Escondido

Two men were robbed within minutes of each other early Monday, and police believe that the same man armed with a 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistol may have been involved in both crimes.

The first victim told Escondido police that he had gotten out of his car in the 2300 block of Escondido Boulevard to shop in an all-night mini-market when a stocky gunman robbed him of $30.

A few minutes later another man was stopped by two men in the 2800 block of Verda Avenue near the first holdup as he got out of his parked car. The robbers demanded money as one held a gun on the victim. He struggled with one of the robbers, but his wallet and keys were taken.

In both incidents the suspects drove away in a lowered minivan.