Visalia Police Investigate Rash of Robberies

FRESNO, Calif. The robberies began last Wednesday when a man robbed a Bank of America branch on Mooney near Beech. Another happened Saturday when a woman who works at In Shape gym was stabbed after a suspect walked up to her and demanded her car keys. Two more robberies happened Monday, including one involving a pizza delivery man who showed up to deliver a pizza at an apartment complex. "He was confronted by two suspects. One of was armed with a handgun. The other with a crowbar, and they demanded money from him," said Phillips.

Monday's other robbery happened at K M Market in the middle of the day. Police say two suspects showed a gun and took off with more than a hundred dollars in cash. Suspect descriptions vary so police don't think all the crimes are related. Still, people are taking notice. "The one at In-Shape was very concerning to us because someone was actually stabbed," said business owner Stacey Swiney.

The threat of violence has the owner of Sugar Plum's Boutique on constant alert. Just last year, the downtown business had panic alarms installed. "We can instantly push a button, without anything going off or whatever ... pretty much like a bank has, the police will be here fairly quickly," said Swiney.

Police are also taking action. They say they're in the middle of annual holiday details throughout town in hopes of preventing any and all crime.

Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.