Tulare Police Investigate Armed Robberies

By Joe Ybarra, KSEE24 News

September 12, 2012 Updated Sep 12, 2012 at 7:09 PM PDT

The armed robberies all happened in Downtown Tulare. All after business hours, late at night.

Sergeant Darron Altermatt said,"all of these incidents are occurring when it's isolated, no one around."

The first two happened weeks ago near the Bank of America. The victims pulled cash from the ATM and were robbed moments later at gunpoint.

The same thing happened to two teenagers Saturday night. This time, across the street near the Wells Fargo Bank.

Tulare Resident, Richard Keathley said, "it concerns me that you can't go out and conduct your business without someone coming up behind you trying to rob you."

Investigators believe one man is responsible. They say he's 6 feet tall and thin. The victims say he wears dark clothing and keeps his face hidden.

Blanca Lopez uses the BOA ATM and said, "it's scary because you live in a town, you think you're safe but you never know...you have to be cautious."

Sgt. Altermatt says avoid using the ATM at night. But if you have to, be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious people to police. "If it's possible use ATMs during business hours, during daylight hours or in areas more populated"

If you have any information you should call Tulare Police.

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