WINNETKA : Reward Offered in Puzzling Slaying Case

Six weeks after the slaying of Winnetka mortgage broker Leon Friedland, the Los Angeles City Council is appealing to the public for help in the puzzling case.

The City Council on Tuesday approved a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer of Friedland, who was shot in the head March 15 in his garage.

Police said an odd aspect of the killing is that, although the culprits stole Friedland’s car, they did not take his personal belongings, such as jewelry. Investigators believe the crime was a follow-home robbery, needing two perpetrators to drive both their car and Friedland’s vehicle away from the scene.

“It’s one of those horrific crimes where we’re very much going to rely on information coming from the community,” said City Councilwoman Laura Chick, who introduced the motion.

Friedland, 47, had returned from a Clippers game when he was shot at his home in the 20700 block of Bassett Street. Police said neighbors reported hearing something that sounded like gunfire at about 10:15 p.m.

Friedland, who was single, died from multiple gunshot wounds to his head. Three days later, his car, a dark green 1992 Acura Legend, was found in the 13700 block of Desmond Street in Pacoima.

“We do not have any leads to connect any suspect to the crime,” said the police detective in charge of the case, Duane Burris.

Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to call the West Valley homicide section at (818) 756-8546, or the 24-hour number for Los Angeles Police Department detectives, (213) 485-2504.