Brazen Daylight Robbery at Days Inn: Gunman Who Held Up Manager Sought

Updated at 4:25 p.m. March 5, 2012

A manager was robbed at gunpoint about 2:40 p.m. Monday, with the assailant taking an unknown amount of cash and fleeing on foot west on El Cajon Boulevard, witnesses said.

Nitin Mody, the live-in manager of the motel for six months, said he was unhurt in the incident at 7475 El Cajon Blvd.—near the intersection with Williamsburg Lane.

Mody said the gunman came around his lobby counter and demanded money. He said he hadn’t yet checked what was taken.

But he said police arrived two minutes after reporting the incident.

Police were searching the area with the brief help of the Sheriff’s Department ASTREA helicopter, and interviewed possible witnesses nearby.

Mody said the gunman was black, about 25-30, and wore sunglasses, a gray hoodie and black pants. The robber displayed a small gun before crossing the street and heading toward San Diego four blocks away.

"Officers and the ASTREA helicopter searched the area, but the suspect was able to get away and is still outstanding," police said in a statement.  "There were no injuries."

Police said the suspect was described as:

Black male adult, 30-40 years old, 180-190 pounds, 5 feet 10, dark skin, goatee and wearing a grey beanie, gray sweatshirt with a black emblem on the back and black pants. He also had on gloves. 

Anyone with information on this case or others is asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400.

You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line 888-580-TIPS (or sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.