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Armed robbers terrorize store clerks, demanding cash, chips, beer

TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma police are looking for leads in tracking down two men wanted in a series of violent robberies at six Tacoma convenience stores in the past month.

Surveillance video of one of the heists showed the robbers walking in, heading to the counter and holding a clerk at gunpoint, demanding cash.  Then one of them went to the beer case.

Sometimes robbers go after cigars or chips. They stole beer from a customer after first threatening the person with their gun.

Will Hammond was the last clerk to get hit, at Big Willy's Market.

"You know, they're stealing petty things with a gun, and that's not a petty thing.  I'll do what I need to protect what I have," Hammond said.

In each of the robberies, one or two men enter the store armed with a handgun and demand cash from the clerk.

The robbers are white or Hispanic, 20 to 25 years old, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, with thin builds.

Tacoma Police Detectives said they have few leads, but they hope someone recognizes the men and calls them with a tip.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County at 253-591-5959.