Less than $200 cash was taken in the two Friday night robberies, according to police.
TRENTON — City police are investigating whether two gas station armed robberies reported four minutes apart Friday were a coincidence or committed by the same person.
No one was injured and less than $200 in total cash was stolen during the two hold-ups, according to police. Believing it is possible both robberies were committed by the same suspect, detectives from the robbery unit are taking the short amount of time between the crimes into consideration.
“Obviously, we’re investigating it, during the time frame and similar description, and we’re looking at them to see if they’re related,” Lt. Steve Varn said today.
The first armed robbery was reported at 11:06 p.m. Friday at the Road Runner on Brunswick Avenue and Southard Street, Varn said.
A suspect approached on foot and pointed a handgun at the station attendant. While holding the attendant at gunpoint, the suspect rummaged through the victim’s pockets and took cash from him, police said.
The suspect then fled on foot across the Southard Street bridge and out of sight. Police described the suspect as a black male, 5-foot-10, 25 years old, thin build, wearing a dark hoodie and black pants.
At 11:10 p.m., the Riggins gas station at Calhoun Street and West Hanover Street was reported robbed in a similar manner, according to police. There the suspect went up to the station attendant, pointed a handgun at him and demanded money. The attendant gave up cash, and the suspect took off running on Hanover Street toward Prospect Street.
In that case, the suspect is said to be a black male, medium complexion, 21 or 22 years old, 5 foot 2 to 5 foot 5, wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.
Though the descriptions of the suspects are not identical, Varn said it does not rule out the crimes were committed by the same people. Two people may describe the same people in different ways, he said.
“What perception is, is a big part of it,” he said.
Anyone with information on these crimes can call police at (609) 989-4170, or the Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663.
Contact Alex Zdan at azdan@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5705.
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