Police investigate three armed robberies; two targeted laborers
San Luis police and the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office are investigating three early morning armed robberies reported this week, including two on Wednesday targeting agricultural workers in different parts of the county.
The Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association sent an alert to its members Wednesday, urging them to warn their work crews to be alert for any suspicious activity after two reported assaults of irrigation workers early that morning.
“We’re notifying our membership, which are the management teams, so they can tell their workers to be careful out there in the early morning hours and be suspicious of any activities,” said Laurel Adair, a spokeswoman for the YFVA.
The incidents have several things in common, including an armed robber wearing a ski mask described at all three scenes, and pepper spray and a black SUV getaway vehicle cited in both Wednesday reports. No serious injuries have been reported, but one victim’s vehicle was struck by two bullets.
The first of the three incidents did not involve any agricultural workers, and happened on Monday morning around 1:20 a.m. at the Panchita’s Restaurant, which is located on the 600 block of Second Avenue.
Officers were dispatched to the location in reference to a man who brandished a handgun at an employee and demanded money.
According to San Luis police, the man left without getting any money but damaged some property as he left the restaurant. The suspect was described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build. He was wearing a black ski mask and gloves.
The first Wednesday incident was reported around 1:50 a.m. in the vicinity of the Second Avenue and E Street intersection.
The robber approached a man who was seated in his vehicle, assaulted him with what appeared to be pepper spray, then pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded his wallet. He then fled the scene in a black SUV. The victim only suffered minor injuries.
The suspect in this case was described as 5 feet 10 inches or 6 feet tall and wearing a black ski mask and gloves.
Sheriff’s deputies then responded to a call at 3:10 a.m. Wednesday about another armed robbery attempt in the 8800 block of Highway 95, according to a press release from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim said he had been sleeping in his vehicle before the start of his shift when a man wearing a black ski mask and dark clothing approached and sprayed what appeared to be pepper spray from a squirt gun into his face.
The victim was able to free himself and call for help, at which point the assailant fired two gunshots, which hit the victim’s vehicle.
The suspect then drove away in a black SUV in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported and nothing of monetary value was taken, according to YCSO.
Adair said the alert was sent out Wednesday afternoon, after she was able to verify details of the Wednesday incidents with authorities. “We have about 100 members in our nonprofit association, and we felt time was of the essence, not to alarm them, but just to be vigilant and be extra cautious. Because it’s not just an allegation; it’s been verified.”
The association is advising members to report any suspicious activity to the public safety agency with jurisdiction over the area where it is happening. Anyone with information about either of the San Luis cases is asked to contact Detective Richard Jessup at 928-341-2420. Those with information about the Highway 95 incident should contact the sheriff’s office at (928) 7834487 or call 78-CRIME ((928) 782-7469) to leave an anonymous tip. Anonymous information can also be left at www.yumacountysheriff.org.