REWARD OFFERED TO HELP FIND STORE OWNER'S KILLER.

Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer

PACOIMA - Trying to spark new life into a nine-month old unsolved slaying case, Los Angeles police on Tuesday announced a $25,000 reward to help find the killer of a Sylmar liquor store owner.

Ramez Younan, the owner of Chalet Liquor Store, was shot to death Oct. 17 as he worked alone in his Hubbard Street store.

Police believe he was killed during a botched robbery attempt. After nine months of tugging on leads, however, detectives have not confirmed a motive, nor do they have any witnesses.

``I know there's people out there who know what happened,'' said Younan's son, George, who described his father as a fun-loving man who gave his customers credit and a warm smile. ``We hope justice can be served.''

Police believe the reward money, approved by the City Council, will entice reluctant witnesses to come forward.

``The Police Department wants to solve this crime,'' said Councilman Alex Padilla, who joined police at a press conference at the Foothill Station. ``The family of the victim deserves justice.''

Anyone with information is asked to call the Foothill Division at [phone].

Tuesday's announcement came as police work to cut the growing number of unsolved cases, an issue exacerbated by thin ranks and a growing murder rate. Valley Bureau detectives have arrested suspects in 55 percent of this year's 77 homicide cases. Last year, detectives made arrests in 67 percent of the 60 cases in the same period.

The Foothill Division has been hit particularly hard this year. Four of their 20 cases have been cleared with an arrest. Most of their cases are gang related, some of the most difficult to solve. Witnesses fear retaliation from gang members, who, in some cases, rule the streets where they live and know who they are.

``We'd like to solve all of them,'' said LAPD Lt. George Rock, who supervises Foothill detectives. ``We strive to solve as many as we possibly can.''

So far this year rewards have been offered in two other Valley homicide cases.

City Councilman Dennis Zine announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the killer of Michael Phillip Urquidi - a 16-year-old student who was fatally shot Jan. 8 as he waited for a bus in the 22000 block of Sherman Way. Police believe the shooting was gang related.

City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel has also announced a $25,000 reward in the slayings of cousins Philip Gearhart, 25, and John Shellabarger, 26. The men were found shot to death in a car April 6, shortly after one of them got into a brawl at the California Broiler bar in Northridge.