Modesto police seek man they say committed five robberies

MODESTO -- Modesto police are looking for a man they say has committed at least five robberies in the past six weeks.

Sgt. Alex Bettis said Wednesday that between Nov. 27 and Jan. 4 the suspect, wearing a black coat and a scarf covering his face, robbed:

• The Walgreens at 3500 Coffee Road twice

• The Stop 'N Save Market at 3800 McHenry Ave. twice

• AJ's Market at 961 Coffee Road

Each time, the man committed the robbery with a short-barreled shotgun or rifle that appeared to have been altered and was about 2 to 3 feet long.

During some of the robberies, the suspect concealed the gun in his pants or clothes as he approached the business, Bettis said.

Before the most recent robbery Friday at Walgreens, the suspect was seen outside the store for about five minutes before going inside.

The suspect has worn a black pea coat in each robbery with the exception of the last Walgreens, robbery when his coat was black but appears to have an attached hood, Bettis said.

In each case, the suspect covered his head with a hood. Several times his sweatshirt has been white. During every robbery, the man has covered the lower portion of his face with a scarf.

Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636.