Being a mobile Taquero is not easy. While most people see you a convenient source of delicious tacos, clayudas, and other tasty treats, a treacherous few see you as a moving cash machine, a Brinks truck with no armor and sacks of easy loot at the end of a hard night.
LA Now's Ruben Vives reports that a
tagger crew has robbed at least 22 taco truck vendors at gunpoint over the last two months along busy commercial streets in the Eastside.
The robberies have rattled the taco truck community, and officials said some vendors have been reluctant to report them for fear of retaliation from the perpetrators and possible immigration problems from authorities. As a result, detectives believe there may be more unreported robberies.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department today sought the public’s help in tracking down a 21-year-old man it says is connected to the robberies.
Sgt. Ruben Nava said Nery Perez of East Los Angeles was tied to at least 22 robberies of taco truck vendors along Whittier Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard and Cesar Chavez Ave. “He’s got green eyes and a tattoo of a bat on the right of his neck,” Nava said. “He has a very distinctive look.”
The total haul is estimated to reach $7,000. The Lonchero Association is working directly with the Sheriff to help combat this and other crimes against their brethren. Tonight when you're out at your favorite taco truck, remember the perils of the industry, and spring for some extra tacos, you know they're worth it. And to the enemies of the Loncheros-- you are also the enemies of the taco lifestyle.
Read More:
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from L.A. TACO
An Update On Our Membership Drive: Some Bad News, and Good News
Some bad news, and some good news on our pledge to survive and stay sustainable.
Where To Eat This Weekend: Bulgogi Pupusas, Hemp Seed Guacamole, ‘Sticky Rice Sticks,’ and Korean Street Food In Venice
Plus an Roman chef veteran in a Hollywood apartment, chocolate Cuba Libres, Uzbeki plov with lazer rice, and cochinita melts in a Silver Lake yard. Here are the best things to eat around Los Angeles (and San Juan Capistrano!) this weekend.
How Your Business Can Benefit From Sponsoring L.A. TACO
When your company sponsors L.A. TACO, you receive a variety of quick and cost-effective benefits for far less than what we price our traditional advertisements and social media mentions at.
Juárez-Style Burritos Have Arrived in Southern California, And They are Already Selling Out In Less than An Hour
The month-old strip mall taquería in Anaheim make all their flour tortillas from scratch using both lard and butter, resulting in an extremely tender vehicle for their juicy guisados like carne en su jugo, carne deshebrada, chile colorado, chile relleno, and chicharrón. Every tortilla is cooked to order, too.
