Three Tyler Robberies Probed

TYLER – Three aggravated robberies are under investigation by Tyler police. One occurred at the Sonic Drive-In on West Gentry Parkway and another occurred at the Fast Laundromat on West Martin Luther King Boulevard. The latest occurred at the Family Dollar Store on Troup Highway.

It happened just before 8:00 Sunday night. The suspect with a handgun ordered the employee behind the counter. He then ordered the employee to open the safe and cash register. After getting an undisclosed amount of money, and ordering the employee to lie down on the floor, he fled the store. No injuries were reported.

The suspect is described as a thin built black male, about 5’7″ tall, wearing a black hoodie style shirt with the hood pulled over his head, black pants, a black face mask, and wearing white gloves.

The robbery at the laundromat occurred shortly before 1:45 Sunday morning. Two men came into the business with guns, demanding money from a customer. They left after taking an undisclosed amount of cash from the victim. No injuries were reported. The suspects are described as black males. One was wearing a black hoodie and mask and the other wearing a grey hoodie and mask.

The robbery at the Sonic happened around 10:00 Saturday night. A man with a knife demanded money. Two employees found with the man in an attempt to prevent the robbery. During the scuffle, the suspect pepper sprayed the two employees and cut one of them. He then fled out the back door and got into the passenger seat of a white 4-door sedan, which drove away heading west on Gentry. He got no money. The Sonic employee who was cut was taken to East Texas Medical Center by ambulance with a non-life-threatening injury. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male about 5’8″ tall, wearing a black and grey jacket, black ball cap, and with a blue and white bandana covering his face.

Anyone with information about the suspects involved in these crimes are urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Smith County Crime Stoppers
at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).