CARUTHERS - Property crimes detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office are working to identify and arrest the suspect(s) responsible for a recent string of armed robberies in the Caruthers / Laton area. Three robberies have occurred at different businesses during a five day span.
Shortly after 11:00 pm on November 14th, a masked man walked inside the Valero gas station at 2459 W. Tahoe Ave. in Caruthers and immediately pointed a black handgun at the clerks behind the counter. The suspect demanded the employees hand over all of the store’s money. They gave him cash from the register and he then fled out the door. The entire robbery took 45 seconds. The suspect is described as being approximately 5’8” – 6’0” with an average build. He was wearing a black sweatshirt with a zebra print on the hood, white gloves, a white mask and black sneakers. He appears to be left-handed.
Around 6:00 am on November 16th, a masked man walked inside the Caruthers Market at 2290 W. Tahoe Ave. in Caruthers and interrupted the clerk as they were ringing up a customer. The man was waving a black handgun and shouting for the clerk to give him money. Once the clerk opened the register, the suspect reached over the counter and grabbed the cash. He then walked down an aisle and took two bottles of alcohol before leaving the store. The suspect is described as being approximately 5’8” – 6’0” with an average build. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a white mask and tan colored boots.
Around 10:15 am on November 18th, a masked man walked inside the Cargo Market at 20952 S. Elm Ave. in Laton and immediately began pointing a black handgun at a customer and the store employee. The man demanded money from the clerk and walked behind the counter to take cash from the register. He then ran out of the store. The entire robbery took 60 seconds. The suspect is described as being approximately 5’8” – 6’0” with an average build. He was wearing a sweatshirt with a gray hood, a black mask, black gloves, sunglasses and black DC shoes. He appears to be left-handed.
A photo of a two-tone colored van was also captured outside one of the businesses, which may be connected to the suspect(s).
Anyone with information about any of these cases is asked to contact Detective Eric Penland at (559) 600-8171 or Detective Lindsay Milchovich at (559) 600-8174. You may also contact Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
