Staff Reports

Scene of the crime, the Olive Garden restaurant at the Montebello Town Center. (Photo Courtesy of Olivegarden.com)

South San Gabriel – On Mon., Jan 12, at approximately 8:15 a.m., Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Temple Station responded to an ‘armed robbery’ call at the Olive Garden Restaurant, located at The Shops at Montebello in unincorporated South San Gabriel.

Upon arrival, Deputies learned that the lone, male suspect entered the restaurant before it opened for business.  The suspect robbed the location, as well as the five employees who were inside.  Employees were held at gunpoint while an unknown amount of cash was taken from the restaurant.

A preliminary investigation revealed that several of the employees were accosted by the suspect, although no injuries were reported.

This Olive Garden location is in close proximity to the 60 freeway; however, it is unknown how the suspect escaped at this time.

Assistance from the LASD Major Crimes Bureau was requested, and they are leading this investigation in conjunction with Temple Station investigators.  Surveillance video from the restaurant and the surrounding mall is being reviewed for leads.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau, Lieutenant Rodriguez, at (562) 946-7008; or the Temple Station at (626) 285-7171. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.