Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the man who robbed a gas station at gun point.  Surveillance video captured the store clerk struggling for his life with the robber. 

On Sunday, October 23, 2005, at about 1:55 a.m., the store clerk had just locked the door to the Union 76 gas station, in the 6000 block of Woodman Avenue, when a man walked up and asked to use the restroom.  When the clerk let the man in, the man armed himself with a handgun and demanded money.

As the suspect took money from the register, the clerk grabbed the gun, and the two men began to struggle.  The suspect fired a shot, which fortunately missed the clerk, and the struggle continued.  The clerk disarmed the suspect and backed away, but the suspect came at the clerk again and the struggle continued. 

The clerk was able to hold onto the suspect's gun, and the suspect backed away.  The clerk left the store to get away from suspect.  The suspect went to the register and removed and money then left through the store's rear door.

The suspect circled around the store to the gas pumps where the clerk was standing, entered a car, and drove away.

The suspect was described as a 25-year-old man of unknown descent.  He was 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 170 lbs.  He drove away in a red 1990's four-door vehicle, which had a sunroof.

The handgun left behind was a blue steel .22 caliber semi-automatic, which is now in police custody.

The store clerk was not injured.  He does not wish to appear on camera, nor will he grant any media interviews.

The video surveillance is available for viewing and recording by the media at Media Relations Section.  Please call in advance.

Anyone with information relative to this incident is urged to contact Van Nuys Detectives at 818-756-8371.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).