Hermosa police have released a sketch of a suspect in the midday armed robbery of Avanti Jewelry on Pacific Coast Highway on Aug. 3, in which a gunman tied up an employee and stole wedding bands, gold chains and as much as $500 in cash.
The suspect was described as a black man, 25 to 35 years old, 5-feet-10 to 6 feet tall with a spiked Afro, sleepy or droopy eyes, seen wearing a faded black pullover sweatshirt and dark jeans.
A second suspect was heard but not seen, entering the store after the employee was bound.
Hermosa Beach Police detectives worked with a Torrance Police Department sketch artist and with the victim to complete an updated composite of the robbery suspect, Hermosa Beach Police Detective Mick Gaglia said.
The man in the sketch allegedly entered the store, asked about wedding bands, pulled out what was described as a “small caliber machine gun” and repeatedly asked, “Where’s your gold?” police said.
The man pushed the employee, ordered him to his knees, duct-taped his face, hands and feet, put him face down on the floor and searched the store, continuously yelling, “Turn around, don’t look at me.”
Police were seeking the public’s assistance to identify their suspect, and urged anyone with information to contact Detective Michael Frilot at 310-318-0332 or mfrilot@hermosapolice.org, or the Police Department at 310-318-0360.
