Robbery suspect sought in T.O.

A composite sketch of a robbery suspect who's been targeting customers and employees during midday robberies at retail stores on Thousand Oaks Boulevard has been released by the Ventura County Sheriff 's Department.

On Aug. 20 at 3:54 p.m. a man entered the Just for Guys store at 2238 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. and demanded jewelry from two employees while pointing a handgun at them. According to a report from the sheriff's department, he then grabbed merchandise from the store and left through the back door.

Immediately following the incident, police searched the area with canines and a helicopter but did not find the man.

On Sept. 14 at 1:08 p.m., a man thought to be the same person entered the Decor Store at 2238 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. and approached the victims in the same way, demanding jewelry and brandishing a handgun.

Both targets are small retail businesses, and both crimes occurred during times of low customer traffic.

The robber is described as 35 to 40 years old with short, sandy-blond hair. He's said to be from 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 185 to 210 pounds.

The department asks anyone with information regarding the robbery to call Detective Alan Hartkop at (805) 494-8223 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 494-TALK (8255) or (805) 385-TALK (8255).

Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.

- Nancy Needham