'Armed and dangerous' man wanted in violent LA County crime spree

Leanne Suter Image
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Officials said 32-year-old Artyom Gasparyan is wanted for a violent crime spree in Los Angeles County including murder, attempted murder, carjacking and robbery.
Officials said 32-year-old Artyom Gasparyan is wanted for a violent crime spree in Los Angeles County including murder, attempted murder, carjacking and robbery.
KABC-KABC

BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- A manhunt is underway for a man police said is on a violent crime spree in Los Angeles County including murder, attempted murder, carjacking and robbery.

Officials said 32-year-old Artyom Gasparyan is wanted by multiple police agency for a string of crimes throughout the Los Angeles County area over the past 26 days.

Burbank police said Gasparyan opened fire on a 67-year-old man in the driveway of a home in the 1700 block of North Catalina Street on Dec. 9.

He then shot a 33-year-old gardener a few houses down, according to police.

Both men survived the attack.

Los Angeles police said Gasparyan is wanted for the murder of a 37-year-old man who was found shot to death by his car in Arleta on Wednesday.

Detectives said the shooting may have been road rage related.

Officials said Gasparyan and Daniel Ramirez stole a Volkswagen Passat on Friday and led police on a high-speed chase in Los Angeles County.

Gasparyan then let Ramirez out, who stole a Dodge Durango at gunpoint and the two took off in the separate vehicles, according to police.

Officers said they chased Ramirez, who later crashed in Long Beach then ran inside a home where he stabbed a man and shot his two sons.

Ramirez later shot himself in the head, police said. He remains in the hospital under police custody.

Officers later found the Volkswagen, but Gasparyan is still at large.

Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Officials describe him as having black hair, brown eyes, and standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds.

If you have any information about Gasparyan's whereabouts, you are urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous.