Gunman Robs Subway Restaurant and Rite Aid Store

September 30, 2008

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man whose image was captured on surveillance tape robbing two Subway sandwich restaurants and a Rite Aid store in the Los Angeles area.

The first incident occurred on August 31, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. at a Subway restaurant in the 500 block of East Florence Avenue. A man wearing a white double-breasted chef jacket and dark pants walked into the front entrance of the restaurant posing as a job applicant. The man approached the counter and asked a female clerk for a job application. Once he received the application, the man looked at the overhead menu as if he was going to place an order and suddenly made his way behind the counter. He walked up to the employee, displayed a small handgun and demanded money from the cash register.

Both the second and third incidents happened on September 1, 2008. During the second incident, the suspect walked into another Subway restaurant around 7:15 a.m. in the 10400 block of Venice Boulevard, wearing a blue shirt, black tie and tan pants. At gunpoint, he ordered a male and female employee to a back office and demanded money. Fifteen minutes later, the suspect walked into a Rite Aid store in the 9800 block of National Boulevard, wearing the same business attire. Again, he ordered a male clerk at gunpoint to turn over money from a safe and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

None of the store employees were injured.

The suspect is described as a clean-cut African American with a light-complexion in his 20’s. He has a goatee, stands 6 feet tall and weighs between 150-180 pounds.

“We’re hoping someone out there will recognize this suspect and call police,” said Detective Tracey Benjamin.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone who knows the identity of this robber is urged to call Robbery Homicide Detectives Jason De La Cova or Tracey Benjamin at 213-486-6840. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit a web tip on our website at www.lapdonline.org.