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2 West Side eateries robbed
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown police are investigating two West Side robberies at Mahoning Avenue businesses that appear to be eerily similar.
Officers were sent to the Brier Hill Pizza Shop in the 2700 block of Mahoning Avenue just after 7 p.m. Sunday after a man came into the store and demanded money from the two female employees on duty. The man is described as white, in his late 20s or early 30s and wearing a stocking cap.
Employees at the store told police the man came into the store, picked up a menu and ordered a Mexican pizza. As the employee was punching the order into the cash register, the thief produced a note that said, “Do not scream ... I have a gun ... Give me all your money.”
Employees said the man, after showing the woman the note, stuck his hand back inside his coat as if holding a gun.
The employee reportedly handed over the contents of the drawer totaling more than $400.
The thief is believed to have driven away in a green Saturn.
Police collected the menu the man handled inside the store in hopes of collecting fingerprints from its surface.
Employees at the store told officers they recognized the man and that he has been in the store before.
Almost exactly 24 hours before the pizza-shop robbery, officers were called to another robbery at an eatery just up the street from the pizza shop.
Police were sent to the Subway restaurant in the 3200 block of Mahoning Avenue just before 7 p.m. Saturday after a man described as white with freckles and faded hair came into the store and produced a note telling the lone female employee he had a gun and demanding money.
The employee told police the man came into the store, ordered a sandwich and produced the note as she was punching his order into the cash register. The thief was handed about $165 and left the store.
The employee said the thief wore no gloves, and she showed officers where the man touched various parts of the counter top. Police collected fingerprints from areas of the store the man had touched.