San Diego Police Department Robbery Unit detectives are investigating two robberies that occurred in south San Diego. The first robbery was at the Cricket Wireless store located at 1824 Coronado Avenue and the second at Churches Chicken at 3726 Del Sol Boulevard in south San Diego.
On November 30, about 12:05 p.m., a male suspect entered the Cricket Wireless store. The suspect was wearing a bandana covering his face, a hat, and hoodie. He was concealing what the clerk believed to be a weapon under a shirt covering his left hand. He demanded cash from the register. The clerk handed the suspect the money and he fled the business.
Around 12:45 p.m., Officer Bret Edwards was checking the area of Picador Boulevard and Del Sol Boulevard. He observed a suspect matching the description of the previous robbery enter Church’s Chicken. Officer Edwards saw the suspect carrying something that was covered with a white tee shirt. The suspect looked out the business and saw Officer Edward’s police car. The suspect ran out of the store.
Officer Edwards chased him to the rear of the business where the suspect jumped a 10 foot brick wall into the neighboring backyard. Officer Edwards broadcast the information over the police radio and a perimeter was set.
Officers located the suspect running through the parking lot of Montgomery Middle School approximately five minutes later. He refused to comply with the officer’s instructions, was tased and taken into custody. The suspect was treated at a local hospital for the taser injury and booked into San Diego County Jail. The suspect has been identified as Billy Cook, age 19.
The investigation is continuing to determine if he may be responsible for other robberies.