Police Nab Suspect in Check-Cashing Robberies

San Mateo police arrested a suspect in connection with the armed robberies last week of two check-cashing kiosks and the attempt on a third.

Delaudea Else, 19, of Sacramento was taken into custody at Seal Park and booked into county jail on two counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted robbery and one count of possession of stolen property -- a handgun stolen in Roseville.

A suspect identified as a black male in his late teens or mid-20s reportedly entered a Check 'n Go at 3880 South El Camino Real Dec. 5, brandished a handgun and demanded money. He fled on foot after taking an undisclosed amount of cash. Surveillance photos taken at the time helped police later identify a suspect.

A man matching the same description attempted a robbery at California Check Cashing at 610 S. Norfolk the following day. This time, the employee ran to the rear of the store and the suspect left empty-handed.

On Dec. 8, a suspect entered Best Collateral at 1860 S. Norfolk, pretending to be in the market for a computer. During a conversation, he produced a gun and ordered the employee to step away from the register. He reached into the drawer, pulled out an undisclosed amount of money, picked up a computer and fled on foot.

A false alarm on Dec. 7 helped lead police to Else. A Belmont officer who responded to the call told San Mateo police that the man had been linked to a gold van and shared its license plate number. Detectives spotted a man matching the description provided by witnesses and images on the surveillance photo enter the vehicle. Police found the stolen computer in the van and an undisclosed amount of cash on Else.

San Mateo police are working with other law enforcement agencies and believe more arrests may be in the offing.