Police Release Photo of Man Suspected of Picking off Best Buys Throughout L.A.

Torrance police today released a photo of a man wanted for stealing an $800 smartphone from a Best Buy store and who is believed to have taken about $35,000 worth of merchandise from the chain across Los Angeles County.

On March 14 about 8:45 p.m., the suspect, who was with two girls, asked a salesperson for help at the store at 3675 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance police Sgt. Bob Watt said.

The trio eventually left without buying anything, and the salesperson noticed a a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with a gold-and-rose trim worth about $800 was missing, he said.

Watt said the suspect was able to thwart a security cord designed to alert employees if cut and was able to pick the only phone that could be activated. The others were display-only dummies.

Police described the suspect as bald Hispanic man in his late 20s with a goatee, about 5 feet 10 inches, with a medium build with a fair complexion; he was in blue jeans and polo shirt with blue and white stripes.

Watt said the suspect was suspected of stealing more than $35,000 worth of merchandise by distracting salespeople at Best Buy stores around the region.

Anyone with more information as to the name or whereabouts of the suspect was asked to call Det. Eric Applegate at (310) 618-5581.

--City News Service