$25,000 Reward Could Be Yours For This, San Diego Shopkeepers Say
A group of San Diego shopkeepers are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of gunmen who have robbed a number of stores this year.
The Neighborhood Market Association, which represents local family businesses, is offering the $25,000 reward in response to a string of 16 robberies over the past 10 days, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Arkan Somo, president of the Association, told the Union-Tribune that they are offering the reward because “owners are scared, our employees are scared and our customers are really worried now.”
Earlier in the week, San Diego police officers arrested three teenagers in connection with a string of armed robberies at San Diego area gas station and convenience stores. The teens were found with weapons, including an AR-15 style rifle and at least one firearm without a serial number.
Somo believes that the teens were responsible for a number of the robberies, but also added that he thinks there are more suspects out there.
The string of robberies is unusual for San Diego, which is generally considered one of the safest major metropolitan areas on the West Coast. San Diego crime even decreased year-over-year back in 2022.
However, Somo said the recent crime spree is becoming more organized and more consistent than past takeover-style robberies. “In the ‘90s, (they) would hit one or two stores and then disappear; it was sporadic,” he told the Union-Tribune. “It is not sporadic now, and it’s all over the county.”
Even La Jolla, long known as the jewel of San Diego, has seen an increased number of break-ins and other property-related crimes in recent months.
Local authorities urged anyone in San Diego County with information to call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. If that information leads to an arrest, then the $25,000 reward applies.
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