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A Van Nuys couple was arrested early this morning after California Highway Patrol officers pursued a man in a ski mask who allegedly had just robbed an IHOP in Encino. Officers used a PIT maneuver--that's when you spin a fleeing car out of control--to capture the two after a short pursuit. What officers say they didn't know, according to the LAPD, is that there were two children, aged 4 and 6, in the back seat. The morning of family activities began around 2:45 a.m. in Sherman Oaks when the Rite-Aid on Riverside Drive was robbed. Fifteen minutes later, a CVS Pharmacy in Encino was hit followed by an IHOP a few minutes later, where two CHP officers were about to grab a meal before being alerted to the robbery in progress.
William Farag and Nadia Redoble, both 28 and of Van Nuys, were each booked for three counts of robbery. Investigators will be asking the District Attorney to consider Child Endangering, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Felony Evading as additional charges.
The two children were not injured during the incident and are currently in protective custody.
Anyone with information about this incident can call the detectives at (818) 374-7730 or, during off hours, 1-877-LAPD-24-7
