Intruders Stab Couple in North Hills Apartment

A North Hills couple were hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday after being stabbed by two robbers disguised in blond wigs who invaded their home, Los Angeles police said.

Armando and Araceli Gamboa were stabbed repeatedly in their apartment in the 8100 block of Langdon Avenue, Sgt. Paul McMillin said.

Armando Gamboa, 26, was apparently visiting friends in another unit in the same complex when he received a call from his wife about 7:45 p.m. asking him to return home.

“When he arrived he was attacked by two men,” McMillin said.

LAPD Detective Mel Arnold said Gamboa suffered serious stab wounds to his torso and arm.

“He lost just about every drop of blood,” Arnold said. “It’s amazing he’s still alive.”

An apartment manager, who asked not to be identified, said a tenant ran to her apartment screaming “they killed them” and she said that another tenant witnessed one of the men stabbing Armando Gamboa.

“It was more like a hit,” the manager said of the attack.

The manager said that as she comforted Araceli Gamboa, 27, following the stabbing, Gamboa kept repeating “My little girl, my little girl.” The couple’s 3-month-old baby, who was present during the attack but unhurt, is being cared for by family members, according to police.

Police said that the Gamboas’ assailants escaped in a yellow Camaro, but officers declined to say whether anything was taken from the couple’s apartment.

The apartment manager described Armando Gamboa as a spiritual leader. Police declined to comment on Gamboa’s profession.