Some fast-food restaurants in Harford County have been a source of a fast cash for an unidentified man on a robbery spree.
Since February, he has targeted a total of five restaurants on the Route 40 Corridor of Harford County, Edgewood and Havre de Grace, police say.
As a result, the Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff?s Office and Havre de Grace Police Department have been working together to arrest him.
“When we have someone who goes on spree like this, it?s only a matter of time before he hedges himself into a corner,” said Maj. John Van Gilder, of the Havre de Grace Police Department.
The suspect typically gains access by prying open the drive-through window when the business is closed. Then he ambushes the morning shift employees, holds them at gunpoint, raids the business? safe and then has the employees lie facedown on the ground and count to 100 while he flees the scene, according to police reports. In some cases, he approaches night employees when they are leaving.
None of the fast-food restaurants hit had active security systems.
Described as a black man, in his early 20s, between 5 foot 7 and 6 feet tall, approximately 150 pounds, slender build, the suspect is said to always be wearing dark clothing and a solid red bandanna. Additionally, police said the suspect uses a chrome semi-automatic handgun in the robberies. There have been no injuries in any of the robberies, but the suspect has threatened to shoot employees if they do not cooperate.
When asked if the red bandanna could indicate a gang connect, Trooper Ryan Orner, of the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barracks, said, “We can?t make that assumption.”
Reported robberies
» Feb. 11: Wendy?s, Pulaski Highway, Edgewood
» Feb. 23: Burger King, Pulaski Highway, Edgewood
» March 7: Wendy?s, Edgewood
» March 30: Popeye?s, Woodbridge Center Way, Edgewood
» March 31: Burger King, Pulaski Highway in Havre de Grace
