Downtown jewelry store robbed at gunpoint

A gunman stole more than $50,000 in merchandise from John’s Jewelry & Gems on Forest Avenue in downtown Laguna Beach early Friday afternoon, according to Laguna Beach Police Chief Michael Sellers.

No shots were fired and there were no injuries, police said.

The suspect is described as a white male, 25 to 35 years old, with short brown hair, five feet nine inches to six feet tall, 200 pounds, clean-shaven, wearing a tan long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and glasses.

According to police, the suspect entered the shop at 1:10 p.m., approached an employee, and allegedly produced a semi-automatic handgun, then stole the jewelry. The suspect fled on foot and was possibly seen getting into a silver four-door Acura with tinted windows and a California license plate.

Police took surveillance video from the store and released a photo from the tape. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Darin Lenyi, (949) 497-0375.