A 19-year-old suspected gang member has been charged with four felonies for a robbery on Sept. 14 in Hollywood.

The suspects in the Hollywood robbery used Airsoft pistols, which are toys that closely resemble real guns. (photo courtesy of LAPD)
The suspect was identified as Rodrigo Gaitan. Authorities could not determine Gaitan’s address, but said he was known to frequent the East Hollywood area.
The robbery occurred at approximately 8 p.m. on Sept. 14 near Hollywood Boulevard and Wilton Place, just east of the Hollywood (101) Freeway. Gaitan and three additional suspects who are still being sought by police allegedly approached a group of four victims who were walking toward a nearby venue. The suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at the victims and demanded jewelry, purse and iPhones. The victims gave the suspects their property, and the suspects fled in a gray Saturn SUV.
Det. L. Jurado, with the Hollywood Division’s Gang Investigation Detail said witnesses provided a description of the vehicle. The following day, officers with the gang detail found Gaitan driving the Saturn near Western Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.
“On a hunch, we started looking in that part of town,” Jurado said. “There was a good vehicle description and it was good police work. The stolen property was located in the car.”
Police also found two replica handguns believed to have been used in the robbery.
The detective described them as Airsoft guns, which are toys but appear real.
“Unless you were a firearms expert, you wouldn’t be able to tell,” Jurado said. “They are very accurate.”
Detectives are still searching for the other suspects and the investigation is ongoing. Gaitan has been charged with four counts of robbery and is being held on $200,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 30.
Anyone with information about the robbery is urged to call the LAPD’s Gang Investigation Detail at (213)972-2971.
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