Police arrest suspect in three convenience store armed robberies

Stores were hit on MacArthur, West Broad, and West Main Street.

January 15, 2016; 8:44 AM • by Richard Hayes

Update #1 — January 18, 2016; 9:57 AM

From RPD:

Suspect Arrested for Three Armed Robberies

Acting on a tip, Richmond Police detectives today arrested the suspect who robbed two convenience stores and attempted to rob another at knifepoint.

Michael S. Smith, 47, of the 900 block of Halsey Lane was taken into custody without incident at his home. Smith confessed to all three incidents and detectives recovered the knife used in the robberies.

Smith has been charged with one count of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery. An additional armed robbery charge will also be brought once detectives complete their investigation.

The incidents occurred yesterday around 4:45 p.m. at a store in the 4000 block of MacArthur Avenue, at about 8:40 p.m. at a store in the 4400 block of West Broad Street, and at approximately 11:18 p.m. at a store in the 200 block of West Main Street. Smith entered each store, brandished a large knife and demanded the clerk open the cash register.

No one was injured during any of the incidents.

The tip that helped detectives identify Smith was provided by someone who saw surveillance photos and a video that had been released by the Department. Several other tips were also received by Crime Stoppers. The RPD would like to thank everyone who called in tips and the local media who helped to distribute the surveillance images.

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Original — January 15, 2016

From RPD:

Richmond Police detectives need the public’s help to identify the suspect in the attached photos who robbed three convenience stores at knifepoint.

The incidents occurred yesterday around 4:45 p.m. at a store in the 4000 block of MacArthur Avenue, at about 8:40 p.m. at a store in the 4400 block of West Broad Street, and at approximately 11:18 p.m. at a store in the 200 block of West Main Street. The suspect entered each store, brandished a large knife and demanded the clerk open the cash register.

After taking money from the drawer, the suspect is believed to have fled in a gold SUV, possibly a GMC Envoy or similar vehicle. The suspect is described as a medium to dark skinned black male, 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds. He was wearing glasses, a dark Cowboys zip-up hoodie, blue jeans and a dark beanie or do-rag.

No one was injured during any of the incidents.

Detectives ask anyone with any information about this man’s identity to call Detective Harry Brown at (804) 646-1109 or Detective Michael DiSalvo at (804) 646-3184. Citizens can also call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000, submit a tip online at www.7801000.com, or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.