LOCAL : Vegas Casino Robbery Suspect Sought in Tarzana Drug Murder

A man being sought in a daring robbery and attempted murder at a Las Vegas casino where he had lost $65,000 has been identified as the suspect in the murder of a Tarzana drug dealer, Los Angeles police said today.

Police are searching for David Hagag, a 29-year-old Israeli national, in the Dec. 27 slaying of Simon Sarkissian, 54, in a Tarzana apartment. Hagag allegedly bought heroin from Sarkissian and is believed to have shot him to death during a robbery attempt, Detective Phil Quartararo said. However, after the slaying police found $21,000 hidden in Sarkissian’s apartment.

Hagag was identified by witnesses and other undisclosed evidence, police said. He is believed to be with his wife and young son and using a 1978-80 tan or beige Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Quartararo said detectives have learned that Hagag is being sought by Las Vegas police in an unusual robbery of a change booth Dec. 8 at the Hilton Hotel casino. “He reached into the booth and grabbed a handful of bills totaling about $15,000,” Las Vegas Police Sgt. John Samolovitch said. “He ran outside and pointed a gun at a cab driver and fired it, grazing the driver’s face. He then forced the man to drive him out of there.”