Crime & Safety
Update: Man Surrenders After Attempted Robbery
Man reportedly tried to rob a retired police officer who was eating at a restaurant near the border of West Hollywood and Los Angeles. The man then fled into nearby store.
A man who tried to rob a retired police officer in a restaurant, then barricaded himself in a clothing store near West Hollywood surrendered to police today after a three-hour standoff with a SWAT team, authorities said.
Crisis negotiators called to the Gregory's clothing store at 147 N. Robertson Boulevard persuaded the man to surrender around 1 a.m., police said.
The attempted robbery occurred at The Third Stop restaurant at 8636 W. Third Street near Cedars-Sinai Medical Center about 7:50 p.m. Thursday, police
said.
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The suspect drew a knife and tried to rob the retired officer as he was having dinner in the restaurant with his girlfriend, said Lt. Andy Neiman, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman.
The retired officer responded by pulling out a handgun, and the suspect
fled, said Officer Wendy Reyes of LAPD Media Relations.
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The ex-officer pursued the man, who ran into the clothing store and
locked himself in a rear bathroom, Neiman said.
"Los Angeles Police Department negotiators were able to make contact and after lengthy negotiations the suspect was taken into custody without incident,'' said Sgt. Michael Ventura of the Los Angeles Police Department's Wilshire Station.
The suspect may be suffering from mental illness, Ventura said. His name
was not disclosed.
The suspect was booked on suspicion of attempted robbery, said Lt. Darius Bone of the Wilshire Station.
A knife was recovered, Ventura said.