4 robbery suspects at large after hourslong standoff at illegal weed dispensary in Tarzana strip mall: LAPD

TARZANA, Calif. -- (KTLA) -- A lengthy standoff at an illegal pot shop in Tarzana where officers were responding to reports of an armed robbery with possible hostages on Monday ended with four suspects escaping and no captives found, officials said.

Officers initially responded to the unlicensed dispensary within a strip mall at 18340 Ventura Blvd. shortly after 1:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Lt. Chris Ramirez said.

Footage from the scene showed a massive law enforcement response, with a SWAT team and armored vehicles blocking Ventura Boulevard between Etiwanda Avenue and Reseda Boulevard from motorists.

As of about 2:10 p.m., four robbery suspects had remained inside the business, Officer Jeff Lee said.

One woman who works near the dispensary said she heard the robbers demanding money and weed, and it sounded like they had Russian accents.