By Gina Yarbrough
Encinitas, CA–Authorities are searching for the suspect involved in an armed robbery on Moonlight Beach, the Sheriff’s office said Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, just before 9 p.m. near the 400 block of W. B Street in Encinitas.
The victim was on the beach near the volleyball courts when a man approached him from behind. The suspect held a handgun and pointed it at the victim’s head while demanding his belongings. Fearing for his life, the victim threw his earbuds and cell phone on the ground.
The suspect grabbed the earbuds and told him he would kill him if he called law enforcement. He then took off running north on 5th Street. The victim was not hurt.
A Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter flew over the area looking for the suspect, while deputies and a Sheriff’s K-9 searched on the ground. Despite these efforts, the suspect was not found.
The suspect is described as a 25-year-old Hispanic man standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and weighing 135 pounds. He was last seen wearing a hat, black ski mask, dark sweatshirt, jeans, and white shoes.
If you have any information about this incident or know who the suspect is, call the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department at (858) 565-5200. You can also contact Detective Chad Latonio from the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station at (760) 966-3523.
