BRIEFLY.

Vehicle catches fire on freeway

ENCINO -- A vehicle caught fire on the Ventura Freeway just east of White Oak Avenue on Sunday, closing two westbound lanes, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

The fire started at about 3:20 p.m. and no injuries were reported, said CHP Officer Vince Ramirez. Two right-hand lanes were closed, he said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, Ramirez said.

-- City News Service

Four robberies occur within hour

Police are investigating four robberies that took place within less than an hour Sunday afternoon, beginning in North Hollywood and ending in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.

Details of the robberies, exact locations and suspects were unavailable as the investigation continued, but police said robbers hit an El Pollo Loco restaurant at 3 p.m., then continued on to other opened businesses, including an electronics store.

-- Daily News

Couple wanted in armed heists

DOWNEY -- A man and woman carried out armed robberies Sunday at businesses in at least six cities in Los Angeles and Orange counties, police said.

Police confirmed alleged robberies by the pair in Pico Rivera, Downey, Cerritos, Buena Park, Huntington Beach and La Palma.

A reported robbery by the two in Long Beach could not be immediately confirmed.

The first robbery was reported about 11 a.m. at Jim's Liquor, located at Beverly and Rosemead boulevards in Pico Rivera, said Sgt. Nick Cabrera of the Pico Rivera sheriff's station.

A tall, thin black man in his late 20s pointed a gun at a clerk and demanded money, Cabrera said.

-- City News Service

Plane crashes into two homes

BUENA PARK -- Two people aboard a small plane were injured Sunday when the plane crashed into two homes in Buena Park, according to a fire official and broadcast reports.

The crash occurred about 5 p.m. in the 6300 block of Verdi Drive, said Capt. Stephen Miller of the Orange County Fire Authority.

-- City News Service