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Woman's teeth broken with gun amid violent robbery in Southern California

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Woman's teeth broken with gun amid violent robbery in Southern California

A serial robbery suspect from South Los Angeles, who reportedly smashed a victim’s teeth with his gun, is facing the possibility of life in federal prison after a nearly month long crime spree, officials with the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday.  

In a news release, DOJ prosecutors say 21-year-old Oshae Pollard, a resident of L.A.’s Manchester Square neighborhood, targeted victims in parking lots, committing at least three armed robberies and one attempted robbery between Aug. 25 to Sep. 22.  

In a brutal Aug. 25 robbery outside the Hustler Casino in Gardena, the 21-year-old allegedly shoved a woman to the ground and attempted to steal her purse as she screamed for help.  

Prosecutors said Pollard pulled a semiautomatic pistol on the victim and shoved it into her mouth, breaking her teeth in the process and saying, “If you yell again, I’ll kill you.”  

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When a witness to the robbery began to yell, Pollard grabbed the victim’s purse and fled in a vehicle, getting away $1,000 – $2,000, the released detailed.  

In the early morning hours of Aug. 26, the 21-year-old and accomplice robbed a taxi driver who was sitting in his car outside Winchell’s Donut House in Carson. The driver was beaten and held at gunpoint until giving up his wallet and cellphone.  

The same evening, the pair struck again outside Fashion Island Shopping Center in Newport Beach.  

They approached two victims standing near their vehicles, a Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari, and demanded their cash and jewelry. The owner of the Rolls handed over the keys to the car, a luxury watch and a wallet.  

“When the other victim started the Ferrari and attempted to drive away, Pollard ran to the driver’s door of the Ferrari and fired one round from his pistol into the car, barely missing the victim,” prosecutors said. “The victim drove to a nearby gas station and asked the gas station clerk to call police, who later recovered one 9mm shell casing from the scene.” 

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In all, Pollard and his accomplice got away with $44,000 in property from the two victims.  

About three weeks later, on Sep. 22, at South Coast Plaza shopping mall in Costa Mesa, the 21-year-old reportedly struck again, approaching a man as he was getting into parked car and demanding his property.  

“When the victim didn’t comply, Pollard shot the victim in the left hand, then pointed his pistol at the victim’s chest and said, ‘You’re a dead man,’” prosecutors said. “Pollard then shot the victim in the left thigh as he began to remove his watch.”  

Though he’d been shot twice, the victim kicked Pollard, who fell to the ground as the victim repeatedly kicked him.  

“The violence alleged in this complaint shocks the conscience,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. 

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The 21-year-old eventually fled the scene in a Kia Forte. The victim, fortunately, survived the gunshot wounds.  

Pollard, who was taken into custody on Dec. 4, was charged with interference of commerce by robbery and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  

If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.  

Los Angeles, Ca

Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

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Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.

Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.

He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.

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At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota. 

She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.

Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.

“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.

In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.

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On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.

“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”

“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”

Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888

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Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

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Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]

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Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

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Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]

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