A group of robbers who wielded what appeared to be an AK-47 during a holdup near La Boheme last month have been taken into custody, officials said.
The robbery at Santa Monica Boulevard and Orlando Avenue in West Hollywood was reported the night of April 25, but it was a robbery in Beverly Hills that led to the suspects’ arrests, said West Hollywood City Manager David Wilson.
Beverly Hills police initially said Tuesday that three people held up victims outside of a department store on Beverly Boulevard, with one person armed with an assault-style rifle, though a Wednesday press release said there were four people arrested after a reported robbery and pursuit.
They include Briana Threets, 18, and Keymaurie Clark, 26, both of Oakland, and two teens — one boy and one girl both 15 years old.
A handgun and a rifle were found in their vehicle, which had also been stolen, according to the BHPD.
Three people — a man and two women — were accused in last week’s West Hollywood robbery, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station has been working closely with Beverly Hills and believes that the four individuals in custody may have been the same four suspects involved in the West Hollywood robbery,” Wilson told the West Hollywood City Council Monday night.
The Sheriff’s Department later confirmed that the same suspects were involved in both crimes and that they were arrested on April 26.
While the incident raised residents’ concerns, West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne noted that crime is down since last March, though she agreed footage of the robbery was jarring for everyone.
“It’s really frightening to see a video like this and I can understand the fear out there in the community. I have a lot of understanding, compassion, empathy … I’m so glad that nobody got hurt,” she said.
Authorities believe the suspects may have victimized others and are in contact with other area agencies. Anyone who may be familiar with the suspects is asked to contact Detective Zeff at 310-358-4021 or bgzeff@lasd.org.
