SILENT WITNESS

January 28, 2012

Jan 28, 2012, 10:43 PM | Updated: Jun 5, 2012, 4:22 am

This armed robber has been dubbed “The Joker” because his makeup is similar to that of the Joker character in the Batman series.

“But clearly, this is not a joker disguise,” said Phoenix Police Sergeant Darren Burch. “He’s just kind of a weird looking character”

Burch said his face is painted white and his eyes and mouth are painted black like a clown.

“It sounds funny but it’s anything but a joke,” he said. “During the commission of the crime, he cut an employee to the point where he needed hospitalization.”

The robbery happened Sunday, January 8th, 2012, just before 6:30 p.m. at the Rocket Fizz store at 51st Avenue and Union Hills.

“Most suspects, when they commit an armed robbery and they want a disguise, they simply put on a mask,” said Burch. “You don’t want to draw a lot of attention to yourself going to the store and leaving the store.”

And that, said Sergeant Burch, may be what helps catch the guy.

“It’s real possible that this suspect was on his way to some kind of costume party or event where he wanted to have this makeup on,” he said. “And then the crime is an after-thought. He figured he’s still in disguise and he would commit the robbery.”

Anybody who saw this character at some point on that day would definitely remember him and police are counting on them to call Silent Witness.

To read more about this case, click here.

Silent Witness

Picture of the Mitsubishi Montero that Phoenix police suspect hit an 11-year-old girl in a crosswal...

Damon Allred

Hit-and-run suspect sought in Phoenix after injuring child walking in crosswalk

Officers are searching for a hit-and-run suspect who hit an 11-year-old girl walking in a school crosswalk on Friday, Phoenix PD said.

3 days ago

26th Street and Camelback Road, where an e-scooter rider was struck and killed by an unknown suspec...

Damon Allred

Suspect sought in fatal hit-and-run of e-scooter rider in Phoenix

Detectives are searching for the suspect of a hit-and-run that killed a man riding an e-scooter in Phoenix on Wednesday.

11 days ago

Robbin Burgette and crime lab....

Jayme West

Phoenix cold case: Decades after teen murdered at home, police are still searching for answers

It's been more than 46 years since a 16-year-old girl was killed in her family's Phoenix duplex, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions that continue to haunt both her loved ones and the detectives tasked with solving the case. 

13 days ago

David Santiago was killed after partying at a club in 2012.(Silent Witness and Pexels photos)...

Jayme West

Phoenix police looking for suspects in 2012 death of young man at club

It's been over 11 years since a Valley mom has tried to piece together who killed her son while he was out partying at a club. 

22 days ago

(Silent Witness photos)...

Jayme West

Unsolved mystery: Young woman fatally shot in Phoenix parking lot in 2011

Phoenix Police are seeking help from the public in reinvigorating a cold homicide case from 2011.

1 month ago

Pit Bull with mouth wide open....

SuElen Rivera

Public asked for help as pit bull dies after being set on fire in owner’s yard in Phoenix

The public is being asked for help in identifying a potential suspect in the savage burning of a pit bull while the dog was sleeping in Phoenix.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Midwestern University

Midwestern University Clinics: transforming health care in the valley

Midwestern University, long a fixture of comprehensive health care education in the West Valley, is also a recognized leader in community health care.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Day & Night is looking for the oldest AC in the Valley

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

The 51st annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade is excitingly upon us

The 51st annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe is upon us! The attraction honors Arizona and the history of the game.

January 28, 2012