St. Paul police asked for the public’s help Tuesday to identify a man suspected of robbing the same gas station at gunpoint three times in a five-month span.
The man has pointed a gun at employees of a West Side SuperAmerica and threatened to shoot them, said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a St. Paul police spokesman.
The cases occurred at the SA at Smith Avenue and Stevens Street. Each time, the robber ran away by heading west on Stevens Street.
On April 8 at 9 a.m., officers were called to the gas station and told a man entered the store wearing a half-faced ski mask. The man held a silver handgun in his right hand and a black plastic bag in his left hand. He demanded money from the clerk and ran away with the cash.
On Jan. 16 at 10 p.m., a man entered the gas station holding a silver gun. He grabbed an employee and pushed her toward a register, telling her, “I want the money. Hurry up or I’ll shoot you,” according to Ernster. He also threatened to shoot another clerk. He handed a clerk a black garbage bag for the cash.
On Dec. 16 at 11 p.m., an employee heard someone come in the store, turned around and saw a man pointing a black and silver handgun at her. He demanded money and gave her a white plastic bag for it.
The police department released surveillance photos of the suspect on Tuesday and a vehicle he may have been driving.
“Police have been investigating the cases and we’re now at the point where we need the public’s help to find the person responsible,” said Steve Linders, also a department spokesman.
The suspect is described as about 5 feet 7 inches tall, 20 to 30 years old, with words tattooed on his right forearm. He possibly drives a silver or green four-door sedan.
Police asked anyone with information to call them at 651-266-5650.