Reward offered in string of Trader Joe's robberies

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11 / CNS) - The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man responsible for a string of armed robberies at Trader Joe's markets.

Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division say they have identified eight such robberies: four in Los Angeles, two in Long Beach and one each in Culver City and Irvine. The robberies began Feb. 15 in Long Beach, with the last one occurring on April 22.

The four Los Angeles robberies occurred in the Van Nuys, Topanga, Wilshire and West Valley areas.

Police described the suspect as a male between 25 and 35 years old, with medium height and weight.

"This series of armed robberies is a direct threat to the people of Los Angeles and the families who shop in these establishment and the quicker we bring them to justice the sooner Angelinos can rest,'' Councilman Paul Koretz said.

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to contact Detective Freddy Arroyo of the Robbery-Homicide Division at (213) 486-6840. During non-business hours, call (877) LAPD-24-7. Anonymous tips can be submitted to (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or www.lacrimestoppers.org.