Police looking for masked suspects who robbed South Coast Plaza restaurant

Costa Mesa police are searching for a group of masked men who entered a South Coast Plaza restaurant patio Monday evening and ordered patrons on the ground at gunpoint, making off with one handbag before fleeing the scene.

Costa Mesa Police Department spokeswoman Roxi Fyad said officers were called to the 3300 block of Bristol Street by reports of an armed robbery that had taken place in the patio area of Seasons 52 shortly before 7:15 p.m. Monday.

Costa Mesa police reported several robbery suspects entered a patio at Seasons 52 restaurant at South Coast Plaza Monday evening, including one man believed to have a handgun.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

There, witnesses reported three to five Black men wearing masks, black clothes and hooded sweatshirts had entered the patio area during the restaurant’s dinner rush. One of the suspects was believed to be possibly armed with a handgun, Fyad said Tuesday.

The suspects told patrons to get down on the ground. They reportedly stole one purse before fleeing the area in a white Buick sedan that was seen heading southbound on Bristol Street, according to police. By the time officers arrived on scene, the suspects were gone.

None of the individuals involved in the incident reported any injuries, and no arrests had been made as of Tuesday morning, Fyad said. No further information was being released to the public.

Costa Mesa police are asking anyone who might have information about the suspects to contact Det. Jerad Korte at (714) 754-5051 or Sgt. Det. Jose Morales at (714) 754-4933.

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