January
15, 2016
Acting on a tip, Richmond Police detectives today arrested the suspect who robbed two convenience stores and attempted to rob another at knifepoint.
Michael
S. Smith, 47, of the 900 block of Halsey Lane was taken into custody without
incident at his home. Smith confessed to all three incidents and detectives
recovered the knife used in the robberies.
Smith
has been charged with one count of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed
robbery. An additional armed robbery charge will also be brought once
detectives complete their investigation.
The
incidents occurred yesterday around 4:45 p.m. at a store in the 4000 block of
MacArthur Avenue, at about 8:40 p.m. at a store in the 4400 block of West Broad
Street, and at approximately 11:18 p.m. at a store in the 200 block of West
Main Street. Smith entered each store, brandished a large knife and demanded
the clerk open the cash register.
No
one was injured during any of the incidents.
The
tip that helped detectives identify Smith was provided by someone who saw
surveillance photos and a video that had been released by the Department.
Several other tips were also received by Crime Stoppers. The RPD would like to
thank everyone who called in tips and the local media who helped to distribute
the surveillance images.
Michael S. Smith
