Police: Armed robbery suspect scouting locations with one person working

The Mount Pleasant Police Department has made a connection in the string of armed robberies in addition to similar descriptions of the suspect.

Mount Pleasant police public information officer Jeff Thompson said the male suspect involved in the armed robberies has continuously chosen businesses with one employee and no customers present in order to cut back on witnesses, he says.

“It is our observation that the suspect is waiting for a window of opportunity by targeting businesses with a low amount of foot traffic and one clerk,” Thompson said.

Each business that has been hit has fit this description with the lack of customers, which would explain why the suspect would do this during the day, he said.

Thompson said police want to deter the suspect from another armed robbery and are doing everything they can to find him but do not want him to disappear and go free all together.

“We don’t want to give out the specifics, but we are using all available resources and following every lead,” Thompson said.

Businesses should also be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious individuals who are spotted around the area matching the description, he said.

“We would rather respond to suspicious activity than show up too late when there could have been something done,” Thompson said.

As Central Michigan Life previously reported, a fifth armed robbery was reported Monday afternoon at a check-cashing store near Mission and Broadway Streets, approximately 1.5 miles north of campus.

At about 2:12 p.m., a Central Alert was issued describing the suspect as a Hispanic male with a black handgun. Police say he was wearing a dark coat, blue and white-striped athletic pants, black gloves and a blue and black plaid baseball cap with ear flaps.

He is described as possibly 5 foot 7 inches or 5 foot 8 inches tall with chin hair.

The subject stole an unknown amount money from Cash Advance, 100 S. Mission St., before leaving the area, heading toward Broadway Street.

Police said if the subject is observed, do not approach him and contact Central Dispatch at (989) 773-1000 or the Mount Pleasant Tip Line at (989) 779-9111. There is a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.