San Luis Obispo Police are searching for a man who robbed Trader Joe’s at gunpoint, in the second armed robbery in less than a week.
According to Sgt. Chad Pfarr, at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, police received a report of an armed robbery at Trader Joe’s market in the 3900 block of S. Higuera St.
“An unknown suspect,” Sgt. Pfarr said, “described as a white male wearing all black with a black mask covering his face, entered the store after it had closed for the night. The suspect entered through the front door, which had not yet been locked. After entering the store, the suspect approached an employee behind the customer service desk.”
The employee was counting cash from check stands when the suspect walked up, brandished a handgun, and demanded money or he would shoot the employee.
The money was handed over and the robber left through the front door but was seen during the escape from the dastardly act.
“Another employee was alerted to what had just taken place,” Sgt Pfarr said. “The employee went out to the parking lot where the suspect was seen fleeing in what was described as a 7- to 10-year-old Japanese made, unknown model, gold sedan with a partial license plate starting with ‘4A…’” There were no injuries in the robbery.
The suspect was described as a white male, with a medium build, approximately 5-feet 11-inches tall, wearing black shoes, a black, puffy, down jacket, a black hood covered his head and a black cloth was covering his face from the eyes down.
Sgt Pfarr said they were not sure if the Trader Joe’s caper was related to another armed robbery on Sunday, une 26 at the Lexington Inn, 2050 Garfield St. In that case, Sgt. Pfarr said, “An unknown, white, male suspect wearing a gray hoodie with a gray bandana covering his face, entered the hotel and approached the night clerk. The suspect produced a black, semi-auto handgun and demanded money from the clerk.” He fled the Inn with an undisclosed amount of money.
The Lexington Inn robbery happened at about 10:30 p.m. and that suspect also escaped into the night.
“At this time,” Sgt Pfarr said, “there is no information suggesting the two robberies are connected.”
Because of a simple but effective disguise, the description of that suspect was somewhat vague as well — “a white male, unknown age, approximately 5-foot 10-inches tall, and 200 pounds,” said Sgt. Pfarr. “He was last seen wearing a gray hoodie with a gray bandana covering his face. It is unknown if a vehicle was used during this crime and there is currently no suspect vehicle description.”
Cal Poly police joined the search for that suspect but he got away, too.
If readers have any information about either of these crimes you are encouraged to call the SLOPD at (805) 781-7312 or Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-STOP to remain anonymous.
