Police are looking for a suspect who robbed a Girl Scout Cookie stand at gunpoint in Union City on Wednesday, prompting an outpouring of support and cookie purchases from the department's officers.
The robbery occurred outside of a Safeway store at 1790 Decoto Road where a mother and her 12-year-old daughter were selling cookies, police said.
The suspect approached the pair and initially asked them about buying cookies. He returned a short time later armed with a handgun and cash from the woman, according to police.
The suspect then fled through the store's parking lot and remains at large. He was described as between 16 and 19 years old, about 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a thin build. He wore dark clothing including a hooded sweatshirt, police said.
The mother and daughter were uninjured in the robbery.
Police officers donated their own money to cover the loss from the theft and the Union City Police Officers Association later purchased all of the girl's remaining cartons of Girl Scout Cookies, police said.
The girl's mother delivered the cookies to the Police Department today. In all, officers and the police union donated more than $1,000 to assist the victims, according to police.
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Anyone who has information about the case is encouraged to call the Police Department's investigations line at (510) 675-5275 or Detective D. Dejong at (510) 675-5227. People can also send tips anonymously by calling (510) 675-5207 or emailing tips@unioncity.org.
