Crime & Safety

Police Release New Sketch in Avanti Robbery

Detectives release a more accurate description of the gunman after further investigation.

Police officers are getting closer to catching the suspected gunman who robbed Avanti Jewelers in Hermosa Beach earlier this month.

After working with the Torrance Police Department's sketch artist, local detectives are hopeful that a new sketch of the suspect will help police locate him.

Hermosa Beach Police Department officers also continued talks with the store's owner, who described the gunman as African American, 25 to 35 years old, chubby, 5-foot-10 to 6 feet tall, with sleepy, droopy eyes and a spiked Afro, and wearing a faded black pullover sweatshirt and dark jeans.

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Police said that the gunman may have had an accomplice, but no information about this second suspect has been released.

About 11 a.m. Aug. 3, a gunman entered the Pacific Coast Highway shop and pretended to be a customer, browsing display cases filled with jewelry, officers said. The man asked the store's owner about wedding bands before he suddenly pulled out a small caliber machine gun and repeatedly asked, "where's your gold?"

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The man then pushed the store owner to the ground, and wrapped his face, hands and feet with duct tape. As the store owner was forced to remain face down on the floor, the man ransacked the shop, while yelling, "turn around, don't look at me."

Wedding bands, gold chains and $400 to $500 in cash were stolen.

 Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Michael Frilot at 310-318-0332.


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