Man robbed of Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry purses for sale
A man with three high-end purses for sale was robbed at gunpoint on a Long Beach street by two men, including a potential buyer whom the victim had contacted, Long Beach police said Monday.
The victim was robbed on West Hudson Street about 12:45 p.m. Thursday and was able to identify the potential buyer to officers and describe the other robber, police said.
Officers checked the area and at 7:45 p.m., they arrested Thomas Keyes, 26, at his Long Beach home, police said, and captured Philoman Smith, 24, near his Long Beach home the next morning, at about 1:15 a.m., police said.
The man with the purses had called one of the suspects earlier Thursday to ask if he was interested in a Luis Vuitton, a Gucci and a Burberry, said Lt. Eric Cregeen, of Long Beach police.
The answer was no at first, but then the potential buyer called back to say he wanted to take a look, police said.
When the victim and his wife met Keyes and Smith on the street, one of the suspects lifted his shirt and showed what appeared to be a silver handgun, Cregeen said. The robber told the couple, "We don't have to go any further than this," the lieutenant said.
The robbers took the purses, $180 in cash and an iPhone, police said.
The cash was recovered from Keyes and the iPhone from Smith, police said.
Each was arraigned Friday on first-degree robbery, with a display of a firearm, and second-degree robbery, with aid by accomplice. Keyes was also charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of marijuana.
Bail for each man was $7,500 cash or $15,000 bond.
Smith is due back in court Jan. 3 and Keyes Jan. 10, police said.
A call to Smith's attorney was not returned Monday. It was not clear if Keyes has an attorney.
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