Liquor Store Bandit’s Spree Continues

A robber suspected of holding up at least 18 liquor stores in north Orange County since Thanksgiving struck again at two stores in Stanton on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The man walked into Hanshaw’s Liquor on Knott Avenue at 8:55 a.m. and drew a large-caliber handgun from his waistband, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino said.

The robber appears “extremely nervous” on a security videotape of the incident, threatening to kill the clerk and demanding money and cigarettes, Amormino said.

The man escaped with an unknown amount of money. Minutes later, as sheriff’s deputies were at the store taking a report on the incident, the robber attempted to hold up another liquor store a few blocks away.

The robber walked into Katella Liquor on Katella Avenue and pulled a gun at 9:05 a.m. The clerk hid behind the counter and activated an audible robbery alarm, and the robber left the store, Amormino said.

Investigators suspect the same man has committed at least 18 similar robberies in Buena Park, Garden Grove, Cypress, Stanton and possibly Westminster since November, usually stealing several hundred dollars during each incident.

Amormino said he didn’t know of anyone who was injured during any of the robberies.

The man has dressed in a dark jacket, white T-shirt and khaki pants during each robbery, Amormino said. He is described as black, 5 feet 11 and in his mid-20s, with a thin build, short dark hair and possibly a thin mustache.

Authorities believe the robber drives a red Pontiac Grand Am.

Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000.