Update: Police release more details about suspect who robbed four Temecula businesses

A sign reading "Sorry - Temporary Closed Due to Robbery" hangs on the door of the Dairy Queen right next to where police dusted the glass for fingerprints. (Joe Fanaselle/SWRNN)

Update @ 9 a.m. Aug. 23: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department officials have released a more detailed description of the man who robbed four businesses  in Temecula yesterday.

The suspect is described as a white male about 25 years old, roughly 6 foot tall with a thin build and with light brown to dirty blond spikey hair. The man wore a long sleeved red and blue plaid shirt, blue jeans, and dark-colored sunglasses with large round shaped lenses.

At one of the businesses a white-colored, older model sedan was seen leaving the parking lot immediately after the robbery. This vehicle was described as being about 10 years old and in poor condition.

Anyone with further information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact Investigator Williams at the Temecula Police Investigations Bureau at 951- 696 3000.

Original story: According to Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Albert Martinez, a string of robberies occurred late this afternoon in Temecula.

At least four stores were hit in the attempted robberies — all within the span of about 30 minutes.

“We do have four possible robberies which are all in the process of investigation. All of them were located on Temecula Parkway,” Martinez said.

Martinez did not release the names of the businesses that were robbed, but Riverside County Sheriff’s Department radio transmissions indicated that they were Dairy Queen, Scrubs and Beyond, Burger King and Payless Shoes.

The first call came in at 5:31 p.m. at the 31800 block of Temecula Parkway, with subsequent calls coming in at 5:33 p.m., 5:42 p.m. and 5:51 p.m.

Martinez was not aware of any injuries and said the suspect did get away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s. Witnesses reported that the man “simulated a handgun” but a gun was not seen by the victims.

Radio transmissions indicated that a man was pulled over for a brief time on Temecula Parkway near Butterfield Stage Road, but that witnesses were not able to identify the man as the suspect.

An officer speaks to witnesses inside the Dairy Queen at the intersection of Temecula Parkway and Redhawk Parkway. (Joe Fanaselle/SWRNN)

That man was permitted to leave the scene.

Witnesses currently report a heavy police presence at businesses along Temecula Parkway.

“Unless you see something, stay out of the way and let the police do their jobs. If you do see something or someone suspicious, flag down an officer or call the dispatch center at 951-776-1099,” Martinez said.

*Stephanie D. Schulte and Joe Fanaselle contributed to this report.