A String Of Armed Robberies In Salinas By Masked Gunman

Police are investigating three armed robberies in Salinas Tuesday night, possibly by the same masked gunman.

The first robbery occurred around 7:31 p.m. at the AM/PM at 101 Auto Center Circle. Police said the robber was a man wearing a blue ski mask, a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and blue shoes. He was about six feet tall with a thin build. He entered the store with a large black gun and demanded money from the clerk. He took off in a white vehicle.

An hour later, the 7-Eleven store at 605 North Sanborn Road was robbed by a man with the same build, wearing a black ski mask, black sweatshirt and black jeans carrying a large framed gun. He jumped over the counter and pointed the gun at the clerk and a customer who was inside of the store. He took off with the cash on foot toward North Madiera.

Around 9:20 p.m., the same type of man entered the Winchell’s Donuts on 640 East Laurel Drive wearing a black sweatshirt, blue mask, blue jeans with black gloves and demanded money from the employee while holding a black revolver. He was last seen running toward Natividad Road.