Robbers targeting local businesses
Published on December 3rd, 2003
Stoneham Police are investigating a string of possibly-related robberies in which a young white male is entering gas stations and convenience stores, allegedly threatening to do physical harm to employees with a kitchen knife, and then leaving armed with hundreds of dollars in cash, according to Stoneham Police.
The first incident took place at the Montvale Mobil gas station at a little before 11 p.m. last Saturday night.
"The guy showed them a wooden-handled blade, which he had tucked underneath his sweatshirt," said Stoneham Police Det. Ed Peek. "He came into the store, and he demanded tens or twenties and said that if he didn't get the money 'I'll kill ya."
The latest incident happened over the weekend, where an 18-21 year-old white male, dressed in a blue hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, and also appeared to be "high on drugs or drunk." The reportedly intoxicated youth stole away with approximately $230 in cash, and then left on foot walking toward the Maple Street area.
"We believe this is possibly the same subject as a prior robbery at Montvale Mobil about a month ago," said Peek, referring to an Oct. 25 robbery in which a thief reportedly walked into the gas station, attempted to buy a drink, and then grabbed a handful of cash from the open register. "
That thief bore the same general description, with the only difference being a Notre Dame cap worn by thief at the first robbery.
The Dairy Mart on Franklin Street also fell victim to an armed robbery on Sunday afternoon, in which a white male, 18-21 years of age, entered the store, reportedly brandished a wooden-handled knife, and then stole the entire cash register drawer. The incident was reported at 12:10 p.m.
"He walked around the counter and demanded the clerk open the register and give him money, the clerk said no, the suspect then showed what was described as a large kitchen knife and the suspect ran out the door," said Peek. "The suspect then cut the wires out of the register and then forced the entire drawer out of the register before leaving out the front door."
According to Stoneham Police, the thief escaped with between $800-$1000 from the register, and then left in a "newer" blue Ford Taurus.
The Dairy Mart robbery suspect is described as white male, 6' feet tall, skinny build, with black hair and wore a ski mask. He wore a blue sweatshirt with work boots.
"There's a lot of similarities between these robberies," said Peek, who said that despite the similarities the robberies have not been tied into each other yet. "They're all being actively investigated."
Stoneham Police are currently working on a sketch of the robbery suspect.
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