Sherman Oaks On Virtual Lockdown As Police Hunt Robbery Suspects, Kidnappers
SHERMAN OAKS (CBSLA.com) — Authorities put much of Sherman Oaks on lockdown Saturday as they hunted for three robbery suspects they also said kidnapped a man.
One of the three suspects remained at large as of 10 p.m. Saturday.
CBS2's Greg Mills said the incident started just before noon when the victim was leaving a barbershop.
The victim told police three men forced him into his new Mercedes at gunpoint and made him drive to his home in the 15400 block of Vista Haven Place.
The suspects allegedly took property from the home, including the victim's car.
Officials said the car was eventually traced to the area of Ventura Boulevard and Kester Avenue where the vehicle was abandoned and a perimeter was set up.
The car was abandoned in the parking of of Mel's Diner.
Chasen Weiss was working the cash register when the suspects and victim pulled up.
"The car drives up," Weiss said, "The parking attendant looks in the car. He thought it was customers. Then, of course, it wasn't. Then the men just dispersed. They start running."
LAPD Sgt. Eric Swihart said "After the victim was kidnapped, and taken in his car, he was driven to this location where we are today, Kester and Ventura. They suspects fled, the victim was left in his vehicle where a citizen freed him from his restraints."
Swihart said the victim had some injuries to his head. He was treated at the scene by the LA Fire Department.
Mills reported one of the suspects was captured at a CVS in the shampoo aisle. The man was pretending to be shopping, witnesses said.
Swihart said most of the victim's property was also recovered but "some of it remains outstanding."
Police said the victim did not know the suspects.
