UPDATE: BPD sees link between two Wednesday night stick-ups, Twin-City businesses hit by seven robberies in 12 days

In both Wednesday night robberies Bloomington Police have similar descriptions of the suspect. (Photo Bloomington Police Department)

 

By Howard Packowitz and Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police are investigating two armed robberies reported about eight minutes apart at southeast side businesses Wednesday night, and officers are asking for the public’s help.

The robber in the both stick-ups had a silver handgun in robberies that happened at Little Caesars Pizza at 2507 East Oakland Avenue and the CVS Pharmacy at 1130 South Veterans Parkway.

No shots were fired and no injuries were reported as the robber fled both scenes with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Police have similar descriptions of the suspect. In each case, officers were looking for a black male, 5′ 8″ to 5′ 10″ tall, wearing a black hoodie, dark pants, and a partial face mask.

The crimes are the latest in a series of holiday season hold-ups. Since December 14, there have been seven robberies reported in Bloomington-Normal. Police have made arrests in one of those cases.

Anyone with information about the Little Caesars and CVS robberies are asked to call BPD at 309-820-8888 or McLean County Crime Stoppers at 309-828-1111.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected] and Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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