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Man robs Phoenix Chevron, police looking for suspect

Posted at 9:57 AM, Jun 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-28 00:53:41-04

A man with a gun walked into a convenience store in Phoenix and walked out with cash - all caught on camera Monday morning.

Phoenix police said the armed robbery at a Chevron on 35th Avenue and Camelback Road is part of a dangerous up trend for robberies this June.

Surveillance cameras show a customer putting several cans of beer on the counter before walking back to the cooler for more. Meanwhile, the suspect slips into the store and shows a black handgun; at the same time, he tosses a plastic sack to the cashier and demands money.

The robbery is over and the suspect is walking out the door by the time the customer with the beer gets back up to the counter, completely unaware of the dangerous situation.

"He was a really smart...he didn't really touch anything," said Ali Ayashe, the store owner, who was in an office only feet away from the front counter when the robbery went down.  The robber was so quiet he didn't realize there was a problem before his cashier ran to call police.

"Robs the clerk as though you and I may buy a pack of chewing gum he's so calm," said Sgt. Jonathan Howard with the Phoenix Police Department.

Phoenix police said the heat often brings a dangerous spike in robberies, with this month being no different.  Armed suspects who become serial robbers are most concerning.

"As people commit additional armed robberies their violence level typically skyrockets," said Howard.

The suspect's comfort during the crime would suggest he has other armed robbery experience. 

Police want to hear from anybody who might know the people responsible for the crimes. Anonymous tips can be called into Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS.