“Eat Fresh Robber” wanted for string of robberies, Santa Cruz police say

Monday morning Monica Martinez was just beginning her shift at Subway in
Santa Cruz when she found herself looking down the barrel of a gun. An armed robber was in the store and Martinez was worried about her safety and her co-workers.

“Somebody else was in the back, so I was thinking of her,” said Martinez.

At gunpoint she handed over the money then she and her coworkers were told to go in the back while the suspect took off. That’s when the Subway employees called the police. Turns out this suspect may have struck before.

Lt. Bernie Escalante said, “We’re collaborating with Salinas PD, and Monterey Police Department as well as the Santa Cruz Sheriffs Office and we’re comparing notes and comparing video surveillance. Based off of some of
the evidence in all of those cases we have a belief that it could be the
same suspect.”

On April 6 at 6:10 p.m. See’s Candy in Salinas was robbed at gunpoint. April 8 at 2:30 p.m. there was another robbery, this time at “Room for Desserts” in Monterey. Then on April 12, the first of a string of Subway robberies, the first at 10 a.m. in Salinas. Another robbery happened later that day in Soquel.

That’s when the suspect was dubbed the “Eat Fresh Robber,” by Santa Cruz Sheriff Deputies. So far this month, two more robberies have occurred.
May 6, at 2:33 p.m. Kara’s Cupcakes in Monterey, and Monday’s hold up at Subway in Santa Cruz.

No one was physically hurt during these robberies even so its been the talk of the town in the Santa Cruz area.

“Right now I’m still a little bit scared because I’m afraid if he comes again,” said Martinez.

But it’s back to business as usual at Subway. Barbara Redmond is a frequent customer and came in to enjoy a bite.

“I’m sure there is a lot of businesses like these eateries that people are
going to be very nervous, but it won’t scare me away,” said Redmond.

“I hope the police catch him,” said Martinez.