Published: August 06, 2008 11:54 am      

Suspect possibly linked to three Clarksville crimes

Robberies targeting Hispanics

Police have arrested one man possibly linked to three attempted robberies in Clarksville, but they are still searching for at least one more suspect.

Jose A. Luna, 36, of New Albany, was arrested Friday after allegedly trying to rob Eclipse, a Hispanic-owned salon at 1005 Eastern Blvd.

Witnesses said Luna entered with a tennis racket, holding it as a weapon. Another suspect pulled up his shirt and displayed a sawed-off shotgun, according to a police report.

One of the workers at the salon reportedly grabbed Luna, and the other suspect threatened to shoot. The worker then pushed Luna in front of him and said to shoot, the report states. At that time, the other suspect dropped his gun and fled the building.

According to the report, Luna was sitting in a chair inside the front door when police arrived. One of the witnesses said Luna was one of two men who tried to rob them. Officers found a plastic toy shotgun underneath him, the report states.

Luna was arrested for attempted strong-armed robbery, criminal recklessness, intimidation and false reporting or informing.

An 11-year-old girl was at the salon at the time of the robbery. She said one of the suspects entered and told everyone to get on the ground and demanded money. Her parents think the men may have been former customers. The girl said the suspects did not get away with any money.

Detective Raymond Hall of the Clarksville Police Department said two other robberies, which occurred July 30 at about 11 p.m., have similar vehicle and suspect descriptions. He said the suspects in all three cases used the same mode of operation.

In the first incident, two suspects allegedly tried to rob a man near Hamlet Apartments along Marlowe Drive. Not long after, El Burrito de Oro at 1927 Greentree Blvd. was robbed.

Hall said he is preparing a photo lineup for the witnesses in the robberies to try to identify Luna.

“He said he was just there to get his hair cut,” Hall said of Luna. “He didn’t cooperate at all.”

Police are looking for a Hispanic male described as 5 feet 9 inches or shorter, medium build, possibly in his late 20s and with dark short wavy hair. He may drive a white Blazer SUV with custom striping on the side. Part of the license plate number may be 5630 or 5360.

Anyone with information should call the police at 812-284-4636.