Woman Robbed at Gunpoint in MB

A man who allegedly robbed a woman using a handgun in the Office Depot parking lot on Rosecrans Avenue was caught later the same day by Hawthorne police, according to Manhattan Beach Police Public Information Officer Stephanie Martin.

Christopher Hunter, 30, of Paramount allegedly robbed the woman in Manhattan Beach of her purse, wallet and iPhone around 4 p.m. on Dec. 5. At around 8:05 p.m., he allegedly used a handgun to rob a woman as she was getting into her vehicle near El Pollo Loco, 14308 S. Oceangate Avenue, Hawthorne, said Hawthorne PD Lieutenant Scott Swain.    

Hawthorne Police officers responded and were given suspect and vehicle descriptions from witnesses. A short time later, Hawthorne officers saw a vehicle matching the description in the area of 132nd Street and Hawthorne Boulevard and attempted to stop it.

The driver then led police on a four-minute pursuit in Hawthorne and the neighboring county area, crashing into another vehicle near the intersection of Imperial Highway and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles.

Hunter fled on foot and a containment, involving dozens of police officers from surrounding agencies including MBPD, was established. 

Hunter was found inside the containment, hiding under a car.

The MB victim positively identified the suspect and the vehicle. Her stolen property was found in the suspect’s possession and a handgun was located in the suspect’s vehicle.

Hunter is also believed to have committed an armed robbery earlier in the day in Norwalk, according to Lt. Swain.