HOME INVASIONS POPULAR OVER WEEKEND

A home invasion robbery in Chico Friday night captured weekend
headlines after one man, the alleged victim, was shot in the arm.

In fact, the incident was one of four similar crimes within city
limits Friday and Saturday now being investigated by police.

The wounded man, who hasn't been identified by officials, said two
men forced their way into his residence in the 1200 block of West
Sacramento Avenue about 8:30 p.m. Friday. The victim said the men
demanded money, and one pointed a semiautomatic handgun at him. The
gunman fired, striking the man in the arm, then both perpetrators
reportedly fled.

The victim was later treated and released at Enloe Medical Center.

Police swarmed the neighborhood within minutes of the robbery and
shooting, but were unable to locate the suspects, described as a pair
of white men, both about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and wearing dark clothing.

Later Friday night, police were called to another invasion-style
robbery in the 1500 block of Nord Avenue.

In this robbery, and at least one other over the weekend, the
suspects were reported as one black man and one white man.

Invasion-style robberies were also reported Saturday afternoon on
Vistamont Way, and Saturday night on Wild Oak Advertisement Check out
what's on TV now! Lane.

In each case, witnesses reported seeing a weapon, but the second
robber was only heard and not seen by some of the victims.

Some victims and witnesses said the robbers wore black ski masks;
others reported no attempt by suspects to hide their faces.

Chico police Sgt. Dave Barrow said marijuana was demanded, and taken,
in at least one of the robberies. Jewelry was taken in a second, and
one victim was forced to hand over his wallet.

Except in the West Sacramento incident, none of the victims was harmed.

Barrow said the most common elements among the four robberies is that
most victims reported one black and one white suspect, and that at
least one brandished a handgun.

Barrow said robberies of the type reported Friday and Saturday are
rarely random, and that suspects are most often looking for marijuana.

"They either believe the victims are selling it or possess it," he
said. He added that even citizens who possess marijuana legally with
a doctor's written recommendation aren't immune from robbery
attempts, and possible violence.

Anyone with information about any of the robberies is asked to call
Chico police at 897-4900.