Baltimore police investigating string of armed robberies at convenience stores

Baltimore police are investigating a string of armed robberies at Baltimore convenience stores that occurred early Sunday.

At least three robberies happened between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., all involving weapons, police said.

Shortly after 6:30 a.m., a 61-year-old man was arrested after allegedly pointing a gun at employees and stealing money and cigarettes from a 7-Eleven on E. 25th Street. He was identified by the victims, according to police.

Five hours earlier, an employee at a Royal Farms in the 1100 block of West 41st Street told police two men wearing black jackets and gray sweats, and face masks displayed a black switchblade knife and demanded money before running away.

Shortly before that, at 1 a.m., employees at a Royal Farms in the 2000 block of West Forest Park said two people pulled out a knife and gun, then demanded money before taking off.

"It's really unfortunate," a Baltimore resident said. "I mean, I advise them to up the security, you see a lot of cops around here, but it seems like they're not around at the times when we need them."

Baltimore community reacts to overnight robberies

Baltimore police are investigating the robberies separately and say it is unclear if the three incidents are related.

Some neighbors have their own theory on a motive.

"I'm a contractor, so I try to give them opportunities," one resident told WJZ. "But some of them don't want hard work; they just want to take whatever is quick."

Meanwhile, some Baltimore residents are taking common sense precautions and say they've changed their habits to stay safe.

"Try to do things in decency and order and good timing and just always mind my six," one neighbor said.

"If it's a whole bunch of people hanging out at a certain location, you don't want to be there," another neighbor said. "I'll drift along and coast for gas somewhere else."

Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.