‘Uzi Bandits’ Gun Down 3; May Have Killed 4th Later

The so-called “Uzi Bandits” gunned down three men in Hollywood early today and may be responsible for the murder of another young man less than three hours later when he was shot down while defending his mother, according to Los Angeles police.

Detectives said the same gang is suspected in about two dozen street robberies in Hollywood in the last couple of months, including three in which victims were shot and wounded with a short-barreled, Uzi-type automatic weapon.

Ramparts Division Detective Robert Commacho said 25-year-old Roberto Villamora was killed when he apparently went into a karate fighting stance a moment after a bandit pulled a gun on him and his mother just outside their home at 422 S. Mariposa St. at 5:45 a.m. The gunman and his companion, both described as Latinos in their mid-20s, then took Villamora’s wallet and fled.

Commacho said there is a “strong possibility” that the two robbers are the same men who shot three young Latinos during a street robbery in the 900 block of El Centro Avenue in Hollywood at 3 a.m.

In the Hollywood stickup, about three miles from the scene of the Villamora killing, one suspect carrying an Uzi-type automatic weapon held three young men at bay while his partner ordered the victims to hand over their money, according to Hollywood Detective David Steinbacher.

He said the unarmed bandit hit two of the victims with his fist as he took their money and jewelry. Then, Steinbacher said, one of the three victims broke and ran and the gunman opened fire, pumping out at least five shots. All three victims were hit--one in the arm, the other two in the upper body. Two of the victims were reported in serious but stable condition at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital. The third was released after treatment of a minor arm wound.

Steinbacher said the Uzi Bandits, so dubbed because of the type of weapon they use, have been involved in at least three other robbery-shootings in Hollywood since the end of June. Before that, he said, the same gang used revolvers in 18 to 20 other street robberies, usually in residential areas.