String of armed robberies in west Modesto

Police are investigating a string of armed robberies at businesses in west Modesto from Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Modesto Police Sgt. Garret Crawford said the first occurred at 9:17 p.m. Saturday. A male suspect in dark clothing, wearing a hockey mask and armed with a rifle, entered Joe’s Mini Mart at 706 Sutter Ave. Police report that he demanded and was given a small amount of money before fleeing.

Then at 11:28 p.m. Saturday, two male suspects entered a Chevron gas station at 801 Fifth St. The first suspect, described as a black male, was wearing a hockey mask and armed with a handgun, Crawford said. There was no description of the second suspect or report of what was taken before they fled the scene.

Finally at 4:55 a.m. Sunday, police responded to an armed robbery call at a business at 420 Paradise Road. Four suspects, all described by police as black males wearing dark clothing, entered the store. The first suspect was armed with a handgun and was given an indeterminate amount of money.

Crawford said it is unknown whether the armed robberies, which were all within about a mile of each other, are related. Modesto police continue to investigate the incidents.

This story was originally published April 20, 2015 at 6:55 AM with the headline "String of armed robberies in west Modesto."