Fresno PD looking for suspect in robbery of Central Fresno pizza shop

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police are looking for the man who robbed a pizza shop on Cedar and Shields Friday afternoon.

Seconds after a mailman was seen leaving a Hungry Howies pizza shop on surveillance in Central Fresno a man wearing a blue hoodie and cap walked in. It didn't take him long to jump on top of the counter, pull out a gun, and demand cash from the only worker inside.

"It's the first time we got robbed in this store," said the manager.

The manager of the shop said the employee immediately called him after the thief threatened her with his gun left.

"And he told her, 'give me that cash register.'"

In surveillance video you can see the worker opening the register drawer, taking out some money before the thief reaches over snatching the till from her hand-- leaving with all of the cash. Police said the suspect took off in this car.

"The car is a 2000 Honda Accord, black or dark blue, four-door, it's kind of lowered a little bit," said Lt. Joe Gomez, Fresno Police Department. "It may have a primer gray hood and it has no front license plate."

Detectives said the robbery is one of many in the last 28 days which has increased the robbery rate by nearly 40-percent.

"Last year at this time in 2015 we had 617 robberies, and today in 2016 728 robberies," said Gomez.

The manager of the restaurant said he is just glad his employee was not harmed.

"We don't care for the money, but for a person to get shot that's a big thing that we don't like to happen."

Police said if you are the victim of a robbery don't fight back just cooperate.