Man Robbed in Sunset Park

By Jorge Casuso

May 5 -- A man headed to his son’s house in Sunset Park to watch the Lakers game last Thursday was robbed in the tree-lined neighborhood before darkness had fallen.

The 66-year-old man, who lives a few blocks from his son, was walking on the sidewalk of 1600 block of Oak Street at around 7:30 p.m., when he was approached by the suspect, police said.

“The suspect approached, demanded money and displayed a handgun in his waistband,” said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the police department spokesman.

The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Lookout: “He said, ‘Give me your wallet,’ and pointed to his gun. It makes you a little nervous.”

The victim handed the suspect the wallet, which contained $200 in cash and three credit cards, Fabrega and the victim said.

He then headed to Bob’s Market on the corner of 17th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard and called police, who immediately responded.

“I was still on 911 when the cop came through the door,” the victim said.

The victim said he then called the credit card companies, who were able to cancel the accounts after only one $1 transaction had been made.

The victim said the neighborhood has recently been marked with graffiti.

“A week ago, graffiti cropped up on a fence,” the victim said. “There has been graffiti on sidewalks, on someone’s trash cans.”

The suspect was identified as a Hispanic man in his 20s, 5’6” to 5’8’’ tall and weighing 130 pounds. His head was shaved and he was wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants.

Anyone with information should call the police department’s Robbery/Homicide Division at 458-8451.