Grocery store bandit photos released

D.C. police are attempting to identify the suspects who are responsible for two robberies (or attempts) of a Safeway grocery store in Southeast.

Investigators are studying similarities between the two cases and describe them as the following:

On Saturday, August 29, 2009 around 7:25 p.m., a male suspect entered the Safeway possibly accompanied by a female accomplice.  Once inside, the man approached the cashier and grabbed money from the cash register before fleeing.

Two days later, around 8 p.m., a lone male suspect entered the Safeway and approached the cashier.  He was armed with a knife.  A struggle ensued between the man and the cashier at which point the suspect fled the store without obtaining any money.  There were no reported physical injuries to the cashier involved in this incident.

The suspect is described as a dark complexioned black male, 30-40 years of age, 5’4” to 5’9”, 150-160 pounds.  He is reported to have a scar on his right shoulder and is said to wear distinctive running shoes with a dark border and white inset.

The female is described as having a dark complexion, standing approximately 5’4” tall and weighing between 200 and 220 pounds.  Her exact age range is undetermined.  At this time police described her only as a “person of interest” as her exact role remains a part of the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME.  A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any armed robbery or robbery that leads to serious bodily injury committed in the District of Columbia.