Cedar Rapids police say motel, pizza shop robberies may be related

Two armed robberies within 90 minutes of each other Wednesday night may be connected, Cedar Rapids police said.

Police were investigating robberies at Mamamia's pizza shop, 408 Edgewood Rd. NW, and Howard Johnson, 616 33rd Ave. SW, on Thursday morning. A pizza delivery driver was struck in the head with the butt of a gun, but no one needed medical attention in either heist, police said.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said two suspects got money in both robberies, and although some of the clothing was different, they have similar physical descriptions.

“It just sounds similar,” Hamblin said.

Officers rushed to Mama Mia's around 10:42 p.m. Sgt. Jeremy Paulsen said two black males with bandannas on their faces demanded money.

Pizza delivery driver Matt Thompson, 26, of Cedar Rapids, said he was walking from the kitchen to the bathroom when the men confronted him. Thompson said he was struck on the back of his head, and a second employee was shot with a pellet gun. Thompson's girlfriend was also in the store.

The suspects took Thompson's wallet, phone and car keys, he said.

“They took everything of mine,” said Thompson, while smoking a cigarette outside.

Police said the suspects in the Mamamia's hold-up were both around 6 feet tall.

Officers were called to the Howard Johnson motel around 11:51 p.m. Two black males with bandannas covering their faces had what appeared to be a long gun when they demanded money from the female clerk, Hamblin said.

The clerk was not injured. The suspects left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

No arrests had been made in either robbery by mid-morning Thursday. An investigation was continuing.