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‘Woodpecker Bandit’ attempts multiple robberies at Chesterfield spot

Posted at 5:21 PM, May 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-05 17:25:36-04

CHESTERFIELD, Va. – A string of robberies near in Chesterfield, located around a shopping center, Burger King, and convenience store, on Woodpecker Road, have been targeted by a robber over the past two weeks.

"It is a little scary, because it's not something that normally happens,” said Keidre Davis.

Two of the robberies brazenly occurred back to back.

On Wednesday, May 4, the Dollar General was robbed at gun point. Then Thursday morning the suspect walked into the Burger King, but wound up robbing the convenience store.

Witnesses said the suspect walked into the Burger King, but when he did the cashier ran into the back. During the commotion, the convenience store clerk, as seen on a surveillance camera, walked towards the restaurant to see what was happening.

The robber spotted him, and seconds later,  demanded he open the cash register. Less than a minute later the thieve ran out and towards University Apartments.

Footage from robbery on May 5.

Footage from robbery on May 5.

"I think that's crazy, cause this area is not that big for all that to be going on right here, that's a wild situation,” said Sean Stubbs, a local resident.

On Sunday morning April 24, the Food Lion was robbed. Officers said the suspect walked into the store and showed the clerk at note demanding money. He then ran out of the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.

That evening there was also an attempted Burger King robbery.

“I attempted to come out of the building to see where he went,” said Terrell Davis , who thinks the man police are looking for was very nervous. He says the suspect passed a note to a cashier at the Burger King, but he wasn’t successful. “It’s a rural area, one stoplight, country roads.”

“He took his note back with him,” said Davis. “He’s not educated, because his handwriting looked like it came from a kindergartner.”

Sources tell WTVR CBS 6 that earlier, at the Food Lion, the suspect actually came back into the store after he robbed it to get his note back at least twice before running outside.

"It's kinda scary and makes you be more aware of your surroundings, you have to,” said Peter Garnes, concerned about robberies.

Police described the suspect as a black male around 5 feet 5 inches tall. He was last seen wearing a white mask as well as  black hoodie and black and white camo-style pants.

If you have information that could help investigators, call Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.

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