Suspect in Las Vegas Robbery Also Sought in Tarzana Slaying

A man sought in a daring robbery and attempted murder at a Las Vegas casino where he lost $65,000 is also suspected of murdering a Tarzana drug dealer, Los Angeles police said Thursday.

Police are searching for David Hagag, a 29-year-old Israeli, in the Dec. 27 slaying of Simon Sarkissian, 54, in a Tarzana apartment.

Hagag bought heroin from Sarkissian and is believed to have shot him to death during a robbery attempt, Detective Phil Quartararo said. After the slaying, police found $21,000 and a small amount of heroin hidden in Sarkissian’s apartment.

Hagag was identified by witnesses and other undisclosed evidence, police said. He is believed to be with his wife and young son and driving a 1978 to 1980 tan or beige Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Quartararo said detectives have learned that Hagag is being sought by Las Vegas police for an unusual robbery Dec. 8 at the Hilton Hotel casino.

Las Vegas police said Hagag checked into the hotel from Los Angeles on Dec. 4 and put $25,000 in gambling money in the hotel safe. Because of the large sum of money, the hotel management allowed Hagag to stay for free and over the next two days he won $40,000, police said.

But by Dec. 8 Hagag had lost all $65,000 to the casino. Las Vegas police said he robbed a change booth on the casino floor that afternoon.

“He reached into the booth and grabbed a handful of bills totaling about $15,000,” Sgt. John Samolovitch said. “He ran through the casino and security chased after him. He ran outside and pointed a gun at a cabdriver and fired it, grazing the driver’s face. He then forced the man to drive him out of there. He got away.”

Police believe Hagag returned to Los Angeles after the robbery and was living with his family in motels along Ventura Boulevard until the Sarkissian’s slaying.

Police said Hagag had lived in Los Angeles since arriving from Israel last April. Quartararo said Israeli authorities have no record that Hagag committed any crimes there.