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6 | JUNE 6, 2013 - JUNE 12, 2013
Wanted by 19 police agencies: “Midnight Bandit” suspected of 58 robberies
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Detectives seek the public’s assistance in identifying the “midnight bandit” suspected of 58 robberies in the southern California area. On Monday, June 3, 2013 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau Detectives, held a press conference to seek the public’s assistance in identifying a robbery suspect nicknamed the “Midnight Bandit.” The “Midnight Bandit” has targeted gas stations and convenience stores throughout the southland for over a year. He typically approaches lone gas station clerks in the middle of the night usually between 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., while armed with a handgun and steals the money from the gas station register. The Suspect is de-
scribed as a male Black, 25-30 years old, 5’7 to 5’9 and 180-200 pounds. The suspect has allegedly robbed a total of 58 gas stations between April, 2012 to May 22, 2013. He has been known to commit approximately six robberies per month across numerous southland jurisdictions, including Anaheim, Bell, Buena Park, Burbank, Culver City, Garden Grove, Glendale, Huntington Park, La Palma, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Monterey Park, Newport Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, South Gate and Torrance. Although information about this robbery series was released in 2012, Detectives are now releasing additional photographs and information recently obtained, in order to identify this suspect. On March 14, 2013, the suspect was captured on video, both before and after an armed robbery, driving a silver gray, 2000-2004, Jaguar S Type, four door sedan. This robbery occurred in the 3800 block of Florence Avenue, in the city of Bell at 9:30 a.m. in the morning. This incident was one of the
few robberies that the suspect committed in the daylight hours. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau is conducting a joint investigation with 18 other southland law enforcement agencies, from Newport Beach to Pasadena; from Torrance to Burbank. Each law enforcement agency is involved because the suspect has victimized businesses in their cities on at least one occasion, totaling more than 58 robberies. Detectives are asking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect from the newly released photographs and videos of him and his vehicle. The suspect is armed with a handgun and should be considered very dangerous. Individuals with information can contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau at 562-946-7893 or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Sierra Madre resident appointed to PUSD board of education The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education appointed Mikala Rahn, Ph.D. to fill the vacant at large Seat 4 on the PUSD Board of Education at a special board meeting held at Pasadena City College on June 1. Rahn will be sworn in June 11 and will serve out the remainder of the current term for Seat 4 which expires on May 4, 2015. Seat 4 became vacant when Kimberly Kenne won the election for the new geographic subdistrict Seat 5 in March and vacated her previously held at large Seat 4. “I would like to welcome Mikala Rahn to the PUSD board to serve the students of the district,” said PUSD Board President Renatta Cooper despite the fact that she opposed her appointment. “All of the candidates that appeared before the
By Terry Miller board were impressive in their background, diversity and genuine desire to improve public education for the children of Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre.” she continued. Cooper wanted investment banker Carmen Vargas on the board as did Pomeroy. After years of feeling left out of the decision making process at Sierra Madre schools, some parents now feel there will be a voice for that part of PUSD. Rahn, a Sierra Madre resident, is Executive Director of Public Works, a nonprofit educational consulting firm. She is Founder/CEO of Learning Works, a charter school in Pasadena that targets high school dropouts, teen mothers and youth on probation. Dr. Rahn is also Executive Director of Community Works Learning Center which provides educational opportunities for
parents, youth and children including tutoring, intervention and enrichment services. Dr. Rahn is the parent of two PUSD students. A total of 38 individuals applied to fill the vacancy on the board. Nine were selected at the May 28 Board Meeting to appear before the board for a final interview June 1. PUSD’s at large board districts became geographic subdistricts encompassing Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County after the passage of Measure A last June. Elections for geographic subdistricts 1, 3, 5 and 7 took place in March 2013 and elections for geographic subdistricts 2, 4 and 6 will be in 2015. Details about the appointment process, timeline and applicants are available at www. boardvacancy.pasadenausd. org.