For four months, two men terrorized elderly residents of South LA, Boyle Heights and the MacArthur Park area, gaining their trust through friendly conversations to kidnap and rob their victims at gunpoint, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Police Department recently arrested two suspects in connection with a serial “kidnapping-to-robbery” scheme and is searching for additional victims.

The string of robberies took place between June and November, when two assailants approached the victims in a gray Ford Focus, police said. One would get out of the car and engage the victim in conversation, sometimes claiming to be affiliated with a church to gain their trust, police said.

The robbers then suddenly turned on their victims, brandishing a gun, threatening them with physical force and demanding they get into the car, police said. The attackers would drive their victims to another location and ask them to provide jewelry or money, police said.

The pair threatened violence if the victims refused to comply, police said.

Detectives identified the suspects’ vehicle and later arrested two people believed to be responsible for the scheme, police said. Police have not yet identified any suspects.

Detectives believe there are more victims who have yet to report similar crimes and are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Newton LAPD Robbery Section at (323) 846-6572.

During business hours or on weekends, calls can be made to (877) 527-3247. Anonymous tips can be left at (800) 222-8477 or at LA Crime Stoppers website.