Quantcast
Channel: CBS 47: Local News
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 7460

Serial robbery suspect identified

$
0
0

The hunt for a suspect who was identified in a string of armed robberies is on.

So far, police believe within the last two months the same suspect robbed a total of six locations across Fresno, but there could be more.

Police say 32-year-old Willie Murphy is responsible for those robberies and is armed and dangerous.

Murphy apparently preys on female clerks working by themselves.  Police say he casually walked into each business and used a gun to make off with the money.

Mother of two, and co-owner of Blimpies sandwich shop, Naomi Biswas shares with us the night she'll never forget.

"I didn't know what to think. I was scared," said Naomi Biswas.

She says Murphy walked into the store in January acting like a customer while she was alone mopping.
He had her make him a sandwhich first and then when Biswas asked for payment she says he lifted his shirt and showed a gun tucked in his waistband.

"When I saw the gun, I kind of...my mind was blank and I thought like, what if he takes the money and kills me both," said Biswas.

Through surveillance video from other businesses robbed (TCBY Yogurt and Papa Murphy's) along with tips from viewers, police say they've been able to tie Murphy to at least six armed robberies in Fresno.
They say murphy is a gang member with a long wrap sheet.

"He's got an extensive violent, criminal history to include assault on police officers, possession of weapons," said Fresno Police Department Captain, Randy Dobbins.

According to police, Murphy is also a registered sex offender, which is why detectives are even more concerned that he also robbed Petunia's Place.  It's a bookstore mostly for kids. 

None of the victims were hurt during the robberies, but police want to put the word out before somebody might.

"In many of these cases as the robberies continue, the robber becomes more bolder, more confident," said Captain Dobbins.

Blimpies has started to add an extra employee to the night shift to hopefully prevent something like this in the future.

Biswas says if it could happen to her it could happen to anyone.  She considers herself lucky that Murphy took nothing more than the sandwich and the money.

"It's someone I will always remember," said Biswas as we showed her a picture of Murphy.

Police don't believe Murphy has fled anywhere. They believe he's probably still in Fresno.
If you know of his whereabouts, you're asked to call Crimestoppers at 498-STOP. Police are offering a $1,000 reward and you can remain anonymous.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 7460

Trending Articles