Repeat Redmond Subway holdup has neighbors worried

After the second holdup of a northwest Redmond Subway sandwich shop in three weeks, likely by the same knife-wielding robber, some area residents said Monday they were worried and anxious for police to catch the culprit.

The holdup was reported around 8:23 a.m. at the Subway at 520 NW Fir Avenue, according to Redmond police Dept. Sgt. Jesse Petersen. Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police also responded to the scene.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man, 20 to 25 years old, 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds, with brown eyes, wearing black sweatpants, a black hooded Nike sweatshirt with a white Nike “swoosh,” black shoes and a mask.

The robber brandished a fixed-blade kitchen-style knife and demanded money from employees, Petersen said. The man received an undisclosed amount and ran from the area.

After canvassing the area, reviewing video from several businesses and completing a police dog track, police determined the suspect ran to the southeast, toward NW Fir Avenue and Fourth Street. Petersen said the suspect last was seen heading north from that area to the 300 block of NW Greenwood Avenue.

On Tuesday, Dec. 23, just after 8 a.m., the same Subway shop was robbed by a man brandishing a fixed-blade kitchen-style knife, police said. He also ran and eluded capture by police who searched the area.

The robber in that first incident was described as Hispanic, 5-8 to 5-10 with a medium build, short black hair, dark-colored eyes and wearing an orange sweatshirt, a mask and pajama-style pants.

Petersen said late Monday that the holdups were “similar,” and “both robberies have (a) similar suspect description.”

“The Redmond Police Department wants our community to feel safe and hold people accountable for their actions,” Petersen wrote.

Anyone with information about the robbery, suspect or whereabouts was asked to contact Redmond police at 541-504-3400 or through Deschutes County dispatchers at 541-693-6911.

You can also contact the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS, or use the form on KTVZ.COM’s Crime Stoppers page. You can remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.

Petersen thanked the sheriff’s Office, Bend police, OSP and members of the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team for their assistance.

One area resident, who asked not to be identified on camera, expressed frustration with recent crimes in the neighborhood:.

“Houses broken into, we’ve had cars broken into — whatever is going on, it just needs to stop,” said the man, who awakened to flashing police lights and sirens.

“Went outside to let my dog out, there was an officer in the back. He asked me, ‘Who, what, where, when, why,’ and to get my hands out of my pockets.”

Neighbor Ron Evans said police surrounded his house while he was away,

“I was just hoping they weren’t in my house, and they werent,” Evans said.

Nevertheless, he added, ” don’t feel comfortable using my park. I think something is wrong with that.”

The other man said: “It’s just way too close to home, and they definitely need to catch this guy.”