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Man Robbed While Trying to Sell $6,000 Limited Edition Pharrell Williams Sneakers

IRVINE (CBSLA) — Police are asking for the public's help in tracking down two men suspected of robbing an Irvine man who was trying to sell a pair of $6,000 gym shoes designed by singer Pharrell Williams.

Detectives with the Irvine Police Department say the victim posted a Craigslist ad selling the pair of limited-edition Adidas designed by the singer, who's best known for the hit "Happy."

Armed Robbers Snatch $6K Limited-Edition Sneakers From Irvine Man
Surveillance video shows one of two men suspected by police of robbing an Irvine man of limited-edition Adidas shoes during a meeting that was set up through Craigslist. The robbery occurred on Nov. 14, 2017, outside the Irvine Market. (Irvine Police Department)

The suspect responded to the ad and agreed to meet at the Irvine Market at 2540 Main Street and buy the shoes for $6,000, according to police spokeswoman Kim Mohr, even though some pairs have been selling for up to $9,000.

The victim-- identified as 25-year-old Justin Woehler --  got into the backseat of the prospective buyer's car, a white, four-door BMW 3 Series, and was immediately confronted by another man brandishing a black, semi-automatic handgun.

Woehler told Gile he felt uneasy when he got in the backseat. "I told him to show me the money, I started counting the cash  and next thing you  know, I have a gun in my face."

The victim was then forced to surrender the shoes and a cell phone and directed to get out of the car, Mohr said.

Surveillance video at the market caught  one of the suspects on camera. He's described as a black man in his 30s, 5-foot-9 inches tall and weighing about 185 pounds, and told the victim he goes by "Shorty."

Police had few details about the second suspect other than he has dreadlocks.

Woehler told Gile he purchased the sneaks at the pop culture festival, Complex Con. He paid  $465 for the pair.

Anyone with information helpful to investigators was asked to call Detective Leticia Hernandez at (949) 724-7245.

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