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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

City to Offer Reward for Valley Hold-ups

Third District City Councilman Dennis Zine introduced a motion Tuesday to offer a $75,000 reward to catch a group of brazen robbers targeting Valley restaurants over the past two years. “This reward will hopefully encourage witnesses to come forward with any information they may have regarding this ongoing terror in the San Fernando Valley,” said Zine, who represents Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Reseda, West Hills, Winnetka and Canoga Park. Police have linked 52 robberies of Valley restaurants to a group of two to three masked gunmen since summer 2004. The men typically enter an eatery just before closing and at gunpoint demand cash and valuables from customers and staff, police have said. Police estimate the bandits have gotten away with $150,000. Zine, a former Los Angeles Police Department sergeant, said the crimes are having an effect on people dining out. “This fear of restaurant owners and patrons is impacting Valley businesses negatively and this type of public safety hazard must stop,” he said. In July, Valley councilmembers Wendy Greuel and Jack Weiss introduced legislation that would increase the sentence of those committing a crime while wearing a ski mask.

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