LAPD: Homeless Stabbings Suspect Turned Self In
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The man who allegedly stabbed three homeless people and left signed "death warrants" behind called and turned himself in to police Friday in Hollywood.
Courtney Anthony Robinson, 37, was "lucid" and talked with officers as he was arrested at about 8:40 p.m. at Hong Kong Express on Sunset Boulevard, according to Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Andrew Smith.
Robinson was also known as David Ben Keyes.
He's suspected in the July 3 attack on a 56-year-old man at Third and Main streets in downtown Los Angeles, a man stabbed July 17 on a bus bench along Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and a 54-year-old homeless woman stabbed Thursday in Hollywood.
Smith said one of those victims is still in the hospital, and the other two have been released.
Detectives questioned Robinson and now believe he committed two similar stabbings of homeless people in Santa Barbara. However, no "death warrants" were left there.
"The two stabbings in Santa Barbara had a similar M.O. (method of operation)," said Smith.
In a news conference Saturday, Smith said he couldn't discuss items found on Robinson at the time of his arrest, but added detectives were trying to tie the items to the crimes he allegedly committed.
One of the knives used in the attacks was described as "hunting-type knife," Smith said.
"All three victims were sleeping at the time," he said. "All three had the knife left in their body…all three had the 'Death Warrant' notice written or typed out by Mr. Keyes."
Smith said detectives advised him not to disclose specifically what was on the warrants.
"The suspect targeted the victims for a specific reason," Smith said. "We don't believe he was related to them or familiar with them. But he targeted them for a specific reason."
Robinson was booked on suspicion of attempted murder. His bail was set at $531,705, which includes the $500,000 bail and three outstanding misdemeanor warrants.
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