The harrowing footage was captured just before midnight on Nov. 25 at a Mobil station, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The video shows a gas station employee cowering as the suspect points a handgun him. The robber then grabs pennies from a red tray on the counter before demanding all the cash in the register.
The armed man fled the scene with about $800 and cigarettes, according to the LAPD.
"We're hoping that that penny that he thinks might be lucky will be his undoing," said LAPD Detective Fernando Avila. "Of course we don't catch them all, but with a video that's this good we're hoping that somebody's going recognize him and come forward."
Investigators said they were working with a heightened sense of urgency due to the suspect's use of a firearm in the robbery. Their message to him?
"We're going to catch you," Avila said.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the LAPD at (818) 756-3520.