Valentine's Day robbery suspects die in car chase [Updated]

Two men suspected of robbing a street vendor selling Valentine’s Day gift baskets were killed Sunday morning after their vehicle crashed into a parked car just south of downtown Los Angeles during a police pursuit, authorities said.

About 4:30 a.m., two men stole merchandise from a family-run vendor set up on the sidewalk at San Pedro Street and Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles Police Lt. Samuel Rhone said.

“The victims dialed 911, and while they were on the line with the operator, they observed the suspects circling the block,” he said.

After spotting the responding officers’ patrol cars, the suspects sped away, Rhone said. The police pursuit lasted less than a minute and ended when the suspects crashed their Nissan into a parked car near Central Avenue and 27th Street, he said.

Officers were a few blocks away at the time of the crash.

The men, who have not been identified, were ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

[Updated at 1:40 p.m.: The men have been identified as Charlie Francisco, 18, and Christian Francisco, 20, said Dana Bee of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. The two are residents of Los Angeles and are believed to be brothers.]

-- Corina Knoll

Comments

[JRotten]

Justice can be cruel and swift. Reminds me of the time,as an 11 year old punk, i thought i would steal a basketball from an open garage. While i was running away at top speed, i glanced back to see if anyone saw me, and smacked head first into a steel post. I nearly died from my injuries... I never stole again.

[jwzalesky]

Oh well, one of the occupational hazards of the job.

Being a thief is not an safe, & easy job!

Nice family too.

[KAYLA]

HOW SAD SORRY FOR THE LOST

[Dr.Tom]

Well, there's two more booners off the welfare rolls. Just 24 million or so to go..

[Jon]

I went to school with Christian Francisco who is actually the younger one, he's 18. For those of you who are saying he deserved it, well I'm sorry you think that way. I hope that your children never make a mistake like this.

You see Christian Francisco and his Cousin (another mistake in the story above) as criminals, but they were people too. Young KIDS. They were stupid and made a mistake. Does that mean they deserved to die? I don't think so. What's a few dollars in Valentine's Day Merchandise....Certainly not a life.

Christian Francisco left behind friends and family. He was quiet at school but will still be missed. People are crying over his death. Both of these guys had their whole lives ahead of them and had it cut short because they made a mistake.

[RT]

That was no mistake, these two guys made a choice to rob hard working people at gunpoint. I am sure they were not raised this way. I dont feel sorry for them. I know far too many people victimized by hoodlums to feel sorry for these two young men, then they chose to flee the police. The world will never know whether they would of been able to turn their lives around, but thats part of the risk that comes with their choices. "Stay in school kids!"

[Concerned Parent]

To all young men,who are planning a crime.Please use this as an example.I'm sure if these guys would of survived this,they would of said the same thing.I my self come from a bad background,but learned from my mistakes,and bad decisions,because I survived,and Thank God he made me into a better man.
To all people who treat this as an entertainment game,please think of the families who are going through the pain of loosing there loved ones,I know what the did was wrong,but we are not the ones to judge them.

( If you have kids,put them in Gods hands )

[julii]

well this is a real sotry & they did not deserve to die!!
so can u guys stop making this comments not everyone is perfect . may they rest in peace !

[alvaro ramos]

they were my friends :(.... is there pictures?