Fresno police hunt bandit armed with AK-47 and wearing hockey mask

A man wielding an AK-47 rifle and wearing a hockey mask, along with another armed suspect, are being hunted by police after a home invasion-style robbery Wednesday morning in east-central Fresno.

The robbery took place about 9 a.m. at an apartment complex at Sierra Madre and Olive avenues. Lt. Mark Salazar said the robbery took place after someone in a room walked outside and left a screen door open. Moments later, the bandits forced their way in and took several hundred dollars.

The man with the assault rifle was described as about 5 feet 11 inches tall and slim. He was described as wearing a hoodie sweatshirt and a mask like that made famous by the character Jason in the movies “Friday the 13th.” The other man was about 5 feet 5 inches tall and slim. He was carrying a handgun equipped with a laser sight. After taking the cash, the pair reportedly fled east on Olive in a red Toyota Corolla. Salazar said police were talking to the Spanish-speaking victims and checking a nearby video camera for evidence.

Salazar indicated the robbery was brazen because it took place in broad daylight on a busy street.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 11:22 AM with the headline "Fresno police hunt bandit armed with AK-47 and wearing hockey mask."