Suspect sought

A man allegedly armed with a syringe is the focus of a police search after a South Franklin Street convenience store was robbed on Thursday afternoon.

Police say the suspect entered the store, pulled out the syringe and threatened the clerk on duty, then attempted unsuccessfully to open the till. The man, described as a 30-year-old Caucasian standing about 5-foot-10 with a thin build, left the area on foot.

The suspect was wearing a dark blue jacket and a blue baseball cap with a red brim and a white ‘A’ on it.
It was the first of two robberies that afternoon.

About 25 minutes later another loan male, described as 5-foot-8 and in his early 20s, entered the cashier area of a North Cumberland Street Laundromat, again threatening the clerk with a syringe. He left with cigarettes and cash.

No one was hurt in either incident.

Police ask anyone who can identify the male in either incident to contact them at 684-1200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Web tips may also be submitted anonymously at www.tipsubmit.com.