Friday, Jan. 11, 2008

Police seek link in three Modesto restaurant heists

In four days, gunman robs a Burger King,

A masked gunman robbed a fast-food restaurant Thursday night in north Modesto on Standiford Avenue near Prescott Road, and investigators are looking into the possibility it was linked to two other armed robberies that occurred at eateries in the past four days.

Thursday's robbery occurred about 9:20 p.m. at the Burger King in the 2000 block of Standiford, police Lt. Andy Schlenker said. He said a white man, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 130 to 140 pounds, wearing a mask and carrying a black handgun robbed the Burger King.

Schlenker said the robber's description is similar to that of a gunman who robbed a fast food restaurant the night before about four miles down the road.

Wednesday's armed robbery occurred about 9:15 p.m. at the Del Taco in the 2100 block of Sylvan Avenue, said Sgt. Craig Gundlach, a Modesto police spokesman.

Police described that robber as a white man with blue eyes, a thin build, weighing about 140 pounds and about 5 feet 6 inches tall. He was wearing a black ski mask, a black leather jacket and black pants.

The robber ordered the Del Taco employees into an office and told them to open a safe, but they told him they didn't have the combination, Gundlach said. Instead, the robber grabbed cash from the register and left.

Gundlach said a police dog tracked the robber's scent but lost the trail. It was not known whether the robber left the area in a vehicle or on foot.

Sunday's armed robbery occurred about 9:30 p.m. at the Perko's Cafe and Grill at 3500 Oakdale Road, at the corner of Sylvan just east of the Del Taco. Sheriff's officials described the robber as a white man, 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing a hooded sweat shirt with an apparent black mask covering the lower portion of his face.

In the three robberies, the suspect walked in, brandished a handgun and walked out with an undisclosed amount of cash. All three robberies occurred between 9 and 9:30 p.m.

No injuries were reported and no shots were fired in the three robberies, authorities said.

Investigators ask anyone with information about these robberies to call CrimeStoppers at 521-4636. Callers to CrimeStoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.