Police search for gunman they believe may be involved in both
robberies
– which occured within one mile and 11 minutes of each other
Gilroy – A store clerk was shot in the leg during the first of two armed robberies Saturday night that occurred within about 10 minutes of each other. Police are still searching for the armed gunman who may be linked to both robberies. The clerk, who is in his 30s, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a San Jose trauma center where he underwent surgery and is listed in good condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.
At 8:32pm police responded to a shooting at Hecker Pass Mini Mart where a suspect described to be in his early 20s , 5-feet, 9-inches tall, and wearing a ski mask and dark hooded sweatshirt shot the clerk with a handgun shortly after entering the store.
“The clerk was very frightened,” said Sgt. Kurt Svardal. “In a situation like that you don’t know what the circumstances are, everybody’s adrenaline is pumping.”
There was one other witness inside the store at the time of the shooting.
“It all happened very rapidly,” said Sgt. Wes Stanford. “It doesn’t look like the victim did anything to provoke getting shot.”
The robber fled on foot. Store owners are still conducting a search of inventory to determine exactly what was stolen.
Eleven minutes later police responded to a call about one mile away at Cheers Liquors at 7051 Monterey St., where a second armed robbery occurred.
“We have had this happen before where we get multiple robberies in one night,” Stanford said.
Police were already on their way checking other area liquor and convenience stores when a female clerk ran outside Cheers Liquors and met them outside, he explained.
The suspect pointed a gun at two clerks in the second store, stealing an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing. A male clerk followed the suspect outside as a female clerk called 911. No shots were fired in the second heist.
“The (suspect) descriptions are very similar and time is frame is real close,” Svardal said, explaining that the two robberies may be linked.
Detectives will review tapes of the robberies for more information.
“The question is what’s the quality and will it be able to help us?” Svardal said.
Anyone with information regarding these cases may contact Detective Dan Zen at 846-0350. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous should call 846-0346.
