WOODLAND HILLS—Two Topanga Division officers from the Los Angeles Police Department were involved in a shooting earlier this month, with one of the officers being wounded in the leg. The police identified the suspect involved as Daniel Joseph Carver, 29. Officials revealed that Carver was also the ‘Shaggy Bandit,’ who was responsible for robbing several west San Fernando Valley stores, including a Game Stop with a revolver on March 25.

On April 9, Officers Eduardo Guillen and Oscar Granillo pursued a stolen, brown Ford Explorer SUV using the Lo-Jack tracking equipment on the vehicle.

“No doubt, this man was on the prowl the morning of April 9 to pull another armed robbery. In fact, he was first noticed that morning by an observant officer in the parking lot of a Home Depot,” said Captain Paul Vernon, the Commanding Officer of the Topanga Patrol Division.

Carver attempted to leave the vehicle and flee on foot, but officers were able to chase him into an alley near the 6500 block of Corbin Avenue.

“While the officers couldn’t know Carver was a career criminal and active serial robber, Carver knew that, and he didn’t want to get caught. On parole for robbery and with two strikes, he could go back to prison for a long time,” said Vernon.

The suspect retrieved a revolver and shot several rounds at the officers, prompting them to fire back. A bullet struck the suspect, and paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) provided emergency medical care, but he was pronounced dead on the scene. Authorities recovered Carver’s revolver with six spent casings and booked it as evidence.

Canyon News spoke with LAPD Officer Drake Madison about the case. While he could not provide any additional information on the shooting, he confirmed the connection between Carver and the Shaggy Bandit.

“Piecing together Carver’s recent criminal activities, while free on parole, gives us a rare glimpse into how the tentacles of a single career criminal can touch the lives of so many people: from the clerks at the post office and Game Stop, to the owners of the stolen car and gun, to the victims of burglaries he was under investigation for in two other jurisdictions, and most prominently, to the two young police officers he tried to kill, one who was shot during the armed confrontation. They will be haunted by the memories forever,” said Vernon.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Det. Fernando Avila, Topanga Detective Division, at (818) 756-3520. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.