Man loses $1,500 worth of property at gunpoint

A man was robbed at gunpoint after being lured near a local elementary school to buy gold over the weekend, police said Monday.

About 1:10 p.m. Saturday, police said a 24-year-old who had been advertising that he would buy gold from people was robbed in Costa Mesa during one of his deals, said Sgt. Phil Myers.

The suspect called the man and arranged to meet him near Paularino Elementary School, Myers said. When the victim showed up, the robber walked up to him and pulled a semiautomatic handgun on him, Myers said.

The robber stole the man’s car keys, cell phone, iPod, scale for weighing gold and $600 cash, according to police. In total, the man lost about $1,500 worth of property, Myers said. The robber was described as a man in his 30s.

— Joseph Serna