In Studio City, a group of frustrated residents confronted a suspected mail thief on Tuesday night. The confrontation, which occurred along Longridge Avenue, was captured on video and involved a physical altercation, leaving one resident injured and the suspect's vehicle damaged.
The incident began when residents, fed up with weeks of mail theft, decided to take action. According to Timothy Brehmer, a resident who recorded the encounter, the suspect had previously stolen a mail carrier's key and had been repeatedly targeting mailboxes in the area. During the confrontation, Brehmer attempted to film the suspect, who then became aggressive. "I popped up to film him... and he tried to swat the phone away," Brehmer explained, adding that he used pepper spray in self-defense.
The situation escalated when the suspect attempted to flee in his car. Brehmer described smashing the car's windshield with a baseball bat after the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife. Despite the confrontation and a call to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the suspect managed to escape on an electric scooter. The LAPD Van Nuys Division is actively investigating the incident, but the suspect remains at large.
Residents hope that the video footage will assist in identifying and apprehending the suspect. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the LAPD Van Nuys Division at 818-374-1964.