Police seek getaway car
Investigators visit local businesses to warn employees of recent robberies

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

Police are searching for the red Ford Escape with a darkly tinted cover on its licence plate. Police believe it is the vehicle used as a getaway car following the robbery of Ellis Tanner Trading Post. [Courtesy Photo]

GALLUP — Police released a photograph on Wednesday afternoon of the suspected getaway vehicle used in the Ellis Tanner robbery last week.

The vehicle is described as a red Ford Escape with a darkly tinted cover on its license plate. However, police did not release any additional information about the vehicle.

Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said officials are seeking the public's assistance in locating the driver of the vehicle. Toadlena-Pablo said the agency has received several tips about the robbery, but none have led to an arrest.

A man, armed with a handgun, robbed the trading post at about 9:20 a.m. on Friday. He fled the location with an undisclosed amount of money and drove southbound from the business. The young Native American man, who weighs about 145 pounds, entered the store, jumped over the counter and pointed a gun at a store employee's head. The suspect was wearing black pants, a black pull-over and a gray or white bandana over his face. He was also wearing white gloves.

Anyone with information about the robbery, is asked to call Crimestoppers at 722-6161 or Investigator Chris Pino at 863-9365.

Police were called to Ameri Cash Payday Loan, 1600 E. Hwy. 66., at about noon on Tuesday after an employee saw a suspicious masked man who was wearing white gloves try to enter the business. The man saw that the employee was on the phone as he approached the entrance and left the store. Police did not find the man in the area. Tuesday's incident has led officers to contact local businesses about the rash of robberies. Toadlena-Pablo said the Ellis Tanner robbery is the most recent in a string of at least six robberies in Gallup within recent months.

The following businesses have been robbed since Jan. 18:

• Phillips 66 north, robbed on Jan. 18
• Ameri Cash Payday Loans, robbed on Jan. 20 at 10:24 a.m.
• Burger King north, robbed on March 1 at 12:52 a.m.
• The Allsup's convenience store, 112 Arnold Street, robbed on March 5 at 6:17 a.m.
• Pizza Hut north, robbed on March 5 at 9:42 a.m.
• Ellis Tanner Trading Company, robbed on April 14 at 9:23 a.m.

Local investigators are visiting local businesses this week to warn employees about the recent robberies and to help ensure their business is prepared in case they become a target.

Toadlena-Pablo said it is important that each business's security cameras are operational and that they are aimed at the appropriate locations.

Officials also said it is important for employees to notify the police if they notice suspicious activity.