Police Use New Weapon in Hunt for Killer

LAGUNA BEACH —  Police are hoping some new technology will help them break an old case, in which an ice cream shop owner was gunned down in a robbery three years ago.

On Feb. 20, 1995, a gunman held up the Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream shop at 247 Broadway Place and shot the two owners.

Simindokht Roshdieh, 52, was killed and her husband, Firooz, 62, was wounded in the attack. A man fitting the same description had robbed a Baskin-Robbins in Tustin half an hour earlier.

In the three years since, police have run down various leads but have not gathered enough evidence to make an arrest, Police Det. Lou Gutierrez said. The man they believe is responsible is already in prison on an unrelated charge and has seven years left to serve, he said. But detectives haven’t uncovered enough evidence to prosecute him for the slaying.

“We at least have some time to continue the investigation and see what comes up,” Gutierrez said.

The department’s latest tactic to crack the case involves using a relatively new computer program to enhance a surveillance video made during the Tustin robbery. Navco Security Systems, an Anaheim company, took a profile from that tape and turned it into a three-dimensional full-face portrait, he said.

“It’s still a composite because there has to be some artistry involved, but it gives us a little better idea of what the guy looks like,” said Gutierrez, who has been working on the case for two years.

“It’s just another tool we’re using to see if it generates any leads. It’s not something we’re hanging our hat on.”

Sgt. Bob Rahaeuser added: “We’ll do anything we can to arrest the person who committed the murder.”

Detectives said they hope the composite leads them to whoever is responsible, whether it is their current suspect or someone else.

The slaying cut deeply into the psyche of the small city, and with no one to hold accountable, the scar remains, police said.

“It’s a small community. A lot of people did know these folks. It’s kind of a shock to everybody,” Gutierrez said.

He said detectives have presented their evidence to prosecutors three times, and each time they were told that more was needed.

“All along, we were confident the person who was arrested was the one who was involved,” Rahaeuser said.

Police said they hope someone will recognize the man in the new composite and link him to the Roshdieh killing.

Gutierrez said an arrest would be a relief to detectives. But of course it would be most satisfying to Firooz Roshdieh and his family, who have grown increasingly frustrated that no one has been brought to justice.

“Around this time of year it is difficult for them. It is the anniversary,” Gutierrez said. “And for it to still be unsolved takes its toll on us too.”

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Gutierrez at (714) 497-0371.