Gunman Robs Jerry Buss’ Daughter at Forum

The daughter of Jerry Buss, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Forum in Inglewood, was robbed at gunpoint of $25,000 in jewelry--including a 1988 Lakers championship ring--as she entered the sports arena Wednesday morning, Forum officials said Thursday.

Jeanie Buss, 28, director of tennis and volleyball for her father’s California Sports Inc., was held up at about 10:15 a.m. on an exterior stairway on the building’s north side while she was on her way to work. The teen-age robber took her Lakers ring, a diamond engagement ring, a Rolex watch, a diamond tennis bracelet and a charm bracelet, she said.

“He was waving his gun in my face,” Buss said. “It’s scary that it happened, but it’s not going to get me down.”

Bob Steiner, the Forum’s public relations director, said the armed robbery was the first at the facility. Patrols have been adjusted to provide better surveillance, he said.