A Rossmoor resident was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot near Farmers & Merchants Bank early Friday morning, Oct. 29.
The criminal apologized to his victim and said he had been out of work for 14 months. The victim lost his wallet, but was not physically harmed.
The bank is located in the Shops at Rossmoor shopping center, which is within the Seal Beach city limits. The robbery is being investigated by the Seal Beach Police Department.
Victim David Wertz, of Rossmoor, said the crime occurred at about 5:15 a.m. as Wertz was taking his morning walk.
According to Rebecca Travis, of the Rossmoor Predator Management Team, the suspect was a Hispanic man in his 20s, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, driving a dark blue or black late model Toyota.
Wertz, 78, told the Sun the young Hispanic man was about 5 feet 8 inches.
According to Wertz’s account, he was near the bank, close to the fence that surrounds the former sight of the Albertson’s supermarket in the Shops at Rossmoor.
A slow-moving car pulled up alongside him. The young man in the car asked Wertz for directions.
As Wertz pointed out where the young man needed to go, the Hispanic man got out of his car and pointed a gun at Wertz.
“It was a revolver,” Wertz said. He described it as a black, “large caliber” handgun.
Wertz quoted his mugger as saying, “I’m sorry I have to do this.”
Wertz asked the man if he was out of work.
The thief said he had been out of work for 14 months.
The younger man asked Wertz if he had a wallet. When Wertz said yes, the younger man ordered him to drop it.
The mugger asked Wertz if he had a phone. Wertz said no.
The mugger told Wertz to keep on walking. He apparently got back in his car and drove off.
As a result of the crime, the Seal Beach Police Department’s Facebook page is advising residents to be aware of their surroundings.
