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- [00:00]
Progressive Insurance Advertiser
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- [00:37]
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- [01:09]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
as Casefile continues into its 10th year, we're currently taking a very short break from new episodes. Brand new cases will be returning on May 23 for premium subscribers and May 30 for the regular feed, but in the meantime, we're continuing our special bonus series, Casefile Archives, a collection of releases revisiting the earliest years of the show, along with previously unreleased premium episodes. Rest assured that these are additional bonus releases and will not replace our standard schedule. We will still be delivering the same number of new episodes this year as we did last year. Casefile Archives is simply a way to mark the 10th year, revisit some older episodes, and share stories that newer listeners may not have heard before. For the re release episodes, we've fully edited, polished, re recorded, and freshly produced them from start to finish to match our current production standards. They are not complete rewrites. Our aim isn't to reshape the cases or alter the original storytelling, but to preserve them as they were first told while bringing them up to the level of production the show has today. Where appropriate, updates have been added, but the core structure remains faithful to the originals. Because of this, these episodes may sound a little different to our recent work. Today's re release is the North Hollywood Shootout, Originally aired as case 18 on May 8, 2016 I still remember sitting on the floor of my childhood lounge room, glued to the TV as footage of this shootout played on the evening news. Even in the days before the 24 hour news cycle, social media and the kind of instant global coverage we see today, it was major news here on the other side of the world. And those images are still burned into my mind nearly 30 years later. Now here is case 18 from Casefile Archives the North Hollywood Shootout. Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at any time you need support, please contact your local crisis centre for suggested phone numbers, for confidential support and for a more detailed list of content warnings, please see the show notes for this episode on your app or on our website. Casefile would like to acknowledge NorthHollywoodShootout.net a website dedicated exclusively to this case, which offers the most comprehensive and factual account you will find online. This episode could not have been created without the use of that resource. If you would like to know more, check out north hollywoodshootout.net for images, timelines, original newspaper articles, detailed analyses and much more. February 28, 1997 was a regular Friday for Los Angeles police officers Lauren Farrell and Martin Perrello as they made their way down Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood. But as they drove their patrol car past the bank of America branch at the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Archwood street, they noticed something out of the ordinary. Two large figures were entering the bank. Both were dressed in black and wearing ski masks. Most alarmingly, both were carrying automatic rifles.
- [04:56]
Police Dispatcher
59, 40 requesting assistance. We have a possible 211 in progress at the bank of America. Bank of America, located in north of Kittrich. We have shots fired. 39 shows responding code 3 units.
- [05:13]
Police Radio Operator
Officer needs help at the bank of America, Lower Kenya, north of Kittredge. Officer needs help bank of America, Lower Kenya, north of Kittredge.
- [05:43]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Before we get to the bank we go back to 1967. Larry Phillips Sr. Was just one year out of high school when he was sent to jail for what some reports claim to be grave desecration. He was apparently involved in a drunken prank where he tried to dig up a grave and remove the head of a corpse. Larry Sr. Was paroled in January 1968, but just three months later he was sent back to jail for robbing a gas station. He spent three months behind bars before being transferred to a state run psychiatric facility in Colorado. The reason for his transfer is unknown, but 10 months later, on April 18, 1969, Larry Sr. Escaped a warrant was immediately issued for his arrest. But in the meantime he picked up his girlfriend, Dorothy Clay, who reportedly had a criminal record of her own and had also spent time in jail. The couple went on the run using numerous aliases to successfully avoid detection for the next few years. Very little is known about what happened to them during this time, but at some point Larry Phillips Sr. And Dorothy Clay made their way to California and it was at the California Hospital in Los Angeles on September 20, 1970 that Larry Phillips Jr. Was born. However, it would be many years until he would be known by this name. Given that his parents were still on the run, they used fake names and addresses when registering Larry Jr. S birth, listing him on his birth certificate as Larry Eugene Warfell. By September 22, 1976, Dorothy and Larry Jr. Were living in a small town near Denver, Colorado. Although Larry Sr. Was no longer living with them, he came over to celebrate Larry Jr. S sixth birthday. Shortly after he arrived, seven FBI agents stormed through the house and placed him under arrest. It's unknown who tipped them off, but he was sent back to jail to serve the rest of his sentence for the gas station robbery. After seven years on the run, no doubt that was an experience Larry Jr. Would not forget. In the years that followed, Larry Phillips Sr. And Dorothy Clay divorced. But during his sporadic visits with his son, Larry Sr. Passed on his anti police and anti establishment views. By 1986, Dorothy decided to move to Los Angeles. 16 year old Larry Jr. Went with her. Having already quit high school in the ninth grade. He had developed a love of bodybuilding and as soon as he got to California, he bought a five year membership to the world famous Gold's Gym at Venice Beach. Like so many before him, Larry Jr. Had plans to make it big. He wanted to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger. Gold's Gym was a two hour trip from where Larry Jr. Was living but he remained committed. It was only after a few years that he realised he wasn't going to make it as a professional bodybuilder and he let his gym membership expire. Looking for other avenues to find his fortune in 1990, Larry Jr looked to cash in on Los Angeles booming property market. To receive his real estate licence, he had to undergo a background check. He provided a fingerprint which revealed his first and only arrest in 1989 for shoplifting $400 worth of clothes. With his bodybuilding dreams shattered and his chance at real estate success taken away due to his criminal record, Larry Jr. Became down and out. Instead of taking responsibility for his own actions, he blamed everybody Else and started to resent society its rules. Larry Jr. Moved back to Denver with his high school sweetheart turned wife Sharon and their two children. Determined to strike it rich, Larry came up with a new plan. In 1992, he contacted local real estate agents pretending to be a prospective buyer. When the agents took him to inspect a house, he watched as they accessed the lockbox which contained the keys to the house and he memorised the combination using a fake name. Larry then placed ads in the local paper claiming to have several rental properties available. He took prospective tenants to inspect the properties claiming they had just been sold and that the new owners wanted to rent them out as soon as possible. Larry would then accept down payments for rent and security deposits. The scam didn't last long. Larry Phillips Jr. Was soon arrested but released pending a sentencing hearing in which he faced a possible two years in Denver County Jail whilst also participating in a work release program. In the lead up to the hearing, Larry walked out on Sharon and their two kids and they never saw him again. When the day of his sentencing hearing came on March 26, 1993, Larry was nowhere to be seen. A warrant for his arrest was issued immediately. But like his father before him, it appeared that Larry Jr. Had gone on the run. Back in 1989, while working out at Gold's Gym in Venice beach, Larry Phillips Jr. Had made a friend. Born on July 19, 1966, Emil Matasaranu was a Romanian immigrant who had moved to the USA at the age of of 11. While he was the victim of bullying during his years at Pasadena High School, Emile went on to complete a three year electronics engineering degree at university. He opened his own computer business in 1988 but it failed to get off the ground. He got married and had a son, but the marriage didn't last either. Emile and Ilari Jr had bonded over their shared interest in bodybuilding. Emil was also passionate about firearms. After Larry fled from his charges in Colorado, he returned to Los Angeles and hooked back up with his buddy. Both fresh off their failed endeavours, they started discussing ways they could make it rich. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say that Larry tried to work out how Emile could help make him rich. Larry had big dreams of living an extravagant lifestyle. He sometimes drove to affluent neighbourhoods and parked outside of houses he liked to picture himself living in. He didn't bring anyone into his inner circle unless he thought he could use them to his advantage. He was the type who tried to break others down just so he could build them back up and then control them. Larry was the manipulator, while Emil was more the follower. He did whatever Larry wanted. On July 20, 1993, the pair successfully committed their first robbery, ambushing an armoured car outside a branch of First bank in Littleton, Colorado. The police were unable to identify any suspects and the pair got away with it. Three months later, on October 29, 1993, Larry and Emil were driving through Glendale, California when they were pulled over by Sergeant Ian Grimes. Larry was driving and Emil was in the front passenger seat. When questioned, Larry said he had left his licence at home and he gave a false name. Sgt. Grimes then asked whose car it was, to which Emil replied it was Larry's mother's car. Sergeant Grimes had already done a check and he knew the car was actually an airport rental. He asked Larry to step out of the vehicle and then patted him down, finding a Glock pistol with an extended.33 round magazine. A loud thud then came from inside the car. It was the sound of Emile dropping his own pistol underneath the passenger seat. Sergeant Grimes called for assistance and covered Larry and Emil until backup arrived. A subsequent search of the car uncovered a semi automatic rifle and a Springfield pistol belonging to Larry, as well as a semi automatic rifle and a Colt pistol belonging to Emil. Police also found 1649 rounds of 39mm ammo, 967 rounds of 9mm ammo, 357 rounds of.45ammo, six smoke bombs, two improvised explosive devices, one gas mask, two sets of body armour, two police scanners, sunglasses, gloves, wigs, ski masks and a stopwatch, two spray cans of hair colour, three different sets of Californian license plates and $1,620 in cash. The police were convinced they had just stopped a bank robbery from happening and given what was to come, they were quite obviously right. Larry Phillips Jr. And Emil Madiseranu were taken to the Glendale police station where they were both charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and unlawful weapons activity. Larry was also charged with grand theft auto, carrying a loaded concealed firearm and felony perj, while Emile was charged with carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle. At their preliminary hearing, the grand theft auto and the perjury charges against Larry were dropped, but the two men still faced eight years jail on the remaining charges. The problem was neither Larry nor Emil said a word and the police had no other information to go on. Despite the arsenal and disguises they were found with, it was difficult to prove they were going to commit a robbery. At their arraignment, Larry and Emil claimed the disguises were for an upcoming Halloween party. As for the weapons and ammo. They said they were headed to a shooting range. In exchange for early guilty pleas, the District attorney dropped the conspiracy to commit robbery charges and allowed Larry and Emil to plead to much lesser offences. On December 27, 1993, Larry was sentenced to 99 days in jail while Emil was sentenced to 71 days and both were given three years probation. Both men were released immediately due to time already served. Larry was still wanted in Denver on the rental property scam, but for unknown reasons, Denver authorities didn't pursue him without being extradited back to Colorado to face punishment. He was essentially a free man. Just under a year and a half After Larry Phillips Jr. And Emil Matasaranu were released on June 14, 1995, a 52 year old security guard named Herman Cook was doing his rounds as an armoured car guard for a cash handling company called Brinks. It was Herman's job to drop off and pick up cash for various banks. At around 12:25pm he had just made a drop off at the bank of America branch on Roscoe Boulevard in the quiet Los Angeles neighbourhood of Wenetka. Herman was walking back to the armoured car with an empty money bag when gunshots suddenly rang out. Larry Phillips Jr. And Emil Madasaranu were firing high powered rifles from behind a wall in an adjacent parking lot. Herman was shot multiple times. He staggered to the front of the car and collapsed. Herman's partner Felipe Cortes was in the armoured car at the time. Emil opened fire on the vehicle while Larry made the approach. Felipe managed to take out his own firearm and shoot one of the offenders. But they only staggered indicating they were wearing body armour. Larry reached into the car and grabbed a bag of money. The two men then escaped, making off with around $122,000. Felipe was shot in the attack but survived. Herman wasn't so lucky. He died from the gunshot wounds. After that, Larry and Emil decided to change tactics. Ten and a half months later, at 10am on May 2, 1996, they burst through the doors of the bank of America branch on Woodman Avenue in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Van Nuys. Both armed with automatic rifles. They yelled at everyone in the bank to get on the fucking floor. Emil then started shooting through the armoured tellar door. Due to the type of weapon and calibre of bullet, the door opened easily. Emil forced the manager to open the vault and then started filling up a large bag with cash. Larry remained in the main area of the bank keeping an eye on the customers and other staff members. In just six minutes they managed to get away with $755,000. 29 days later, at 10am on May 31, 1996, Larry and Emil burst through the doors of the bank of America on Roscoe Boulevard in Winnetka. It was the same branch they had targeted almost a year earlier when killing Brinks security guard Herman Cook. Again, the two men yelled at everybody to get down. Emil shot his way through the Tellar door, striking two bank employees with ricochets in the process. Emil grabbed the manager, forced her to open the vault and screamed at her to fill up his bag. When he saw how much money was in the vault, he became agitated. Where's the rest of it? He screamed before threatening to kill the manager. Emil was expecting a much larger amount. He and Larry had done surveillance on the bank and saw what they thought to be a cash delivery from an armoured car. But what they had actually seen was a cash pick up. Despite being disappointed in the haul, they still managed to escape with over $794,000. Though there were several marked bills amongst it. The two employees who were struck by ricochets survived. Emil and Larry got lucky that day. One of the tellers had managed to hit the silent alarm before diving onto the floor. But the police were thin on the ground and it took them much longer than usual to respond to the alarm. Larry and Emil had been in the bank for close to eight minutes. On a typical day. The police would have been able to respond within this time frame and it was likely they would have been caught. The police had no suspects for the robberies at the time. But they did give the unknown criminals a title. The High Incident Bandits. It would be nine months before they struck again. Branch 384 of the bank of America is located at 6600 Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood. Larry and Emil had studied the bank closely. They learned its layout, observed amacar drop offs and pick ups and carefully formulated a plan. At around 9:15 on the morning of Friday, February 28, 1997, Emil drove a white 1987 Chevrolet Celebrity Sedan with blackened out windows into the northern parking lot of the bank via Archwood Street. The pair weren't mucking around. To protect himself, Larry wore a Kevlar body armour vest, a groin protector and makeshift armour for his shins, thighs and forearms that he'd crafted out of additional vests all up. The body armour weighed around 43 pounds or 20 kilos. Larry also wore a load bearing vest that contained ammunition pouches as well as a belt that contained several canteen pouches filled with ammunition drums. For the automatic rifles. He also carried a pistol in a shoulder holster over his armour. Larry was dressed in long black pants, a long sleeved shirt and black jacket. He wore black gloves with a watch face glued to the back of the left one. Emile was similarly dressed right down to the glued on watch face on the back of his glove. However, he wasn't wearing quite as much body armour as Larry with his legs and arms unprotected. Given their shared interest in bodybuilding, both men were largely built as if they didn't already look intimidating enough, they topped things off by wearing black ski masks. Between the pair they had three AK47 style fully automatic assault rifles with 100 round ammo drums as well as two other assault rifles which had been illegally modified to fire fully automatic two 9mm handguns, a.38 calibre revolver, close to 3,000 rounds of ammo including armour piercing rounds. These were weapons that were designed for war. By listening to police radios, Larry and Emil had learned that the average response time for police was eight minutes. At 9:17am they set their watches for eight minutes and made their move. Casefile will be back shortly. Thank you for supporting us by listening to this episode's sponsors. This episode is brought to you by Pura. Imagine walking through your home and every room smells exactly the way you want it to. With Pura, you can set different fragrances for different spaces, something energizing in the kitchen, something calming in the bedroom. Control it all from the app and transform your everyday rituals room by room. Visit pura.com wholehome to build your sense system. Today, the youth mental health crisis has become increasingly evident and we know social media plays a big role. Teens spend an average of 9 hours a day on screens outside of school, and the US Surgeon General has warned that kids who spend more than three hours a day online are twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression. As a parent, it's something I think about more as my child gets older. 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- [27:07]
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- [27:39]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
thank you for listening to this episode's ads. By supporting our sponsors, you support Casefile to continue to deliver quality content it. The northern doorway to the bank was about 32ft from where the men had parked. They each grabbed an AK47 and a handgun, leaving the other assault rifles in the Chevrolet along with a police radio, and ran for the door. At that very moment, a Los Angeles Police Department patrol vehicle occupied by Officers Lauren Farrell and Martin Perrello was driving down Laurel Canyon Boulevard on a rout patrol. By pure luck, the officers were in the right place at the right time, or the wrong place at the wrong time, depending on which way you look at it. After seeing Larry and Emil, the officers swung the police car into the southern parking lot of the bank of America and took up positions behind their patrol car. Officer Farrell then made the first broadcast
- [28:47]
Police Dispatcher
5940 question assistance we have a possible 211 in progress at the bank of America. Bank of America located in north of Kendrick we have shots fired. 39 shows responding. Code three.
- [29:02]
Police Radio Operator
All units, officer needs help at the bank of America Lower Canyon, north of Kittridge. Officer needs help bank of America Lower
- [29:08]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Canyon, north of Kittredge at the northern entrance of the bank was a foyer containing three ATMs. A customer was using one of the ATMs when he felt somebody approach him from behind. Turning around, he got quite the shock when he saw Larry and Emil. Larry ordered, OK motherfucker, let's go. Not about to argue, the customer did as he was told and walked into the bank with the two men. Upon their entrance, Emil started firing his rifle into the roof, yelling, everyone down. This is a fucking hold up. Larry declared Everyone down, motherfuckers. There were about 30 customers in the bank at the time, including five of whom were in the safety deposit box room. Everybody complied, although one of the tellers was able to hit the hold up alarm before diving to the floor.
- [30:13]
Police Radio Operator
Approach the bank. The suspects are inside of the bank. It's a 211 in progress inside the bank of America, north of Laura Correction, North Laurel county, north of Kittridge. Look, Victor. Inside of the bank.
- [30:26]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Like in the previous bank robberies, Emil approached the Tellar door and shot his way through it. The door was bullet resistant and designed to stop any pistol round. But it was no match for Emil's high powered automatic assault rifle. Once he got through the door, Emil yelled, get the money or we will kill you. Joe Villagrana, the branch's assistant manager, got up and made himself known. Emil aimed the rifle at him and told him to open the vault. As they made their way there, Emil struck Joe in the back of the head with the rifle. When they passed the safety deposit box room, Emil shot more rounds into the roof and screamed at the people inside to get out. Larry remained in the lobby keeping control of the customers and other employees. Meanwhile, Officer Farrell kept the radio transmissions coming telling the other police where he wanted everyone set up A three.
- [31:28]
Police Dispatcher
I want one unit on the north side, I want to get it on the south side and I want a unit on the back.
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Police Officer on Radio
Impossible.
- [31:35]
Police Radio Operator
15839 is responding. Car 3 to Lower Canyon, north of Peach Ridge. 1583 wants the unit on the north side, on the south side and on the rear.
- [31:44]
Police Dispatcher
Position themselves safely to watch the front door. We don't think the front desk door. We are here.
- [31:51]
Police Radio Operator
1543 is requesting a unit to safely position their shelves in front of the front door. Suspects possibly do not know the PD is there.
- [32:00]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
The next officers to arrive on scene were detectives Tracey Angeles and William Krulak. At 9:19am they pulled into a parking lot opposite the bank's entrance on the western side. Sergeant Larry Haines was next on scene. He blocked off the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Archwood street, which was north of the bank. This gave him a view of the door that Larry and Emil had entered through. To the best of their knowledge, the offenders had no idea they were outside at this time. There were a few civilian witnesses hanging outside the bank and they each approached Sergeant Haynes to report what they'd witnessed.
- [32:45]
Police Dispatcher
According to the advice. I got two witnesses over here say there's possibly two or three suspects in size, possible AK47s are wearing ski masks.
- [32:52]
Police Officer on Radio
And dark clothing advisors are two correctional witnesses.
- [32:56]
Police Radio Operator
At the location rises two to three suspects inside the bank wearing ski masks and AK47.
- [33:01]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Less than 30 seconds later, seemingly now realising that the police were there, Larry exited the bank through the northern lobby. Sergeant Haynes released another broadcast.
- [33:14]
Police Dispatcher
I think somebody just came out of the front door of the bank of America.
- [33:20]
Police Radio Operator
You know, Advisors, unknown person has exited the bank.
- [33:24]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Outside, Larry casually looked around and surveyed the scene. He didn't look concerned at all. From his position, it's likely he would have only been able to see Sergeant Haynes patrol car. So it might not have looked that bad. After having a look around, Larry turned around and calmly walked back inside the bank. Shortly after this, Officer Martin Whitfield arrived and parked next to Sergeant Haynes. Meanwhile, Emil had gained entry to the vault. But progress was slow due to the cash being stored in several separate locked boxes. This was specifically designed to slow down bank robberies and it was working. Emil forced the assistant manager, Joe Villagrana, to open the boxes and fill his bag with the cash. In the lobby, Larry walked over to a security guard who was lying face down on the floor. Larry put his foot on the guard's neck, pointed his rifle at him and said, if you move, motherfucker, I will kill you. When I tell you I want you to move all of these people to the vault. The security guard nodded. Larry then walked off, shooting his rifle into the roof while screaming, nobody look at me or I will kill you. Back inside the vault, Emil was becoming furious. There was nowhere near the amount of money he'd anticipated. Unbeknownst to him, due to the large number of recent robberies, including the two at Van Nuys and Wennetka, that Larry and Emil had committed, the bank of America had changed its delivery schedule. Much to Emil's outrage, the North Hollywood branch still hadn't received their cash delivery that morning. Emil started firing his weapon in frustration. Due to the large amount of gunfire being let off and the fact there were hostages inside the bank, specialist police were needed. The call was put in for Swat to attend.
- [35:40]
Police Radio Operator
18:40 More shots are being shired from the suspects at Laurel Canyon north of Kittridge at the bank of America.
- [35:47]
Police Dispatcher
15 on requesting SWAT respond to this location. Requesting 188 for SWAT.
- [35:53]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
By this point, police had the bank surrounded. Officers Haynes and Whitfield were still at the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Archwood street, giving them a good view of the northern doorway. Officer Brentlinger was east of their position, covering the north eastern side of the bank. First officers on the scene, Farrell and Pirello were still in position in the southern parking lot. Detectives Krulak and Angelas had been joined by Officer Zaborovan and Officer Guy in the parking lot opposite the bank on the western side. And there were still plenty more police officers on the way back inside the vault. Joe had placed $303,305 inside Emil's bag. But amongst all that cash were three dye packs. Emil walked out of the vault towards the teller door. Larry yelled at a bank employee to open the door. Open the fucking door. She complied. Larry then yelled at the security guard demanding move these people to the vault now. The customers and employees made their way inside the vault. The time was 9.24am Larry Phillips Jr and Emil Madasaranu had been inside the bank for over seven minutes. Larry burst through the northern door of the bank, looking straight up towards the intersection of Archwood street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard where Haynes and Whitfield were positioned. Without a second of hesitation, Larry opened fire first. He aimed for Officer Haynes. Patrol car three civilian witnesses were still there and immediately dove for cover. Officer Whitfield was behind his patrol car next to Haynes. Larry took aim and unleashed on him as well. The bullets ripped through the car with ease, wounding Whitfield in the process.
- [38:03]
Police Radio Operator
Touch Now 104 has been notified.
- [38:04]
Police Officer on Radio
Everybody stare down.
- [38:05]
Police Dispatcher
Rapid automatic fire. They're padding the area with fire only. Automatic weapons. Help.
- [38:14]
Police Radio Operator
It's now 40, is requesting help.
- [38:21]
Police Officer on Radio
All units. 900 United visors large shot fired. 500 block of Lower Canyon.
- [38:28]
Police Radio Operator
Requesting half all units. Officers requesting half. Lower Canyon north of Kittridge at the bank of America. Shots are being fired.
- [38:33]
Police Officer on Radio
All units. Officer requested help and. Squad is being notified. Cold three. All officers stay down. Shots are being fired from AK47. There is an officer down.
- [39:03]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
As Larry was firing north, he effectively had his back turned to other officers who were positioned to the southwest, taking cover behind a locksmith's kiosk. Officer Zaborovan was among them and he saw an opportunity. Zaborovan stepped out and fired two shots from his pump action shotgun. Some of the pellets struck Larry in the back. One even found a gap in his body armour and struck him directly. The hit caused Larry to stumble, but he didn't fall. He turned around to face the Boravan who had resumed his position behind the COVID of the locksmith kiosk. Larry opened fire on the kiosk, shooting over 100 rounds into the building. The COVID was flimsy and bullets penetrated the walls easily and ricocheted all over the place. The officers hit the Ground Officers Zaborovan and Gaia had body armour on, but Detectives Krulak and Angelas did not. Realising this, Zaborovan placed his body over the top of Detective Angela's. A few seconds later, he was struck twice and started bleeding heavily.
- [40:21]
Police Officer on Radio
We need to help out here with the officers down.
- [40:23]
Police Dispatcher
Yes.
- [40:25]
Police Officer on Radio
Any of you know how many officers are down? We have one.
- [40:29]
Police Dispatcher
More than one.
- [40:29]
Police Officer on Radio
More than one. There's more than one officer down. A lot of things. One other officer have been hit. We are declaring attack alert. RA is in route. SWAT is being notified to airlift.
- [40:52]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
After unloading on the locksmith kiosk, Larry turned back to the north towards Officers Whitfield and Haynes and the three civilian witnesses. Haines was broadcasting on the police radio when Larry opened fire again, striking Haynes in the upper left arm. The patrol car was being quickly destroyed by bullets and offering minimal protection, civilian Tracey Fisher could see her cover dwindling away. Panicking, she decided to run. But as she tried to get away, she was shot in the foot. Tracey dropped back down behind the patrol car. Another civilian, Michael Horan, had also been struck together with Officer Haines. This left three wounded people behind the patrol car. Back behind the locksmith kiosk, Detective Krulak asked Officer Zaborovan if he was able to run despite being shot. Zaborovan said he could. The two tried to get to safety using vehicles in the parking lot as cover. But Larry spotted them and unleashed more bullets. Both men were hit with glass and other fragments as Larry's bullets damaged the surrounding cars. Detective Krulak was also shot in the right ankle. The pair spotted a dentist surgery nearby and made a run for it while Larry continued peppering them with bullets. When they got to the dentist's door, they didn't have time to stop and open it. Instead they just dove right through the glass, using the cars in the parking lot as cover. Detective Angelas and Officer Guy tried to escape as well. Larry turned his attention to them and sprayed them with bullets. By this point, Larry had been firing at the police for around three minutes. During that time he had fired approximately 300 rounds and wounded several officers and civilians. At 9:27am, Larry walked back inside the bank. The police struggled to explain the onslaught. One officer put it best when he said, I was in the wrong place with the wrong gun. The bullets the police were using were incapable of penetrating Larry's body armour and given that most of his body was protected, the police basically had no chance. Larry, on the other hand, had an automatic assault rifle with armour piercing rounds that were Going through cars and walls with ease. It wasn't a fair. From inside the dentist office, Officer Zaborovan called out for help. The dentist on site, Dr. Jorge Montes, tended to him right away, but he really needed a hospital. Outside, more and more officers arrived at the scene and took positions around the perimeter. At 9:30am, Larry walked back outside. This time Emil was with him. They both carried the bag of money through the door and stood in the entranceway, which gave them a level of protection. They then opened fire, aiming towards the position where Officer Guy and Detective Angelus were taking cover. Upstairs in the dentist office, Zuborovan was looking out and could see what was going on. He yelled into the police radio. Zaborovan was trying to direct his colleague to safety, but Officer Guy was pinned down by the heavy fire. The bullets ripped through the car. He was taking cover behind and he was struck in the right thigh. Officer Guy took his gun belt off and used it as a tourniquet, which would ultimately save his life. Detective Angelus was also wounded. The police were basically helpless at this point. Most of the original responders had been wounded and the SWAT team still hadn't arrived. They had actually been on a training exercise at the police academy when the call came through. Larry and Emil continued to fire at anything that moved. Despite being completely surrounded, they calmly left the entrance of the bank and walked out into the open. Wounded Officers Haynes and Whitfield were still behind their patrol cars with the three civilians. When they realised that Larry and Emil were moving towards them, the officers made a decision to try and protect the civilians by drawing the fire away from them. Officers Haynes and Whitfield got up and ran so that the shooters would target them instead. Haines managed to reach a nearby tree line and took cover, but he was wounded again, this time in the left shin. Whitfield also tried to take cover behind a nearby tree, but not before being shot through the thigh. The bullet shattered his femur, putting him in really bad shape, but he managed to crawl his way behind the tree. Not satisfied with badly wounding him, Larry and Emil continued to fire. Officers were going down everywhere. Casefile will be back shortly. Thank you for supporting us by listening to this episode's sponsors.
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- [48:22]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Thank you for listening to this episode's ads. By supporting our sponsors, you support Casefile to continue to deliver quality content.
- [48:38]
Police Dispatcher
I need an RA unit. Please help Employment builders important partners you up.
- [48:43]
Police Officer on Radio
Officers requesting help in the building. Important parking lot there possibly also offer a moto officer down at Victory in Arwood. I need to check for an open mic.
- [48:58]
Police Dispatcher
Rick, get back.
- [49:00]
Police Officer on Radio
Yes, I just requested help. What is your location in the builder's parking lot?
- [49:04]
Police Dispatcher
Affirmative. Affiliate south of here in the parking lot. Wanted in the building. Multiple officers hit.
- [49:10]
Police Officer on Radio
Multiple officers hit in the building south of south of Hughes Market. Multiple officers hit. They're sending in a tank for the officers
- [49:21]
Police Dispatcher
on the north side of the bank.
- [49:23]
Police Officer on Radio
On the north side of the bank. Oh, you know this is a citywide tack alert. We are now on tack alert due to that unusual occurrence in North Hollywood division. A citywide tack alert
- [49:35]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
media helicopters had started to arrive and were capturing the first pictures of this madness that would soon be broadcast around the world. A police helicopter also circled above, giving updates on what they could see from the air. Larry carried the bag of money to their Chevrolet while Emil covered him by continuing to shoot. By this point, the dye packs had exploded inside the bag, but a lot of the money remained untainted. Larry dropped the bag next to the car and grabbed some more ammunition with Emil close behind.
- [50:12]
Police Dispatcher
They're going to north. They're going to the front. Out north.
- [50:15]
Police Officer on Radio
The suspects are exiting through the north front. They have.
- [50:19]
Police Dispatcher
Suspects are on both sides of the penalty. It's walking around like Nothing. They got 1847. Two of them are tested. All black, heavy body armor.
- [50:29]
Police Officer on Radio
The suspects are exiting the bank on the north side of the building armed with AK47, wearing heavy body armor.
- [50:37]
Police Dispatcher
Yes. All right. These guys are firing at the officers. Fell off to stand back.
- [50:43]
Police Officer on Radio
These guys are firing the air unit. The suspects are firing at all officers. Stay down.
- [50:48]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Per the air unit, as Emil made his way to the car, a bullet grazed him above the right eye. The wound was only a few millimetres away from killing him. Emil dropped to one knee behind the Chevrolet while he assessed the damage. He also had a gunshot wound to the calf. Once he realised he was ok, Emil jumped into their vehicle. Larry didn't seem too interested in getting in. He was still shooting at anything and everything. Many more officers had arrived on the scene and they were shooting at the offenders from multiple positions. Larry was shot at least three times in this exchange, but the body armour continued to protect him.
- [51:36]
Police Dispatcher
These guys are getting ready to get it. A suspect is in the white vehicle.
- [51:41]
Police Officer on Radio
One suspect has entered a white vehicle.
- [51:44]
Police Dispatcher
The white vehicle that's the west. The white vehicle that's on the west side of the bank. One suspect is still firing at the officers to the rear location.
- [51:57]
Police Officer on Radio
All officers stay down. One suspect is still firing at officers in the rear of the bank. One suspect has entered a white vehicle on the west side of the bank.
- [52:04]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
While waiting for the SWAT team to arrive, the North Hollywood watch commander put a call out for any available officers to go to a B and B gun store and get some bigger guns that would have the ability to get through Larry and Emil's body armor.
- [52:19]
Police Dispatcher
There's nothing we have that can stop them. To any unit that is available to go to BND and pick up some weapons.
- [52:27]
Police Officer on Radio
They're requesting someone to go to Bab and pick up weapons.
- [52:32]
Police Dispatcher
Tiffany out of 10. Do we have anybody available to go to BNB Guns?
- [52:36]
Police Officer on Radio
Hang on. Slot unit command,
- [52:44]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
A detective unit and a crash unit responded to the call. The store was closed when they arrived, but they managed to get staff to open up the shop. Owner instructed his staff to give the LAPD whatever they wanted. As police reinforcements continued, Larry was taking more and more fire. He made his way back to the Chevrolet and swapped weapons.
- [53:12]
Police Dispatcher
Suspect has retrieved additional weapons from the trunk of his vehicle.
- [53:16]
Police Officer on Radio
The suspect is retrieving additional weapons from the vehicle and shots are being fired.
- [53:21]
Police Dispatcher
The suspect is walking on the Internet banks daring people to come after him. He's got additional weapons. The truck is open on his vehicle.
- [53:28]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Why Larry didn't get into the car to start the getaway. At this point nobody knows. Instead he took a knee in front of the Chevrolet, aimed upward and started firing at the meteor helicopters. Larry was shot again but the body armour was still holding up. He continued firing non stop. Emil opened the passenger door beckoning for Larry to get in. But Larry slammed the door shut. He was intent to stay outside the vehicle and provide covering fire.
- [54:04]
Police Dispatcher
15 if somebody has a shot, take it.
- [54:09]
Police Officer on Radio
One suspect is walking east of the bank. 15 L10 advised. If someone has a shot, take it.
- [54:16]
Police Dispatcher
He's got heavy body armor. Go for the head.
- [54:19]
Police Officer on Radio
The Suffolk has heavy body armor. The officers are firing at him and he's not going down.
- [54:24]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Despite taking multiple hits, Larry wasn't going down. The body armour was too effective. That left only one place for the police to aim. The call was put out to aim for the head. Officer Whitfield had been keeping radio contact but it was starting to get touch and go.
- [54:47]
Police Officer on Radio
We have an officer down Victory west of Laurel Canyon.
- [54:50]
Police Radio Operator
He needs help.
- [54:50]
Police Officer on Radio
Code 3. He is tapping out west of the 170 freeway at Victory. The officer needs help immediately.
- [55:02]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Two officers who took action in response to the officer down calls were Anthony Kaboonik and Todd Schmitz. While responding to Officer Whitfield's call they instead came across Detective Angelus and Officer Guy, both wounded and still taking cover in the parking lot opposite the bank. Officer Kubunik grabbed Officer Guy and pulled him into their car. While Detective Angelas was able to get in herself. Officer Schmitz then reversed harshly out of the parking lot to get medical help. The SWAT team had arrived by this point and immediately got to work rescuing the other injured officers and civilians. They got hold of an armoured car to assist in the rescue.
- [55:49]
Police Dispatcher
120 advice units on the perimeter that when the officer is rescued. Fire department has set up command for the Fire Station 89 and bringing in a helicopter to take him out.
- [55:57]
Police Officer on Radio
Bring the officer when he's rescued to fire station. Fire Station 89. They have units standing by
- [56:05]
Police Dispatcher
the downs of Archwood and Canyon. He appears to be unconscious. He is down on the west side of the street.
- [56:13]
Police Officer on Radio
The officer that's down at Lowell Canyon, Archwood is unconscious. Shots are being fired still. The officer is down at Archwood and Laurel canyon
- [56:27]
Police Dispatcher
is about 30 yards north of Archwood on Laurel Canyon. Is there anything about 30 yards north
- [56:33]
Police Officer on Radio
of Archwood on Laurel Canyon. The officer is down, unconscious.
- [56:37]
Police Dispatcher
40. That officer is beyond the train now. He's got cover.
- [56:40]
Police Officer on Radio
The officer that's down has gotten cover behind the tree. The RA is being notified. We're trying to get someone in for him.
- [56:50]
Police Dispatcher
Stand by, everybody.
- [56:51]
Police Officer on Radio
Stand by, everyone stand by. There's an armored car coming in full of police officers.
- [56:56]
Police Dispatcher
Moving suspect moving.
- [56:58]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Emil put the Chevrolet in motion. Deciding it was time to attempt to leave.
- [57:07]
Police Officer on Radio
Suspect vehicle is moving slowly.
- [57:10]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Emil drove out of the parking lot with Larry walking alongside the vehicle and firing non stop, Emil turned right onto Archwood street and headed east. While Larry was hit twice more, he sought refuge behind a large truck with a long trailer that was parked on the side of the road. Emil completely lost sight of Larry and continued driving east.
- [57:37]
Police Dispatcher
We've got one suspect driving the white vehicle eastbound from the north parking lot. We've got one suspect on foot. The suspect on foot is behind a long trailer truck. Trailer rig.
- [57:52]
Police Officer on Radio
SWAT is moving in. There's one suspect eastbound from the north side of the parking lot in the vehicle. The other one is on foot near the long trailer. SWAT on the route to 60. 600 Little Canyon across from Del Taco for the upper down.
- [58:04]
Police Dispatcher
They're moving eastbound near Archwood.
- [58:06]
Police Officer on Radio
The suspects are moving eastbound near. Eastbound near Archwood.
- [58:10]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Officer Torres had a clear shot of the chevrolet and fired 12 bullets into it, prompting Emil to drive off, leaving Larry behind. One of Larry's gunshot wounds was bad enough that it would turn fatal if he didn't get help soon. To add to his problems, Larry's rifle had also jammed. He pulled out his Beretta pistol and started walking east.
- [58:38]
Police Dispatcher
Walking at one street east of Laurel Canyon.
- [58:42]
Police Officer on Radio
The Suffolk is walking towards one street east of Laurel Canyon from Archwood Way
- [58:47]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
up ahead, Larry could see Emile in the Chevrolet. But Emil wasn't waiting. He had his own problems, being pursued by other officers. At least seven officers stood in the path between Larry and the Chevrolet. He continued firing at the police with his Beretta, but he was shot yet again. By this point he had suffered 11 gunshot wounds. The latest one struck him in the hand, causing him to drop the pistol. He picked it up off the ground, put it under his chin and shot himself in the head. He died instantly. Larry Phillips Jr. Was 26 years old. Meanwhile, up the road, Emil was still under fire himself, being closely followed by police on the ground and helicopters in the air. The Chevrolet was leaking fuel and its tyres were flat. Realising it wouldn't be drivable for much longer, Emil needed to swap cars. He was still driving east on Archwood street when a red Ford sedan drove towards him. Seeing the shot up vehicle with Emil behind the wheel, the red Ford started to reverse. Emil got out of his car and motioned for the red forward to come back. It didn't, so Emil started firing at it.
- [60:19]
Police Dispatcher
Let me advise, the suspect in the light vehicle is at lamp. He's out of the vehicle. He's shooting at civilians.
- [60:25]
Police Officer on Radio
The suspect is out of the vehicle at limp, shooting at civilians.
- [60:29]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
All of this was being caught on camera. Times were getting desperate for a meal and a getaway was looking close to impossible. He got back into the Chevrolet and just sat there doing nothing. He did Nothing for over 10 seconds before putting the Chevrolet into drive and continuing east along Archwood Street.
- [60:52]
Police Dispatcher
Guys, the suspect is back in the light vehicle. He is now moving slowly eastbound between left and back.
- [60:58]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Emil then found Another target, a 1962 Jeep Gladiator being driven by a man named Bill Maher. Emil started firing through the windscreen of his vehicle into Bill's Jeep. This was enough for Bill to stop the Jeep and get out and run. Emil pulled up next to the Jeep. He got out of the Chevrolet, dumped all of his weapons and ammo into the Jeep and then jumped behind the wheel and attempted to drive off. But he couldn't get it started. A police car containing three SWAT officers, Don Anderson, Steve Gomez and Richard Massa sped east down Archwood Street. Emil sat in the Jeep facing west, meaning the officers were approaching head on. Officer Anderson was driving. In an incredibly brave move, he drove straight at Emil, pulling the car up at an angle directly in front of the Jeep. When Emil saw the SWAT team pull up, he jumped out of the Jeep and took cover behind the Chevrolet. This put a distance of about 30ft and three cars between him and the SWAT officers. A fierce gun battle ensued.
- [62:29]
Police Officer on Radio
Westbound Archwood. More shots are being fired. Shots are being fired. Shots being fired.
- [62:38]
Police Dispatcher
Watch crossfire.
- [62:40]
Police Officer on Radio
All units watch for crossfire on Archwood
- [62:44]
Police Dispatcher
between Raptor and Hind. Metro is engaging the suspect.
- [62:47]
Police Officer on Radio
All units stay back on Archway between Radford and Hines. Air unit advice all officers stay back. Watch for crossfire.
- [62:54]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
Emil was struck several times, but his body armor saved him yet again. The SWAT team quickly realised that if they fired underneath the vehicles, they would be able to hit Emil in the legs, which weren't protected by armour. Their plan worked. Emil was shot multiple times in the legs with one bullet actually shattering his leg. Still, he refused to give up and continued firing. But it was clear that SWAT were winning the battle. Emil was hit several more times and eventually he collapsed to the ground, dropping his weapon in the process. The SWAT team pounced on him. The entire exchange had lasted just under two minutes.
- [63:50]
Police Dispatcher
Second country.
- [64:00]
Casefile Podcast Narrator
The time was 10:01am The North Hollywood shootout was over, but the scene was obviously still chaotic. Injured officers and civilians were everywhere, and the LAPD still wasn't entirely sure if all the gunmen had been caught or if there were others still on the loose. They started checking the scene and the surrounding area for more shooters, a job that would ultimately take them 12 hours to officially clear all up. Emil had been shot 29 times, but he was still breathing. Two detectives stood guard over him while other police cleared the area. But after 65 minutes with an ambulance unable to get to him in time, Emil Madasaranu died at the scene. He was 30 years old. Later that same year, Emil's family filed a civil suit against the LAPD and specifically the two detectives who guarded him as he lay dying. The court case alleged that paramedics had been making their way to attend to Emile, but had been turned away by police. It also alleged that an officer had cancelled the call for more paramedics and that ultimately the police had deliberately let Emile die. In their defence, the LAPD explained that it was standard procedure not to allow any paramedics into what they called a hot zone as it put their lives in danger. Given that they believed there were more active shooters in the area at the time, the LAPD said they couldn't allow paramedics to attend to Emile for their own safety. The jury couldn't reach a verdict and the case resulted in a hung jury. After that, Emil's family ended up dropping the civil suit. During the North Hollywood shootout, over 300 police officers had responded to the city wide tactical alert and 32 officers had fired their weapons all up. Larry and Emil had fired about 1100 rounds between them, while the police had fired around 650. Seventeen officers were awarded the Medal of Honour for their actions and bravery. A total of 11 police and seven civilians were injured during the shootout. But by some miracle, they all survived. The only people who lost their lives were Larry Phillips Jr. And Emil Madaseranu.
- [66:43]
Police Dispatcher
L45 any units we have here are unusable. The black and whites are all blown up.
- [66:49]
Police Officer on Radio
All the black and whites at the location are unusable. They have shots fired.
- [67:24]
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- [67:53]
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