Ski Goggle Bandit Sought In Peninsula Beach Hold-Up

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A man clad in an out-of-the-ordinary "disguise" robbed two females as they were at a local beach recently, prompting the sheriff's office to issue a warning to area visitors. The suspect, who has not been seen since the Nov. 18 incident, is still sought and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office now has a composite sketch they are sharing.

According to sheriff's Det. Sal Zuno, the incident happened around 5 p.m. as the man approached to females at Tunitas Creek Beach, south of Half Moon Bay. He was wearing a dark-colored beanie hat, a bulky green jacket, dark pants — and orange ski goggles.

"The suspect brandished a small handgun and demanded their cell phones," Zuno said in a news release. "In fear for their safety, the victims handed the suspect a backpack containing their personal property."

After the man took off running towards the parking lot, the women called police. However, police said they didn't find him.

"The Sheriff’s Office reminds visitors to be aware of their surroundings and to avoid being on beaches after
sundown," Zuno said, adding that no other similar incidents were reported in the coastal area.

The sheriff's office released Monday the attached image of the suspect, who is described as a heavy-set Hispanic man in his 40s, He's believed to be about 5 feet 5 inches tall.

Anyone with information about this armed robbery is asked to contact Detective John Carroll at (650) 259-2313 or jcarroll@smcgov.org, or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 1-800-547-2700.

Image via San Mateo County Sheriff's Office