The first incident occurred at Giovanni's Restaurant, located at 1780 South Victoria Avenue. Ventura police received a 911 call from an employee reporting a robbery that had just occurred.
The employee told officers that two suspects entered the restaurant and one suspect grabbed the tip jar. Both managed to escape the business.
Witnesses in the parking lot reported seeing both suspects leave the area southbound through the parking lot. One of the suspects was on foot and the other was riding a bicycle.
Officers checked the area for the suspects, but were not able to locate them.
Both suspects were described to be African-American males in their early teens, between 100 and 150 pounds, wearing black hooded sweatshirts.
Approximately an hour later, a second robbery was reported at Tanfastic, located at 2855 Johnson Drive.
An employee told officers he was sitting behind the front desk when the suspect pointed a silver handgun at the employee and demanded that the employee give him money. The employee complied and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect took the money and left the business.
The employee last saw the suspect running southbound through the parking lot. Officers using a K-9 searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.
The suspect is describe as a Caucasian male in his mid 20's, around 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a thin to medium build, wearing a green ski mask, blue jacket and blue jeans.
Nobody was injured during either incident. Both of these crimes appear to be unrelated, although the investigation into both of these crimes is ongoing.
Anyone who may have information is asked to call the Ventura Police Department at 805-339-4400.
