Police Seek Clues in Bicycle Slaying

Police are baffled by the slaying of a Toluca Lake man who was shot and killed during an apparent robbery attempt by a man on a 10-speed bike.

At 8:30 p.m. Friday, Peter Maloney, 37, was walking in the 10400 block of Riverside Drive when he was approached by a man riding a yellow 10-speed bicycle, police said. The men had a brief discussion before Maloney was shot and the man rode off.

Maloney, described by acquaintances as friendly and outgoing, walked more than 14 miles daily to his job at Spectra American Color Lab in Sun Valley, said Det. Mike Coffey of the Los Angeles Police Department. Maloney, who had not owned a car in more than a year, was on his way home after stopping at Trader Joe’s market when he was attacked, Coffey said.

“We have gotten some calls from his friends,� Coffey said. “Seems he was well-liked and basically kept to himself in his neighborhood.�

With the help of witnesses, detectives have scoured the Toluca Lake area where Maloney was killed. Although robbery is the suspected motive, Coffey said nothing was taken from Maloney.