VAN NUYS : $50,000 Reward Offered in Slaying

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of two men suspected of killing a Coca-Cola salesman who refused to hang up a telephone in a Ralphs supermarket during an armed robbery, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

“What makes this so unusual is that police not only have photographs of the suspects, but they also have their names,” said Greg Nelson, a spokesman for Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs. “These are notorious gang members who have been booked before.”

Jose Santillan, 19, and Louie Velarde, 21, both of Pacoima, are being sought by officers in connection with the Oct. 19 slaying of Robert Ward at the Ralphs supermarket at 7225 Woodman Ave., Detective Jim Rahm said.

Ward, 28, of Sylmar was shot about 6:30 a.m. while talking to his fiancee on the store phone on the manager’s desk. He apparently angered a gunman who was trying to get all customers and employees to congregate in an area near the checkout stands.

Officials from Ralphs and Coca-Cola are contributing half of the reward and the Los Angeles City Council is offering the remainder, Nelson said. Anyone with information should call Van Nuys homicide detectives at 818-989-8377.