The Joker and the Liquor Store

The San Fernando Police Department is seeking the public’s help to identify the man who has held up the Adobe Market three times since April.

On Wednesday, SFPD issued wanted posters of the unnamed Latino man, who repeatedly has been taped knocking over the market at 727 Hewitt St., most recently about 6 p.m. Friday.

Believed to be in his 30s, 5-feet-10 and around 200 pounds, he wore a distinctive sweatshirt labeled “Joker” for his first robbery and a hat and sunglasses in subsequent stickups.

On Friday and on previous incidents on April 21 and June 29, he’s walked in, produced what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun and demanded cash.

“We’re kind of amazed he keeps coming back,” Detective Anthony Vairo said. “We’re hoping to catch him before he gets to the next step and hurts someone.”

After emptying the till, the bandit has then disappeared on foot east on Hewitt.

Earlier this week, investigators caught a break when a citizen discovered a package hidden a few blocks away. Wrapped up inside a toilet tank inside a public restroom, they discovered a replica gun, baseball cap, and the telltale Joker sweatshirt.

“It was wrapped up, like something out of ‘The Godfather,’” Lt. Tony Ruelas said. “This guy’s interesting. That’s why he’s the Joker.”

Anyone with information regarding the robberies should call Vairo at (818) 898-1286.

UPDATED, 7:40 p.m.: Click below to see him in action.