May 11, 2011 | 11:10 am

Murderer of MTV Staffer Gabriel Ben-Meir Linked to Robberies [UPDATED]

Posted by Ryan Torok

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Gabriel Ben-Meir, who was shot and killed outside his home last SUnday.

[UPDATED: MAY 12, 8:27 A.M.]
Two suspects believed responsible for a string of robberies around Los Angeles have been taken into custody, the Los Angeles Times reported this morning, and LAPD officials are investigating if either of the suspects could be behind the death of MTV music staffer Gabriel Ben-Meir, who was shot and killed last Sunday.

According to the L.A. Times:

Authorities said the robberies in the Mid-City, Wilshire and Southwest L.A. areas involved the use of a shotgun, the same type of weapon believed to have been used in the death of Gabriel Aron Ben-Meir, 30.

The murderer of 30-year-old MTV music staffer Gabriel Ben-Meir was linked to suspects behind recent robberies in the Mid-City, Southwest L.A. and Wilshire areas, the Los Angeles Times initially reported on May 11 [UPDATED].

LAPD sources said the robber had struck at least eight times in the last two weeks, using a shotgun during street and business robberies in the Mid-City, Southwest L.A. and Wilshire areas. The robber also is responsible for a slaying [of Ben-Meir] a week ago, police believe…The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stressed that detectives had not made a positive link but considered it a solid lead.”

Ben-Meir was shot and killed outside his home in the Miracle Mile area around 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 8.

L.A. Weekly cited City News Service’s report that the suspects behind the recent robberies have been described by the victims as “both black men in their 20s or 30s…with an average build and dark clothing.” They may be the same people behind the murder of Ben-Meir, but this is all speculative, and LAPD is continuing its investigation of the murder.