Two Men Wearing Nylon Masks Rob ARCO Station on Massachusetts

Two men wearing nylon masks robbed the clerk of a south La Mesa ARCO station late Wednesday night—the second serious crime to occur that night, police said.

Nearly an hour and a half after a Motel 6 was robbed on Alvarado Road, La Mesa police officers at 11:40 p.m. responded to a report of a robbery at the ARCO station at 3775 Massachusetts Ave.

The gas station’s clerk was standing on the sidewalk outside its front doors when he was approached by two men in their 20s, said a news release. 

“Suspect #1 simulated a handgun by reaching into his waistband and then demanded the clerk’s wallet,” police said.  “When the clerk told the suspect he didn’t have a wallet, Suspect #1 demanded money from the cash register.” 

When the clerk opened the register, the robbers walked behind the counter. One took the cash drawer out of the register while the other took a variety of cigarette packs from the display, police said. 

“Both suspects exited the store with an undetermined amount of money and were last seen running north through the parking lot towards Waite Drive,” police said. They weren’t found.

The clerk was not injured during the robbery, police said.

Police said the robbers were described thusly:

Suspect #1:  Black male, mid 20s, 6 feet 3, 185 pounds, with a thin build and wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. He concealed his identity with a nylon mask. 

Suspect #2: Black male, mid 20s, 6-0, 170 pounds, with a thin build.  He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.  He concealed his identity with a nylon mask. 

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400.

You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line at 888-580-TIPS (or sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.