WHITTIER >> Police are seeking a gunman who pistol-whipped a gas station attendant during a robbery Tuesday, authorities said.
The crime took place about 1:40 a.m. when the robber entered a 76 station on Whittier Boulevard, just east of Laurel Avenue, Whittier police Detective Jose Bolanos said.
Wearing a surgical mask and brandishing a large-caliber handgun, the robber jumped over the counter and demanded the clerk open the cash register, police said in a written statement.
“When the victim couldn’t do it fast enough, the suspect hit him over the head with the gun.,” according to the statement. “The victim was able to get the register opened and when he did, the suspect grabbed the money.”
Police said the gunman was last seen running north from the gas station.
The victim, a man in his early-20s, declined medical treatment, Bolanos said.
The robber was a black man of about 5 feet 7 inches tall and 130 pounds, officials said. He wore a blue hooded sweatshirt and gloves. He carried a black, semi-automatic handgun.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Bolanos at 562-567-9281.