Two teens are in custody, and one is still being sought for a spree of street robberies that occurred in West Hollywood  in November.

The suspect was detained behind the Gold Coast Bar, and later admitted involvement in the robberies. (photo by Ian Lovett)

Two suspects, both juveniles, were arrested during the past two weeks, and officials are still looking for a third juvenile suspect. The trio is alleged to have committed at least six armed street robberies in West Hollywood, generally targeting individuals who were walking alone late at night.

Lt. Lawrence Del Mese, with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, said the suspects were residents of Los Angeles, and the incidents were crimes of opportunity.

“They were targeting people on the streets. None of the victims lived in West Hollywood, and neither did the suspects,” Del Mese said. “We made one arrest, and then served a search warrant and made another arrest. We are now still looking for one suspect, but he has been identified.”

Del Mese would not identify the suspects by name because they are juveniles, but said one is Hispanic, and the other two are African American. The suspects would allegedly approach people from behind and rob them at gunpoint. They primarily stole cash and cellular phones, as well as other small items that can easily be sold.

The first arrest was made on Nov. 27 when deputies recognized an individual who fit the description of one of the suspects in the parking lot behind the Gold Coast Bar at 8228 Santa Monica Blvd. The individual was detained and questioned, and allegedly admitted to taking part in several robberies within the city, and an attempted carjacking. During questioning, the suspect implicated the two other individuals, and investigators obtained search warrants for their arrest.

Investigators from the West Hollywood Station served the search warrants at undisclosed locations in Los Angeles on Dec. 2, and arrested the second suspect. The third individual who was implicated was not located.

During the search, investigators found a pellet gun that is believed to be the weapon used in the robberies. Del Mese said it was a coincidence that a pellet gun was used, because that is the same type of weapon found on a suspect in a different series of street robberies in late October and November.

“It seems to be the weapon of choice recently,” Del Mese added.

None of the victims in the recent robberies were injured. The two suspects who were arrested are being held in custody in the Sylmar Juvenile Facility. Del Mese said charges are pending the outcome of the investigation and the third arrest, but he added that they will likely include multiple counts of robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact  robbery investigators at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310)855-8850.