Armed pair sought in Safeway attempted robbery

Police are asking for the public’s help to identify two men who allegedly attempted to rob a San Mateo grocery store at gunpoint earlier this month.

On Nov. 18, at around 9:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at a Safeway, located at 1655 El Camino Real, according to police.

Officers arrived within minutes and learned that a female employee was inside the store and had walked to the manager’s office, when two unknown suspects physically detained her, holding her at gunpoint, police said.

The suspects ordered the employee to open a safe, but she told them she did not know the combination. After learning that none of the employees knew the safe’s combination, the suspect fled the store, without taking anything, according to police.

Police described the first suspect as a white male in his mid to late 30s, wearing a costume mask of an elderly white male. He was about 5 feet and 6 inches tall, with a deep voice, wearing a dark colored jacket, dark colored pants and black leather gloves.

Police identified the second suspect as a white male in his mid to late 20s with a thin build. He was about 5 feet and 9 inches tall, wearing a black colored beanie, sunglasses and a black jacket, according to police.

Officers determined the second suspect had likely visited the store on Nov. 11, police said.

Police are seeking anyone that may have been in the store on either days, or anyone else who can help identify the suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dave Manion at (650) 522-7654 or the police’s Secret Witness Line at (650) 522-7676.

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