Police Seek Public Help in Identifying Armed Robbery Suspect

Law enforcement officials investigate the scene of an armed robbery at a Phoenix pizza restaurant.

News Summary

The Phoenix Police Department is asking for public assistance to identify a suspect involved in an armed robbery at a Little Caesars pizza restaurant. The suspect allegedly threatened employees with a firearm while demanding cash. A reward of $1,000 is being offered for tips leading to the suspect’s arrest. In a related incident, another suspect was injured after being struck by a police vehicle while fleeing from an armed robbery at a hotel. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any information.

Phoenix – The Phoenix Police Department is actively seeking public assistance in identifying a suspect involved in an armed robbery at a Little Caesars pizza restaurant. The incident occurred on June 3, around nightfall, near the intersection of 75th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. Witnesses and investigators reported that the suspect entered the pizza establishment and threatened the employees with a firearm while demanding cash.

The suspect is described as heavy-set, with facial hair, and it is believed that he may have been wearing clothing intended to conceal tattoos on his arms. Law enforcement officials suggest that the suspect likely resides in the vicinity of the restaurant, which increases the chances of local residents being able to provide helpful information.

To encourage tips from the public, Silent Witness is offering a reward of $1,000 for any information leading to the suspect’s arrest. Individuals with pertinent details about the robbery are urged to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish-speaking tipsters. All calls made to Silent Witness remain anonymous, and tips can also be submitted through their website.

In a related incident occurring shortly after, on June 7, a man identified as Eddy Ortega Romero, age 28, was injured after being struck by a police SUV while attempting to flee authorities. This incident took place following a separate armed robbery at a hotel located near 48th Avenue and McDowell Road.

Police were alerted to the robbery around 3 p.m., reporting that a man armed with a handgun had stolen a woman’s purse and made a getaway. Just an hour later, officers located a suspect matching the description at a nearby gas station, where they discovered him in possession of the stolen purse. When officers approached him for an arrest, Ortega Romero fled on foot toward McDowell Road.

In the course of his escape, police noted him reaching towards his waistband, which led an officer to strike him with a patrol vehicle in an effort to detain him. This action resulted in Romero being injured when one of the SUV’s tires rolled over his leg. Following the collision, he was apprehended, and authorities later found a handgun in his waistband.

Romero sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital before being booked on multiple felony charges, including armed robbery, aggravated assault against a police officer, and various weapons violations. After being treated and discharged from the hospital, he was booked into the Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail with a bond set at $150,450.

The officer who was involved in the incident with Romero is currently under both criminal and administrative investigation as a standard procedure following such encounters. The Phoenix Police Department has released a critical incident briefing video related to the encounter, stating that any conclusions regarding the officer’s actions will be determined after a thorough investigation is completed.

As both cases develop, investigators urge the community to remain vigilant and report any information that could assist in ensuring justice for the victims affected by these violent incidents.