NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News police officers dealt with two robberies almost back-to-back Friday morning.
A police sergeant told 13News Now the first one happened at the CVS on the corner of Oyster Point Road and Warwick Boulevard. That was reported a few minutes after 7 a.m.
An employee there told investigating officers that the person who robbed the store was a Black man wearing a green hoodie, blue shorts, tan shoes and a black face mask. After walking in with hands in his pockets, the man allegedly pulled out a gun to demand cash from the employee. Then, witnesses said he left.
Officers checked security footage at the store, and saw a person wearing that outfit walk to the store from a silver minivan.
As police were working on that case, just before 7:30 a.m., people called for help about a robbery at the Marathon gas station in the 11700 block of Jefferson Ave. Employees there gave a description of a suspect wearing the same clothes as CVS robbery, and driving a silver minivan.
Investigators put out an alert about the van as they were inspecting the scenes, and an officer in another precinct saw a vehicle that matched the description.
After initiating a traffic stop, officers took someone into custody as a suspect. They haven't shared the man's identity, yet.
In an afternoon update about the arrest, the police department said officers collected evidence from the van.
"The arrest of this individual was most certainly a combined effort involving citizens, a civilian employee and officers — as well as technology," wrote Chief Steve Drew. "We appreciate the members of this community, at both locations, working so diligently with our Department making it possible to take this dangerous person into custody."
The robberies remain under investigation. If you know anything that could help police officers as they look into these robberies, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. You can also submit a tip online at P3Tips.com.
