Morgan Hill police are investigating an armed robbery at a local hotel that might be related to two similar incidents that occurred in Hollister in recent days.
Two men entered the Ramada Inn, 16115 Condit Road, about 11:50 p.m. March 8 and demanded money, according to Morgan Hill police Sgt. Troy Hoefling.
One of the men brandished a rifle and pointed the weapon at the employee in the lobby and told her to lie on the ground, Hoefling said. The employee, fearing for her safety, complied.
The suspect then jumped over the counter and took the cash drawer from the register, police said. Both suspects fled out the front door of the hotel. Witnesses heard a vehicle flee from the area at high speed but did not see what kind of vehicle.
Both suspects are described as Hispanic males, about 5-feet, 8-inches tall, 160 to 170 pounds with short black hair, Hoefling said. One of the men wore gloves.
Police did not disclose how much cash the robbers stole.
Morgan Hill police are working with Hollister police to investigate the crime, and to determine if there are any similarities to the robberies of two hotels in that city, Hoefling said. One of the Hollister robberies resulted in stabbing injuries to a hotel employee.
The first robbery in Hollister occurred at about 10:30 p.m. March 8 at the Wiebe Motel, 1271 San Felipe Road, according to police. Two Hispanic males, one armed with a rifle, entered and demanded money. The clerk gave them money before they forced the worker to the store and left in a vehicle.
Then at 10:20 p.m. March 10, two Hispanic males entered the Cinderella Motel at 110 San Felipe Road. One was armed with a knife, jumped over the counter and demanded money, according to police. The female motel clerk refused the demand and was stabbed once in her side, along with getting injured in the hand. She was flown to a Bay Area hospital for treatment.
In both crimes, one of the suspects was described as having a goatee. Hollister police noted that with the similarities, it is possible the crimes are related.
