Masked robber sought after striking East Los Angeles businesses

EAST LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Sheriff's deputies are searching for a suspect who has allegedly robbed at least six businesses in East Los Angeles at gunpoint within the last six weeks.

The suspect allegedly rides his 10-speed bike to the businesses and puts on a Halloween mask before entering with a handgun in one hand and a plastic grocery bag in the other, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The suspect usually demands personal jewelry from his victims. In one of his most recent robberies, the suspect robbed a bakery and fled with cash.

"Now it is dangerous for us because you don't know if people are coming with a knife or a gun, but I have to take care of everything," store manager Jose Luis Pimentel said.

Merchants say it's nerve-wracking during the Halloween season and they don't know if someone with a mask is a criminal about to pounce or a customer having fun.

Pimentel, who was stabbed in the back during a previous robbery, says the amount thieves take may be small but the offender still may be violent.

Investigators believe the suspect speaks both Spanish and English. He was described as a Hispanic male, between 30 and 40 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall and 160 pounds.

Anyone with information on this case was asked to contact Detective L. Sanchez at (323) 981-5044.