The San Mateo Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying a robbery suspect.
Security camera footage shows the suspect enter a drug store pharmacy in the 3000 block of South El Camino Real at around 1 p.m. Tuesday. After jumping over the pharmacy counter, the suspect can be seen putting a knife to the throat of the pharmacist and walking her off from the camera's view.
Police said the suspect took the pharmacist to the back of the pharmacy, where he demanded a bottle of medication from another staff member.
After the second staff member gave the suspect the medication, he released the first victim and fled the store on foot, police said.
None of the pharmacy store employees were injured during the robbery, police said.
Police said the suspect is a man in his 20s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, with average build. He also has a “reddish, possibly triangle shaped tattoo” near the corner of his right eye, according to police.
Anyone with information that may help in this case is asked to please contact Detective Dave Manion at 650-522-7654 or call the SMPD Secret Witness Line at 650-522-7676. Anonymous tips can also be sent online at the City of San Mateo website.
