“Serial Robbers Targeting Gold Jewelry”

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 07:04 PM PST

Updated: Monday, 22 Nov 2010, 7:47 PM MST
Published : Monday, 22 Nov 2010, 7:47 PM MST

PHOENIX - Four to five armed suspects on a robbery spree have been hitting gold jewelry stores since July, police say.

At least nine retail businesses that sell gold have been forcefully robbed by the same group. Police say the suspects are very dangerous and carry out their crimes with violence.

The incidents have occurred between 46th Ave and 46th St, and Indian School and Dunlap Ave.

Police say that two to four suspects carrying semi-automatic handguns rush the building. One suspect immediately brandishes a firearm and confronts the clerk or salesperson, ordering them to the ground or to put their hands up.

The suspect then controls the victims and salespeople while another two suspects smash glass display cases with hammers and stuff the items into a green military-style bag or a black duffel bag.

Each robbery lasts a minute from start to finish.

The suspects are described as follows:

Suspect 1:
Light skinned Hispanic male, approximately 6'3" tall, 200 lbs, with a goatee, wearing a black beanie or black hat, dark sunglasses, black long sleeve shirt with a symbol over the left breast area, black jeans, black and white shoes with white laces, holding a black semi-automatic handgun in his right hand
Suspect 2:
Light skinned black male approximately 5'10" tall, 170 lbs, with long sideburns that meet like a goatee, wearing a dark beanie, white long sleeve shirt with a white collared short sleeve shirt over it, long black baggy shorts, high top shoes, wearing white latex gloves, carrying a black semi-automatic handgun in his right hand.
Suspect 3:
Older black female wearing a "rasta" type hat or beanie with dreadlocks described as possibly fake, big red sunglasses, blue long sleeve denim shirt, black shoes, carrying a green military style sea bag.
Suspect 4:
Black or Hispanic male, short and thin build, wearing a long sleeve blue shirt, tan pants, carrying a black bag and a long hammer, with white and black shoes wearing a wig possibly gray in color.

The suspect vehicle is a late model, possibly 1988 to 1990 model 4-door Lexus sedan, white or tan in color, 2-tone with the lighter color on top and darker grey along the bottom, with a possible sunroof.

A $10,000 reward is being offered.

TIPLINE: Phoenix Police Department Violent Crimes Bureau at (602) 262-6141 or Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS

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