'Guilt trip bandit' steals cellphones in San Fernando Valley, Oxnard, LAPD says

WINNETKA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Authorities need the public's help finding the "guilt trip bandit," who they said has stolen cellphones in the San Fernando Valley and Oxnard.

The Los Angeles Police Department said the thief went into the Boost Mobile located in the 19700 block of Vanowen Street in Winnetka at about 12:25 p.m. on Tuesday.

The suspect asked the worker to see the new Apple iPhone. When the employee declined and referred him to the cellphone models on display, officials said the suspect, who was African American, accused the salesperson of being racist.

Fearing being labeled a racist, authorities said the clerk let the suspect see the iPhone. Once the phone was in reach, police said the thief grabbed it and ran from the store.

Investigators said at about 2:50 p.m. that same day, the suspect entered another cellphone store in Oxnard and used the same tactic to steal another iPhone and a Samsung Galaxy S8.

Anyone with information that could aid detectives in their investigation was urged to call LAPD Topanga area Det. Abbinanti at (818) 756-5848.