Robber Steals Keys and Cell Phone, Leaves Victim Shoeless

A scheming robber held a man at gunpoint to steal his keys and phone, then, to safeguard his escape, the robber forced the man to remove his shoes and socks, Watsonville police reported.

The heist happened Tuesday morning, and has led police to warn people trying to get back lost property to involved the police department in the process to ensure safety.

The set up for Tuesday's robbery began when a Salinas man lost his cell phone on Monday. Apparently, the robber obtained the phone and called a friend of its owner, promising to return the device Tuesday morning in Watsonville. They arranged to met at the 24-hour car wash on East Lake Avenue at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, police reported.

At the car wash, the friend met the eventual robber, a Latino man in his late 20s, and was told to wait until the person with the phone arrived. After a short time, the robber asked the friend to drive him to a house on Blackburn Street to pick up the phone, police reported.

The friend agreed. When the drove as far as Blackburn and East Beach streets, the robber pulled out a silver handgun and demanded the friend stop the vehicle. The robber took the friend's cell phone and car keys, then made him remove his socks and shoes, police said.

He also threatened that he was a gang member and told his victim not to call the police.

The robber fled on foot with all of the friend's property. He was described as between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a thin build and thin face. He was wearing a red hat and had a goatee.