Police Investigate An Attempted Robbery In Beverly Hills
BEVERLY HILLS (CBSLA) — Beverly Hills Police are searching for two suspects, one of whom was armed with a handgun, for an attempted robbery Friday afternoon.
The Beverly Hills Police Department initially believed the crime to be attempted carjacking determined it was an attempted robbery.
A video that surfaced on social media shows two men punch and pistol whip a driver of a Black Ferrari in an attempt to steal his watch. However, their attempt failed as the driver fought back against his aggressors.
"It was horrible," said business owner Garan Ogani.
Ogani stood inside his business as he watched the incident unfold.
"As he went into the car from the passenger's side," he said. "I think he was trying to grab something. The two guys just attacked him. They started wrestling and fighting in the car and then they ended up coming out of the driver's side."
Ogani said he helped the victim after he saw that he was bleeding from his head.
"The minute I tried to that I noticed one of the guys had a gun in his hand," he said. "And I thought 'this is gonna make it worse if someone else interferes. The guy might get shot.'"
Witnesses said that one of the suspects ran away while the second suspect go in a waiting car and left. After receiving medical treatment, with a medical gauze wrapped around his head, the victim later went back in his store.
"He was happy that he was alive," said Ogani. "He was smiling when he came in. Thanked me for trying to be on his side and I apologized that I couldn't be much of a help because I saw the gun."
The Beverly Hills police reassured residents that the department was taking measures to keep the community safe.
"I want to reassure the community that measures are being taken to keep our community safe," said Police Chief Mark Stainbrook. "This evening, we have a full complement of police officers on high alert. Our officers are supplemented by private security officers."