TEMPLE CITY — A man expecting to buy an iPhone through the popular Craigslist.com classified ads website Saturday was instead robbed at gunpoint, authorities said.

The crime took place about 3:30 p.m. behind a Carl’s Jr. restaurant at Las Tunas Drive and Golden West Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Walker said.

The victim and suspect met via Craigslist, and the victim arranged to purchase an iPhone from the robber for $500, the sergeant said.

When the men met to do the transaction behind the restaurant, the robber pulled a semi-automatic handgun on him and stole his money, Walker said.

The gunman was described as an Asian man of about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds. He had black hair, brown eyes and wore a red jacket.

He was last seen fleeing through Civic Center Park, toward City Hall, Walker added.

When doing business via websites such as Craigslist, Walker said, the public is advised to learn as much information about the identity of the person they plan to meet as possible, and ensure the meeting takes place in a public area.