BRIEFLY POLICE SEEK TWO IN HOME INVASION.

NORTHRIDGE - Police were searching for two suspects who burglarized an apartment at gunpoint Saturday.

The two suspects, African-American males described as being in their late teens or early 20s and dressed in dark clothing, stole several small electronic appliances from the apartment in the 18100 block of Roscoe Boulevard, said Los Angeles police Sgt. Jace Kessler.

According to police, the suspects knocked on the victim's door about 5:15 p.m. and said an acquaintance of the victim had been shot. When the victim opened the door, one suspect brandished a handgun and forced entry into the apartment.

The male victim, who was home alone, escaped through a kitchen door during the incident and was not injured, police said.

- Daily News

Hanging in park is apparent suicide

CHATSWORTH - A woman believed to be in her 30s apparently committed suicide Saturday by hanging herself from a tree in Chatsworth Oaks Park, a Los Angeles police sergeant said.

The woman's body was discovered by park rangers about 4:50 p.m. in the 9300 block of Valley Circle Boulevard, Sgt. Alan Sorkness said.

No further information was immediately available, he said.

- City News Service

Boy badly injured in go-cart crash

RESEDA - An 8-year-old boy from Ventura County suffered chest injuries Saturday when his go-cart crashed in the San Fernando Valley, officials said.

The Camarillo boy was in serious but stable condition after being airlifted to UCLA Medical Center, said Bob Collis of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Collis said the boy likely broke several ribs.

The crash happened around 2 p.m. in the 7000 block of Darby Avenue in Reseda, where the boy had been driving the go-cart in an industrial park parking lot, Collis said. A course had been set up with cones to swerve in and out of, Collis said.

``He was going too fast,'' Collis said.

- Daily News

Boyfriend shoots woman, kills self

WEST HOLLYWOOD - A man shot his estranged girlfriend several times Saturday, then took his own life, a sheriff's deputy said.

The shooting in the 9000 block of Harratt Street in West Hollywood was reported to authorities about 8:30 a.m., said Deputy Cruz Solis.

The woman was expected to survive the attack, said Solis. Both victims were in their mid-30s.

The couple had a 7-year-old son, who was not present at the time of the shooting, Solis said.

- City News Service

Manhunt seeks stabbing suspect

HOLLYWOOD - Dozens of police officers searched for a man who fatally stabbed the owner of a Hollywood hair salon Saturday, possibly during a robbery.

The stabbing, reported at 9:30 a.m., happened in the 5500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, said Sgt. William Duke of the Hollywood station.

The victim, a man believed to be in his 40s, died at a hospital, he said.

Police believe the victim struggled with his assailant, but no witnesses have been found, Duke said.

The killer, who police believe stole some property, apparently dropped a wallet in the salon's parking lot, he said.

Police in Hollywood went on tactical alert in an effort to find the killer, who is believed to have fled on foot.

- City News Service

Highway crashes claim three so far

Three people were killed in crashes on Los Angeles County highways during the first 60 hours of the Thanksgiving holiday, compared to four deaths last year in the same period, the CHP reported Saturday.

Statewide, there were 18 highway fatalities between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Saturday, compared to 23 deaths in 1999, according to a California Highway Patrol statement.

CHP officers also arrested 220 motorists in the county for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, up from 208 arrests during the same period last year.

Across the state, 959 motorists were arrested for alleged DUI, up from 905 arrests in 1999.

The CHP urged motorists to use extra caution during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

- City News Service

Blaze breaks out at Hollywood club

Firefighters knocked down a greater-alarm fire that broke out Saturday at a Hollywood nightclub, a city fire official said.

No injuries were reported in the blaze at the Playroom, 836 N. Highland Ave., which was reported at 6:12 a.m., said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Bob Collis.

The fire was reported out 30 minutes later, Collis said. It's not clear how the blaze started.

- City News Service

Damage from fire valued at $30,000

GLENDALE - A noninjury fire Saturday in a home caused about $30,000 damage, according to a fire dispatcher.

Fire personnel dispatched at 1:20 a.m. to the single-story home in the 100 block of W. Lomita Avenue had the fire out at 1:33 a.m., she said.

Damage was estimated at $20,000 to the building and $10,000 to other property. It's not known how the fire started.

- City News Service

Man shot to death in drive-by gunfire

WILLOWBROOK - A man was shot to death in an apparent drive-by shooting in Willowbrook on Saturday, a sheriff's deputy said.

The shooting happened about 10:15 a.m. in the 600 block of E. El Segundo Boulevard, said sheriff's Deputy Terry Holden.

The man died at Los Angeles County King-Drew Medical Center, he said.

No further information was immediately available, he said.

- City News Service