A team of robbers pepper-sprayed the shopkeeper of a Malibu watch store, shattered display cases, and made off with thousands of dollars worth of high-end timepieces, authorities said.
The robbers struck the Westime shop in the open air Malibu Country Mart around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, said Lt. Edward Winslow of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which is handling the investigation.
The robbery occurred so quickly some neighboring merchants were not aware what had happened until the Westime shopkeeper emerged in obvious pain.
"I saw him walk out. He was all soaking wet, all red (in the face)," said Noelle Scott, manager of the Letarte shop across from Westime. "It was really scary not knowing what was going on."
Paramedics treated him and appeared to wash out the remaining pepper spray residue, she said.
After detectives completed their on-scene investigation, workers at Westime could be seen attending to the damage.
They declined to comment.
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The Country Mart is in the heart of Malibu, near the creek, Civic Center, and the famed Malibu Colony of beachfront estates.
It's believed as many as four robbers were working in concert. Detectives have not released detailed descriptions of them, nor of the getaway vehicle.
