WYOMING, Mich. (WZZM) - Police believe one man is responsible for five armed robberies at gas stations in the Grand Rapids area overnight. Meanwhile, investigators in Ottawa County are looking for a separate suspect, who robbed a gas station in the Holland area.
Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., police say one armed man robbed a Marathon gas station and two Speedway gas stations. Investigators believe the same man may have then robbed the La Familia convenience store in Grand Rapids and an Admiral gas station in Walker.
"It appears he chose quick, convenient locations," says Captain Kim Koster with the Wyoming Police Department.
Just minutes later, a Holland Township Shell gas station was the target of an armed robbery, police say by a different suspect.
"Right now, there is no correlation with the other incidents," says Lieutenant Mark Bennett with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department.
Lieutenant Bennet says the Holland area suspect may be the same person wanted with a $2,000 reward for robbing a Family Fare earlier this month.
A manager at the Shell gas station told WZZM 13 off camera that she'd like to see the doors locked during overnight hours.
"I know some of the larger retailer gas stations, one in particular, as of a certain time will do business transactions through a teller window," says Lieutenant Bennett.
Wyoming police say if a business does operate overnight, it's important to be in plain sight.
"We'd like to be able to see through the window and make sure we can see the clerk and that they're safe," says Captain Koster.
Police also say suspects usually don't get much money at convenience stores or gas stations, but unfortunately many of them don't care.
"Many of those suspects are in need of quick cash for substance abuse. Its not a lot of money, but it's what they're out for," says Lieutenant Mark Bennett.
Police also say they're working behind the scenes on security with many businesses and aren't disclosing the exact strategy.