DEPUTIES SEEK SUSPECT IN ROBBERY SPREE.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

A string of robberies in Lancaster and Palmdale in the last two weeks has sheriff's deputies searching for at least one gunman with very little description to go on.

Three McDonald's restaurants, two Texaco minimarts, a Smart and Final store, and a 7-Eleven convienience store were robbed within the last two weeks in Lancaster and an El Pollo Loco restaurant Monday in Palmdale. No one has been hurt in any of the robberies.

Witnesses could only describe the robber as a black man with a shaved head or very short hair. Witnesses' descriptions of his size range from five-foot-five to six foot two inches and weight from 155 to 225 pounds, but deputies say that six of the eight robberies were definitely committed by the same man.

Deputies also believe there may be a second person driving the getaway car.

The car has been described as a 1990's brown or black Ford Taurus with a license plate containing the numbers 35. A 1980's gray Nissan Sentra has also been seen during one robbery.

The only pattern deputies have seen is that the robber usually enters the business and waits until there are few customers. He then draws a chrome revolver and demands the money from the cash register.

''We feel that there is an overriding concern,`` said Lancaster Sheriff's Station commander Capt. Tom Piggot.

Deputies are asking the publics help in identifying the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective John Kalita at the Lancaster Sheriff's Department at [phone].

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Photo: Law enforcement officials are searching for this man who is suspected of committing several robberies in Lancaster and Palmdale.