Officials seeking bungling would-be armed robber who forgot why he was wearing mask

NORCO — Authorities are seeking the public’s help identifying and locating a hapless, would-be robber, who last week attempted to rob a Norco business. The man, who officials are now seeking to identify and locate, allegedly entered a Circle K Saturday, Sept. 8, while armed with what appeared to be a handgun while wearing a Halloween style mask.

The unidentified man fled after he was unable to find the store’s clerk or obtain any money from the business.

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Deputies assigned to the Norco Sheriff’s Office began investigating the incident shortly before 3 a.m., after receiving reports of an attempted armed robbery at the convenience store on the 1500 block of Fourth St.

Investigating deputies learned the alleged suspect entered the business wearing a mask covering his head and face, Riverside Sheriff’s Lt. E. Briddick later explained. Surveillance footage of the incident showed the man walking around the store while armed with an apparent handgun in his right hand.

Fortunately, the store clerk happened to be in the back of the business and was not visible to the bungling suspect, who at one point removed his mask and revealed his face while searching for a person to rob.

The store clerk wisely stayed in the back of the business and called 911 to report the attempted robbery.

The suspect eventually fled the location on foot without any stolen property and no one was injured during the incident.

Officials described the suspect as a black male adult, approximately 35-years-old, standing six-foot-tall, and weighing approximately 230 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black sweat shirt, green undershirt, black pants, and a Halloween style mask.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who knows the suspect’s identity is encouraged to immediately contact Deputies Robertson or Faucher, with the Norco Sheriff’s Office at (951) 270-5673. Callers can refer to incident file number G182510004 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit an anonymous tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.