Masked Men Rob Lemon Grove Taco Shop

LEMON GROVE, CA – Three masked men armed with a shotgun, a hammer and a bat robbed an East County restaurant Monday.

The suspects entered Santana's Restaurant in the 7700 block of Palm Street in Lemon Grove about 2 a.m., forced employees to open cash registers and stole an undisclosed amount of money, according to sheriff's officials. They fled the area to the south on foot, toward Cypress Street, Sgt. Karla Menzies said.

At least two of the men are suspected of taking part in similar armed robberies of taco shops in Spring Valley and Lemon Grove over the past two weeks, the sergeant said. In all three cases, similar weapons were used.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department 24-hour non-emergency line at 858-565-5200. To make an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Images courtesy of San Diego County Sheriff's Department