Wanted: Three Robbery and Assault Suspects in Whittier and Cerritos Home Invasions

Overview

• Type: assault, gun, home invasion, robbery

David Yamauchi, victim of assault

LOS ANGELES – L.A. County Sheriff Deputies are searching for three men wanted in two related robbery and assault-with-a-deadly weapon home invasions Wednesday night in West Whittier County and Cerritos.

The armed and dangerous suspects are described as black males, 5’10 with thin builds, 25-30 years old, with hoodies covering their appearance.

Both robberies’ victims reported armed men who appear out of the darkness, pointing guns and demanding money.
Around 9 PM, Celia Lujan walked to her car on the 12100 block of Washington Boulevard in unincorporated Whittier to retrieve groceries when a male black adult armed with a rifle stepped out of the darkness and said, “Where’s the money?” and ordered her into her house.

As he ordered the woman and her husband in their 60’s to be quiet and lay on the floor, two additional armed suspects barged in and ransacked the house. At one point the suspect threatened to kill the woman. The couple was then ordered to stand up and walk into another room, where the suspects took cash and jewelry, then fled into the darkness.
No vehicle was seen.

Cerritos Sheriff Station reported a similar home invasion at approximately 11 PM in the 4600 block of El Rancho Verde Drive. This time, the invasion robbery victim was also assaulted.

HMG-CN obtained a Facebook posting with a photo of assaulted victim David Yamauchi who alerted, “Was working in my garage with the door open for air. Black male late teens/early 20s came in and had me at gunpoint. Kept telling me to shut up then struck me over the head twice with his revolver. Two other males went through my front door and held my wife at gunpoint. Got spooked and left without stealing anything. Lock your front door all the time and be vigilant. These criminals are getting pretty bold and brazen.”

Sheriffs reported that Yamauchi was treated for head injuries and his wife was unharmed. The two children asleep inside the residence were also unharmed.

Two handguns and a rifle were used in the second crime.

Anyone with information is urged to call Pico Rivera Station Detective Eric Callahan at (562) 949-2421 or Detective Richard Kiguelman at the Cerritos Station at (562) 860-0044.