DIAMOND BAR >> A gunman wearing a surgical mask robbed a Diamond Bar gas station Monday, one day after a strikingly similar crime was reported at a gas station in San Dimas, authorities said.
The Diamond Bar robbery took place about 11:20 a.m. at a Shell station at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Deputy Brian Mitchell said.
Officials said the suspect brandished a small, silver revolver and demanded cash from the clerk. The gunman fled with a little more than $400.
He was last seen driving away in a gray, four-door, early-2000s model Acura, Mitchell said.
Deputies described the robber as a white man of about 5 feet 9 inches tall, 180 pounds, with short black or gray hair.
He wore a white disposable surgical mask, sunglasses, blue denim shorts, black shoes, a black hat and a blue surgical scrub shirt over a blue, long-sleeve shirt.
Detectives were looking into the possibility the crime was related to another gas station robbery reported late Sunday morning at a Mobile Station, 845 W. Arrow Highway in San Dimas, Mitchell said.
In that case, witnesses described the robber as having a similar physical appearance, Sgt. Terrence Smith said. He also wore a surgical mask, carried a small, silver handgun and fled the scene in a gray imported car with 7 as the first digit in the license plate.
The gunman fled with about $500 in Sunday’s robbery, Smith said.
Investigators were also working with other area law enforcement agencies to see if any other similar robberies have been reported lately.
Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Walnut-Diamond Bar Station at 626-913-1715, or the sheriff’s San Dimas Station at 909-450-2709. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.