After an unidentified man with a gun failed to score any cash from an attempted robbery at Little Caesar's pizza, about12 minutes later, that same man allegedly got away with an undisclosed amount of cash from the Conoco gas station on West Highway 66 May 4.
Initial reports could not confirm that that the two incidents were connected, however, video surveillance does confirm that the same man was located at both places during the time the attempted robbery and robbery took place.
The man is described as an Hispanic male of light complexion, with a goatee, approximately 5'6" to 5'8" tall and in his 30s or 40s. He showed both of his victims a small black handgun.
According to Gallup Police Capt. Rick White, based on video surveillance, the man walked into Little Caesar's pizza at 2:42 pm, walked up to the counter, leaned on it while producing the gun and started talking to the clerk. The female clerk was seen walking away from the man to the back, and then two customers walked into the business causing the suspect to leave the area.
GPD are currently searching for other video evidence which might produce leads to a vehicle description.
At 2:54 pm, the same man walked into Conoco gas station on the west side of Gallup, wearing the same black hoodie over a light colored shirt. The hood was over his head and it appeared that he was wearing a baseball cap under the hood. The man is again holding a small black handgun and this time he made off with an undisclosed amount of money from the business.
The man had left the area and GPD had the area sealed off and were searching for evidence by the time the school district let out. Chief Manuelito Middle School and Gallup High School are nearly a mile away from the business.
Gallup Police Detectives are working hard to identify the man and are asking for the public's assistance in the manner.
“He looks local, we're thinking he is local,” White said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact GPD Detectives at 505 863-9365. For anonymous tips, citizens can contact Crimestoppers, which is offering a reward up to $1,000 (505)722-6161.