LOS ANGELES, CA – A man scouting potential locations for a restaurant in Alhambra was robbed of about $70,000 in cash after an armed suspect approached his vehicle, demanded money and threatened him with a weapon, according to the Alhambra Police Department.
The victim was sitting inside his vehicle while looking at a possible location for a new restaurant when the suspect approached. Fearing for his safety, the victim handed over the money, police said.
The suspect then fled in a vehicle with at least one other person, according to investigators. Police have not publicly identified the other person or said whether additional suspects remain under investigation.
Detectives track suspect to Covina
The investigation continued after the robbery as Alhambra detectives worked to identify the person believed to have carried out the holdup.
Investigators eventually tracked a suspect to Covina, where police said they found him wearing the same type of all-black clothing he allegedly wore during the robbery.
The suspect was identified as Kongli Tang, 45, of Covina, according to information attributed to the Alhambra Police Department. Tang was arrested September 9 and booked at the Alhambra Police Department jail.
Police said the investigation also resulted in the seizure of several items, including a loaded unserialized firearm, identification cards, cash, paperwork and four cellphones.
A money-counting machine was also found, along with luggage containing another all-black outfit, according to investigators.
The items were documented by police as part of the investigation. Their presence does not, by itself, establish how each item was connected to the robbery or whether any additional crimes occurred.
Arrest followed investigation into robbery
The arrest record associated with Tang lists robbery among the offenses for which he was arrested. It also lists allegations involving personal identifying information, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle and possession of a firearm without an identifying mark.
Those allegations remain matters for the criminal justice system. An arrest is not a conviction, and the allegations against Tang would have to be established through the applicable court process.
California law defines robbery as the taking of personal property from another person or from the person’s immediate presence, against the person’s will, through force or fear. The state’s Penal Code places robbery provisions under Section 211.
Why the victim had the cash
The robbery occurred while the victim was evaluating a possible location for a restaurant, making the large amount of cash part of the circumstances investigators were examining.
Police have not publicly explained why the victim was carrying approximately $70,000 in cash at the time, how the suspect may have known the victim had the money or whether investigators believe the victim was specifically targeted.
Authorities also had not publicly disclosed the precise location or time of the robbery in the information available for this report. Those details could provide additional context as the investigation and court proceedings continue.
Alhambra provides crime-prevention resources
The City of Alhambra’s crime-prevention resources include programs aimed at residents and local businesses. The city’s Crime Prevention Section provides educational programs and information intended to help the community address public-safety concerns.
Alhambra also publishes local crime statistics and provides a community crime map. The city says the published statistics identify areas of occurrence only to the nearest block rather than providing exact addresses.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office separately publishes bank and cash-safety guidance, including recommendations such as remaining aware of surroundings, avoiding displaying large amounts of cash and contacting law enforcement when suspicious activity is observed. That guidance is general and does not establish that the victim in this case violated any safety recommendation.
Investigation and court proceedings
Tang’s arrest does not resolve the robbery case. Investigators may still be working to determine whether other people were involved and whether additional evidence can establish what happened to the approximately $70,000 taken from the victim.
The Alhambra Police Department lists its Investigations Bureau at 626-570-5157 and its non-emergency dispatch line at 626-570-5151.
As the case moves through the legal process, the allegations against Tang remain allegations unless and until they are resolved in court.
