PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Over the course of 11 days, police say one man committed seven store robberies and attempted an eighth. The most recent one happened Wednesday night at Old Town Market on Portsmouth Boulevard.
"We have an individual who is desperate. Whether that desperation be a result of a financial situation or some other situation going on in their personal life, they have made eight different robberies," said Detective Misty Holley.
The suspect is described as a 5'9 to 6'0 tall male wearing dark clothing and armed with a handgun. The first robbery happened July 24 at Church Food Mart on Portsmouth Boulevard. At that robbery, as soon as the suspect left the store, a shot could be heard.
The next day, July 25, another robbery at a Valero gas station on High Street.
"The individual came in, demanded money, had a firearm in front of him. So the employee saw he had a firearm, robbed the store and left," said Detective Holley.
An employee, held at gunpoint when George's Market on Des Moines Avenue was robbed July 28, said she's glad she wasn't hurt.
"I looked and then he put the gun on me and he said, 'This a robbery' and it just shocked me. I just went back inside the register and gave him all the money and he ran," said Pamela Anstead.
Police are still looking for help as they investigate the eight crimes in 10 days. If you have any information, you're asked to call the crime line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
Related:
http://wtkr.com/2016/08/03/portsmouth-police-investigate-7-eleven-armed-robbery/
http://wtkr.com/2016/07/30/portsmouth-police-investigating-armed-robbery-of-a-family-dollar-store/
http://wtkr.com/2016/07/28/portsmouth-police-investigate-string-of-robberies/
