The San Mateo Police Department has released a sketch of the man suspected in Saturday night's at a PetSmart store, which is offering a reward to help catch the suspect.
The suspect, a black man about 30 to 35 years old, was wearing a black cap and black sweatshirt, according to police. The man weighs about 180 pounds and stands around 5 feet 9 inches.
PetSmart and neighborhood partners are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
The Police Department released a statement Monday emphasizing the department's commitment to find the suspect.
"Detectives continue to relentlessly investigate this case," police said in the statement.
Police believe the crime matches a series of similar robberies throughout the Bay Area and are working with other law enforcement authorities to find the suspect.
San Mateo police responded to reports of an armed robbery at the PetSmart at 3520 S. El Camino Real shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday.
Police said a suspect armed with a handgun entered the PetSmart and approached one of the sales clerks. The suspect demanded cash and then fired several shots at the clerk and fled from the store, police said.
The clerk, a 34-year-old San Mateo man, suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to a nearby hospital. His injuries were not considered life threatening, police said.
There were about 15 customers in the store at the time of the robbery, and police interviewed witnesses at the scene. Part of South El Camino Real was closed for about an hour during the investigation.
Violent crime has decreased in San Mateo by more than 15 percent in the past two years, according to police.
Anyone with information about Saturday's shooting and robbery is urged to contact the San Mateo Police Department in any of the following ways:
SMPD Investigations Bureau: 650-522-7650
SMPD Secret Witness hotline: 650-522-7676
Anonymous Text to SMPD: 650-262-3473
Anonymous E-Mail to SMPD: Sanmateo@tipnow.org
