Three men allegedly entered the liquor store with semiautomatic handguns. Two employees were working; one employee ran to the back of the store and locked himself in a back room.
The suspects demanded money from the employee behind the counter, who complied and turned over money from the register.
The suspects also allegedly stole merchandise from store shelves.
The suspects left in a gray four-door compact car.
Los Angeles Police detectives suspect the three men may have committed other robberies in the area.
The three suspects were African American men in their early 20s, according to police. One suspect was described as standing 6 feet tall, weighing 260 pounds. Another suspect stood about 6 feet tall and weighed 170 pounds. The third suspect was described as standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds.
A fourth suspect drove the getaway car. There was no description of that suspect.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Newton Area Robbery Detectives Chris Marsden or Guillermo Medina at (323) 846-6572. During non-business hours or on weekends calls should be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.
