On Dec. 30 at 4:26pm, officers from the Gilroy Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at Pizza Hut, on the 1100 block of First Street in Gilroy. As an employee was putting money into the business safe, a man entered the business and brandished a handgun. The suspect demanded money and the employee immediately ran to the back of the business out of fear, according to police. The suspect fled the business without the money or any property.
Later that evening, a Gilroy Police officer contacted a subject matching a description of the alleged Pizza Hut robber inside a blue 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, parked near the Garlic City Club Casino on the 8600 block of San Ysidro Avenue, police said. A high-risk stop was initiated. The subject, later identified as Izaak Diaz, 24, of Gilroy, failed to comply with commands and he fled in his vehicle.
Diaz led police on a high-speed pursuit through parts of Gilroy and into Hollister, according to authorities. He continued the pursuit back to U.S. 101 through Gilroy. Spike strips were successfully deployed, deflating all four tires. Diaz continued on the flattened tires until an officer brought the vehicle to a stop using a Pursuit Intervention Technique with his patrol car, on U.S. 101 near the San Martin exit. Diaz was taken into custody with the assistance of a Morgan Hill Police Department K9.
Diaz was medically cleared at a local area hospital and transported to the Santa Clara County Jail, police said. Diaz was booked for attempted robbery and felony evading.
This is one of several armed robberies that took place in the last week in Gilroy. The following is a summary of some recent cases, according to authorities:
• On Dec. 24 at 6:52pm, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Best Western Park Inn hotel, on the 300 block of Leavesley Road. A man armed with a handgun entered the business and demanded money from the desk clerk. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.
This suspect was described as a white male adult, approximately 20 years old, six feet tall and medium build and green eyes, police said. The suspect wore a black hooded jacket, green baseball cap.
• On Dec. 26 at 9:35pm, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Wienerschnitzel, on the 700 block of First Street. A man entered the business and demanded money from the cashier, while displaying a handgun. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspect was described as a light-skin Hispanic male, 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 150-160 pounds, with red facial hair. The suspect wore a grey jacket, blue jeans, grey beanie cap and tan colored boots, according to police.
• On Dec. 28, at 9:13pm, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Little Caesars Pizza, located on the 1300 block of First Street. A man entered the business and demanded money from the cashier, while displaying a handgun. The suspect fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet, 4 inches tall and a thin build. The suspect wore a teal hooded sweater, blue jeans, grey beanie cap and white shoes.
Gilroy Police Detectives are investigating these cases. Anyone with information can call the Gilroy Police Department at (408) 846-0350. Information can be left anonymously.
