Two East Long Beach Drug Stores Robbed

A gunman allegedly robbed two Long Beach drug stores about 10 minutes apart, and police are asking for public help in identifying the man. The pharmacies in East Long Beach were robbed by an armed male suspect who appeared to be acting alone.

The first robbery happened at about 4:50 p.m. Sunday, when Long Beach police were called to a pharmacy in the 3300 block of East Anaheim Street, which is west of Redondo Avenue.

Police say the gunman confronted the cashier with a demand for cash, and a handgun displayed, but fled before obtaining money.

Ten minutes later, another armed robbery was reported at a pharmacy right off the Long Beach Traffic Circle, in the 1800 block of Ximeno Avenue, near Atherton, when a man described as resembling the first suspect also confronted the cashier of the store. He displayed a handgun, demanded money, and was last seen running out the front door, this time with the cash he demanded.

The Long Beach Police Department said the suspect was described as a male Hispanic approximately 5’4” to 5’6” tall with a stocky build.

Although no one was injured in either crime, police advise the business community to use extreme caution if they come into contact with this suspect, and to call 9-1-1 immediately.

Business owners and employees are urged to practice the following safety tips:

• Keep windows of the business clear of advertising material and decorations, which can screen an intruder from outside view.  Avoid working alone, and have a phone that is easily accessible inside the business.

• Calling 9-1-1 from a landline phone and leaving it off the hook summons the police to your location immediately.

• Excess cash should be transferred from the cash register frequently, and cash registers should be emptied every night.

• Surveillance cameras should be maintained and camera lenses cleaned routinely-checking footage regularly can ensure equipment is working properly.

• Train employees on how to retrieve video footage, the sooner detectives are able to obtain footage, the better chance they have of apprehending a suspect.

• Parking areas around business should be well-lit and covered by video surveillance that is able to record in color and able to show numbers clearly, such as those on license plates. Digital systems are very effective.

Anyone who may have any information regarding these crimes is asked by the department to contact Long Beach Police Department Robbery Detail at (562) 570-7464. Tips may also be submitted anonymously via text or e-mail by visiting www.tipsoft.com. If you see the suspect or know of his whereabouts, please call 9-1-1 immediately.