A search is underway for a man who reportedly robbed at gunpoint a 76-year-old man Saturday in Lake Forest, the Orange County Sheriff's Department announced Wednesday.
At 4:30 a.m. Saturday, the elderly man was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk at Muirlands Boulevard and Orange Avenue when a driver in a truck passed him, made a U-turn and parked across the sidewalk in his path.
The driver exited the truck, pulled a handgun from his pocket and demanded money from the 76-year-old, who said he had no money.
The suspect fired his gun but missed the victim. He robbed the bicyclist of his cash then fled in the truck. He was last seen heading east on El Toro Road from Muirlands.
The sheriff's department is requesting the public's help in identifying the robber.
Authorities describe the suspect as a Hispanic man in his early 30s with dark hair and dark skin, about 5-feet 6-inches tall and approximately 130 pounds. He is described as having a gaunt face with no facial hair.
The truck he fled in is described as an older model, possibly 2006, midsize or small greenish/gray single cab pickup with a matching camper shell.
The weapon used in the robbery is described as a small black semi-automatic handgun.
Anyone able to identify the suspect or vehicle is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (949) 425-1948. Anonymous tips can be submitted at (855) TIP-OCCS or (855) 847-6227 or at the Orange County Crime Stoppers website.
