Stun-gun Bandit Robs Boutique NR09588pv

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police detectives released a video of a man they have dubbed the Stun-gun Bandit, who robbed a downtown boutique last Tuesday afternoon, taking $650.00 and shocking the store clerk as he left.

“Make no mistake, the man was armed with a gun, which he showed the clerk,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, who supervises detectives for the Central police station.  “But after the young woman gave up the money, the robber shocked her arm with a stun gun just to be mean.”

The robbery occurred December 15, 2009, at Day to Day Sales, Inc., a small boutique in the Fashion District in the 1000 block of South Los Angeles Street.  A tall, White man with graying hair and a blue baseball cap walked into the boutique at 12:15 p.m. and displayed a handgun to the 27-year-old clerk.  She opened the cash register and allowed the robber to remove the cash.

“That’s when you see him take an object out of his pocket and step toward the clerk,” Vernon said.  “You can hear the stun gun sparking as the man holds it against the woman’s arm.  It must have been very unnerving for her.  It was completely unprovoked and just plain mean.”

The video does not show a clear shot of the suspect’s face, but he is tall and thin.  He appears to be well kept, and in his fifties or sixties.  He was wearing a blue jacket, gray pants, and sunglasses.

“We think anyone who knows this person will recognize him nonetheless,” Vernon said.  “A guy like this shouldn’t get away with robbing a store, or being this mean.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Al Rasch, Central Robbery detectives at 213-972-1245.   Callers can also phone the 24-hour number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Tipsters may text “crimes” with a cell phone.  All messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Media outlets can come to Central Police Station to view and record the video footage.  

Lt. Vernon will be available between 10 a.m and 11:30 a.m.