Downey Neighbors Describe Victim Of Deadly Home Invasion Robbery As 'Loving', 'Generous'
DOWNEY (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Sunday evening continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding a deadly home invasion robbery in Downey.
Police were dispatched to the home about 11 a.m. after receiving a call from a neighbor who reported that three men were attempting to get into a home in the 10000 block of Lesterford near Florence Avenue.
According to the caller, a scuffle broke out near the doorway which resulted in the resident being pushed to the ground.
When officers arrived on scene, they located one victim who was deceased.
Neighbors described the victim -- 59-year-old longtime Downey realtor Jim Rudometkin -- as the solo-occupant of the home who was very generous and loving.
They said the victim was active within his church, had no enemies, and was loved by many.
"Very, very good guy, the best man ever," said one neighbor, while another said: "I'm very surprised. Very. I'm baffled to hear that and scared, especially during the daytime, this kind of thing happening so close by."
Police said the home had been ransacked. They have arrested two suspects and say they are searching for a third.
The outstanding possible suspect was described as an Asian or Pacific Islander, about 20 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds with bushy
hair. He was wearing a button-down orange or red shirt, blue jeans and black and white tennis shoes.
KCAL9's Brittney Hopper reported from the scene Sunday evening. She spoke to many of Rudometkin's shocked neighbors.
"He just had a loving heart that would love anybody and would help anybody that came to him," said one friend.
"I can't believe something like that would happen to Uncle Boo Boo," said another, "I could imagine if caught someone in his house, he would say 'You guys, take whatever you want.' So I don't know. It's just heartbreaking."
Police told Hopper they do not believe the suspects were in any way connected to the victim.
