Police believe three people may be responsible for a string of robberies of Eugene businesses in the past two months.
Among the dozen stores hit, the closest to the University are Jabberwocky Cards and Gifts, at 1308 E. Hilyard St., and Tom’s Market, at 1490 E. 19th Ave.
Police believe one woman robbed both Jabberwocky Cards and Gifts and Euphoria Chocolate Company, 199 E. 5th Ave., on Jan. 31. Witnesses described the suspect as a white woman in her 20s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 130 pounds. The woman used threatening notes to demand money.
Another suspect, believed to have recently robbed at least three businesses, has been described as a white woman in her 30s, 5 feet 6 inches tall and 130 pounds. This suspect uses a knife to make her demands.
Police believe she has robbed the Check into Cash, 48 W. 18th Ave., and Jasper’s Deli, 1504 Coburg Road. She is also believed to have robbed Ashley’s Bento, 2578 W. Willamette St., twice.
The Eugene Police Department is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of these two women. Police haven’t ruled out the possibility that all the above robberies were committed by the same woman.
The third suspect in the recent string of robberies is a white male who is believe to have robbed Circle K, 296 E. 13th Ave.; Dari-Mart, 2429 E. Hilyard St.; and Tom’s Market. He is described as in his 20s or 30s, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and 160 pounds. He is said to use a fixed-bladed knife during robberies.
“This amount of robberies is normal for this time of year,” EPD Sgt. Scott McKee said, adding that the busiest time of the year for robberies is typically the holiday season because increased spending makes businesses more tempting to would-be thieves.
McKee advised anyone witnessing a robbery to comply with the robber’s demands and try to study the person’s appearance to aid police.
“Typically, a robber is a desperate kind of criminal, and we find out often that it’s motivated by addiction,” McKee said. “When somebody needs a fix and he has no money, they go out and get it. We find these kinds of people difficult to deal with because they’re so desperate.”