3 Men Suspected in Robberies at 2 Stores

Police suspect that three gunmen who stole about $10,000 in cash from a Van Nuys home improvement store were the same ones who robbed a Woodland Hills store last week.

The three entered a Builder’s Emporium on Sherman Way about 9 p.m. Monday just as six employees were preparing to close, Los Angeles Police Detective Bob Johansen said.

One gunman took cash from the registers and ushered the employees and one customer to the rear office, where the two other gunmen were waiting, Johansen said. They forced the manager to open the store’s safe and took money before running off, Johansen said.

Police believe that the same three robbed a Target on Ventura Boulevard of $10,000 in cash, jewelry and credit card invoices as store employees were preparing to close around 8:30 p.m. Aug. 22, Johansen said.