CRIMES THAT TERRIFY: GANG OF ROBBERS GROWS MORE VIOLENT : TIPS TO AVOID HOME ROBBERIES:.

Byline: Jaxon Van Derbeken and Eric Wahlgren Daily News Staff Writers

A violent gang of armed robbers has staged about 30 takeover robberies at markets, clothing stores and other San Fernando Valley businesses since February, hitting two this week alone, police said Thursday.

Police say the gunmen are becoming increasingly violent, shooting a Thrifty Drug Store guard Wednesday night in Sherman Oaks and pistol-whipping a clerk Tuesday at the Ross Dress-for-Less store, also in Sherman Oaks.

In each case the robbers resorted to violence when they felt the victims were not cooperating.

``Don't argue, give them the money. There's not more you can do. You can always replace your money, you can't get your life back,'' said Detective Woody Parks of the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Bureau. ``They are pretty violent guys.''

On Wednesday night, one of the men became angry when a Thrifty security guard had trouble opening the cash register at the Riverside Drive store. One robber urged the gunman to shoot the guard to death, but instead he fired at the man's foot.

The 11:30 p.m. holdup began when the men brandished guns and ordered the staff and customers to the ground, Parks said.

The night before, on Tuesday, a store clerk was pistol-whipped because the cash register wasn't opened soon enough at the Ross store at Riverside Drive and Woodman Avenue.

Employees at the two stores declined to comment.

Although police suspect the 30 takeover robberies were carried out by the same gang, they declined to provide details about what ties together these crimes.

The first strong-arm robbery attributed to the gang was in early February, but most of the holdups occurred in March and April.

Usually three people carry out the robberies, but they may not always be the same men involved each time, police said.

``They are going in and demanding money from the employees from the registers and on occasion they will take money from the safes or the office,'' said Detective Mike Stangland of the West Valley Division. ``On several occasions, they have taken money from the employees themselves.''

So far, the gunmen have hit video stores, supermarkets, mini-markets, gas stations, drug stores, a record store and even a McDonald's.

``They usually strike around closing time,'' Stangland said.

Eighteen similar crimes occurred in the West Valley area and nine others in the Devonshire area, Stangland said.

In the Los Angeles Police Department's Devonshire Division, there were three holdups in March and six in April.

``It sounds to me like there is an escalation of violence, we are certainly concerned,'' said Detective Ed Heissel of Devonshire Division.

So far, different vehicles have been used and no license plate information has been released on the suspects.

Always be aware of your surroundings. As you near your residence, continually check your rearview mirror.

If you notice an unfamiliar car following you, don't drive to your house, but to the nearest police station or, if the station is too far, to a well-lit, well-populated area.

If you notice a suspicious car parked near your residence, do not stop at your house or try to outrun the robbers by driving into your garage.

If you do not notice the strangers until you have already pulled into your driveway, lock the car doors, honk the horn several times and back out of the driveway.

SOURCE: Robbery Detective Ken DeBie of the Los Angeles Police Department's West Valley Division.

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BOX: TIPS TO AVOID HOME ROBBERIES (see text)