17 People Arrested in Series of Slayings, Home Robberies

Sheriff’s deputies arrested 17 suspects Thursday in connection with a series of residential robberies and five homicides, and urged other possible victims to call authorities.

The predawn arrests were made by a task force of 200 members of the Sheriff’s Department, who also seized marijuana and cocaine, 13 firearms, three bulletproof vests, jewelry and electronic equipment, authorities said.

In all, the suspects may have robbed or assaulted more than 50 victims from June 1997 and February of this year, in Lynwood, Compton and Paramount. “Investigators also believe some of the suspects may have been involved in at least five homicides currently being investigated by other agencies,” Deputy Bill Martin said.

Members of the robbery ring, usually working in groups of five or six, used two-way radios to communicate, conducted surveillance operations and followed their victims home from work, Martin said.

The suspects were booked for various offenses including robbery, assault, receiving stolen property and drug violations, deputies said.