Police in Riverside, California, have asked the public for help identifying a man who they say stole $500 from an artist who drew a caricature portrait of the thief.
"DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS CARICATURE? And no, we are not kidding..." Riverside police wrote in a statement on Tuesday.
Police say the victim was working as a caricature artist at the Festival of Lights event in downtown Riverside, when at around 11:50 p.m, the suspect approached the victim and requested a caricature portrait of himself. However, as soon as the artist finished the drawing, the suspect grabbed the victim's money bag, fleeing the scene and leaving his caricature behind.
Now, police are hoping the portrait will help them identify and catch the thief.
"This caricature is of the suspect, but of course, has exaggerated characteristics and features. The suspect was described as a Black male adult in his early 20’s, about 5’1” tall with an average build, black hair and mustache, and last seen wearing a blue and red jacket, white undershirt, black pants, and red hat," police wrote in a statement describing the suspect.
Anyone who might have information on the suspect's identify is being asked to contact Detective Jeff Putnam at (951) 826-2054 or jputnam@riversideca.gov.
Photo: Riverside Police Department