Police are searching for a suspect dubbed the “Be Cool Bandit” accused of at least nine commercial robberies around San Diego County that began in May.
Detectives said the most recent robbery in the series happened Wednesday around 5:40 a.m. at a 76 gas station on the 3200 block of University Avenue in North Park.
The armed suspect walked into the convenience store portion of the gas station holding a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded money from a clerk at the counter.
After the clerk complied, the suspect walked out of the store and was last seen driving northbound on Bancroft Street in a silver four-door sedan.
Police said that in every robbery he has committed – four in San Diego, four in National City and one in El Cajon – the suspect holds a handgun while demanding cash.
The “Be Cool Bandit” is usually described as a black male between 28 and 40 years old, 5-feet-8-inches to 6-feet tall with a muscular to heavy build, wearing a beanie cap, according to detectives.
In most of the robberies the suspect wore a heavy black jacket with a gray-lined hood, black and white sneakers and dark gloves. In one case, a victim believed the suspect was also missing two upper teeth.
Police said the suspect is armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to contact the San Diego Police Department’s Robbery Unit at (619) 531-2299 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
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