News Flash

Durham Man Charged with Committing Six Commercial Armed Robberies  

A Durham man has been charged with committing six armed robberies of commercial businesses between October 27, 2019 and December 23, 2019. Investigators from the DPD’s Robbery Unit worked with investigators from Durham County Sheriff’s Office and the Chapel Hill and Cary police departments on these cases.

DPD investigators have charged Elmer Jose Mejia Guardado, 22, with committing the following robberies:

· La Central Market (2022 Guess Road) - Shortly before 7 p.m. on October 27, three Hispanic males entered the business wearing Halloween style masks. One suspect had a firearm. One male hopped over counter and opened registers.

· Tienda Mi Pueblo (1000 N. Miami Blvd) - On October 31 at 4:58 p.m., two Hispanic males entered the business wearing Halloween/clown masks. At least one suspect had a pistol. One suspect jumped over the counter and emptied the registers. The other suspect took two computers from the business.

· Tienda La Carniceria Marqueta (4701 Hillsborough Road) - On December 14 at 5:16 p.m., two Hispanic males entered the business. One male displayed a handgun and the suspects yelled out in Spanish, "This is a robbery." The suspects then opened the registers and emptied them.

· Japan Express (3409 Hillsborough Road) - On December 18 at 9:12 p.m., one Hispanic male suspect wearing a gray hoodie with a black coat over top, black pants and a black ski mask entered the business displaying a black pistol. The suspect demanded money and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the register.

· Alpaca (302 Davidson Avenue) - On December 22 at 8:45 p.m., two Hispanic males entered the business and one displayed a handgun. The other suspect jumped the counter and attempted to open the register but was unsuccessful. The suspects then removed the entire register and fled.

· Tienda Mi Tierra (4226 Garrett Road) - On December 23 at 8:15 p.m., two Hispanic males entered the business with their faces covered. One suspect displayed a large handgun and the other suspect appeared to have a knife. The suspects made demands in Spanish. The suspects took money from the register and then fled the scene.

Guardado was arrested on January 3 by investigators from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. DPD Robbery Unit investigators are still working several leads from other robberies within the city limits and additional charges may be forthcoming on Guardado and additional suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves. CrimeStoppers has operators who speak English and Spanish.