Armed Robberies in Los Alamitos Prompt Warning From Police

The Los Alamitos Police Department on Wednesday warned residents to be vigilant after three separate armed robberies took place in the city over the past month, including a robbery on Monday.

According to police, two juveniles and an adult were robbed at gunpoint on Dec. 2 while they were skateboarding near Reagan and Florista Streets in Los Alamitos.

Police said two male suspects between the ages of 16 and 18 years old approached a female victim and her friends and asked for directions. One suspect then allegedly pulled out a handgun and demanded that the girl hand over money and a cell phone. After complying with the request, the suspect then took property from another victim. A second suspect then allegedly took a boy's skateboard and fled the area with the other suspect.

"Although shaken by the incident, none of the victims was hurt," said Los Alamitos Police Department Capt. Bruce McAlpine.

McAlpine said that the incident is the third robbery in the past month in which a handgun was used to threaten victims and take property.

"As a result of these recent incidents, the Los Alamitos Police Department would like to caution the public and ask that they remain attentive to their surroundings and be vigilant for suspicious persons and activity," McAlpine said in a news release. "All of these robberies have taken place after dark and near residential areas."

Police are also seeking any information about the crimes and any possible suspects.

The first suspect in Monday's incident was described as a black male, 5'9" in height weighing 160 pounds and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a white logo. The second suspect was described as black male, 5'10" in height weighing 160 pounds wearing a red hooded sweatshirt with blue and white lettering.

Suspects in the previous robberies were similarly described as male blacks or hispanics, 18-20 years old all wearing hooded sweatshirts, police said. However, police said they have not concluded that the crimes are connected.

"Although the modus operandi of the crimes are similar, and crimes of this nature are rare in Los Alamitos, police detectives have not definitively determined if the crimes are in fact connected," McAlpine said.

Anyone with information on any of the robberies is asked to call the Los Alamitos Police Department at 562-594-7232. Anonymous tips can be left by calling Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or by visiting www.occrimestoppers.org.