Police looking for suspect in string of armed robberies

WINCHESTER, Mass. (WHDH) -- Police believe the same man is behind a string of robberies in four different communities.

The suspect has hit five places in at least the last week in Winchester, Woburn, Stoneham and Melrose. Police hope someone will recognize the man from surveillance footage.

Surveillance video captured a man storming into a store, pointing a gun at the clerk and demanding money.

All agencies believe it was the same suspect in each incident for many reasons, including his appearance and how he allegedly commits his crimes.

“We do believe the suspect could be the same person based on his clothing, his stature and his appearance in general,” said Lt. Mark DeCroteau of the Melrose Police Department. “He waits till the store is empty and enters the store and immediately demands cash and uses mannerisms in each of the robberies.”

There is surveillance video of the suspect inside the Richdale Convenience Store in Melrose, which he allegedly robbed Wednesday night.

“I was very scared, very scared,” said Kur Mohammad, a store clerk. “He said open the drawer and put your hands up, then I do that, I open the register…and he take the money and run.”

“The suspect had on dark clothing, dark leather jacket covering it, dark hooded sweatshirt which he had pulled up over his head, bald cap and a mask, as well he had on athletic-style running pants and sneakers,” said DeCroteau.

Police believe the suspect started his spree at two locations in Stoneham last week.

“The clerk told the officers that he was held up at gunpoint. The suspect described as being about 5-foot, 8-inches tall, a white male. He was wearing a mask and he fled on foot from the area. Two days later we also had a similar armed robbery at a tanning salon on Montvale Avenue here in Stoneham. The suspect description was exactly the same,” said Det. Chris Dalis of the Stoneham Police Department.

A few days later police said the suspect targeted a store in Woburn and on Monday the Dairy Barn Convenience Store in Winchester.

Police are very concerned because of how bold the suspect is being. They ask if anyone has any information about the suspect or the robberies to contact them (see related links for contact information).