Two similar gas station robberies within 20 minutes of each other on Wednesday along the 210 Freeway corridor in Monrovia and Pasadena may be linked, authorities said Thursday.
The armed robberies took place about 1:30 p.m. at a Chevron station at Altadena Drive and Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena, then at 1:50 p.m. at a 76 station along Myrtle Avenue, just south of the 210 Freeway, Pasadena and Monrovia police officials said. Both crimes involved two suspects.
In the Pasadena crime, one of the men entered the store, pointed a handgun at a woman working behind the counter and demanded money, Pasadena police Lt. John Mercado said. The second robber acted as a lookout.
The robbers were last seen fleeing the area on foot after obtaining an undetermined amount of cash, he said.
Both robbers were Latino men in their early 20s, Mercado said. One stood about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed about 175 pounds. He was clean-shaven, with a medium complexion, Mercado said. He wore a white T-shirt, black shorts and a black baseball cap and carried a black handgun.
The second robber was also about 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 150 pounds, Mercado said. He had a light complexion and brown hair, and he wore an orange hooded sweatshirt and dark shorts during the crime.
The second robbery unfolded about 20 minutes later, less than 7 miles to the east.
In that case, two robbers entered the store, Monrovia police Sgt. Chad Harvey said. One of them carried a black semi-automatic handgun.
The robbers stole about $3,000 in cash from the store, the sergeant said. They also helped themselves to a 12-pack of Modelo beer before fleeing.
They were last seen running north toward the freeway, he said.
Officials described the Monrovia robbers as two Latino men in their mid-20s. One wore a white T-shirt, brown shorts and a black baseball cap. The second robber was described as wearing brown long-sleeve shirt and black shorts.
Detectives at both departments were looking into the possibility both robberies were the work of the same criminal duo, officials said. No injuries were reported in either robbery.
Anyone with information can reach Pasadena police at 626-744-4241, or Monrovia police at 626-256-8000. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
