Press Releases

09/04/01
Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested

On September 3, 2001, at 11:09 p.m., two suspects entered the Fatburger restaurant located at 1698 S. Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach armed with a handgun.  They brandished the gun and ordered the manager to open the safe.  The suspects then fled with thousands of dollars.

The police were notified.  Moments later Officer Steve Zent saw a suspicious vehicle leaving the area and attempted to stop it for investigation. The vehicle pulled over but then sped away southbound on Pacific Coast Highway with Officer Zent in pursuit at speeds up to 90 m.p.h.  The suspect vehicle struck a curb causing a tire to blow on Anza Street in Torrance.  The suspects then fled on foot into the neighborhood.  The money was recovered in the vehicle.

Police officers from Redondo Beach, Torrance, Inglewood, Hawthorne and Palos Verdes Estates assisted. A Long Beach police helicopter contained the area.  After approximately four hours, one of the suspects was located inside a garage where shots were fired by two Torrance police officers. The suspect jumped through a closed window and was chased to the 4500 block of Green Meadows Avenue where he was taken into custody. The suspect’s handgun was recovered.

The suspect arrested is Richard Alex Ohlmaier, a 35 year old resident of Wilmington.  Mr. Olhmaier has an extensive criminal history. The outstanding suspect is described as a male Hispanic approximately 30 years old, six feet tall with a slim build.

For further information contact Sgt. Phil Keenan of the Redondo Beach Police Department at 310-379-2477 extension 2309. This press release was prepared by Sgt. Mike Adye.