Los Angeles police asked residents to be on the lookout for a man who was allegedly caught on video trying to carjack three women last week.
The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Maurice Latorre, is considered “violent and dangerous” by police and asked anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately.
The first attempted carjacking happened at about 10:50 a.m. at a Lincoln Heights gas station along the 3200 block of North Broadway. Detectives said Latorre approached the victim while she was pumping fuel. The woman tried to get away from the suspect by getting into her car, but Latorre followed her and allegedly forced his way to the driver’s side while pushing the victim into the passenger seat.
Investigators say he ran away after a brief struggle.
The next incident occurred about three hours later in a parking lot a few blocks away, near the intersection of North Broadway and South Ave 21. After a brief struggle, the suspect smashed the driver’s window as the woman and her family drove away.
The last known attempted carjacking occurred at approximately 4:55 p.m. at another gas station along the 2900 block of East Cesar E. Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights. Security camera video taken at the time of the attack shows Latorre staring at the woman as she pumped gas. When she finished and tried to get into her driver’s seat, Latorre allegedly yanked the door open and pulled her to the ground. He continued to attack her until a passerby pulled him off the woman.
He left on a silver bicycle.
Police released Latorre’s photo and video of the attacks.
L.A.P.D
LAPD urged anyone with information to contact Detective Jose Diaz-Ibarra at (323) 342-8981 or the Detective Desk at (323) 342-8900. Anonymous tips can be submitted to LA Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477 or through their website.
