Man Hits Courier, Takes $70,000, Police Say

An armed man staking out a downtown office building punched a courier and robbed her of $70,000 in an elevator Tuesday, police said.

The robbery occurred at 10:15 a.m. inside a 12-story garment district office building.

The unarmed courier, an employee of Loomis Armored Inc., was to deliver the cash to Two Check Cashing, located on the ninth floor of the building.

Police said she told them she was met in the elevator by a man who pointed a semiautomatic pistol at her and demanded the sack of $100 bills. He hit her--probably with his fist, police said--took the money and fled.

The man apparently staked out the check-cashing store and knew when the delivery of cash would be made, said Los Angeles Police Sgt. Stephany B. Payne.

Loomis officials would not comment on why the courier was unarmed. Neither they nor police would release the name of the courier, who was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Two Check Cashing’s owner, who spoke on the condition that he not be identified, said the courier, who appeared dazed as she held the left side ofher head, came out of the elevator in front of his office saying “I’ve been robbed, I’ve been robbed.”

The robber was described as a Latino, 5 fet 5 inches tall, weighting 120 pounds and between 21 and 23 years old.