Police Searching For Robbery, Car-Jacking Suspects

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Since Monday, police say three Robberies have happened in the parking lot of "Food 4 Less", 3695 Devonshire NE in Salem. A fourth incident involving robbery, kidnapping and a stolen car occurred in the parking lot at 2879 Lancaster Drive NE, minutes after a robbery in the "Food 4 Less" parking lot.

Salem Police Lt. Jim Anglemier says the suspect has approached the victims, some women with children, and demanded money.

In more than one case, the victims gave the suspect money and the suspect fled on foot. In other incidents, police say the victims refused, or did not have any money. The suspect twice took victims to a nearby bank ATM machine to withdraw money.

Anglemier says the incidents have occurred between 1:15 PM -8:30 PM on different days of the week. The victims have been adult women with children and adult males.

The male suspect is described as 18-28 years of age, 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 10 inches in height, thin build, short black hair, thin mustache or unshaven, wearing dark colored shirts, or a blue jacket and blue or dark colored jeans.

The woman described the man as Hispanic, between 20 to 35 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall and about 160 pounds. She is described as having a heavy build, collar-length reddish-brown hair, wearing a white t-shirt blue jeans and white tennis shoes.

Police say the suspects have been armed with a knife or small handgun. In three cases, one suspect was involved. In the fourth, two suspects were involved, one male and one female.

In one incident according to Anglemier, the victim was forced to drive to a nearby ATM and then to another location, where the suspect forced the victim out of their vehicle and stole the vehicle. That vehicle has since been recovered.

Police say that fortunately, none of the victims have been injured.

Salem Police are asking citizens who are at stores, shopping centers or in parking lots to beware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious persons. If confronted and/or threatened by a suspect trying to rob your of belongings, give the suspect what they what to reduce the chance of you being injured.

Anyone with information on these Robbery/Kidnapping incidents or suspects are asked to contact Detective Dan Tallan, in the Robbery/Homicide unit of the Salem Police Department, at 503-588-6050, or Salem Police Dispatch at 503-588-6123 or any local law enforcement agency.