Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart Division are asking for the public’s help in identifying a robbery suspect who was captured on surveillance camera video entering an apartment complex at 2208 W. 8th St.

The robbery occurred on June 5 at approximately 5 a.m. The suspect approached a victim at the corner of 8th and Alvarado streets, and asked the victim if he knew a mutual friend. The victim befriended the suspect and allowed him to enter his residence to wait for the mutual friend.

After several hours, the suspect began to use the victim’s cell phone. When the victim asked for his cell phone back, the suspect became angry and struck the victim multiple times in the head and body. The suspect told him not to move, and the victim complied with the suspect’s demands. The suspect ransacked the victim’s apartment and stole property.

The suspect was using the victim’s phone to text an unknown person and demanded the victim’s exact address. The victim was fearful that additional suspects were going to come to his residence. He jumped out a window, ran and called police.

The suspect fled on foot. He is described as Hispanic, 23 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. The suspect is believed to go by the name Diego. He was wearing glasses, a white long sleeve shirt, light blue jeans and black shoes with white shoelaces.

The suspect’s photograph can be viewed at www.lapdonline.org. Anyone with information is urged to call investigators with the LAPD’s Rampart Division at (213)484-3629. During weekends and off-hours, call the LAPD’s hotline at (877) LAPD247.