Armed Robbery Suspects Pose As Hostages To Try And Outsmart Lincoln Heights Police

LINCOLN HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — Armed suspects involved in a home invasion robbery Saturday reportedly posed as hostages to try and escape Lincoln Heights police.

Someone called police at around 1:30 a.m. when they saw four suspects approach their home on security camera footage being fed from their front yard, according to LAPD Lt. Andy Neiman.

Police told the residents to flee the home, located in the 2600 block of Alta Street. Two managed to escape but the suspects managed to detain a third resident.

When the suspects, reportedly armed with handguns, learned police were on their way two of them fled. Officers quickly apprehended one of the suspects and the other managed to hide in the area.

When officers arrived, the remaining two suspects were inside the home holding the resident hostage.

The resident convinced the suspects they'd be able to escape police if they exited the home pretending they were also hostages.

"That didn't work. Our officers were very keen to anybody coming out was going to be detained," Neiman said.

Officers tracked down the fourth suspect two hours later using a K-9 unit.