ROBBERY SUSPECTS LINKED TO SLAYING.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Two men awaiting trial in four home-invasion robberies in North Hollywood are being investigated in the slaying of a man during a break-in at his Glendale home, police said Tuesday.

Glendale police are asking the public's help in providing information about Nur Alawaneh, 22, and Arutyun Avagyan, 26, whom they are investigating in the death of Herair Jordan, 61, on Aug. 25, 2003.

``We believe that they're involved with our Glendale murder and we're basing that on the similarities as to how the North Hollywood robberies occurred and the close proximity in the date and time with the Glendale incident,'' Glendale Detective Craig Tweedy said.

``We're asking for the public's help to obtain any friends or associates of these two defendants that may have information regarding the Glendale murder, the two defendants or associates.''

Authorities say Jordan was attacked during a daytime break-in at his Dolorita Avenue home. He died as a result of suffocation and blunt-force trauma.

Alawaneh and Avagyan are charged with four home-invasion robberies that occurred between July 25, 2003, and Feb. 2, 2004. They have pleaded not guilty.

Three of the four robberies took place during the day, when people were at home, with the thieves getting away with thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry. Although some of the residents were tied up, none was injured, officials said.

Police believe the victims were not chosen at random.

``We believe they had knowledge and some form of intelligence,'' Tweedy said.

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) ALAWANEH

(2) AVAGYAN