PORTLAND — Police are seeking suspects in a series of robberies in the West End and at a Forest Avenue pizza shop.
The latest reported by Assistant Police Chief Vern Malloch was the Wednesday morning robbery of Domino’s Pizza at 788 Forest Ave.
Malloch said employees reported the suspect began to order a pizza around 1:55 a.m., then jumped over the counter and stole cash being counted by an employee.
The suspect allegedly threatened another employee before jumping back over the counter and fleeing. No weapon was displayed and no one was reported injured in the robbery, Malloch said.
Police are also looking for a suspect alleged to have robbed three women since Sept. 16 in similar incidents. In each case, the robber has tried to steal purses or cell phones from women walking alone or with a companion.
The first report was made Sept. 16 by a 24-year-old city resident who said she was knocked down and dragged on Neal Street near Congress as the suspect attempted to take her purse. The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m., Malloch said.
Two robberies were reported Sept. 20. The first, at around 8:30 p.m., happened on Congress Street near Weymouth as a 21-year-old city resident resisted an attempted theft of her cell phone. She had just placed the phone in her pocket.
The second robbery was reported at 10:45 p.m. by a 24-year-old woman who said she resisted an attempted theft of her purse while she walked on Vaughan Street near Brackett Street.
In both incidents, the suspect fled empty handed, Malloch said.
The robbery suspects have similar descriptions of being about 5 feet 8 inches tall, 20 to 30 years old, thin or slim builds, and wearing gray or dark hoodies. The suspect in the street robberies was described as having no facial hair, while the suspect in the Domino’s robbery was described as having brown hair and a goatee.
Malloch said police believe the street robberies are linked, but have not commented on any link to the Domino’s robbery.
Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to contact police at 874-8539. Anonymous tips can also be made at www.portland-police.com or by texting 274637 and using the keyword “GOTCHA.”
David Harry can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or dharry@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidHarry8.
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