Cedar Rapids motel robbed

UPDATE: An armed man robbed a motel this morning, marking the fourth holdup at a Cedar Rapids business in as many weeks.

Officers responded to Motel 6, 3325 Southgate Ct. SW, just before 8:30 a.m. when the incident was reported. The male suspect displayed a handgun and collected an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the scene, police said.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said it is believed the suspect left on foot.

"They didn't see him get into a car or anything," she said.

No one was injured in the heist, police said.

The suspect was described as a black male, about 6 feet tall with a thin build, police said. He was wearing black jeans and a black zip-up hooded sweat shirt with red markings on it. He was also wearing sunglasses and a mask that was pulled up.

Investigators took pictures at the scene and viewed surveillance video. The surveillance images will not be released to the media today, Hamblin said.

It is the fourth Cedar Rapids business robbed since Feb. 11. A bank, a credit union and an auto parts store were robbed in February.

"We just ask businesses to be vigilant during their opening and closing times, and during the day, as well," Hamblin said.

Hamblin said the description of the Motel 6 robber is similar to the man who robbed Advance Auto Parts last week. Police have not ruled out that it may be the same man, she said.

Anyone with information about the unsolved robberies is asked to call police at 1-800-CR-CRIME or (319) 286-5491.

RECENT ROBBERIES

• Feb. 11 - Community Savings Bank, 3414 Mount Vernon Rd. SE
• Feb. 17 - Linn County State Bank, 614 20th Ave. SW
• Feb. 23 - Advance Auto Parts, 3910 Center Point Rd. NE
• March 2 - Motel 6, 3325 Southgate Ct. SW