Detectives are Asking for the Public’s Help in Identifying a Chain Snatcher NR09490cj

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a robbery suspect caught on tape snatching a cashier’s chain inside of a neighborhood liquor store.

On October 7, 2009, at 9:40 a.m., a female victim was working as a cashier in the 6000 block of South Avalon Boulevard when a man entered the store shopping for a cigar.  The man approached the cashier and proceeded to pay for his item.  As the man was receiving his change he reached over the counter and grabbed the necklace that was around the cashier’s neck.  The victim also grabbed onto the chain struggling to keep her jewelry.  The suspect overpowered the cashier and snatched the chain from her neck.  The suspect immediately ran outside of the store, jumped into a vehicle, and drove away from the location.  During the struggle, the victim sustained minor injuries.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, stands between 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds.  He had short, dark-colored hair and a thick goatee.  The suspect was wearing a light grey hooded sweatshirt with dark baggy sweat pants.

Detectives believe that that the suspect’s vehicle is a 1995 to 1999 light blue or green Buick Rivera.         

Images of the suspect were captured by surveillance cameras outside and inside of the liquor store and are available at www.lapdtv.org.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call LAPD Newton Area Robbery Detectives Christopher Marsden or Guillermo Medina at 323-846-6572.  After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, www.lapdonline.org.  All tips will remain anonymous.