Boost Mobile, restaurant robbed at Riverside shopping center

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- In recent weeks, a string of robberies has hit a Riverside shopping center, including two at a Boost Mobile store.

Stephanie Jose-Ortiz, a manager at the Boost Mobile store, recalls the first robbery on Dec. 13 last year.

She said the suspect pointed his gun at her then demanded cash from the register.

"When I see him, we lock eyes and he reaches into his pants and he takes out his gun," she said. "He tells us to get on the ground and then he takes off running and that was the first encounter."

Two weeks later, another robber happened and was caught on tape. Ortiz said she recognized the suspect's eyes.

"He comes in and I'm thinking in my head, 'Are you kidding me? Not again.' And he says, 'Even faster this time,'" she said.

The difference the second time around is that a photo was taken moments before the crime. It's not a clear photo, but it shows the suspect unmasked.

The robberies have been a source of concern for employees working at the shopping center.

One female employee at a restaurant in the shopping center said her job was robbed Sunday night. Two gunman robbed Rico's Tacos, just two doors down from Boost Mobile.

"So they see two women in here, late at night, and I think it's an easy target for them," she said.

Police do not believe the two cases are related, but in both incidents police say employees cooperated, which helped protect them from any harm.

Police said the suspect in the Boost Mobile robberies was seen getting away in a white Honda Civic. The Riverside police department is asking anyone with information on either of these cases to call (951) 353-7261.