An image of the suspect was captured on surveillance footage.
Little Tokyo businessperson Rumi Fujimoto posted the following public safety alert:
“Please keep your eye out for this suspect. 1/5/2026 11:50 a.m.
“He was seen fleeing the back alley of Shoe Palace (2nd St.) after assaulting a 75-year-old Japanese lady in her kimono store (Azusa St. JACCC).
“He apparently knocked her down, took her keys and watch. Brian Kito [of the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association] contacted his locksmith, and her lock has been changed. She has some wounds on her hand and hit her head. She is at urgent care now and should be OK.
“The victim said she remembers the guy came yesterday. Please be safe and be extra careful. Please contact Little Tokyo Security, (424) 335-3448. If you have any information, please let us know.”
Fujimoto said on Jan. 6 that the victim declined to go to the ER but planned to see her regular doctor the next day.
Fujimoto also quoted a witness as saying that the suspect was walking down First Street that morning at 9 a.m.
Kito said that LAPD Central Division has been put on alert.
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