Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Olympic Division officers have arrested a 40-year old Los Angeles resident in connection with a series of parking lot and business robberies in Koreatown.

For the past several weeks, a series of robberies involving one or two African American male suspects occurred against victims of Korean descent. The suspects waited outside apartment buildings and followed residents as they drove into the buildings’ parking structures to park their cars. One of the suspects would then approach the victim and demand money while simulating a handgun. The suspects stole cash and other personal items before running away.

Although in most robberies only one suspect was seen, detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Olympic Division believed two suspects were working together.  The suspects were driving a silver or gray-colored car, and in most of the robberies, the main suspect would use a cap and a wig as a disguise. In addition to the robberies in the parking structures, detectives believe one of the suspects may have committed two other robberies at Korean-owned restaurants on Olympic Boulevard.

On Dec. 16 around 12:10 a.m., two additional victims were robbed in the 400 block of Western Avenue, including a female victim who suffered injuries to her hand.  One suspect tried to drive away, but was apprehended by Olympic Area patrol officers.  The suspect was driving a 1999 silver Dodge Intrepid, and officers also recovered an alleged disguise that may have been used in the robberies. The suspect was identified as Sammy Johnson, and he was charged with multiple counts of robbery and is being held without bail. The other suspect is still at large.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Olympic Division Robbery detectives at (213)382-9463. During weekends and off-hours, call the LAPD’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at (877)LAPD247.