TARZANA : 2 Arrested in Foiled Restaurant Robbery
Two robbers took about $3,400 from an El Torito restaurant in Tarzana, but ran right into Los Angeles police officers waiting outside, authorities said Monday.
The robbery was foiled with the help of the restaurant’s manager, Police Detective Robert Johansen said. Two men ambled up to the bartender about 11:45 p.m. Sunday, and the manager spotted a gun in the hand of one of them, Johansen said. When the gunman demanded to see the manager, he slipped out the front entrance and called police.
The robbers forced the bartender into the restaurant’s office, kicking down the door, Johansen said. They filled a plastic trash can with money from the safe and then started to leave through the restaurant’s rear exit.
But Johansen said the robbers apparently got greedy, stopping to grab money and a wallet from another restaurant employee, which gave police time to set up. Two officers were waiting outside when the robbers exited.
One man surrendered, but the other threw down the trash can of loot and dashed into the residential neighborhood behind the restaurant, Johansen said. Police caught the suspect about 10 minutes later as he tried to break into a house, Johansen said.
The suspects, identified as Bryan Moses, 26, and Lonnie Dotson, 22, were booked at the West Valley Station on suspicion of armed robbery.
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