On Friday at 4:26 pm, officers from the Gilroy Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Pizza Hut, located on the 1100 block of First Street. As an employee was putting money into the business safe, a man entered the business and brandished a handgun. The suspect demanded money and the employee immediately ran to the back of the business out of fear. The suspect fled the business without the money or any property.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, with minimal facial hair. The suspect wore a black coat with fur around the hood, black jeans, grey beanie cap, and black shoes.
Later that evening, a Gilroy Police Officer contacted a subject matching that description inside a blue 2007 Volkswagen Jetta parked near the Garlic City Club Casino, located on the 8600 block of San Ysidro Avenue. A high-risk stop was initiated. The subject, later identified as Izaak Diaz, 24, of Gilroy, failed to comply with commands and he fled in his vehicle.
Diaz led police on a high-speed pursuit through parts of Gilroy and into Hollister. He continued the pursuit back to Highway 101 through Gilroy. Spike strips were successfully deployed, deflating all four tires. Mr. Diaz continued on the flattened tires until a Pursuit Intervention Technique was able to bring the vehicle to a stop on Highway 101 near the San Martin exit. Mr. Diaz was taken into custody with the assistance of a Morgan Hill Police Department K9.
Mr. Diaz was medically cleared at a local area hospital and transported to the Santa Clara County Jail. Mr. Diaz was booked for attempted robbery and felony evading.
This is one of several armed robberies that have taken place in the last week in Gilroy. The following is a summary of some recent cases:
On Dec. 24 at 6:52 p.m., officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Best Western Park Inn hotel, on the 300 block of Leavesley Road. A man armed with a handgun entered the business and demanded money from the desk clerk. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspect was described as a white male adult, approximately 20 years old, six feet tall and medium build, and green eyes. The suspect wore a black hooded jacket, green baseball cap.
On Dec. 26, 2017, at 9:35 p.m., officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Wienerschnitzel, on the 700 block of First Street. A man entered the business and demanded money from the cashier, while displaying a handgun. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspect was described as a light-skin Hispanic male, 5’9” tall and 150-160 lbs., with red colored facial hair. The suspect wore a grey jacket, blue jeans, grey beanie cap, and tan colored boots.
On Dec. 28, 2017, at 9:13 p.m., officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Little Caesars Pizza, located on the 1300 block of First Street. A man entered the business and demanded money from the cashier, while displaying a handgun. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 5’4” tall and a thin build. The suspect wore a teal hooded sweater, blue jeans, grey beanie cap, and white shoes.
Gilroy Police Detectives are actively investigating these cases. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Gilroy Police Department at (408) 846-0350. Information can be left anonymously.
