Police Appeal To Public In Armed Robbery

Written By L.A. Chung

UPDATED May 22, 2013
Los Altos Police are seeking a suspect in a bold armed robbery during a busy Friday night at the Round Table Pizza restaurant in downtown Los Altos.

Police Sgt. Scott McCrossin said in a written statement, that at about 9:30 p.m., the suspect entered the restaurant, located at 399 First Street and pointed a handgun at the clerk.

Another employee came out from a back room, just as the cashier was handing over an undisclosed amount of cash, McCrossin said.

"Things happened so fast," McCrossin said "It's frightening when someone is pointing a gun at you."

The suspect fled on foot, southbound on First Street toward Lyell Street, McCrossin said. The restaurant is open until 10 p.m. on Fridays, but there were no customers in the restaurant at the time of the robbery, McCrossin said.

The suspect was described as a Caucasian male adult in his 20s or early 30s, approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall and about 170 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and gloves. He was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun, McCrossin said.

When asked if the suspect is connected to a series of armed robberies that have plagued Los Altos merchants since early this year, said McCrossin said police are investigating that possibility, but cannot say that he is. That suspect also wears a black hoodie and gloves.

Based on a witness' tip, Los Altos Police detectives are also now seeking a possible suspect who was seen in the area shortly before the robbery, and whom they are seeking for questioning.

That subject was described as a Caucasian male adult, approximately 30 years old, 5’9” to 5’10” tall and 170 to 180 pounds.

"There are similarities between that person and the suspect," McCrossin said. "He may be our suspect, he may be a witness, he may be nothing." But at this time, he is listed as a person of interest, he added. 

Anyone with information pertaining to the identify of either the person of interest  or the suspect depicted in the forensic sketch, is encouraged to contact Sergeant Scott McCrossin or Agent Mark Thomsen at (650) 947-2770 or the Los Altos Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at (650) 947-2774.