An armed robbery on Thursday night at a pizza restaurant has similarities to two previous incidents in Abbotsford, and police believe the same culprit could be involved.
The most recent robbery took place at a strip mall in the 30400 block of Blueridge Drive.
Const. Ian MacDonald said a lone worker – a 28-year-old woman – was in the restaurant at about 8:45 p.m., when a man with a handgun burst in the door and demanded cash.
The man was wearing black gloves and dark clothing, including a hoodie with the hood up. His nose and mouth were covered with a bandana.
MacDonald said the worker gave the man access to the cash register, and the thief then ran away, heading west on Blueridge.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian man, 20 to 30 years old.
An almost-identical description was provided of the man involved in two prior robberies – one on Monday, Sept. 30 at a Subway restaurant in the 31900 block of South Fraser Way and the other on Sept. 16 at a McDonald's restaurant in the 3200 block of Mt. Lehman Road.
The suspect in both of those incidents was also carrying a real or replica handgun. In one of those robberies, the thief was also described as being tall and thin.
MacDonald said, in light of this robbery spree, police are reminding business owners to take precautions such as ensuring their video cameras are working and having enough staff working.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225, text abbypd (222973) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.