Central Los Angeles : REWARD OFFERED
The Los Angeles City Council is offering a $25,000 reward for information on the killing of Heidi Vargas, 22, who was apparently shot during an aborted carjacking attempt in Eagle Rock.
Police believe Vargas was confronted by a gunman as she exited the Ventura Freeway at Figueroa Street on July 29, Los Angeles Police Detective Art Placencia said. Passersby found her body inside her car in a nearby alley.
Placencia said two other carjackings in which the victims were confronted at the same off-ramp earlier this year may be connected to the murder. In those cases, a gunman smashed the victims’ car windows, jumped inside, then ordered the driver to drive a few blocks.
The gunman then stole the victims’ money and cars. Police believe the same gunman may have confronted Vargas at the off-ramp but don’t know why she was killed.
“From all indications, it appears she did what she was told,” Placencia said. “That’s what makes this case kind of unusual and brutal.”
Anyone with information about Vargas’ killer is asked to call Placencia or Detective John Mungia at (213) 847-4261.
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