Crime & Safety
Fugitive In Victory Blvd Road Rage Attack Arrested
A police taskforce tracked to Armenia one of multiple several suspects wanted in connection to a road rage attack that left a man in a coma.
VAN NUYS, CA — A juvenile suspected of donning brass knuckles and sucker punching a man during a road rage incident was tracked down to Armenia and arrested, Los Angeles Police announced Thursday. The attack occurred New's Day, sending the victim into a coma, and he remains hospitalized today. Two other suspects in the case remain at large, and a $15,000 reward has been offered for their arrest.
The victim was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Woodman Avenue about 9:30 p.m. when the suspects pulled up behind him in a black Jeep, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The man at the wheel of the Jeep had been driving erratically, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Both drivers pulled to the curb and the occupants exited their vehicles. Surveillance video shows three people exiting the Jeep.
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The driver of the Jeep punched the victim in the face while wearing brass knuckles, knocking him unconscious, police said.
The suspects jumped back in the Jeep, which was last seen heading south on Woodman from Victory, police said.
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An adult suspect, identified as Robert Hovhannisyan, and a juvenile suspect whose name was not released, allegedly fled to Armenia after the attack, according to the LAPD.
A joint effort by the Los Angeles Police Van Nuys Area Detectives, FBI/LAPD Fugitive Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Interpol and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office led to the return of the juvenile suspect, who was placed under arrest for attempted murder, police reported.
Information about the whereabouts of the other suspects was not released.
A $15,000 reward for information leading to the perpetrators had been offered by Nissan/Infiniti of Van Nuys, where the victim worked as a service adviser, according to ABC7.
Authorities circulated a video of the attack and continue to encourage anyone with information about the case to contact Van Nuys Area Detective R. Secor at 818-374-0062. Those wishing to report anonymously can call 800-222- TIPS.
City News Service and Patch Staffer contributed to this report.
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