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Long Beach taco truck worker beaten, robbed in violent confrontation

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Long Beach taco truck worker beaten, robbed in violent confrontation

A man recalls the terrifying moment he was beaten and robbed while working at his family’s taco truck in Long Beach — the second time they’ve now been targeted.

The victim, Erick Flores, was working at the Los Bros Tacos truck located on Junipero Avenue and 7th Street when two suspects suddenly approached him on Thursday, May 2.

“They crossed the street and came walking up,” Flores recalled. 

One male suspect was wearing a black hoodie and the other was wearing a red hoodie as Flores, who worked as a cashier in front of the food truck, spotted them.

As the man in the black hoodie began ordering food, that’s when his accomplice made his move.

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“The guy with the red sweater ended up grabbing my hand and was struggling to get the money out,” Flores said.

  • Two male suspects seen on security camera about to rob the Los Bros Tacos Truck in Long Beach on May 2, 2024. (Los Bros Tacos)
  • Two male suspects seen on security camera about to rob the Los Bros Tacos Truck in Long Beach on May 2, 2024. (Los Bros Tacos)
  • Erick Flores was left bloodied and with a broken nose after being beaten and robbed by two men on May 2, 2024 in Long Beach. (GoFundMe)
  • The Los Bros Tacos truck in Long Beach, California. (KTLA)
  • Erick Flores was left bloodied and with a broken nose after being beaten and robbed by two men on May 2, 2024 in Long Beach. (KTLA)
  • Manuel Antonio working at the Los Bros Tacos truck in Long Beach, California. (KTLA)
  • Erick Flores and a coworker outside of the Los Bros Tacos truck in Long Beach, California. (KTLA)
  • The Los Bros Tacos truck in Long Beach, California. (KTLA)
  • Erick Flores and a coworker outside of the Los Bros Tacos truck in Long Beach, California. (KTLA)

Surveillance video captured the tense confrontation as Flores tried to fend off the robbers. As he yanked his hands away, that’s when the thieves knocked Flores to the ground and repeatedly punched him in the face.

“I remember he was screaming at me but I don’t actually remember what he was saying,” Flores said, still stunned. “Everything happened so fast.”

Flores’ coworker, Manuel Antonio, noticed the commotion and stepped into action. He was able to chase the suspects away but not before the men escaped with the money and some cash from Flores’ pocket.

He was left with a broken nose and was found bloodied and bruised by his coworkers.

Antonio can relate to Flores’ experience as he was also robbed at gunpoint and beaten while working the Los Bros Taco truck back in December 2023. The truck had only been serving the Long Beach location for two months back then.

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  • Surveillance video captured masked thieves storming into the Los Bros Tacos truck on Dec. 16, 2023 in Long Beach. (Los Bros Tacos)
  • Surveillance video captured masked thieves storming into the Los Bros Tacos truck on Dec. 16, 2023 in Long Beach. (Los Bros Tacos)
  • The Los Bros Tacos Truck in Long Beach. (KTLA)
  • The Los Bros Tacos Truck in Long Beach. (KTLA)
  • The Los Bros Tacos Truck in Long Beach. (KTLA)

“This was our dream goal to start a business and flourish as a family,” Flores said of his family’s truck.

Flores was filling in for his mother on the night he was attacked. He said he was relieved it was him who was there instead and that he is alive.

However, after the violent incident, the family said serving the Long Beach community has taken a toll and is considering whether the city is the best place for their future.

A GoFundMe page created to help Flores with medical bills and to replace the stolen money can be found here.

The suspects remain at large as police continue investigating the incident. Anyone with information can call Long Beach police at 562-570-7260.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Here's how to help those impacted by the wildfires across Southern California

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Here's how to help those impacted by the wildfires across Southern California

As devasting wildfires continue to burn Southern California, residents and organizations are stepping up to provide aid to those affected.

Here’s how you can support wildfire victims on their path to recovery.

  • KTLA 5 parent company, Nexstar Media Group, has partnered with the American Red Cross to launch a donation page for Southern California wildfire victims. Donations can be placed here.
  • Baby2Baby is accepting donations to support children impacted by the wildfires.
  • GoFundMe has compiled a list of verified fundraisers for people impacted by the ongoing wildfires.
  • SPCALA’s Disaster Animal Response Team is seeking donations to support emergency services, such as temporary animal shelters and front-line veterinary care.
  • The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is accepting donations to support firefighters on the front lines. The foundation is seeking monetary donations, wildland brush tools, hydration backpacks, and emergency fire shelters.
  • The California Fire Foundation is looking for donations to support surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they serve.
  • The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations and items to support those affected by the wildfires.
  • World Central Kitchen, spearheaded by Chef José Andrés, has a relief team in Southern California to assist first responders and families. The organization is accepting donations to support the ongoing relief effort.
  • The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting donations and looking for volunteers.
  • Direct Relief is also accepting donations to support those impacted by the wildfires.
  • Community Organized Relief Effort, or CORE, is accepting donations to support wildfire victims.
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Los Angeles, Ca

Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home

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Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home

One of the five confirmed fatalities from the destructive Eaton Fire was identified on Wednesday morning when his family found his body on the side of the road by their home – with a garden hose still in his hand.

According to his loved ones, 66-year-old Victor Shaw died trying to defend the home that had been in his family for nearly 55 years.

As of Wednesday night, Victor’s body was still on his family’s property in the 3000 block of Monterose Avenue as conditions were not yet safe enough for the coroner’s office to retrieve him.

Victor lived in that home with his younger sister, Shari Shaw, who said that she tried to get him to evacuate with her on Tuesday night as the fire moved toward them.

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Those close to Victor said he had some health problems that prevented him from moving around very well.

As she was running out the door, Shari said Victor told her he wanted to stay behind and try to fight the fire.

“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn’t reply back, and I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm – I had to save myself,” Shari told KTLA’s Rick Chambers. “And I looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames, and I had to leave.”

A family friend, Al Tanner, told KTLA that the next morning, they found Victor’s charred body on the side of the road with the hose.

“It looks like he was trying to save the home that his parents had for almost 55 years,” said Tanner.

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“I fell to the ground, and I didn’t know – I didn’t want to look at him,” said Shari. “They just told me that he was lying on the ground and that he looked serene, as if he was at peace.”

As of early morning Thursday, the cause of the 10,600-acre Eaton Fire remained under investigation. 

The Eaton Fire was one of four large, active wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The largest, the 17,234-acre Palisades Fire, destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures. A separate 855-acre fire, the Hurst Fire, burned in the L.A. neighborhood of Sylmar. A fast-moving fire in the Antelope Valley called the Lidia Fire has burned at least 348 acres and forced evacuations. Crews have made progress on the 43-acre Sunset Fire which forced rapid evacuations in the Hollywood Hills.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Help needed as injured animals arrive at Pasadena Humane Society due to wildfire

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Help needed as injured animals arrive at Pasadena Humane Society due to wildfire

As the deadly Eaton Fire continues burning in Los Angeles County, Pasadena Humane is seeking help as a large number of animals are being evacuated.

Over 100 animals arrived at the organization on Wednesday, and workers expected more drop-offs to come in over the next few days.

“Due to the proximity of the evacuation zones, we are also making preparations to evacuate the shelter, if needed,” workers said. “At this time, all animals are safe and unharmed at the shelter.”

  • A dog who was found near the site of the Eaton Fires was covered in burns and ashes and was very dehydrated. His paw pads were singed and he is being treated by the veterinary team in the ICU an dprovided with wound care, pain medications and fluids. (Pasadena Humane Society)
  • A cat found with burn injuries on his face and body was treated at the ICU before recovering in an oxygen kennel. (Pasadena Humane Society)
  • A cat found with burn injuries on his face and body was treated at the ICU before recovering in an oxygen kennel. (Pasadena Humane Society)
  • An injured cat found covered in burns was treated in the ICU. (Pasadena Humane Society)
  • A small bird found with burns on its tail area was treated at the Wildlife Center. (Pasadena Humane Society)
  • An injured dog and cat found near the Eaton Fire site were treated by shelter staff at the Pasadena Humane Society.

Many of the animals arriving at the shelter were found with burn injuries.

Shelter workers said critical supplies are needed due to the influx of animals including food, water bowls, extra large crates and blankets. Anyone able to donate these items can drop them off at the donation bin located at the shelter’s front parking lot.

On Wednesday, workers said kennel space was filling up quickly and evacuees who need emergency boarding for their pets can drop them off at spcaLA at 5026 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Los Angeles. Large animals should be taken to the L.A. Equestrian Center at 480 Riverside Dr. in Burbank. 

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Pasadena Humane Animal Control Officers will continue working in the field, assisting with animal evacuations, while Pasadena Humane staff are working round-the-clock at the shelter to care for the animals of displaced families.

“We are currently coordinating with Cal Animals and ASPCA disaster response to mobilize more resources to assist with the situation,” staff said. “We anticipate getting in even more animals who are in need of emergency medical care as the fires continue.”

As shelter space is limited, anyone who can foster a dog or cat for at least a week is urged to email the Pasadena Humane Foster Office or visit in person.

Donations to provide emergency resources to animals affected by the wildfires can be made here. Anyone who finds injured wildlife can text 626-344-1129 or call Animal Control at 626-792-7151 ext. 970.

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