Scooter-Riding Suspect Puts Manager In Headlock During Bizarre OC Robbery
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A man is on the run after feigning a disability to rob a Food 4 Less store in Santa Ana.
Detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying the robbery suspect, who reportedly cased the market for 15 minutes while roaming around in a motorized mobility scooter.
Surveillance video shows the suspect went into the Food 4 Less at 2140 S. Bristol Street shortly before 10 a.m. on Sept. 18.
He dismounted the scooter, approached the store manager from behind and placed him in a headlock, according to Detective Art Castorena of the Santa Ana Police Department.
Upon forcing the manager to the front office, the suspect ordered the manager and bookkeeper to fill his backpack with cash, Castorena said.
After the manager and bookkeeper complied, the suspect then grabbed the manager by the arm and walked him to his vehicle parked outside.
The robber forced the manager to start his silver 2001 Toyota Echo, whereupon the suspect jumped into the driver's seat and sped off, according to Castorena.
The manager's car is still missing.
The suspect is described as a male Hispanic with dark complexion, between 30 and 35 years of age, between 5'09"-6'0" tall and 250-280 pounds with black and brown hair. He has a shaved head, goatee and was seen wearing a light yellow and black plaid shirt, black shorts, white sneakers and a black backpack.
Anyone with information on the suspect or the missing vehicle is asked to contact Detective Castorena at 714-245-8422 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.