El Dorado police are investigating a pair of armed robberies that were reported over the course of two days this week, with the suspects allegedly making off with nearly $235 cash and other items.
On Dec. 13, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at a carnival concessions food truck in the 700 block of West Hillsboro. The incident was reported at 6:45 p.m.
The owner of the business, a Texas woman, told police that a male approached the truck, pointed a handgun at her and demanded money.
The woman said she complied and handed the suspect $50 - $60 cash.
A witness told officers she was driving past the food truck when she saw a male pointing what appeared be a handgun at the service window in the truck.
The witness said that when she doubled back to offer assistance to the victim, she saw the suspect run west and then turn south in the area of Hillsboro and College.
The suspect was described as a black male with a dark complexion, approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall and wearing a zip-up hoodie or jacket that was either blue or black.
The suspect was also wearing a red hat and/or “some sort of stocking” over his head, the business owner told police. She also said the suspect was clean shaven and appeared to be a teenager, approximately 15 years old.
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A Pizza Hut delivery driver reported Dec. 12 that several males robbed him at gunpoint as he attempted to make a delivery at a residence at 1221 Texas Avenue.
The victim said he arrived at the residence at approximately 9 p.m. and four males, all wearing black hoodies and jeans, approached him. Police later noted that the house was vacant.
Each suspect’s face was covered, the victim noted, telling officers that one suspect wore a “doctor’s mask,” another wore a ski mask and two wore bandannas, one of which was camouflage.
The suspect wearing the camouflage bandanna pointed a handgun at the delivery driver and ordered him out of his vehicle, according to a police report.
The victim said the suspects then began rifling through his vehicle, taking the food order, which totaled $89.26; a bank bag containing approximately $85 cash and several credit card receipts; and two insulated delivery bags, with a total value of $150.
He said the suspects made terroristic threats against him and his family, adding that the suspect wearing the ski mask said, “Consider it a merry Christmas that I’m not killing you!”
The suspects then ran away, the victim told officers.
Police said the delivery order had been placed twice, first to a non-existent address and then to the Texas Avenue residence.
The Pizza Hut driver said the suspects were black and appeared to be 20 - 25 years old.
Shortly after the robbery was reported, police received information that males matching the description of the suspects were seen carrying pizza boxes in the 1200 block of Norsworthy.
The males were reportedly walking west. Police said they did not find the suspects in the area but witnesses provided further information on the possible whereabouts of the suspects.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.