles. The first robbery occurred on February 15 in Long Beach, with the last robbery taking place on April 22 in West Valley. Police have described the suspect as an African-American male, medium height and weight, and between the ages of 25 to 35-years-old.

Sketch of the armed robbery suspect that authorities are hunting for.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for stepping up to offer this reward as an incentive for anyone with information of the person or persons responsible for committing this crime to please come forward. This series of armed robberies is a direct threat to the people of Los Angeles and the families who shop in these establishments and the quicker we bring them to justice the sooner Angelinos can rest,” said Los Angeles Councilmember Paul Koretz.

The Los Angeles City Council approved a reward of $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these crimes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Freddy Arroyo, Robbery Homicide Detectives, at (213) 486-6840. During non-business hours or on weekends contact 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.