Man in custody after string of early-morning robberies

UPDATE: One man is now in custody after police responded to at least seven armed robberies or attempted armed robberies Monday morning, including six in Cedar Rapids.

The man, who hasn't yet been identified because he wasn't carrying any identification, was arrested after the seventh reported robbery, at 6:50 a.m. Monday at the Kwik Shop at 4201 Center Point Rd. NE. According to police reports, a black male with a green or gray jacket entered the store, displayed a handgun and took small bottles of alcohol.

The man left the store eastbound on foot, then ran across Center Point Road NE in front of a marked police car. Reports indicate the man looked at officers, threw the items he had taken -- including the gun -- and ran from police. He ran behind the Wendy's restaurant on Center Point Road, then circled back towards the Kum & Go. As the man was crossing Center Point Road for the second time, a pair of motorists pulled their vehicles in front of the man in an attempt to slow him down, helping officers to close the distance.

Officers used Tasers to apprehend the man in the parking lot of Clark's Pharmacy, 1946 42nd St. NE. He was taken to a local hospital for examination, then taken to the Linn County Jail. Fingerprints will confirm the man's identity, and his name will then be released, police said.

It's unclear if the man committed all of the Cedar Rapids robberies, police said.

The first robbery report came in around 1:30 a.m. Monday, when officers in Iowa City responded to an alarm at the Gasby's store at 1st Avenue and Muscatine Avenue. A victim walking nearby reported to the store's clerk that they had been robbed.

The victim reported they were approached by two males between the ages of 18 and 24. The first suspect was described as a white male wearing a gray and white hoodie with a thin beard. The second suspect was a black man wearing a green hoodie. Both men were described as average height and build. The victim reported seeing a large black handgun. No one was injured in the incident.

Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers is offering a reward for up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

The second report came from the Casey's General Store at 3349 Mount Vernon Rd. SE. Around 2:30 a.m. Monday, police say a man showed a gun at the store and got away with some cash. No one was hurt.

The third robbery happened just 45 minutes later at the HomeTown Inn and Suites at 3315 Southgate Ct. SW. Police say a black man with a red bandana over his face entered the lobby and demanded money. He told the clerk that he had a gun, but police say he did not show it.

The fourth robbery was reported around 4:45 a.m. at the Casey's General Store at 20 Miller Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids. Police say a black male, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and with a goatee, entered the store wearing a green parka-like jacket and carrying a black handgun. He ran from the store heading west.

The fifth attempted armed robbery occurred at the Casey's General Store at 3625 Edgewood Rd. SW at 5 a.m. A store employee said that the store was closed and the man could not enter. However, police report he did display a gun.

The sixth robbery was reported at 6 a.m., when the Kum and Go at 2504 16th Ave. SW was robbed. Police said the suspect, described as a black male with a green jacket and facial hair, entered the store and displayed a handgun. He left with an undisclosed amount of money northbound from the store.

Anyone with any information on the robberies is asked to call Cedar Rapids or Iowa City police.

MAP OF CEDAR RAPIDS ROBBERY REPORTS:

View Robbery reports in Cedar Rapids in a larger map