Racine police seek suspect(s) in two similar armed robberies

RACINE (WITI) -- Racine police hope you can help them identify an armed robbery suspect whom they suspect has committed two similar crimes, just a few days apart.

On Saturday, March 22nd, at about 8 p.m. officers were dispatched to the High Street Food Mart for a reported armed robbery.

"We see the same people all the time. (The store) is very rarely empty. It was weird at that point because no one was in the store," Jessica Brablec, who works in the store told FOX6 News.

The officers were advised that a suspect, believed to be a white or Hispanic male, entered the store wearing a gray hoodie with the hood up and a black and blue backpack.

The suspect also had a black mask or scarf covering his face and was wearing black gloves.

The suspect displayed a silver handgun with a black slide and pointed it at the clerk.

"He was just standing right here, so when he turned, it was already -- the gun was already pointed at (the clerk)," Brablec said.

The suspect ordered the clerk to open the register and put the money in the backpack. The suspect fled after the robbery.

Security video from the store shows the incident unfold.

"The suspect has pulled up to the front doors and then entered, pointed a gun at the clerk and had them place all the cash from the register into a black and blue backpack. He intentionally opened the door with his elbow, not his hands. He didn't touch anything. He obviously knew what he was doing," Sgt. Jessie Metoyer with the Racine Police Department said.

Metoyer says the weapon used stands out.

"It is described as a silver handgun with a black slide -- so they're conflicting colors which is unique. The backpack itself is also, has a blue interior or maybe some blue on the outside and also some black on it," Metoyer said.

On Wednesday, March 19th at about 6:40 p.m., a similar robbery occurred at Your Store on Durand Ave.

"We believe that they're very similar and likely the same individual," Metoyer said.

The suspect vehicle was recovered from this incident in the 2600 blk. of Gillen St. It had been reported stolen out of Franklin.

It is believed that the two robberies are related. Police believe there may be more that one suspect involved in these incidents.

Racine Police investigators are interested in any additional information that you may have about this crime. You are urged to call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 262-635-7756.

You may also contact Crimestoppers at 262-636-9330, or by texting RACS plus the message to CRIMES (274637) and referring to Tipsoft I.D. #TIP417 with your text message.