Woman Befriends Man on Trolley, Robs Him With Male Accomplice Afterward

Updated at 8:40 a.m. Feb. 16, 2012

La Mesa police were seeking a couple in an older black-and-yellow sedan after they robbed a man of his wallet Sunday afternoon after the victim left the Spring Street trolley station, authorities said.

“The victim lived in San Diego and was riding the trolley to go shopping,” police Lt. Matt Nicholass said Thursday.  “He was robbed of his wallet and money which totaled less than $50.”

The victim was riding the trolley from downtown San Diego to La Mesa when he met a woman in her 40s and offered to help the man find a proper bus route.

“The victim and the [woman] disembarked the trolley at the Spring Street station,” police said in a statement. She told the victim to stand on the sidewalk near Spring Street and Gateside Road to wait for the bus around 1:45 p.m.

Police Sgt. Bret Richards said the victim was 26.

Once the woman had left the area, an older black and yellow sedan arrived and a man in his 40s who was wearing a red and black jacket approached the victim, police said.

“Holding his right hand in the right front pocket of the jacket, the [man] pointed an unknown object at the victim and demanded all his money and his wallet,” police said.

Fearing that the suspect had a gun, the victim complied with the man’s demands and gave him all of his money.

“The male then returned to his vehicle where the [woman] got into the vehicle, which drove off southbound on Spring Street.”

Nobody was injured, police said.

The male assailant was described as black,  5 feet 8, 180 pounds, and wore a red and black Jacket, beanie and black pants. The female accomplice was described as black, 5-3, 170 pounds, and wore a purple shirt, blue jeans and had short hair.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400. 

You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line 888-580-TIPS (or sdcrimestoppers.com).  You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.