Suspect slips away after armed robbery in downtown Long Beach

An armed robbery in downtown Long Beach Thursday prompted police to surrounded a parking garage where they thought they had the suspect cornered.

The incident started around 12:10 p.m. when the suspect entered a business near the intersection of Pine Avenue and Sixth Street and stole a bottle of liquor, said Long Beach police spokesman Sgt. Brad Johnson.

When an employee confronted the suspect, the suspect brandished a firearm, according to Johnson.

After the robbery was reported, police surrounded a nearby public parking structure between Fifth and Sixth streets. Police at the scene said they believed the suspect was inside because of images from a security camera at the garage.

The suspect, however, was able to escape. Police reopened the garage shortly after 1 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing, Johnson said.

Police did not provide a description of the suspect or the firearm used.

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