Armed robbers hit two local restaurants

Two local restaurants have been victims of armed robberies in the past two weeks, Sheriff’s Department authorities say. While a combined $4,600 was stolen in the incidences, no was injured in either robbery.

“We’re not used to robberies here like this, but they seem to be occurring in North County more frequently,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Rich Hendrickson.

The first occurred on Saturday, March 3, at the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in the 1000 block of South Mission Road in Fallbrook. Witnesses said two black males entered the restaurant at approximately 8:40 p.m. and robbed the cashiers at gunpoint.

“The restaurant experienced a loss of about $3,800,” said Hendrickson. “There were five witnesses, all employees.” Hendrickson said it did not appear that there were any customers in the restaurant at the time.

The suspects were both described as being between 20 and 25 years old. Both were said to be between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall and wearing black clothing, including ski masks. One weapon – a gray handgun – was used in the robbery.

The second robbery occurred on Tuesday, March 6, at Peking Wok, 5256 South Mission Road, in Bonsall’s River Village. At approximately 7:30 p.m., two dark-skinned males entered the restaurant and robbed the cashier at gunpoint.

“The loss in this case was about $800,” Hendrickson said. Both suspects were described as being between 20 and 25 years old, wearing dark clothing, dark bandanas and leather gloves. One was approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and 200 pounds with a muscular build. The second suspect was about the same height but 180 pounds with a normal build. Both suspects were armed with what witnesses say were gray- or chrome-colored handguns.

“There were customers in the restaurant in this case,” Hendrickson said. “I guess you could use the word ‘brazen’ in describing this one. This one occurred during what I consider to be peak hours.”

While the suspects sound similar in both robberies, Hendrickson said it has not been confirmed that the incidences were committed by the same two individuals (as of press time).

“We are in contact with other agencies to see if these link with any other incidences in the county,” Hendrickson said.