Police Investigate Burglary, Home Invasion Crime Spree In West LA
PACIFIC PALISADES (CBSLA.com) — Police Monday were investigating a crime spree involving burglary and home invasion in West Los Angeles.
CBS2's Greg Mills spoke with neighbors of the kidnapping victim and officials regarding the multiple crimes.
A suspect entered an apartment around 8 a.m. in the 100 block of Marques Place West where he allegedly forced an elderly woman to drive him to Beverly Hills, according to officials.
Mills said that residents of the apartment building believe the suspect came from a homeless encampment located across the street from the residence.
"He kidnapped her and they drove away from the location," LAPD Capt. Brian Thomas said. "As they were driving away, the woman saw an opportunity to escape. She then intentionally collided her vehicle into the back of a construction vehicle and managed to escape that location."
The suspect then ran to the Palisades High School parking lot where he car jacked another woman and stole her Toyota. As he was leaving the area, he crashed into three or four parked cars in the 16000 block of Sunset Boulevard.
"The suspect then bailed out of that vehicle and forced his way into a residence where he confronted two women who were home alone," Thomas said. "He took their car and fled northbound on Pacific Coast Highway, where he ended up being involved in another traffic collision at about Malibu Canyon Highway."
Deputies from the local Sheriff's department, which had been notified of the crime spree by police, recognized the suspect and took him into custody. He was transported to a local hospital.
Two additional people who were involved in the crash were airlifted to the same hospital, according to the LAPD.
Officials said that all who were hospitalized are currently listed in stable condition.
"She's okay, but she's a little traumatized," said Lowell Cauffiel, friend of the kidnapping victim. "She really kept her cool, he had her at knife point."
The identity of the suspect was not released.