Crime

He looked like he was going to spray for bugs at a local store. Then he pulled a gun

By Thaddeus Miller
This Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Z71 was driven by the man who robbed Walgreens on Lander Avenue in Hilmar on Jan. 25, 2018, according to the Merced County Sheriff's Office. Authorities are looking for the man who, dressed to look like an exterminator.
This Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Z71 was driven by the man who robbed Walgreens on Lander Avenue in Hilmar on Jan. 25, 2018, according to the Merced County Sheriff's Office. Authorities are looking for the man who, dressed to look like an exterminator. Merced County Sheriff's Department

Deputies are looking for a man who committed "an unusual robbery" at a Walgreens in Hilmar, the Merced County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

A man dressed in a disposable, white jumpsuit, dust mask and hat walked into the store in the 8000 block of Lander Avenue on Jan. 25 carrying a backpack sprayer like those used in pest control, according to the sheriff's office.

He approached the pharmacy, exposed a handgun in his waistband and demanded cash, deputies said, and left before deputies arrived.

He was seen in a white Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Z71 headed northbound on Highway 165 toward Turlock, deputies said. Surveillance photos show the man may have a tattoo on the right side of his neck, according to the office.

If you have any information about this crime, the Merced County Sheriff's Office asks you to call the Investigations Division at 209-385-7472.

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 11:46 AM with the headline "He looked like he was going to spray for bugs at a local store. Then he pulled a gun."

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