Robberies could be work of same man, police say

Investigators suspect that two Newport Beach gas station convenience store hold-ups in October were the work of the same robber, they announced Friday.

In an Oct. 3 stick-up, two men strong-armed the clerk at a Chevron gas station convenience store, 2546 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, about 9:45 p.m. One man restrained the clerk while the other took about $300 in cash from the drawer, police said.

A Shell Gas Station at 1600 Jamboree Road was held up at gun point about 7:25 p.m. Oct. 24 and the robber took about $150, police said. The getaway car was described as a white, newer model four-door Toyota or Lexus.

Neither cashier was hurt during the robberies.

— Alan Blank