Cedar Rapids police arrest woman for two robberies in one day

UPDATED with information about charges: 28-year-old Tiffany Lynn Carlton from Cedar Rapids is charged with two counts of armed robbery after using a gun to hold up two local pharmacies.

It all started early Tuesday morning at the Walgreens on 16th Avenue Southwest.

Police say Carlton walked into the pharmacy, pointed a handgun at staff and a customer demanding drugs, and then ran away.

Police used a K-9 to follow Carlton's trail across 16th Avenue before the dog lost the scent several blocks away.  Hours later, officers received a second call of an armed robbery at the Medicap Pharmacy on 6th Street Southwest.

“We had officers in the proximity almost immediately,” said John Phipps, Cedar Rapids Police Sergeant.

Phipps says witnesses and pharmacy staff called 911 immediately after the Medicap robbery.  Police say witnesses reported Carlton, again threatened pharmacy staff with a handgun and demanded drugs.

A fifteen minute chase through southwest Cedar Rapids ended at 22nd Avenue.  That's where Sergeant Phipps says Carlton surrendered to police without incident.

“They were able to retrieve evidence from her which indicated she was the one that committed the robbery,” said Phipps.

Charged with two counts of second-degree robbery, Carlton remains in the Linn County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.

The complaint charges Carlton with displaying a BB gun and “assaulting and threatening” staff and a customer at Walgreen's. She displayed the gun during the second incident.

Phipps calls the double armed robbery an isolated incident and says this is not a cause for panic.  Police say they are still collecting statements from the staff at both pharmacies who are recovering from a terrifying ordeal.

“I think they're greatly relieved that the citizens that helped us and the officers were able to catch the person.  I think that it puts their mind at ease.”

Police reported no injuries in either of the two robberies, and Phipps says he doesn't believe the double armed robbery is a cause for panic.

“For whatever reason she chose to commit two crimes on the same day,” said Phipps.  “I don't think a pattern will emerge from this.”

The investigation into both robberies is ongoing but police say they are confident they have enough evidence to link Carlton to both crimes.