Escaped Patron’s Call Led to Arrest of 3 in Bar Holdup

Los Angeles police were able to capture three armed men, who robbed and held hostage 20 patrons and employees of a Van Nuys bar, because a customer was able to elude the gunmen and call police, authorities said Thursday.

The incident ended after a brief standoff with officers who surrounded the bar and hovered overhead in a helicopter, police said. No one was hurt.

The gunmen entered the Nice ‘N’ Easy bar at 7214 Sepulveda Blvd. about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said. The bar’s patrons and employees were herded into a back office at gunpoint and robbed of their cash and jewelry, Sgt. Rick Shields said.

After one patron slipped out and called police, Shields said, officers surrounded the bar, a police helicopter circled above and the robbers were ordered by loudspeaker to surrender.

“Two attempted to escape through an air vent but were stopped on the roof by officers in the helicopter,” Shields said. “They put the light on them and convinced them to lay down their firearms and surrender.”

The third gunman remained inside for 10 more minutes before surrendering. Police found the customers and employees locked in the office.

Otis Tooks, 31, and Arthur Taylor, 24, both of Compton, and Albert G. Sutton, 24, of San Dimas were held on suspicion of robbery and kidnaping, police said.

Tooks was being held without bail because he was wanted on a parole violation, Shields said. Taylor and Sutton were being held in lieu of $18,000 bail each.