Does anybody know if the robbers who amassed over $1.5 million by robbing grocery stores in Oregon and Washington in the late 80s/early 90s were caught, or struck again after the airing on Unsolved Mysteries?

Does anybody know if the robbers who amassed over $1.5 million by robbing grocery stores in Oregon and Washington in the late 80s/early 90s were caught, or struck again after the airing on Unsolved Mysteries?

I don't know, but I'd be damn curious to find out. I think this was one of those segments that never made it to Lifetime for some reason.

I'm assuming there's still no new information here. I can't believe they hit ALL those stores in such a short period of time without being caught--I mean, that was easily over 30 stores over a relatively small area. The descriptions of the two were very detailed. It's just crazy.

Slightly OT, but does anyone know if those so-called pizza bandits were ever caught as well?

I'm curious about updates on this one as well. This segment totally scares the crap out of me every time I watch it. :(

I'm curious about updates on this one as well. This segment totally scares the crap out of me every time I watch it. :(

For sure. My first semester of college I worked as a grocery store cashier and was often assigned the last shift since most of the other cashiers were underage and couldn't sell alcohol or tobacco (definitely some of the most-purchased items on that shift). I remember thinking how desolate and rather unsecure the store seemed at 10:30 at night.

I'm assuming there's still no new information here. I can't believe they hit ALL those stores in such a short period of time without being caught--I mean, that was easily over 30 stores over a relatively small area. The descriptions of the two were very detailed. It's just crazy.

Slightly OT, but does anyone know if those so-called pizza bandits were ever caught as well?

I'm pretty sure they were. It was the work of a local gang, I don't remember a lot of the details sorry, but i'm pretty sure they case is solved. I even saw it on one of the Farina episodes.

I'm pretty sure they were. It was the work of a local gang, I don't remember a lot of the details sorry, but i'm pretty sure they case is solved. I even saw it on one of the Farina episodes.

Oh, I wasn't aware this segment made it to the Farina incarnation. I remember how the group operated in "rotating teams of two", and that there seemed to be something like six or seven of these guys. It seems a group of that size might be caught more quickly than just two people.

I'm assuming there's still no new information here. I can't believe they hit ALL those stores in such a short period of time without being caught--I mean, that was easily over 30 stores over a relatively small area. The descriptions of the two were very detailed. It's just crazy.

Slightly OT, but does anyone know if those so-called pizza bandits were ever caught as well?


OT, I never kenw there was a pizza bandits case on the show.

I'm curious about updates on this one as well. This segment totally scares the crap out of me every time I watch it. :(

Was that because of the music played at the end when the other wanted suspects were announced [same music as the Baskin case update]?

I'd be interested in this too! Funny how Washington State has so many stories like this; the Green River Killer, Mary Kay Letournau, etc.....

I live in Oregon.So,i would deffinatley be interested in knowing if the case was ever solved.What happened exactly? i don't even remember hearing about it.

I live in Oregon.So,i would deffinatley be interested in knowing if the case was ever solved.What happened exactly? i don't even remember hearing about it.

Two men rob grocery stores by posing as customers and entering the stores at or around closing time. The first store they hit was in a small town in Oregon in 1987 and they subsequently hit more throughout Oregon and Washington in coming years. The robbers had a kind of good cop-bad cop style in which one would be aggressive and demanding and the other was sort of reassuring and compassionate (RS mentioned that the latter was known to take hamburger buns and put them under people's heads as they laid at gunpoint on the store floor). There were composites--very detailed composites--shown at the end.

I live in Oregon.So,i would deffinatley be interested in knowing if the case was ever solved.What happened exactly? i don't even remember hearing about it.

The episode is on video sites if you want to watch it

Thanks to both of you.I will check it out.

"and the other was sort of reassuring and compassionate (RS mentioned that the latter was known to take hamburger buns and put them under people's heads as they laid at gunpoint on the store floor)."

Lol, that's kinda weird (I haven't seen it, either). I can imagine this guy talking to the customers in a soft, sympathetic voice: "It's gonna be okay, everyone.....we're just going to take all of the cash we can find.....you're going to be okay....just relax. We'll be gone a in a minute and you can get back to doing what you were doing, okay?"

In the reenactment he doesn't say anything to them, just puts the hamburger buns under their heads while RS narrates about him being nice. It wouldn't have made me feel much better with the gun still there!

In the reenactment he doesn't say anything to them, just puts the hamburger buns under their heads while RS narrates about him being nice. It wouldn't have made me feel much better with the gun still there!

I don't think it would have made me feel any better either! If I were being held up by armed robbers, wondering if I was going to live or die, I doubt I'd even have it together enough to notice the difference between my head laying on a package of smooshy hamburger buns or a cold hard cement floor.

For sure. My first semester of college I worked as a grocery store cashier and was often assigned the last shift since most of the other cashiers were underage and couldn't sell alcohol or tobacco (definitely some of the most-purchased items on that shift). I remember thinking how desolate and rather unsecure the store seemed at 10:30 at night.
You would assume each one of those stores had something other than isolation in common,possibly cashed checks or as you said sold cigarettes and alcohol.I'm sure they were near main streets or interstates for quick escape but I think more possibly where one or both lived near each location,since these crimes were spread out over 6 years yet in the same western parts of Washington & Oregon.I think jobs brought these two to these locations and desperation made for quick ca*****hat's why never caught they lived near each crime.

In the reenactment he doesn't say anything to them, just puts the hamburger buns under their heads while RS narrates about him being nice. It wouldn't have made me feel much better with the gun still there!
I wish I'd seen this reenactment,sounds as if the so called nice one was younger and had a religious upbringing the other was probably a paroled convict,they receive lots of training in the pen.

I would definitely like more evidence to surface, and for the perpetrators to be apprehended. I have wondered if these guys ever bragged about their exploits...
I was working at a grocery store in the early 90's, when myself and my co-workers were held at gunpoint by these two men. Lind's Market in Woodburn, Oregon, 1/4 mile from I-5 (the old building is now gone, it is now a new Walgreens store). 10:00pm. Scariest night of my life! But more than that, strange & surreal... my eyes and attention were focused on stocking frozen foods that night. I'm usually pretty aware of my surroundings, I have always kicked myself for not knowing something was seriously wrong. At one point I wondered why I hadn't seen two of my co-workers for a while, but I brushed it off. A Contractor, (known to us) was doing maintenance work in the backroom earlier in the evening, and had left the back door unlocked, but I don't think that was related. The robbers probably entered through the front of the store anyway. At the end of my shift, I climbed the stairs to our break room to hang up my apron. I was in a hurry, reaching for the hook as I crested the top, when I saw him... words can't describe the shock and surprise I felt... a man in a ski mask, holding a large handgun coming right at me! He grabbed the back of my head and forced me into the next room, where his accomplice was holding my co-workers. I was in terrible fear for our lives, and I am so glad that in the end, no one was seriously injured! When we were hashing things out later, we wondered if one of them was an ex-con or maybe ex-military... because as he was moving us he told us to keep "balls to cheeks" so we would stay close together. I guess I am posting this on the off chance that, in this era of sharing information, the truth might eventually be brought out. Thanks

I would definitely like more evidence to surface, and for the perpetrators to be apprehended. I have wondered if these guys ever bragged about their exploits...
I was working at a grocery store in the early 90's, when myself and my co-workers were held at gunpoint by these two men. Lind's Market in Woodburn, Oregon, 1/4 mile from I-5 (the old building is now gone, it is now a new Walgreens store). 10:00pm. Scariest night of my life! But more than that, strange & surreal... my eyes and attention were focused on stocking frozen foods that night. I'm usually pretty aware of my surroundings, I have always kicked myself for not knowing something was seriously wrong. At one point I wondered why I hadn't seen two of my co-workers for a while, but I brushed it off. A Contractor, (known to us) was doing maintenance work in the backroom earlier in the evening, and had left the back door unlocked, but I don't think that was related. The robbers probably entered through the front of the store anyway. At the end of my shift, I climbed the stairs to our break room to hang up my apron. I was in a hurry, reaching for the hook as I crested the top, when I saw him... words can't describe the shock and surprise I felt... a man in a ski mask, holding a large handgun coming right at me! He grabbed the back of my head and forced me into the next room, where his accomplice was holding my co-workers. I was in terrible fear for our lives, and I am so glad that in the end, no one was seriously injured! When we were hashing things out later, we wondered if one of them was an ex-con or maybe ex-military... because as he was moving us he told us to keep "balls to cheeks" so we would stay close together. I guess I am posting this on the off chance that, in this era of sharing information, the truth might eventually be brought out. Thanks

Wow, thanks for posting, MooJuice!

I have always been intrigued by this story. I can't believe these guys were never found.

I think the observation about the expression one of them used is a really good one. I have never heard anyone that wasn't in the military use it, or any of its other variations. (I've never been an inmate or asked anyone who has been one, but I would assume they probably get to hear that one a lot, too.)

I'm so glad you and your coworkers were left physically unharmed. Have you seen the Unsolved Mysteries segment on the grocery robbers, or did you watch it when it originally aired?

Yeah those guys were definitely scary. Did they not kill anyone through all of the robberies?

Thanks MegtheEgg86,
My Dad noticed there was a segment on Unsolved Mysteries and recorded it for me on VHS. I watched it probably a couple of times in the mid to late 90's.
Since I haven't seen it for a while, I would like to see it again... but I'm not sure of the best website to find it. (I don't have a VCR anymore)
I too was a little surprised the robbers could be so prolific, and avoid being caught all-the-while. All it would take is one lucky break.
For example: the night we were robbed, the Grandmother to one of my co-workers was waiting out in the parking lot. We were held in the store for a really, really long time after closing. We close at 10:00pm, and we're usually out by 10:15 or 10:20-- I'm thinking Grandma is going to know there's a problem, flag down a patrol car... or drive to the gas station across the street and call it in (no cell phones yet), and the police are going to be on these guys as they are leaving. Nope, she had no clue. When it was over, we broke our hands free and called it in ourselves, probably around 10:40.

As I recall from the Unsolved Mysteries segment, I don't think they killed anyone during their string of robberies. One time, I'm not sure at what store, a grocery clerk saw one of the robbers hiding in the back room, and then ran toward the front of the store. A gunshot was heard and the two robbers fled. No trace of a bullet/impact could be found though.

Thanks MegtheEgg86,
My Dad noticed there was a segment on Unsolved Mysteries and recorded it for me on VHS. I watched it probably a couple of times in the mid to late 90's.
Since I haven't seen it for a while, I would like to see it again... but I'm not sure of the best website to find it. (I don't have a VCR anymore)
.

I can mail you a DVD copy for free. PM me your address if interested.

As I recall from the Unsolved Mysteries segment, I don't think they killed anyone during their string of robberies. One time, I'm not sure at what store, a grocery clerk saw one of the robbers hiding in the back room, and then ran toward the front of the store. A gunshot was heard and the two robbers fled. No trace of a bullet/impact could be found though.
Yes, according to the segment no one was harmed, but one of the robbers did fire a warning shot at one of the employees who tried to run away from him. Glad you weren't harmed during the robbery you went through, MooJuice! :wave:

I was curious if anyone else may have noticed that the sketches of the fugitives in the Grocery Store Robbers, & The Brazos River were at least somewhat identical? Here's the Grocery Robbers sketches at http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Grocery_Robbers and the River Attackers at http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Brazos_River_Attackers if you want to compare the two.

I realized this myself the first time I saw both cases. I watch the Brazos River one first, and knew the Grocery Robbers sketches looked awfully familiar. I wondered why, until I figured out if I had seen them before, despite not previously watching that segment, until it hit me why I thought that.

I doubt they were the same people, as they both had completely different M.O's., and took place in locations far away from each-other. That despite if Robert Stack did mention that the robbers may have relocated away from the area they were doing the robberies in. It does make you wonder a bit though, if that may have somehow been the case or not, with the sketches looking a lot alike?

I was curious if anyone else may have noticed that the sketches of the fugitives in the Grocery Store Robbers, & The Brazos River were at least somewhat identical? Here's the Grocery Robbers sketches at http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Grocery_Robbers and the River Attackers at http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Brazos_River_Attackers if you want to compare the two.

I realized this myself the first time I saw both cases. I watch the Brazos River one first, and knew the Grocery Robbers sketches looked awfully familiar. I wondered why, until I figured out if I had seen them before, despite not previously watching that segment, until it hit me why I thought that.

I doubt they were the same people, as they both had completely different M.O's., and took place in locations far away from each-other. That despite if Robert Stack did mention that the robbers may have relocated away from the area they were doing the robberies in. It does make you wonder a bit though, if that may have somehow been the case or not, with the sketches looking a lot alike?

Some pretty huge doubt has surfaced in the last few years that the alleged rapists in the Brazos attack even existed. "Theresa" apparently has a reputation for scams, at least according to one website.

In any event, I don't see the resemblance.

And I highly doubt the Grocery Store Robbers & The Brazos River Attackers were the same like I said (if the latter even existed), even if what I first saw in the sketches kind of had me thinking. That is also sad if "Theresa" made up that story, especially what with a tragic case it was, if it indeed happen. That episode really was upsetting with not only what she (supposedly) went through, but that she was also raped with her son being present with her, and having to witness that, assuming it was a true story.

It's also interesting that Unsolved Mysteries apparently had an update on the Brazos River segment, which (according to the episode guide) aired on 11/3/95. I'm curious if anybody here happened to have seen it, and what was said with any further leads they may have had in the case, since it was never solved, and all? That, and wonder what ever became of the Grocery Robbers, and if they eventually continued their spree in any other parts of the country, after the segment was aired on Unsolved Mysteries?

And I highly doubt the Grocery Store Robbers & The Brazos River Attackers were the same like I said (if the latter even existed), even if what I first saw in the sketches kind of had me thinking. That is also sad if "Theresa" made up that story, especially what with a tragic case it was, if it indeed happen. That episode really was upsetting with not only what she (supposedly) went through, but that she was also raped with her son being present with her, and having to witness that, assuming it was a true story.

It's also interesting that Unsolved Mysteries apparently had an update on the Brazos River segment, which (according to the episode guide) aired on 11/3/95. I'm curious if anybody here happened to have seen it, and what was said with any further leads they may have had in the case, since it was never solved, and all? That, and wonder what ever became of the Grocery Robbers, and if they eventually continued their spree in any other parts of the country, after the segment was aired on Unsolved Mysteries?
Wow I was just looking on wiki a couple of weeks ago and thought that those robbery sketches looked familiar too. to me they look similar maybe because of the sketch type that we see on various cases. But no I haven't heard anything about either case. I've always kept up with the glen rose case because it was close to home. I don't see why someone would make that up with their own child being there but who knows. It's very unusual for people to lie about being raped although it does happen. In fact it is more common for rape victims not to report due to fear of how others will receive them later.

The sketches did bear sort of a resemblance to one another, in part that one of the men in each sketch had a similar type of mustache, with the difference being that one had long hair in the Grocery case, while the other had a short military cut in the Brazos River Attack. That, and the second accomplice had long wavy or stringy type hair in both episodes, but both of which did seem to at least have vaguely resembling facial features.

While it was bad if the woman made that rape up, you'd obviously rather she had done that, than "hope" the attack actually did occur, what with how awful that was, both for her and her son. She did hesitate to come forward at first, but that's not too uncommon like you said. I do wonder if they ever did any tests on her to prove her story or not? Either way, it's a lose, lose situation with whatever did truly take place with that, and is also highly unlikely either case will ever be solved at this point, with how long it's been for both of them.

The sketches did bear sort of a resemblance to one another, in part that one of the men in each sketch had a similar type of mustache, with the difference being that one had long hair in the Grocery case, while the other had a short military cut in the Brazos River Attack. That, and the second accomplice had long wavy or stringy type hair in both episodes, but both of which did seem to at least have vaguely resembling facial features.

While it was bad if the woman made that rape up, you'd obviously rather she had done that, than "hope" the attack actually did occur, what with how awful that was, both for her and her son. She did hesitate to come forward at first, but that's not too uncommon like you said. I do wonder if they ever did any tests on her to prove her story or not? Either way, it's a lose, lose situation with whatever did truly take place with that, and is also highly unlikely either case will ever be solved at this point, with how long it's been for both of them.
Well since she waited two weeks and said she washed off at the river I doubt there was any evidence other than eye witness testimony from her son and whoever talked to the rapist(s). Both testimonies would be very difficult because the likelihood of a worker remembering exact details would be slim. Also the young boy would be a slippery situation to say the least. I honestly think this would be a case for a mental health expert given the situation.

For rape investigations if victims don't go straight to the hospital the investigation is almost always compromised. It is tough because most victims want to clean up instantly as it is just a natural instinct. and then many criminals will make them clean as well.

As far as the sketch I agree. And it has been a long time for that robbery case. It is highly possible they were incarcerated for another crime.

Yeah, and that's also what makes rape cases not easy to solve in the process, what with the victims not sure about coming forward, and needing (or being forced) to clean up as you said. That, and you'd remember how her assailants forced her to drink as well afterwords as well. That was one of those segments you'd hope would have been solved, as tough as it would have been to do, if it again, did actually happen.

I'm kind of willing to bet the Grocery Robbers were eventually imprisoned for another crime, though perhaps also decided it was best to quit while they were ahead. That being with few leads developing, and with no more robberies done by the duo being reported in a good long time, after doing so for five years, then seemingly stopping all of a sudden.

Yeah, and that's also what makes rape cases not easy to solve in the process, what with the victims not sure about coming forward, and needing (or being forced) to clean up as you said. That, and you'd remember how her assailants forced her to drink as well afterwords as well. That was one of those segments you'd hope would have been solved, as tough as it would have been to do, if it again, did actually happen.

I'm kind of willing to bet the Grocery Robbers were eventually imprisoned for another crime, though perhaps also decided it was best to quit while they were ahead. That being with few leads developing, and with no more robberies done by the duo being reported in a good long time, after doing so for five years, then seemingly stopping all of a sudden.
Yeah if they made her drink it certainly could have altered her memory. I'm interested to know if there were any people that saw anything and what the leads were after UM. Maybe that is where the theory that she made it up came from? I have a hard time believing that but I know nothing about the case.

As far as the robbery suspects doesn't it seem like the more people get away with something the more prone they are to repeat their behavior? There are always exceptions. But if not It is possible that they stopped but it is also possible they got caught doing something else possibly completely unrelated or the same crime in a different jurisdiction. I personally have never heard the balls to cheeks saying.

That is usually the case with most such crimes, though seems like many of the other robbers profiled sort of disappeared after a string of robberies. One other instance I can think of was the underground tunnel bank robbers, who halted their operation after nearly being caught the last time. Heck, even the famous "Geezer Bandit" who was profiled on America's Most Wanted seems to have vanished off the face of the earth after having his 15 minutes of fame, with no robberies by him recently being reported.

That is usually the case with most such crimes, though seems like many of the other robbers profiled sort of disappeared after a string of robberies. One other instance I can think of was the underground tunnel bank robbers, who halted their operation after nearly being caught the last time. Heck, even the famous "Geezer Bandit" who was profiled on America's Most Wanted seems to have vanished off the face of the earth after having his 15 minutes of fame, with no robberies by him recently being reported.
True obviously the tunnel robbers were sophisticated and had hands on skills that most robbers don't possess. When they got discovered they probably didn't have a plan B. Maybe getting profiled on national tv is enough to scare someone into stopping. Yet another reason we need shows like AMW and UM in prime slots! They have no agenda other than solving crime and they help local news/authorities get their stories to a national audience.

I recently saw a case on forensic files where police were robbing banks and got caught.

I also would have liked to have seen how U.M. would have profiled the Geezer Bandit, which would have been interesting to see. They would have done a fine job of doing so, especially since not many were certain he really was a "geezer" after all, or so it seems he may not have been. It is a shame we don't have more shows like this these days, even if they both had a great run, and served a very useful purpose. Even "scaring" the criminals into thinking twice about committing more crimes when they were profiled on national television made it worth it too (with knowing there's a better chance they'd have been had when their crimes were revealed), even if they weren't caught in the end.

I also would have liked to have seen how U.M. would have profiled the Geezer Bandit, which would have been interesting to see. They would have done a fine job of doing so, especially since not many were certain he really was a "geezer" after all, or so it seems he may not have been. It is a shame we don't have more shows like this these days, even if they both had a great run, and served a very useful purpose. Even "scaring" the criminals into thinking twice about committing more crimes when they were profiled on national television made it worth it too (with knowing there's a better chance they'd have been had when their crimes were revealed), even if they weren't caught in the end.
Yeah I think people would love a new version of UM. I mean take the stories that polarize our country....say the latest one. And profile it on UM with real facts from both sides. It can't miss. Then have 3 other cases that aren't as high of a profile case and the viewers can help solve a real mystery.

Can only hope at this point. At least we got the revival with Dennis Farina a few years ago. It wasn't half bad, and was better than nothing in my opinion. That despite that even though it featured the same exact cases, still never felt like the good old U.M. we grew up with, and loved to death.

Even then, it was nice to see it return to TV once more, and also allowed me to both see, and discover "new" segments that I never got to, and/or knew even existed, until I saw them with the Dennis Farina versions. I was amazed of how I never even heard of some of those episodes, and was also nice they'd air ones that Lifetime never did, or could.

https://i.imgur.com/CCTNhoY.png

https://i.imgur.com/AXCGCuC.jpg

Quite the resemblance IMO

And that's just what I was thinking too, even if both their m.o.'s were totally different. Still doubt they were the same people, but you just never know though.