Little Saigon: Police seeking suspects in death of man near ATM

GARDEN GROVE, California (NV) – Police are looking for two people in connection with the shooting death of an unidentified Vietnamese man Sunday night near an ATM. Garden Grove police responded to a call about a shooting at 10:11 p.m. When they got to the Bank of America branch at the corner of Brookhurst Street and Westminster Avenue, they discovered the victim.

Police Lt. Carl Whitney said the man was a 35-year-old who lived in the city; his name has been identified as Minh Le Anh Pham. Whitney said police were looking for two men of Hispanic or African American descent in the killing.

The suspects were believed to have been traveling in a silver or gray SUV with a roof rack, based on a review of security footage from the bank and nearby businesses, Whitney told Nguoi Viet Daily Newspaper’s reporter.

Just less than two hours earlier, at 8:18 p.m., police were called to the same ATM after receiving a call from a 50-year-old Garden Grove woman. She said she had been assaulted and robbed while she was walking to the ATM with money in her hands, according a news release from the police department.

In that case, police arrested a man identified as a local transient. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for unspecified injuries.

Police said they returned the woman’s property to her. They added the incident appeared to be isolated.

Whitney said incidents such as the one involving the woman are rare in Garden Grove and offered tips to stay safe while using an ATM.

“Robbery in front of an ATM machine has not happened in Garden Grove for awhile,” he said. “However, to be safe, we recommend residents avoid coming to the ATM machine in the evening. If you need to use ATM in the evening, you should look around and be aware before coming in front of ATM.  Moreover, park in the lighted area, communicate with your eyes with those close by so they know that you recognize their presence. You should also be careful and look behind your back to see if someone is following you. In case you encounter a robber, you should give them the money since your life is priority.”

The Garden Grove police department asks witnesses and anyone with information about the two suspects in the man’s death to call (714) 741-5800.