Sacramento police say that the KISS bandit is actually more of an Evil Clown robber - and he's struck again.
And now, thanks to a tough store clerk in his 70s, the clown mask is in police evidence. The robber has been unmasked by a grandfather.
The Sacramento Police Department is asking the public's help in identifying the masked individual sought in connection with the armed robberies of three businesses. In all cases, police say, the robber wore a white clown mask.
He was initially dubbed the Kiss Mask Robber because the mask he wore was similar to the make-up worn by the KISS rock band.
However, police today said he wore a mask that could more accurately be described as an "Evil Clown."
The first robbery occurred about 8:45 p.m. Thursday in the 4200 block of Norwood Avenue, in the Robla area. The robber climbed over the counter, fired two shots close to store employees, took money from the register and left on foot, according to a Police Department news release.
Less than an our later, about 9:28 p.m., an individual wearing the same mask and clothing, entered a liquor store in the 2900 block of Del Paso Boulevard. Police said he fired a single shot inside the store, robbed employees at gunpoint, then fled to a waiting blue or black four-door sedan. A witness tried to write down the vehicle's license plate number, but the suspect fired a shot in the witness' direction.
Then, on Saturday, about 8:15 p.m., the man in the signature mask struck again, entering a small neighborhood market in the 4000 block of 12th Avenue armed with a gun.
He pointed the weapon at the store owner's grandfather but the man would have none of it.
He grabbed the gun of the Evil Clown robber and a struggle began. The mask was pulled off in the alteracation and is being held by the police.
The suspect fled in a light blue sedan.
Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call Crime Alert at (916) 443-4357, or text a tip to 274637. Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
PHOTO CAPTION: Thanks to a tough store clerk in his 70s, the clown mask is in police evidence. Sacramento Police Department
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