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Masked men with guns rob Chinese restaurants in Henrico, Chesterfield

Posted at 10:12 PM, Oct 21, 2014
and last updated 2014-10-22 17:48:19-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Police in Henrico and Chesterfield are comparing investigative notes after a group of gunmen robbed one Chinese restaurant in Glen Allen and another in Midlothian Tuesday night.

The first robbery happened at about 9 p.m. at Little Szechuan in the Cross Ridge Shopping Center along the 10200 block of Staples Mill Road. During the robbery three men with guns robbed the Chinese restaurant. No injuries were reported.

A worker who was there during the robbery said the men rushed in through a back door, and waved guns around while cleaning out the cash register.  The employee said families with children were sitting only feet away from the thieves.

The first robbery happened at about 9 p.m. at Little Szechuan in the Cross Ridge Shopping Center along the 10200 block of Staples Mill Road.

The first robbery happened at about 9 p.m. at Little Szechuan in the Cross Ridge Shopping Center along the 10200 block of Staples Mill Road.

The crime prompted a precautionary lock down at the nearby Martin's Food Market.

About 45 minutes later, three men with guns entered the New York Asian Café at 13555 Midlothian Turnpike and stole cash and personal belongings from the restaurant and people inside. No one was hurt in this robbery.

The New York Asian Café at 13555 Midlothian Turnpike

The New York Asian Café at 13555 Midlothian Turnpike

The restaurants are approximately 20 miles from each other.

The owner of New York Asian Cafe told CBS 6 reporter Jake Burns the three men barged in through the back door of the restaurant and pointed guns directly at her.

"I think they may know how many people we have working here at nighttime," said the victim, who did not wish to be identified because of how shaken she was by the incident.

The victim said the robbers only got away with a few dollars and two cell phones.

"The suspects are described as black males, between 5 feet 10 inches tall and 6 feet tall, with slim builds," Chesterfield Police Lt. George Burgess said. "The suspects were wearing all black clothing and masks."

Henrico and Chesterfield Police are examining both robberies; however, a spokesperson with Henrico County Police said the two cases have not be definitively linked.

Anyone with information about these crimes should contact Henrico Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 and/or Chesterfield Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.

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