Police search for sawed-off shotgun robber

Police are searching for a man who has robbed a string of local sandwich and fast food locations using a sawed-off shotgun.

The man is described as being heavyset, around 5 feet, 10 inches tall and between 210 and 240 pounds, with a pot belly. Victims say he is dressed all in black, including a black beanie and wears sunglasses during the late-night robberies.

What worries police is that while no one has been hurt he pulls a sawed-off shotgun out of his pants when he robs the businesses.

"Anyone who uses a gun to rob a business is desperate and you never know what they will do," said Phoenix police Sgt. Frank Matsko.

The latest robbery occurred Oct. 25 when the man first tried to rob a Quiznos at Chandler Boulevard and 48th Street. When the clerk ran out, the man left and robbed Sally Beauty Shop before escaping.

Other robberies include Oct. 17 when a man matching the description attempted to rob a Subway in the 4000 block of East Chandler Boulevard, but when he pulled the shotgun the clerk also fled and left empty handed.

The suspect was more successful when he robbed a different Quiznos at 48th Street and Warner Road Oct. 19, and escaped with a large amount of cash.

Matsko said police have increased their patrols, but that there are a lot of restaurants and fast food businesses in Ahwatukee Foothills.

"If you see this guy call right away, and use the magic words ‘He's probably the same guy who has been robbing stores,'" Matsko said, so that emergency dispatchers will send the call out as a top priority for officers.

Anyone with information can call CrimeStop at (602) 262-6151 or Silent Witness at (602) 261-8600, where rewards are available for anonymous tips that lead to arrests.