Shots Fired in Attempted Car Theft

Police searched Friday for two men involved in an attempted car theft that led to shots being fired at the car’s owner, who was not hurt.

A third suspect, a man identified as Larry Dorsey, 18, of Van Nuys, was captured after police dogs tracked him to a nearby backyard, said Lt. William Guerrero of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Van Nuys division.

Police heard at least two shots and spotted Dorsey fleeing the scene on foot with a handgun, Guerrero said. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The incident unfolded at 2:30 a.m. as two officers on routine patrol drove south on Kester Avenue, approaching Gilmore Street. They heard gunshots and saw three men running away, Guerrero said.

“That’s where we want our officers to be: out on patrol looking for suspicious activity,” he said. “Obviously, they were very fortunate to be there when this happened.”

The men had apparently been trying to steal a car parked outside an apartment building when they triggered the car alarm, rousing the owner. When the owner came outside to investigate, one or more of the men fired at him, Guerrero said.

Police searched the area with a helicopter and canine units, arresting Dorsey just after 4 a.m. A handgun was also recovered near the scene, police said.

The other two men escaped.