Torrance police seek mugger who fled on bus

Police released photographs today of a mugger wanted for severely beating a victim on a Torrance street, robbing him of his cellular telephone and fleeing on a bus.

The crime occurred 9:25 a.m. Jan. 17 as the victim walked at Carson Street and Border Avenue, Torrance police Sgt. Steven Jenkinson said.

the mugger ran up to the victim from behind and "violently attacked the victim by punching him on the head and face multiple times, and throwing the victim to the ground where the physical assault continued," Jenkinson said.

The mugger took the victim's phone and boarded a Torrance Transit bus.

Police obtained photographs of the man from bus surveillance video.

The mugger was described as black, 17 to 25 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall. He had a thin build, short hair and was clean shaven.

He wore black zippered jacket with a gray stripe running from shoulder to cuff, light blue jeans, and white shoes.

Police asked anyone with information to call detectives at 310-618-5599.