APD: Burger bandit put out of business

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Albuquerque police said they’ve nabbed a gunman with an appetite for a local fast-food chain.

Manuel Hernandez, 23 was arrested Saturday in connection with a string of hold-ups at three Blake’s Lotaburger restaurants in Albuquerque.

The first robbery happened in late September at the Lotaburger located at 1617 Indian School Road. From there Hernandez hit the Blake’s on Lomas on Oct. 2 followed by a hold-up at the restaurant on Atrisco Drive on Oct. 15 and finally hit the Indian School location again on Oct. 23, according to Albuquerque Police Department detectives.

“Basically lock the doors, was in the business, jumped over the counter and was threatening to the employees," APD Sgt. Trish Hoffman said. "I believe it was actually a good seven to eight minutes he was in the restaurant."

Investigators said it wasn’t until after Hernandez held up the Lotaburger on Atrisco that they were able to identify him as their guy.

A surveillance camera from a nearby store caught him leaving the restaurant in a black Cadillac, according to investigators who said that same Cadillac was seen leaving a West Side Subway sandwich shop after it was held up a few months back.

Detectives began tailing Hernandez and on Saturday followed him to the Blake’s on Indian School where they say he committed his fourth robbery.

This time though detectives were waiting for him. He was caught walking out of the fast food joint with two bags of cash and a small handgun, they reported.

“He didn’t physically hurt anybody, but the emotional stress that puts on someone is extremely horrible that he would do that, so we're extremely glad that he's in custody,” said Hoffman.

According to the criminal complaint Hernandez admitted to the robbery on Saturday. He is charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.

Detectives are also looking at Hernandez for the robbery of an insurance agency in July and said he could be linked to even more holdups.