Armed robbery in Linda; search for suspect comes up empty

A Linda motel was evacuated Friday night, but no suspect was found as Yuba County sheriff's deputies searched for an armed man who robbed a fast-food restaurant.

The Burger King restaurant on North Beale Road near Walmart was robbed at about 9:30 p.m.

The gunman, described as a black man with tattoos on his face, took a small amount of money from the cash register and fled.

The Sheriff's Department said the suspect came into the restaurant about 10 minutes prior to the robbery and asked a question of one of the employees. He left and then returned armed with a handgun.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter joined the search just after 10 p.m.

Deputies focused their search on the nearby Motel 6, where they believed the suspect was hiding in a second-story room.

The motel evacution began after 11 p.m. Rooms in the upper level on the north side of the hotel were emptied. Fourteen people were seen leaving.

At about 11:45 p.m., deputies entered the room where they thought the suspect was holed up.

They found nothing.

Sgt. Wencel Kemp declined to explain why deputies thought the suspect was in the room.

"The suspect is still on the lam, and the investigation has been turned over to our detectives," Kemp said.

For more details, check back online or read Sunday's Appeal-Democrat.