Two males and a female allegedly attempted to rob South Bay Gold in Manhattan Beach on Monday, according to Manhattan Beach Police Department. The three managed to flee the scene.
At around 10:15 a.m., a male suspect walked into the store posing as a customer. Soon after, another male and female walked in, prompting the first suspect to pull out a handgun and demand money. While the first suspect was threatening the clerk, the female suspect kept the door propped open to ease their escape, said Manhattan Beach Detective Mike Rosenberger.
When confronted, the clerk pressed the store’s panic button. Shortly thereafter, the police were notified of the alleged crime. “They took off and fled back around the building,” Rosenberger said, adding that they failed to steal any money from the store. “Most of these robbers obviously don’t want to get into a confrontation with the police.”
A black Chrysler 300 was seen leaving the area rapidly, Rosenberger said.
Headquartered in Torrance, South Bay Gold offers a wide selection of coin and bullion products, jewelry and watch repairs. The Manhattan Beach store, which sits on the corner of Sepulveda Boulevard and Marine Avenue, was opened recently. The Torrance store has been around for more than a decade.
Police ask that those with any information on the suspects or the crime call Detective Rosenberger at 310-802-5127.
