Gunmen who robbed couple in car in Hacienda Heights still at large

Authorities are searching for two armed assailants they said forced their way into the car of a couple stopped at a traffic light in Hacienda Heights, compelled them to drive to a nearby school parking lot, and robbed them.

The incident occurred at around 3.30 a.m. near Stimson Avenue and La Monde Street, according to Nicole Nishida, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

At the parking lot, the gunmen bound the hands of the male and female victims before stealing the man’s wallet and snatching the car keys, Nishida said. The suspects then made off in a nearby four-door Honda, heading west on Stimson, authorities said.

The victims were able to untie their hands and call police. They were not injured, Nishida said.

-- Ann M. Simmons