January 23, 2003 

* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *

ARMED WITH A KNIFE,
GAS STATION BANDIT HITS FOUR TIMES

Berkeley, CA. - Berkeley Police Department Robbery Detectives say that the same suspect has been responsible for at least four armed robberies of gas stations in the City Of Berkeley in recent weeks. The series began on January 8, 2003 when the suspect walked into the mini mart of an Econo Station in the 900 block of University Avenue, leaned over the counter, thrust a large knife at the clerk and demanded cash. The suspect then returned on the 17^th of January and did the same thing.

Econo has not been his only choice of gas stations, as he chose the University Arco in the 800 block of University on January 14^th and the 21^st. 

Images captured on surveillance cameras and information provided by victims provide the following description:

Black Male, 25-30, 5’9”, 150 lbs wearing a hooded jacket, a mask or bandana over his face and light blue jeans. **Armed with a large knife.

During one of the robberies, this suspect wore a very distinctive ski type jacket, bright royal blue in color, with a wide white stripe (skunk like) from the base of the hood to the front, and another wide white stripe horizontal around the chest area of the jacket.

Detective Sergeant Ed Spiller of the Robbery Detail stated, “This guy is very bold and may have a drug habit. If he is desperate for drugs, he is very dangerous.”  BPD is asking for the media and community’s help in identifying the gas station bandit before his spree continues. Anyone with information, please contact the BPD Robbery Detail at (510) 981-5742.

Suspect pictures available upon request