Phoenix robbers used waistbands as holsters during Circle K heists

This article originally appeared March 16, 2020.

PHOENIX — These two robbers both used their waistbands as holsters when they pulled off their heists at separate Valley Circle Ks.

Our first case happened at Seventh Avenue and Baseline Road just before 11 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2020. Phoenix Police Sgt. Jamie Rothschild says the robber acted like a customer at first, selecting items and bringing them to the counter.

“He told the clerk to hand over the money and the clerk threatened to call the police,” Rothschild said. “That’s when the suspect showed the handgun that was in his waistband. The clerk gave him the cash and the man ran away.”

The store’s cameras captured the whole thing.

“When this guy came into the store he was wearing a beanie hat and he had gloves on,” Rothschild said. “He was trying to hide who he was because he kept his hand in front of his face. Still, if you know this guy, when you see the photo you’ll recognize him.”

Read more about this case.

Next we head to the Circle K at Glendale and 25th avenues just after midnight on Feb. 22, 2020.

Rothschild said a man walked in carrying a garbage bag, ” And when he went to the counter he gave the clerk the bag, showed the clerk he had a gun and said to put lottery tickets and cigarettes inside the bag.”

The man was wearing a black stocking cap with a bright red band. He also had distinctive tattoos on his left arm and on the right side of his neck.

Sgt. Rothschild says while both of these crimes happened at different Circle Ks on the same day and both suspects had guns in their waistbands, they aren’t related.

Read more about this case.

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